When you hear or read the words "poop deck" what do you think of? A deck dedicated to cruisers’ poop? A deck where birds poop? The smelly deck of the ship? 

Well, this actually isn’t the case. These non-smelly decks are typically on older ships or sailing ships. 

So, if you’re wondering where exactly these decks are or what their purpose is if not associated with the toilet, read more!

In 2024, more than 4 million passengers set sail from Port Everglades. While it's not as popular as Miami or Port Canaveral, travelers from all over the world continue to flock to Fort Lauderdale as a gateway to the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Though some cruisers live within driving distance of South Florida, others rely on airfare to reach the bustling port. Thankfully, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is less than five miles from Port Everglades, making it convenient for travelers. 

I've been cruising since I was five years old. While I don't remember every aspect of my weeklong Disney cruise, I remember the excitement of boarding the ship. 

Over the years, my love for cruising has grown into a full-fledged obsession. On any given day, I can be caught browsing at least one cruise line's website, trying to fit another vacation into my busy schedule. 

As a travel writer, I've honed my cruise planning skills, learning the ins and outs of different cruise lines, ships, itineraries, and cabins. 

When Margaritaville at Sea launched, the cruise line's sole ship offered short 2-night cruises from Palm Beach, Florida, to the Bahamas. 

The cruise line that flaunted a $120,000 unlimited cruise pass has begun testing drink packages aboard one of its adult-only ships. 

When Virgin Voyages launched, they were adamant about not offering all-inclusive drink packages like their competitors. 

It’s not uncommon for cruise ships to completely sell out, but what happens when you book the cheapest and last available cabin?

I did just that on my recent Carnival cruise. After coming across a cheap cruise fare aboard Carnival Firenze just two weeks before departure, I couldn’t pass up the last-minute getaway. At just $846 total, or $423 per person, it was a fantastic deal for a 4-night cruise.

Congratulations on deciding to cruise onboard the beautiful Carnival Valor! Sailing from New Orleans, a cruise on board Carnival Valor is unique compared to traditional Caribbean voyages from popular ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Tampa. 

While Carnival Valor offers a wide variety of staterooms, from tiny inside cabins to large suites, some rooms aren't the best fit for certain travelers. 

Carnival Cruise Line’s oldest ship, Carnival Sunshine, barely passed a recent health inspection by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The vessel received a barely passing score of 89/100 during a routine health check by the CDC, which is only a few points above the passing threshold.

Cruise ships need to receive a score of 86 or higher in order to pass routine health inspections. The CDC conducts these health inspections to ensure vessels are safely operating and following official guidance.

One of Carnival's brands is shutting down its operations in Texas. 

Princess Cruises' Majestic Princess was scheduled to offer cruises from Galveston, Texas, between November 2026 and March 2027. However, Princess canceled over 15 sailings as part of its broader global fleet deployment strategy.