Carnival Cruise Line recently left many passengers stunned with an unexpected ban on a common household item.

Like other cruise lines, Carnival has a long list of prohibited items that aren't allowed onboard their fleet, many of which are common sense. You wouldn't, for example, try to smuggle a dangerous weapon or explosives on your Caribbean cruise. 

MSC Cruises is adding elevated suite benefits and amenities to guests with an Aurea Experience. 

The European cruise line offers four distinct experiences that cater to different preferences and budgets: Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, and the luxurious MSC Yacht Club. 

With the Aurea Experience being one of the highest tiers, MSC Cruises is aiming to upgrade the overall guest suite experience by offering more luxury, comfort, and personalized service. 

Being in my mid-20s and sailing primarily with Royal Caribbean, I was scared to take the plunge and book my first Celebrity cruise. However, the experience was far better than I could have imagined, and it's now my top choice for a cruise vacation. 

Royal Caribbean is known for its mega-ships packed with unbelievable amenities. The fleet of over 25 ships includes everything from ice skating rinks to AquaTheaters hosting high-diving shows to bumper cars and more.

The cruise industry is constantly changing, especially post-pandemic. With brand-new cruise ships launching each year and cruise fares increasing substantially, the cruising landscape has shifted in the last few years.

Cruises are also more popular than ever before with millions of passengers setting sail each year. With increasing demand comes an increase in pricing. Even with increased travel costs, you can still find great value in cruising.

We share lots of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including tips on how to win cruise ship cabin upgrades and the best waterslides at sea. 

If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at our recent articles.

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I took my first cruise aboard a Royal Caribbean ship over 15 years ago, so the family-friendly cruise line has been a favorite of mine for a long time. 

Some of my best memories are from spending spring break on Oasis of the Seas with my family and cruising on Freedom of the Seas with my now-fiancée.

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the leading cruise lines in the world. 

With a fleet of more than 20 ships, Carnival caters to a diverse set of travelers, from families looking to spend quality time together to couples seeking a romantic getaway.  However, before stepping foot on a Carnival cruise, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you are used to sailing with other brands. 

Cruising on a budget typically means booking the cheapest stateroom onboard. However, there are opportunities to upgrade your cabin for less than it would cost to book balconies and suites outright. 

Celebrity's upgrade program is called Celebrity MoveUp and allows guests to bid on higher stateroom categories. If your bid is chosen, you will automatically be billed and upgraded to the higher cabin category for your cruise. 

As someone who cruises frequently, I can't always find a travel companion to accompany me on my adventures, so I've begun to embrace the freedom of solo cruising as a way to see the world. 

My solo travels have taken me everywhere from the Bahamas for short getaways to port-intensive European itineraries where I've explored renounced places like Rome, Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Aix-en-Provence, France.