You don't have to be retired or ultra-wealthy to live on a cruise ship. In fact, more and more younger couples are opting for life at sea. Who wouldn't want to wake up to an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet before exploring a new destination or lounging by the pool? You don't have to worry about cooking or cleaning, either, and no, it isn't too good to be true. 

If you are sailing on a Carnival cruise soon, whether it is to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, or elsewhere, you might be debating on purchasing a drink package.

Carnival's drink package offers guests the option to enjoy up to 15 alcoholic beverages per day, as well as unlimited sodas and other applicable non-alcoholic beverages, on their cruise for a fixed daily rate, rather than worrying about paying for each drink individually. 

Like on land, you can't walk up to a cruise ship bar at 17 and expect to be served a cocktail. There are other age restrictions when it comes to cruises to help keep all passengers safe. 

For example, most cruise lines don't let 18-year-olds sail by themselves. Some cruise lines, such as Carnival, have stricter policies that say if there's anyone under the age of 21 in the cabin, there must be an adult 25 or older staying in the same room. 

Wondering about the casino cruise age limit and other key age-related policies? Keep on reading!

From daydreaming about sipping tropical cocktails by the pool and eating endless ice cream cones to researching once-in-a-lifetime excursions, planning a cruise vacation is exhilarating! However, before you get too excited, you must set a budget and figure out how much you’re willing to spend. 

We share a lot of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.

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. 

Want this roundup delivered directly to your email inbox? Sign up for our Cruise Blog Newsletter!

Does Carnival have plans to restructure its loyalty program in the future? Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear likely, according to Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.

Cruise line loyalty programs are incredibly valuable, rewarding frequent cruisers for their commitment to a single brand. Similar to airline or hotel loyalty programs, cruisers who repeatedly sail with one line enjoy enticing benefits and lucrative perks. Each major cruise line approaches loyalty rewards differently, tailoring programs to their unique customer base.

Out of the eleven Royal Caribbean cruises I've taken, the majority of them have been on the cruise line's mega-ships. 

I'm familiar with the Oasis and Icon Class—huge vessels with waterparks, movie theaters, and ice skating rinks. Despite the awe-inspiring amenities available on mega-ships, cruisers still enjoy Royal Caribbean's older, smaller vessels. 

It's not too late to book a cruise for 2025. While cruise fares have increased over the last few years, you can still find a great deal by booking in advance, choosing less popular travel dates, or being open to last-minute deals. 

Certain times of the year, such as the shoulder and off-seasons, see more competitive pricing due to less demand. For example, those looking to stretch their budget as far as possible will want to browse early spring or fall sail dates rather than the peak summer months.

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a man believed to have gone overboard from Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess. 

The 72-year-old American man is thought to have fallen off the ship before it arrived in San Francisco on Monday, December 2, following a 5-night cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. The vessel arrived around 6:50am. 

According to a statement by the cruise line, officials searched the ship and sourced security videos. However, the passenger, who was traveling alone, was not located.