Would you take a short cruise on one of the world's largest ships? 

Recently, I returned from a 4-night getaway on Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship currently ranked 7th among the largest cruise ships in the world. With over 5,400 passengers onboard, Allure is packed with activities, dining options, and entertainment that make you feel like you're vacationing in a floating city at sea. 

After removing a popular appetizer from its Main Dining Room menus in 2023, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed the return of escargot. 

Whether you're an adventurous eater or want to step outside your comfort zone at least once, cruising lets you explore different cuisines without the fear of commitment. If you order a dish you don't like, you can simply order something else for no extra charge. 

Carnival Cruise Line has been around since 1972, with the first cruise setting sail on March 11, 1972. Since then, the cruising industry has changed dramatically. In fact, the original Mardi Gras was advertised as being 27,000 gross tons, while her namesake which was launched in 2021 is a little over 180,000 gross registered tons. 

Many cruise lines offer cruises to the Bahamas year-round, so choosing the perfect one can be difficult. 

Most are either 3- or 4-night cruises that depart out of Florida. You can, however, opt to take a longer Bahamas cruise that leaves from a port further north, like New York or Baltimore.

Everyone's preferences are different, and you might be looking for a quick weekend getaway! On the other hand, you might not want to fly all the way to South Florida just for 3 or 4 nights. 

The departure of Carnival Liberty's 14-night Panama Canal cruise was delayed by one day after the 110,00 gross registered ton ship was diverted because of a medical emergency and then developing propulsion issues. 

After calling at Key West, Florida, during her 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, Carnival Liberty had to divert course to Florida three days later on Nov. 29 to allow an ailing guest to receive medical treatment from a local hospital.

Flying across the world for a cruise might not be everyone’s idea of vacation. With a 17-hour time change and more than 24 hours of travel time to just reach the cruise embarkation port, this vacation might not appeal to anyone.

With mega-ships like Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas and Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras calling Port Canaveral home, it's no wonder that over six million cruise passengers visited here in 2023, making it one of the world's busiest cruise ports. 

However, unlike Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the closest airport isn't just down the road. If you have to fly to Florida for your cruise out of Port Canaveral, it'll likely require more planning. 

Wondering how much an Alaska cruise costs? 

Unfortunately, there's no cookie-cutter answer. Some can cost as little as $500 per person for a seven-night cruise in an inside cabin on a mainstream line, or upwards of $10,000 per person for a week in a suite on a luxury cruise ship. The price varies greatly depending on the cruise line, ship, departure date, and itinerary.

Plus, you will need to factor in airfare, hotel stays, shore excursions, and other costs to determine the total price of an Alaska sailing. 

The convenience of a cruise vacation is hard to beat. Paying one flat rate for accommodations, dining, and entertainment is pretty appealing, right? 

Before you get all excited about the cheap cruise deal you found, there are a few extra charges that you should be aware of.