One angry parent expressed frustration over Carnival Cruise Line's prohibited items policy when a Christmas present was confiscated during their boarding process. 

The anonymous parent wrote to John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, explaining the port's security team took the special toy. They also expressed dissatisfaction with Carnival's policies as they believed the toy posed no threat. 

Cruises are one of the safest vacations you can take. However, that doesn't mean you should let your guard down onboard or ashore. 

An increase in deadly gang violence resulted in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago declaring a country-wide state of emergency on Monday. 

Tipping on a cruise ship is a controversial topic. Most mainstream cruise lines will automatically add a daily gratuity to your onboard account. However, you also have the option to prepay them. 

Carnival Cruise Line is not only one of the most popular cruise lines in the industry, but it’s also one of the most affordable. With plenty of complimentary dining options, exciting entertainment each evening, and onboard thrills for the whole family, the fun begins the moment you step onboard.

With Royal Caribbean's singular alcoholic drink package costing anywhere from $65 to $110 per day, some cruisers like to cheat the system to save money. However, the popular cruise line's new beverage policy aims to prevent guests from sharing drinks with passengers. 

However, sharing drinks with other passengers is against the Deluxe Beverage Package's rules. The same rules apply to free casino drinks, which were sometimes shared with non-gamblers. 

An 82-year-old cruise passenger died in St. Maarten last Thursday after falling into the water from her electric wheelchair while on the pier. 

According to the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), the incident occurred around 5:00pm and was believed to be caused by a wheelchair malfunction. Though emergency responders tried to resuscitate the elderly woman, she was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor loyalty program rewards cruises for staying "Loyal to Royal." The more you cruise with Royal Caribbean, the more perks you will unlock through their rewards program. 

Cruise ships are regularly inspected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to confirm they're maintaining a healthy and safe environment for passengers. In 2024, only two Carnival ships received a perfect score. 

The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) randomly conducts inspections to ensure cruise lines meet their expected standards, giving each ship a rating of 0 to 100. Just like how restaurants and grocery stores are inspected, the CDC wants to reduce the chances of guests and crew falling ill on a ship. 

It's hard to believe I've been cruising for two decades. 

When I was five, my family embarked on our first cruise aboard the Disney Magic to the Eastern Caribbean. Since then, I've visited the Caribbean countless times on lines ranging from Royal Caribbean to Carnival, and I have five cruises to the Caribbean planned for 2025.