Flying to your cruise’s embarkation port is not an uncommon practice. Unless you live within driving distance of the cruise port, you’ll most likely be heading to the airport at the start of your vacation.

Earlier this year, Princess Cruises launched their largest ship, Sun Princess. Measuring over 177,000 gross registered tons, the brand-new Sphere Class ship offers countless new experiences, ranging from the mesmerizing Dome to the artistic-inspired Love by Britto specialty restaurant. Another new concept that made its debut is The Sanctuary. 

Virtual balconies are exclusive to Royal Caribbean ships and offer an innovative way to bring ocean views into the stateroom without the price tag of a traditional ocean-view or balcony cabin. 

Instead of standard windowless interior rooms, virtual balcony cabins feature an 80-inch LED television screen that provides live HD views from outside the ship. There's even a balcony railing overlay on the screen to help enhance the illusion that you're staying in an actual balcony room. 

First-time cruisers have a unique perspective, often noticing certain aspects of the onboard experience that seasoned cruisers have grown accustomed to. Moreover, experiencing everything for the first time is also exciting, opening a new world of possibilities for those keen on cruising.

Before you can begin your countdown to your Carnival cruise, you have to choose your stateroom. 

Selecting your perfect "home away from home" on a Carnival ship is easier than on other cruise lines. Whereas some ships have everything from interior-facing balconies to multi-level suites and cabins with windows overlooking the Royal Promenade, Carnival's staterooms are slightly more standardized. In other words, you won't find the same level of variation in cabin types across their fleet as you might with other cruise lines. 

Cruises make the ultimate family vacation. From included youth programming to adult-only sun decks and adrenaline-pumping activities for teens, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Still, not all ships are built equally. Before booking the same cruise your co-worker raved about, it's essential to do your own research to see which ship will suit your family's needs. 

Welcome guest writer Sarah Cinq-Mars! Sarah's a 5th-grade teacher based in North Carolina. When she isn't teaching or being taught the latest slang by her students, she's catching up on the latest true crime podcast, playing with her 11-year-old dog, or checking out the area's newest restaurants. 

Teachers have a multitude of responsibilities on their plate at all times. As a teacher myself, sometimes all I can think about is when my next vacation is and what I'm going to do.

Would you pay over $5,000 for a cruise ship suite with little to no privacy? Normally, you'd expect a stateroom with that price tag to offer luxurious amenities and expansive ocean views. 

However, my Reserve Collection Cabana Mini-Suite on Sun Princess sat on a shared deck, and guests staying in standard balconies on the decks above had a direct view of my balcony. 

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