Having sailed on the newest ships launched by premium cruise lines Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises, I've had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience at what makes each brand desirable. 

Celebrity's Edge Class ships boast modern, upscale designs, with an emphasis on luxury and fine dining. On the other hand, Princess' brand-new Sphere Class shines with its focus on a wealth of onboard activities, casual dining, and the line's innovative MedallionClass. 

Those looking to explore The Last Frontier on a cruise ship will have more choices starting in 2026, with MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages announcing their inaugural sailings to Alaska.

MSC Cruises will bring MSC Poesia, a Musica Class ship launched in 2008, to Seattle, Washington, offering 7-night cruises to Alaska and Canada beginning on May 11. Passengers can expect visits to popular ports like Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and more. 

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season isn't over yet, but one Meteorologist shares why cruisers can finally take a sigh of relief. Historically, by late October, the season's peak begins to taper off, leading to fewer storms. 

From Hurricane Beryl to Oscar, the storms have wreaked havoc on the cruise industry, with dozens of ships having to alter their itineraries. In some cases, sailings have been canceled because of port closures and delayed returns. 

Though cruise ships are destinations in and of themselves, many travelers book cruises to explore different ports of call across the globe, from the tropical Caribbean to the culturally rich Mediterranean. 

Unless cruising with an ultra-luxury line like Regent Seven Seas, excursions come with additional costs that can add up quickly. Moreover, with some tours costing hundreds of dollars per person, you want to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck. 

From exploring new ports of call to soaking up the Caribbean sun on the pool deck during a day at sea, there's no shortage of activities to enjoy on a cruise. While onboard, however, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of shopping. 

Plus, if you don't pack appropriately, you may have to pay inflated prices for everyday items that are a fraction of the cost at your local drugstore. There's nothing wrong with visiting the duty-free shops onboard, but it's important to think twice about your purchases. 

Having cruised on lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Celebrity, and Disney, I decided to embark on a fresh adventure and sail on Princess Cruises' newest ship, Sun Princess, during her inaugural voyage from North America. 

Princess Cruises launched Sun Princess in February 2024 as the cruise line's first Sphere Class ship. Measuring 177,882 gross registered tons with a passenger capacity of 4,300 at double occupancy, Sun is Princess's largest ship, surpassing Discovery Princess.

When deciding on a cruise ship cabin, most passengers opt for one of the three standard categories: inside, oceanview, and balcony. However, some guests may want to splurge on a suite to enhance their onboard experience. Cruise ship suites offer a range of perks that justify the high price tag, from priority embarkation to spacious accommodations. 

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Carnival announced a new series of 3- to 5-night cruises visiting their brand-new private destination in The Bahamas, Celebration Key.