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. 

Unless you are sailing on a luxury cruise line, there is a good chance that you will have to pay extra for your alcoholic beverages while on your cruise. 

Most mainstream cruise lines offer guests the option to purchase a drink package, which includes either a fixed number or unlimited daily drinks for the duration of your cruise. With some lines that charge upwards of $16.00 per cocktail after the added gratuity, there is no wonder that these are popular cruise add-ons. 

MSC Cruises has made a significant investment in ship construction in the last 20 years, resulting in today’s diverse fleet that sails worldwide.

Whether it be a smaller ship that voyages to quaint ports in Europe or a mega ship with all the bells and whistles, MSC offers something for every cruiser, including visits to their private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, in The Bahamas. 

Since MSC Cruises was founded in 1988, they have grown to be one of the largest cruise lines in the world, with 22 ships sailing globally. Their fleet is expected to expand to 25 by 2027, as they have three more ships on order. 

MSC Cruises' ships range in size from just a little over 65,000 to 215,000 gross registered tons. In fact, MSC World Europa is the seventh largest cruise ship in the world, following Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas and Oasis Class vessels.