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When most people think of cruising, images of sun-drenched beaches in the Caribbean or the Bahamas typically come to mind. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend their days lounging on golden sands, sipping tropical cocktails, and indulging in soft-serve ice cream by the pool? Sounds like a dreamy vacation! 

But if you're someone who craves a bit more adventure and natural beauty from your cruise vacation, an Alaska cruise might be exactly what you’re looking for. 

As a fan of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, I eagerly anticipated my cruise on Utopia of the Seas. The cruise line's newest Oasis Class vessel—and second-largest ship in the fleet—launched this summer.

Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line are two of the most family-friendly cruise lines at sea. From included youth programming to state-of-the-art amenities and spacious cabins, both lines are ideal for families looking to create lasting memories at sea. 

That said, there are some stark differences between the two. Royal Caribbean, for example, features a variety of activities for children, teens, and adults alike—including ice skating, water parks, rock climbing walls, and more. 

When choosing your stateroom, it’s important to consider how close it is to high-traffic or noisy areas of the ship, especially if you’re a light sleeper or traveling with young children. 

For example, nobody wants to be kept awake by the thumping of the cruise ship nightclub or woken early in the morning by the sound of deck chairs being dragged across the lido deck. 

Before selecting the first available cabin, follow these tips to avoid loud staterooms on your cruise vacation. 

Carnival Cruise Line has added a new cruise essential to its prohibited items list: Bluetooth speakers. The surprising move has left many customers fuming over the change, while some are praising the cruise line for the move.

Carnival’s website was recently updated to include specific verbiage prohibiting guests from bringing speaks onboard their ships, citing safety concerns. 

Florida is a major cruise hub, with popular embarkation ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa, and Jacksonville. Cruises also depart from other ports along the East Coast, from Baltimore to New York and Boston; however, one port is ceasing operations at the end of the year. 

First-time cruisers will face the hardest decision of their planning process early on: choosing the right cruise line. With hundreds of ships and dozens of cruise lines, from budget-conscious options to luxury experiences, finding the perfect fit can feel overwhelming. 

Even the best cruise ships aren't perfect. 

Recently, I sailed onboard Sun Princess, Princess Cruises' newest ship, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While it offers exciting features and innovations, a few aspects didn't quite meet my expectations. From the tiny entertainment venues to the slow service, I didn't love everything about my cruise.