After months of planning your cruise, it’s finally time to start packing your suitcases before you set sail! Packing can be equally stressful as it is exciting, especially if you are limited on packing space. First-time cruisers might struggle particularly if they aren’t sure what to expect for their cruise vacation.

We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.

If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at the recent articles and updates we've shared.

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Welcome guest writer Sydney Wall! Sydney graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a degree in English and a concentration in creative writing in 2021. She has always been passionate about traveling and never stops looking for adventure. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's in Accounting from UNC-Chapel Hill and continues to write every opportunity she gets.

I had never been on a cruise before my friend and I decided to journey across the Atlantic from Baltimore to Bermuda. The 5-night stay was rocky, but the fun was never-ending. 

No, the longshoreman strike won't affect cruise ship passengers. 

The U.S. port strike went into effect on Tuesday, impacting ports on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. It's the first coast-wide International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike since 1977, with 45,000 unionized dockworkers raising their pickets. 

Cruise operations typically have dedicated facilities separate from cargo handling; however, ships are serviced and stocked by working members of the ILA. 

Intrigued by the affordable fare and the convenience of embarking in New Orleans, just a short drive away, I finally got to experience Carnival Cruise Line. More specifically, I was curious to see what the cheapest stateroom on Carnival Valor would offer.

The days of worrying about adding a drink package, specialty dining, and other extras to your cruise fare are over—at least for one cruise line!

Norwegian Cruise Line has upgraded their popular "Free at Sea" program to offer a more enhanced and streamlined experience for passengers. From premium cocktails to delicious specialty dining, Norwegian is honing in on the concept of "MORE," focusing on more onboard offerings, more places to explore, and more value. 

The 2026-2027 season for Celebrity Cruises is poised to be unforgettable, featuring over 600 cruises to more than 280 destinations across 70 countries on all seven continents.

The cruise line just announced a brand-new world cruise that will take passengers on a 110-night voyage across the globe, sailing to 55 destinations across 15 countries. In addition, the upscale cruise line has unveiled expanded routes to Asia, Europe, and South America.

If you’re looking for drink prices to plan for your upcoming Carnival cruise, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your complete guide for what you can expect to spend on cocktails, wine, beer, liquor, and more during your cruise.

You can find the most updated Carnival cruise drink prices and menus in this article. Keep in mind that Carnival also charges an 18% gratuity for drinks that are purchased onboard. 

Cruise ships have three categories of standard cabins: interior, oceanview, and balcony. Interior rooms are usually the smallest cabins onboard and lack sunlight since they don't have any windows. As such, oceanview and balcony staterooms are popular for cruisers who enjoy natural light and beautiful ocean views. But how do you decide which cruise ship cabin is best for your family?