According to a report released by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise lines are projected to see passenger volumes reach over 35 million globally this year. While the cruise industry has experienced strong demand throughout 2024, resulting in higher prices and less availability, if you're smart and play your cards right, booking a cruise doesn't have to be expensive. 

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

Search is underway for a crew member who jumped off an MSC cruise ship on June 10 after departing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

The crew member jumped off MSC Musica en route to Genoa, Italy on a 7-day Western Mediterranean cruise. The ship's navigational team and local Coast Guard searched the area for three hours; however, the body was not found. 

Royal Caribbean took delivery of Utopia of the Seas during a ceremony held at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, increasing the number of their operational ships to 28. 

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1. Less than one month into the season, flood concerns have risen in Florida, with some areas predicted to have double-digit rainfall totals this week. While reports from the National Hurricane System predict a 10% chance of the system developing into a named storm, those with cruises booked are wondering what this means for their upcoming voyages. 

Choosing a cruise ship for your next vacation can be overwhelming. There are literally so many choices! Each cruise line has its own distinct experience when it comes to dining, entertainment, onboard ambiance, and itineraries.

If you’re new to cruising, a little bit of research can go a long way to make the best choice for you and your travel party. It’s important to understand how the cruise lines differ to align with your needs. In fact, even within a single cruise line, there can be great variation across the fleet.

Planning a cruise differs from other international vacations. Rather than worrying about booking multiple hotels, arranging transportation between cities, and planning daily itineraries, those embarking on a cruise enjoy the convenience of unpacking once, as their floating hotel will transport them to different destinations. 

Think again before you try to get away with refilling one of the water bottles in your stateroom's cabin with tap water to save a few dollars. 

The "hack" was originally shared to TikTok in July 2023 by CHRISSY 🆚 KRISSY (@krissy.kross). Since published, it's received 1.2 million views and over 14,000 likes. The comments, however, aren't praising the user for their resourcefulness. 

A viral TikTok shows you're never too old for a girls' trip.