Although the main purpose of going on vacation is to escape the routine of daily life, you must remember the importance of practicing common courtesy while on your cruise, as it will make the experience more enjoyable for everyone. 

Cruise lines have rules in place to foster a positive and safe environment for both passengers and crew members. Some rules, such as designated smoking areas, are clearly defined, whereas others may be more implicit. 

Over the past two years, I have been lucky enough to sail with Norwegian Cruise Line six different times. Each of these cruises was unique, exciting, and taught me new lessons about the brand as a whole. 

My first ever sailing with Norwegian was in August 2022 onboard Norwegian Getaway that cruised to the Caribbean. This experience was a ton of fun and really showed me some of the best offerings in the NCL fleet. 

I recently returned from my first-ever Celebrity cruise on their newest ship: Celebrity Ascent. From the moment I stepped onboard, I knew this wasn't an ordinary vessel. 

As soon as you walk inside the Grand Plaza, you're left speechless. How is something so beautiful actually floating on water? The ship gets more and more impressive as you continue to explore. If I remember correctly, my jaw actually dropped when I saw my stateroom's ensuite bathroom. 

Is a suite upgrade worth it? After four sailings in interior cabins, I recently stayed in a balcony suite on MSC Seaside for a week-long cruise in the sunny southern Caribbean. Was it worth the extra money for a luxury accommodation on my MSC cruise? I was a little nervous to find out if my money was well spent. 

Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Cruises' newest Edge Class vessel, launched in November 2023, and even though I have a sailing booked for July, I couldn't wait that long to experience everything this brand-new ship has to offer. 

From the cost of my stateroom to airfare, onboard purchases, rideshares, and more, this trip ended up costing about $4,600. It was well worth it, though, as I can confidently say that Celebrity Ascent is one of my favorite cruise ships. Now, I am eagerly counting down the days until I get to step back onboard. 

If you're on a fitness journey or simply don't want to return home from your next cruise feeling overly bloated, there are some things you can do to make your indulgent vacation a little healthier. 

As someone who cruises pretty frequently, I'm weary of going overboard on sweet treats and other snacks. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying all of the delicious food on the ship, it's important to remember that moderation is key. Moreover, consuming too many alcoholic beverages or sugar mocktails certainly won't help you stay in any kind of calorie deficit. 

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

Over the last two years, I have had the privilege of sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line onboard some of their oldest and newest ships. These ships have all been quite different, highlighting the wide expanse of offerings from Norwegian. 

When browsing for cruises, the rate that you see likely won't be the amount you end up paying. While there's a lot included in your fare, there are some unavoidable extra charges, including port fees and gratuities. If you're someone who has to stay connected at sea, you will have to pay for Wi-Fi, too. 

Of course, some add-ons aren't necessary, such as specialty dining; however, these experiences can make a cruise much more memorable, if you're willing the shell out the extra money. 

Here are 12 sneaky ways cruise lines get you to spend more money.