Last year I had the privilege to sail on Norwegian Encore and the Disney Fantasy. Both these ships are similar because they are relatively new vessels in their fleet; however, they aren't the newest ships built by Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line. 

Royal Caribbean got almost everything perfect with their newest and biggest cruise ship, but there were a few things I disliked about my recent cruise on Icon of the Seas.

When itineraries on Icon of the Seas became available to book nearly a year and a half ago, I immediately booked a cabin for the first sailing. Having cruised on most of Royal Caribbean’s ships, I was interested to see how Icon of the Seas would stack up against the rest of the fleet.

Cruise drink packages are among some of the popular add-ons. Rather than having to tally up each beverage you order, they allow you to take advantage of the cruise line's extensive offerings for a fixed price. 

Whether you like to indulge in premium cocktails or simply want to enjoy a few more beers than usual while on vacation, there's a good chance you're considering purchasing a package for your upcoming cruise. 

While planning for an upcoming cruise vacation is always exciting, packing your suitcase can feel daunting. No one wants to waste time packing items that aren’t necessary to have a great cruise. Those who are new to cruising might even feel overwhelmed about what to bring onboard for their first cruise.

Unlike hotels where you can leave to eat at a nearby restaurant, a cruise ship functions as your primary source of food while onboard. Naturally, it's curious to be interested in the kitchen and what goes into making sure that thousands are people are satisfied with each meal. 

Every aspect of the dining experience has been carefully calculated by the cruise line, ensuring that there are enough supplies and variety for the duration of the sailing— and then some! 

Here are 10 facts about cruise ship kitchens and food that you probably didn't know! 

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

While the advertised rate for any Royal Caribbean cruise might seem like a good deal at first, there are a few hidden fees that won't be applied until the final stage of booking, such as port fees and gratuities. 

Depending on your itinerary and cabin selection, these two fees can add hundreds of dollars per person to the total cost, so it's important to be aware of what they are before you eagerly go to book the "cheap" cruise that you found. 

Last month, I took a bucket-list cruise through Africa with Norwegian Cruise Line onboard Norwegian Dawn. While this cruise ship was one of the oldest in the cruise line’s fleet at 22-years-old, the unique itinerary was one that I couldn’t resist.

Even better, the cruise fare was extremely affordable compared to other African cruise options. The 12-night itinerary on Norwegian Dawn featured ports of call throughout Africa, including Mauritius, Madagascar, and South Africa.

It seems as though all eyes have been locked on Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest ship and the largest at sea. While Icon is definitely worth all the hype it has been receiving, sailing onboard this record-breaking ship is going to cost you a pretty penny.