There is nothing better than reflecting on your memorable cruise experience! We often look back at photos, our key chains, or other small gifts you’ve purchased from the gift shop or on the island where you docked.

But what if you could cherish something you didn’t have to pay for at all? 

Take a look at our list of 10 cruise souvenirs you can find onboard most ships for the extremely low price of absolutely nothing at all.

Booking shore excursions at the right time is one of the most important parts of planning a successful cruise vacation. Reserving tours too late can severely limit your options or result in paying more for popular activities. 

From booking directly with the cruise line to planning your own day ashore and finding a reputable third party, there are several ways to secure the perfect excursion experience. While each comes with its own benefits, one key factor remains the same: you don't want to wait until the last minute to research your port of call. 

While cruise lines have their policies, there are also unwritten "rules" that frequent cruisers swear by. 

These range from etiquette around hygiene practices to going with the flow when things don't work out as planned. 

We share lots of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including a first look at MSC's newest cruise ship sailing from Miami, Florida, and Norwegian's plans to make its private island in the Bahamas even better.

This is an easy-to-digest overview of our recent articles for busy bees who want to stay updated on this week's news and tips. 

Let’s face it — cruises aren’t as cheap as they used to be. However, that doesn’t mean finding affordable fares is impossible!

Cruising during the shoulder season, AKA the beginning or end of a region's peak tourist season, is one of the easiest ways to save money on your cruise. 

Guests anxiously awaiting an upcoming MSC cruise were delivered bad news: their sailing is canceled due to a mechanical problem affecting the ship's speed.

MSC made the difficult decision to cancel MSC Meraviglia’s May 11 cruise to the Bahamas. The weeklong sailing was slated to depart from New York’s Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and call at Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. 

Offering natural light, access to fresh air, and, often, additional space, balcony cabins are the most popular cruise ship accommodations. I’ve stayed in dozens of them, but the latest was on brand-new MSC World America, MSC Cruises’ latest World Class vessel.

Eating is a quintessential part of any cruise vacation, from the all-you-can-eat buffet to indulgent three-course meals in the dining room. Because of the variety of dining options, you're unlikely to go hungry while onboard — there will always be something tasty to satisfy your palate!

However, there are a few odd quirks about cruising that someone new to vacations at sea might not expect. For example, eating dinner in a cruise ship dining room is unlike anything you'd experience at a traditional restaurant at home. 

Historically, all you need to board a domestic plane in the United States is a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license. Cruise ships, however, are stricter, and if you fail to provide proper documentation, you will be denied boarding.