Amidst all the excitement for your upcoming cruise, you'll have to ensure that you have everything that you'll need while away from home, including toiletries. 

While packing isn't always the most thrilling pre-cruise activity, it is something that must be done. Considering that you'll be at sea and miles away from the nearest drug store, it's even more important that you double (and triple) check that you have everything you'll need. 

I am just off my latest MSC cruise, where I spent seven delightful days touring around the scenic southern Caribbean on MSC Seaside.

While I have ten cruises under my belt, I seem to learn something new on every cruise, and I still am shocked by some of the mistakes I see people making, many of which I have made at some point or other.

After experiencing solo cruises on Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Carnival Cruise Line, I decided to try out Royal Caribbean's sister brand, Celebrity Cruises. I spent seven nights onboard their newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, sailing to the Eastern Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, Tortola, and St. Kitts. 

Taking a trip by yourself is always a little nerve-wracking; however, I've found cruises to be a great way for me to explore new destinations worldwide and make new friends while feeling a sense of safety and security. 

What really works to minimize seasickness?

As soon as I got on my first cruise, I realized that I was susceptible to seasickness. 

Once the ship begins moving, I start feeling nauseous, dizzy, and sick. This makes it hard for me to focus and enjoy the cruise vacation.

It certainly pays to be loyal to a specific cruise line, as the more you sail, the better perks that you'll get. However, not all loyalty programs are designed the same way. 

Since I began cruising in the early 2000s, I've been on over a dozen sailings on five different lines, including MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, and I've learned that I prefer certain lines over others due to the benefits of their programs. 

Spring break is one of the most popular - and expensive - times of the year to take a cruise. With kids and college students off school, it’s the perfect opportunity to let loose and have some mid-semester fun on vacation.

Because of this, cruise ships are typically filled to capacity with spring breakers from March to April, cultivating a rowdier-than-normal crowd onboard. And, if there’s any cruise line that spring breakers gravitate towards, it’s Carnival Cruise Line.

While not as well-known as cruise giants like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, those looking for a more upscale voyage might be considering Cunard, as they're known for providing a luxurious cruise experience by emphasizing elegance and high-quality services. 

With that, however, you'll find that Cunard fares tend to be more expensive than those on other lines. From the moment you step onboard, you'll be immersed in a world of sophistication that highlights exclusive amenities, gourmet dining, and personalized service

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

Have you wondered why you hear about the newest largest cruise ship in the world every so often? That's because Royal Caribbean constantly strives to outdo themselves, breaking their own record for the largest cruise ship at sea.