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15 things I loved and hated about Norwegian Epic

After spending 12 nights onboard Norwegian Epic sailing from Florida to Italy, I was able to explore every nook and cranny of the ship. 

The Norwegian Epic is one of its kind, and I was interested to see how this unique ship compares to others that I've been on. Because I was able to take a lengthy voyage onboard, I had plenty of time to pick out some things I liked and some things I disliked about the Norwegian Epic.

Cruise week report: Cruise tourist traps to avoid, NCL’s best-kept secret, what you need to know about sharing Carnival’s drink package, and more!

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

New law forces Carnival Cruise Line to change advertised price for cruises

California's new consumer protection law will alter how Carnival advertises its cruise fares. Starting on July 1, 2024, the price must include many components of the current taxes, fees, and port expenses that are left out. It's meant to provide guests with a clear price upfront, rather than leave them surprised by additional fees later on during the booking process. 

MSC Cruises’ latest network shift features 9 new routes launching summer 2025

MSC Cruises has unveiled its summer 2025 itineraries for the North American market. With offerings ranging from 7-night voyages on the brand-new MSC World America to weekend getaways on MSC Seascape, there are plenty of options to choose from. 

“We want our guests to experience MSC Cruises’ most modern and innovative ships, whether they’re on a quick weekend getaway or the vacation of a lifetime. The Summer 2025 season will be an exciting one for us," said Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA.

Pregnant woman medevaced from cruise ship highlights health risks of cruising while pregnant

A 35-year-old pregnant woman was medically evacuated from the Disney Fantasy this week when she started experiencing pregnancy-related health complications. The passenger was sailing on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy when the complications began.

Can I share my Carnival beverage package with someone? What you need to know

Whether you're looking forward to a family-friendly getaway or celebrating a friend's birthday, you've likely thought about purchasing a drink package for your upcoming Carnival cruise. With the CHEERS! Package costing as much as $74.95 per person, per day, splurging on one isn't a cheap investment. 

I tried the newest ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian. Here’s how they compare

Few travel experiences come close to the excitement of stepping foot on a brand-new cruise ship. Similar to driving a brand-new car with all the bells and whistles, the experience of cruising on a newly built cruise ship is unmatched. It’s undoubtedly exciting to see the latest and greatest that a cruise line has to offer.

I spent $20 at NCL's Ice Bar, and it was the best-kept secret on Epic

During a 12-night transatlantic voyage from Orlando, Florida to Rome, Italy, I found perhaps the best-kept secret onboard Norwegian Epic: the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar. 

While devout NCL fans are probably aware of this relatively hidden feature, it's easy to miss if you're new to the brand! In my personal opinion, this venue is a must-see when sailing onboard Norwegian Epic! 

I tried Carnival's older cruise ships and never want to go back

When I took my first Carnival cruise on Carnival Celebration, I was impressed by the modern accommodations, variety of dining options, and an array of onboard activities. Five months later, I found myself boarding one of Carnival's oldest ships, Carnival Elation, for a 5-night cruise out of Jacksonville, Florida. 

Though it was obvious the ship has been well-maintained throughout the years, including an extensive dry dock in 2017, the limited number of dining choices and onboard activities left much to be desired. 

I stayed in a $2,554 studio cabin on NCL Epic, and it was one of the best sailing experiences I ever had

I recently embarked on a 12-night Transatlantic cruise onboard Norwegian Epic and was able to try out one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s famous Studio Staterooms, which are unique cabins designed with one person in mind.

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