If you are someone in the process of planning a cruise, it's very likely you are deciding which stateroom type to book for your voyage at sea. 

Modern cruise ships are built to be bigger and better than ever before. By today’s standards, cruise ships are essentially floating resorts, holding upwards of 10,000 people onboard, including crew.

In fact, the top decks of the newest cruise ships look like amusement parks with water slides, roller coasters, and go-karts! It’s easy to forget that you’re sailing on a cruise ship onboard these mega-ships because there are so many attractions and onboard thrills.

We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.

Norwegian Cruise Line is making some pretty big changes to stateroom categories onboard all ships in their fleet. 

Those sailing with Norwegian in 2024 and beyond will either be thrilled or disappointed to hear that they are removing the spa category of staterooms. 

Moreover, they are adding about 1,000 solo cabins to all ships, meaning that there will be an increased opportunity for guests traveling alone to score a studio cabin. 

Some cruises offer sailings with more sea days, while others are more port-intensive, meaning that you get to spend more time exploring different ports of call. 

Depending on what type of traveler you are, you might prefer one type of itinerary over the other. Maybe you are looking for a vacation that allows you to relax and sit by the pool with a cocktail.

On the other hand, you may find sea days to be boring, especially if you have two or three in a row, and would rather spend the majority of your trip in a new place each day. 

Unlike a traditional hotel, you cannot just arrive at your cruise ship's terminal and expect to board whenever it's convenient. 

Although hotels have check-in times, they'll often allow you to store your luggage while you explore the area and wait for your room to be thoroughly cleaned. 

With cruise ships, however, if you arrive too early, you may be stuck sitting in the terminal until it's your allotted boarding time. 

Is a balcony the right choice for you on your next cruise?

While not as expensive as suites, balcony staterooms are more expensive than interior and ocean view rooms. You might be wondering if they are worth the splurge or not. 

In the end, it depends on your vacation budget, needs, and preferences. Some may be able to justify booking a balcony cabin, while others would prefer stretching their vacation budget as far as possible by booking an interior stateroom. 

On any vacation, you are bound to experience things that you loved and things that you wish you could have changed, and cruises are no exception. Sailing on a new-to-me cruise line is exciting, as I get to experience everything with fresh eyes, and I don’t always know what to expect.

I recently returned from a 4-night cruise to Key West and Bimini onboard Virgin Voyage’s Scarlet Lady. Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line and is known for their trendy, sleek, and modern cruise ships.

Did you know that Disney Cruise Line has an adults-only upscale restaurant, with a menu created by a world-class chef? 

On my recent sailing onboard Disney Fantasy, I was able to score a reservation at the most exclusive restaurant onboard the ship: Remy. This restaurant is known for being one of the most luxurious dining experiences onboard a cruise ship, and I was excited to test it out!