On any cruise vacation you’re bound to come across things you enjoyed and, unfortunately, those things you would rather forget. Regardless of whether you book the cheapest or most luxurious cruise, no cruise vacation is perfect, after all.

I recently returned from a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on MSC Seaside. For the most part, I enjoyed everything about my week onboard, from the food to tropical destinations and fun activities.

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the biggest cruise lines in the world by passenger capacity with its fleet of 27 ships. Although its ‘fun ships’ predominately attract Americans, the cruise line sails around the world in regions like Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico and Australia.

The cruise line is known for having some of the most casual, laid-back ships at sea and brings many families onboard thanks to its fantastic kids' programming and childcare options.

The major cruise lines dominate the market, but they are not without their flaws.

Similar to airlines, hotels, or theme parks, there are aspects to appreciate, but also areas where improvement is needed. It's important to remember that no cruise line is perfect; they all have their unique strengths and weaknesses.

Alcoholic drink packages are an extremely common add-on to purchase for an MSC cruise. Being able to enjoy an unlimited amount of tropical beverages while onboard is well worth the cost for many passengers. The cost of a drink package, however, can add up to over $500 for a weeklong sailing.

Even though I’ve been on nearly two dozen cruises, I’ve always been hesitant to purchase a cruise line’s drink package. While I enjoy drinking a cocktail or two each day, I never thought I would be able to “break even” on the cost of a drink package.

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

Is splurging on a Carnival suite worth the cost?

The answer varies. With Carnival's suites often costing over double the price of a standard inside cabin, it's not just about the extra space. You need to weigh whether the perks will add to your Carnival cruise experience. Otherwise, you might be better off booking a balcony cabin and spending money on other add-ons. 

When most people think of cruise ships, they think of vacations with friends and family. What happens, though, when there are no passengers onboard? It is true-- sometimes, crew members get to sail on an empty cruise ship!

You have paid the deposit on your Royal Caribbean cruise and are officially in cruise countdown mode! You can now start daydreaming about waking up to specialty coffees each morning, lounging by the pool with your drink of choice, and cooling down with a soda or bottled water after an adventurous day in port.

Within the last month, Disney Cruise Line has launched a new and interesting feature onboard some of their ships: DisneyBand+, which is essentially a MagicBand+ at sea. 

DisneyBand+ is marketed as the most immersive and best way for guests to access areas around the ship, pay for items during their cruise, and interact with unique entertainment onboard, but is DisneyBand+ really worth the steep extra cost?