Planning

It's not too late to book your 2024 cruise vacation. Whether you're hoping for a quick getaway to The Bahamas or a dream cruise around Europe, the best time of the year to book a cruise is now while wave season is ongoing. 

Wave season is when the cruise industry tends to run their biggest sales and promotions of the year. While actual deals and conditions vary, wave season deals tend to include anything from additional onboard credit, free upgrades, discounted excursions, prepaid gratuities, etc. 

When planning for land-based vacations, you often do not have to think twice about bringing a steamer or whether there'll be an iron available to you or not. Cruises, however, are different. 

In addition to simply being more prepared with common household items that won't be readily available while you are on a ship, there's a list of items that cruise lines ban from their ships. Both steamers and irons are on many cruise line's lists of prohibited items due to the fire hazard that they pose. 

When planning your cruise, one of the most important decisions you'll have to make is what kind of stateroom category you want to book. The cheapest option is usually a standard interior room. These no-frill cabins have no natural light and are often the smallest rooms onboard. Does that mean that interior cruise rooms are bad, though?

A family vacation away during the holidays is a major bucket-list item for a lot of people, and a cruise could be exactly what you wanted.

The holiday season is traditionally when families get together, but that doesn't mean they have to spend time at home.

Going on a cruise means time together, but it also means less cooking, warmer temperatures, and a vacation that coincides with time off of school and work.

If you're going on a cruise in 2024, whether it's in March or December, there are some things that you can start doing NOW to get into the cruise spirit! 

While there are certain tasks that you have to save until closer to your sail date — like actually packing your suitcase — it's advisable to begin thinking ahead for others. If you wait until the last minute, you might have to rush to renew your passport or be disappointed with the remaining shore excursion options. 

Southampton Cruise Port is located in Hampshire, England, and serves more than two million passengers annually. It is the largest passenger port in the UK and is home to five passenger terminals: QEII, Mayflower, Horizon, City Cruise, and Ocean. All terminals are located near the city center.

The Port of Southampton is also the busiest cruise port in the UK and serves as a major hub for Northern Europe. Ferries and cargo ships also depart from here, making it a busy port city for England.

When it comes to preparing for a cruise, we often think about things such as picking an itinerary, choosing shore excursions, deciding on whether or not to purchase various drink or spa packages, and packing! However, another thing to add to the cruise planning checklist might be your nails.

What are some options when it comes to having pretty nails for a cruise vacation? Here are some tips and tricks for having the best nails for your upcoming cruise sailing. 

Stuck between a cruise to The Bahamas and one that sails further south to the Caribbean?

While cruises sail all over the world, from Alaska to Northern Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, and even the South Pacific, if you are looking for a tropical getaway, you are probably debating between The Bahamas and Caribbean. 

It can be hard to decide, especially since both promise white-sand beaches and fun shore excursions. Plus, you will find cruises to both year-round. 

Are you curious as to how many people will be onboard your cruise ship? 

Maybe you are hoping to score a last-minute upgrade or just want to relax on the lido deck with fewer people around. 

It is pretty common for cruise ships to sail at full capacity, even if you are sailing during the shoulder season. In fact, you should not be surprised if your ship is actually sailing over capacity, as some cabins are able to accommodate more than two guests.