Planning

While Bahamas and Caribbean cruises are popular year-round, the Alaska cruise season is short-lived. Sailings typically begin in late April and go through early October. The peak season, however, falls between June and August. 

At 32 square miles, St. Thomas is one of the three largest U.S. Virgin Islands and is a popular stop on Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

While the island is known as the shopping capital of the Caribbean, St. Thomas is also known for its pristine beaches, snorkeling, and sport fishing opportunities. More than 1.5 million cruise ship guests visit the island each year to enjoy the duty-free shops, historic attractions, and beautiful beaches. 

A short cruise can be the perfect weekend getaway and has the added bonus of being budget-friendly. 

There are tons of short cruise options sailing from popular ports in Florida, the East and West Coasts, and Texas, meaning there are choices no matter where you live. Even in Europe and Australia, there are some great two and three-day itineraries for a fun weekend away. 

With limited vacation time or simply wanting to pack in more travel during the year, short cruises are a fantastic way to have a mini vacation to relax and refresh. 

San Juan is a popular cruise port on Eastern Caribbean itineraries, and as the island's financial, cultural, and tourism hub, San Juan has a lot to offer cruise guests. It is a great place for beach lovers, foodies, and nature enthusiasts alike! 

Are you looking to take your family on a cruise in 2024? There are lots of promotions to help make a cruise vacation more affordable. 

A couple of the top cruise lines offer Kids Sail Free sales throughout the year, as well as other deals to help save you money. 

While some cruise lines don’t offer specific discounts for kids, they have other promotions that can help stretch your budget even further, with third and fourth guests sailing free. Complimentary wi-fi and extra onboard credit are always welcome benefits for any cruiser, too. 

Have you ever thought of cruising on your own? Some people can't imagine the idea, but for others, it is a fantastic way to travel. I recently took a 10 day solo cruise and loved it. In fact, it turned out to be one the most relaxing vacations I have ever taken. 

More and more people are enjoying solo journeys for a whole host of reasons. Cruising, in particular, is an excellent option for solo travelers, especially for first-timers. 

With a wide range of itineraries, tons of activities, incredible food, and entertainment, it's the vacation that has it all.  

When people think of a summer cruise vacation, they often default to images of crystal clear waters in the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. 

Yet, many families opt to sail to Alaska for the diverse history and culture, breathtaking scenery, exciting shore excursions, abundant wildlife, and delicious seafood.

When getting ready for a cruise, many people are unsure how much cash to bring. The cruise has been paid for, and most costs have already been purchased through drink and dining packages, and pre-booked shore excursions for days in port. 

So how much money do you need?

The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. 

Do you need to fly to your next cruise port? Did you know that many cruise lines offer the ability to book your airfare directly through them? 

Booking airfare directly through a cruise line can cut back on the stress of travel planning and allow you more time to focus on the fun things about your next cruise vacation!