Feature

Packing for a cruise doesn't have to be overwhelming. However, you don't want to underpack and realize you left something essential at home halfway through the trip. 

Unlike land-based vacations, it's impossible to run to the nearest drug or department store to pick up forgotten items. While the ship's store may have some basic items, prices are inflated and the selection is limited. 

It’s the last thing you ever want to happen on a cruise vacation: missing the ship’s departure. Quickly your relaxing cruise turns into a nightmare, as you’re stranded in an unfamiliar port, possibly without money, clothes, medication, or your passport.

Having sailed to Alaska, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, and the Mexican Riveria, the allure of Bermuda's pink sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rich maritime history led me to book a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas. 

As a fan of Royal's newest ships—namely those in the groundbreaking Oasis Class—I wasn't quite sure what I'd think of Vision, one of the line's oldest ships at sea. Still, the primary reason for selecting the cruise wasn't about the ship—it was the destination! 

Loyalty pays off if you’re someone who cruises frequently. All of the major cruise lines offer loyalty programs that reward travelers for continuously choosing to vacation with their brand.

In fact, having a top-tier loyalty status can afford you very lucrative amenities. Some of these could include complimentary drinks, shore excursion discounts, specialty dining credits, priority embarkation or disembarkation, free internet, reserved seating at shows, and even a free cruise.

Have you ever wondered what happens to a cruise ship when it's taken out of service? 

On average, a well-built cruise ship lasts around 30-40 years. However, large cruise lines often sell off older ships to smaller corporations when they're ready for them to be retired from their fleet—sometimes before the 30-year mark. 

No ship in history has captured the world's imagination quite like the Titanic, with its tragic story etched into collective memory spawning countless documentaries, movies, and even museums.

Once gratuities and add-ons like drink packages and shore excursions have been added to your cruise fare, it’ll be hundreds of dollars more than the advertised price. Thankfully, cruise lines have begun including port fees to give guests a clearer indication of the total cost of their cruise upfront.

Though cruise fares might seem a little higher than one year ago when scrolling on the line’s website, the transparency helps potential sailors gauge the full cost of the cruise from the start, rather than later in the booking process.

You don't want to start your cruise vacation by being denied boarding because you tried to smuggle something prohibited onboard the ship. 

Even if you're still allowed onboard, you may have to speak with security to clear up the issue and have the item confiscated until disembarkation day. 

So far this year, the cruise industry has welcomed 6 ships, and there are no signs of construction slowing down anytime soon. There's just as much to look forward to next year, from state-of-the-art superyachts to some of the largest ships ever built. 

Fans of luxury cruise lines will appreciate the Ritz-Carlton's upscale ship featuring 226 suites with private terraces and unprecedented space ratios for guests at sea. There's also MSC World America and Norwegian Aqua on the more affordable end, and families will love the action-packed Star of the Seas.