Feature

Ocean liner vs cruise ship, are the two vessels in competition? Not quite.

You don’t hear too much about ocean liners nowadays, yet cruises are a hot topic. So much so, “cruisetok” is a trending hashtag on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The hashtag “#cruise” alone has almost 15 million posts associated with it.

The glamour, the high-class dining, the endless entertainment—cruise ships are evolving more and more to captivate people all over the world. But before these extravagant ships took the seas, there were ocean liners.

Having been on over 25 cruises, I can confidently say that cruising is one of the most exciting and relaxing ways to travel. However, even seasoned cruisers can make costly mistakes that leave a sour taste in their mouths. 

I've had my fair share of slip-ups, from forgetting to place my phone in airplane mode to booking pricey last-minute excursions. These mistakes can quickly add up, making your vacation more expensive than planned and causing you unnecessary stress. 

Recently, a Royal Caribbean cruise passenger went overboard while sailing on Explorer of the Seas. Unfortunately, it wasn't a one-time occurrence. Though not insanely common, it's not rare for passengers to go overboard while on a cruise. 

Even if you've never seen a cruise ship deploy its lifeboats to aid in the search and rescue mission, you've likely seen new headlines about people falling overboard. 

When a passenger goes overboard, the situation is immediately treated as an emergency, and the cruise ship’s crew jumps into action. 

Cruise ships aren't built overnight. The average time to build a cruise ship is 12 to 18 months, from when the keel is laid to the maiden voyage welcoming paying guests. However, the entire process, from its conceptualization to its official launch, can take over 5 years. 

It's important to prioritize rest between exploring new ports of call and enjoying the ship. However, cruise ship beds aren't always the most comfortable. I find most beds on the firm side, and getting a good night's rest can be tough if you're used to a softer mattress. 

After 27 cruises, I've learned that the small details can make a huge difference in ensuring your vacation goes smoothly. 

Unfortunately, I've made my fair share of mistakes along the way over my two-decade cruising career. For example, I've booked shore excursions at the last minute and paid significantly more than I would have if I purchased the tour in advance. I've also pushed myself too hard trying to see and do everything, only to end up exhausted. 

After years of trial and error, here are 10 sure-fire ways to make your cruise vacation even better. 

Welcome guest writer Sarah Cinq-Mars! Sarah's a 5th-grade teacher based in North Carolina. When she isn't teaching or being taught the latest slang by her students, she's catching up on the latest true crime podcast, playing with her 12-year-old dog, or checking out the area's newest restaurants.

Since my first cruise in October 2023, I have sailed on five different cruise lines. 

Planning a cruise vacation is a long and thorough process, and it's easy to make mistakes that make you look like a rookie. 

I've been cruising since I was five years old. Two decades later, they remain my preferred way to travel. However, I've made a few silly mistakes that have impacted my cruise experience. 

Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of tips you need to know about to plan the best cruise. If you are trying to avoid looking like a first-time cruiser, don't make these 5 mistakes. 

As someone who cruises frequently, I can't always find a travel companion to accompany me on my adventures, so I've begun to embrace the freedom of solo cruising as a way to see the world. 

My solo travels have taken me everywhere from the Bahamas for short getaways to port-intensive European itineraries where I've explored renounced places like Rome, Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Aix-en-Provence, France.