As the U.S. starts its slow return to normal, keeping track of which U.S. homeports are open and hosting cruise ships is getting increasingly difficult. Some ports are technically open, but have no sailings planned; others are provisioning ships and processing crew members for vaccinations, but are not yet welcoming passengers.

To make sense of it all, we compiled a list of the major U.S. cruise homeports and their current cruise status.

Baltimore

Expenses on a cruise can add up quickly, from when and how you book to the moment you step foot onboard and start swiping that key card. (Hint: The more poolside pina coladas you order, the easier it is to lose count.)

Some people refer to cruises as an all-inclusive vacation, and that’s not entirely true. Your cruise fare includes lodging, food, transportation, and entertainment, but you’ll find extra-fee exceptions in many of those categories. What’s included in your cruise fare can be confusing to first-timers, especially since the rules are not the same on every cruise line.

You can read the fine print of your cruise contract, but to make it easier, we’ve listed out by category what generally is and isn’t included in your cruise fare.

As cruise lines gear up for a possible summer return to cruising from the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to update its guidance on health and safety protocols.

Last week, the CDC issued new rulings on a variety of key issues, including masks and Covid testing. 

Here’s what cruise fans should know about the CDC’s latest policy changes.

You’re planning your cruise and you want a cabin with more space. Do you go for the balcony cabin or do you upgrade to a suite? If you’re not familiar with cruise ship accommodations, it can be tricky to decide if you need a balcony cabin vs. a suite – especially since ships may have several types of balcony cabins and suites.

In this guide, we walk you through the similarities and differences, so you can pick the best cabin for your upcoming sailing.

Don’t give up on a European vacation in 2021! With Greece allowing Americans to enter the country with proper testing and screening, four cruise lines are setting sail with Eastern Mediterranean cruises this summer.

Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean are welcoming vaccinated passengers onboard several Greece itineraries this summer. The choice of ships isn’t as large as in regular summer sailing seasons, but Americans wanting to scratch their cruise travel itch still have a decision to make.

Have you heard about the test cruises required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that require volunteers to go onboard?

The idea of signing up for a complimentary (free) test cruise and be able to get back to sea first, as well as help test out new protocols for the cruise lines, is very appealing to many cruise fans.

It’s been more than a year, but Caribbean cruises are a back! They’re looking a little different in summer 2021, with departures from island homeports rather than U.S. ones., but you can still get all the sun and sand you’ve been missing.

Six ships across three cruise lines are sailing summer Caribbean cruises (including one to Bermuda, which we realize is in the Atlantic) in 2021. Which ship and itinerary fit your vacation personality and needs?

Here are our recommendations for which summer Caribbean cruise you should book this year.

We're guessing that you're here because you're thinking you might want to book a Caribbean cruise, and you're wondering if they're all they're chalked up to be.

After looking at colorful marketing materials showcasing pristine beaches, palm trees and fruity cocktails, it's hard to know for sure, so we've compiled a list of our favorite and not-so-favorite things about this destination.