Advice & Tips

There’s no doubt that the hardest part of planning your first cruise is the first step: picking a cruise line. There are more than 40 different cruise lines that operate around the world, each offering their own unique experiences. 

No two cruise lines are alike, making the choice seemingly more difficult to narrow your choice down to just one cruise line. 

Few experiences can railroad your cruise like sea sickness; the last thing you want is to be sidelined by nausea or dizziness when you should be lounging by the pool or taking in a show. Remedies include ginger tea, transdermal patch, wristband and green apples, but some of the most common are pills -- Dramamine or Bonine -- that can be purchased over the counter.

Cruise ships are usually quite smooth, but rough ocean conditions can turn even the most seasoned cruiser a little green.

Would you be shocked if I told you the worst cruise ship cabin that I ever had was also the biggest and nicest cabin? 

Yup. The worst cruise cabin I’ve had while cruising was a 2 bedroom suite onboard Norwegian's Pride of America. Our cabin was massive, and a huge cry from the interior cabins we usually book. While sailing the Hawaiian islands was absolutely stunning, we didn’t expect the very choppy waters while sailing from one island to the next.

Cruising is a wonderful way to travel, a fun vacation that offers so much to see and do.

Today’s cruise ships today are like floating cities with tons of activities, venues and non-stop activities, visiting incredible destinations throughout the world. A lot to choose from.

You booked that cheap inside room, but you’d love to sail in a big ol’ balcony cabin. Is it possible to get a cruise ship cabin upgrade for free? 

“Unfortunately there is no secret password or magic wand that will guarantee an upgraded stateroom without actually paying for one,” says Beci Mahnken, president and CEO of MEI-Travel, and a travel agent with the inside scoop. “Complimentary upgrades are not very common in the current cruise climate.”

You’ve heard the stories of cruisers getting amazing last-minute travel deals on unsold cruise cabins. How do they do it? You don’t know how to tell how many cabins are left on a cruise, let alone determine where to look for deals and discounts.

If you care more about price than picking the perfect cabin or sailing, we’ll share some travel agent insight about how to nab a low price or extra perks if a ship isn’t likely to sail full.

Cruise cabins pack a lot into a small space, but sometimes they fall short of meeting all your needs. Keeping your cruise room organized can especially be a challenge. That’s when you need to get creative and employ a few smart cruise cabin hacks.

Cruisers who prefer natural light will typically choose a balcony or oceanview cabin for their sailing. But how do you decide which cruise room is the best for your family or travel group?

We break down the balcony vs. oceanview cabin debate, so you can pick the perfect cabin category.

It's no surprise that balcony cabins are the most popular cruise ship cabin type. People love to have a private veranda where they can read, sip a drink, and gaze out to sea, away from the hubbub of the pool deck. But not all cruise ship balconies are the same – and you might be wondering which is the best room to book.

Whether you’re looking for an extra-large balcony or more amenities in the room attached to that balcony, a little research will reveal which veranda cabins stand out as better than average.