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Advice & Tips

40 Cruise tips & hacks to know before going on a cruise

Planning a cruise can feel overwhelming. What's the best cruise line? What's the difference between an interior and an ocean-view stateroom? Should I book early or wait for last-minute deals? 

Today's cruise ships are like floating cities with non-stop entertainment, restaurants, and activities all available under one roof. 

I've been on 53 cruises. Here are the itineraries I would sail again in a heartbeat and the ones I would skip

I started cruising with my family when I was just 3 years old on the Big Red Boat by Premier Cruise Lines. Each year, my family would embark on a cruise together, typically over school holidays like spring break or Christmas. Years of cruising with my family slowly turned into a passionate love of international travel. Now, I’ve sailed on 53 cruises across six continents and visited more than 60 countries.

The best places to keep your cruise card, phone, and cash during a shore excursion

Regardless of whether you're exploring a new city in Europe, whale watching in Alaska, or sunbathing in the Bahamas, you need to keep your cruise card, phone, and cash secure when you are off your cruise ship. 

I almost missed my cruise on embarkation day, and I'll never make this dumb mistake again

No matter how many cruises you’ve been on, there’s always a chance something could go drastically wrong.

With over 30 sailings under my belt, I'd consider myself a veteran cruiser. Even still, I made a rookie mistake on my recent Royal Caribbean cruise that could have cost me my dream vacation altogether.

How to deal with summer heat on a cruise

As a year-round cruiser, I'm no stranger to summer heat. When prepping for a voyage in June, July, or August, I take precautions to ensure I don't overheat while on my long-awaited vacation, regardless of whether it's to the Bahamas, Caribbean, or Mediterranean. 

How to sneak alcohol on a cruise and why you should not do it

It is official! You have just booked your cruise vacation and now you are considering add-ons like excursions, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and more! One of the most popular add-ons is alcoholic beverage packages, but you may not like the cost, as packages can range from $50 to over $100 per person, per day.

This price may seem intimidating. As such, it's common for cruisers to want to sneak alcohol on a cruise. More passengers are inclined to get crafty in their methods of sneaking alcohol onboard the ship, rather than paying for pricey packages.

I stayed on the ship while docked in port. I see why veteran cruisers say it's the best-kept secret

One of the biggest reasons I prefer cruising over a land-based vacation is the unmatched convenience. Cruising makes it easy to see multiple countries, cities, and regions with ease. You can see so much in a shorter amount of time without needing to repack your suitcase or figure out logistics. 

In this way, I am always looking for unique itineraries to visit new destinations. For years, the idea of staying on the ship while in port never even crossed my mind. Why wouldn’t I want to make the most of my time exploring new places?

I shopped at Five Below before my cruise. Here's what was worth it

If you’re preparing for an upcoming cruise, you might be looking to stock up on some essentials before setting sail. I am always searching for budget-friendly ways to fill up my suitcase.

One of my favorite pre-cruise tasks is heading to the store to look for items that I want to take on my cruise. Shopping is much more fun than packing clothes, in my opinion! After hitting up the dollar store this fall, I couldn’t believe how many must-have cruise items I found.

11 do's and don'ts of cruise ship tipping

In addition to the base fare, cruisers must budget extra for gratuities, or tips for crew members. 

Gratuities are divided to help cover the cost of everyone who works to make your vacation special, including cabin stewards, dining and culinary services staff, the guest services team, and others who work behind the scenes and contribute to the overall cruise experience.

Many first-time cruisers are confused about how tipping works onboard cruise ships and may find themselves asking questions like, "who do you need to tip onboard?" and "do you have to tip on a cruise?"

20 tricks for cruising cheap on less than $100 per day

Depending on the cruise line, time of year, ship, and itinerary, the cost of taking a cruise vacation can greatly vary. 

Staying in, for instance, a balcony cabin on the newest ship during the summer can often cost a pretty penny, perhaps over $1,400 per person for a week-long cruise.

Sailing does not always have to be expensive, and it’s certainly possible to cruise for less than $100 per person per day. However, planning a cheap cruise vacation does require advance planning and self control once you board the ship!

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