Advice & Tips

With so many different options to choose for your next vacation, you might be considering whether a cruise is the right option for you. After all, no one wants to spend their hard-earned money on a vacation that isn’t the right fit for their budget or travel style.

Here at Cruise Blog, our team of editors hit the high seas more often than most people could imagine. With our obsessive cruising habits, we are always on the hunt for the best cruise gear to make our travels more convenient and functional. If a cruise product simplified life, it was well worth the investment.

With the holiday season already here, it’s the perfect time to shop for thoughtful cruising gifts. You’ll be able to take advantage of the best deals of the year with most retailers having massive sales on their most popular items.

Unlike land-based vacations, cruises take place mostly on open water. Enter the question: "Will I feel a cruise ship rocking?" 

Having been on over 20 cruises, I can attest that whether you'll feel a ship rocking or not depends on several factors. I've been on some incredibly smooth sailings, but I've also been on some cruises that traversed through choppy waters. 

Flying to your cruise’s embarkation port is not an uncommon practice. Unless you live within driving distance of the cruise port, you’ll most likely be heading to the airport at the start of your vacation.

From exploring new ports of call to soaking up the Caribbean sun on the pool deck during a day at sea, there's no shortage of activities to enjoy on a cruise. While onboard, however, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of shopping. 

Plus, if you don't pack appropriately, you may have to pay inflated prices for everyday items that are a fraction of the cost at your local drugstore. There's nothing wrong with visiting the duty-free shops onboard, but it's important to think twice about your purchases. 

Earlier this month, Hurricane Milton became the second-most intense Atlantic hurricane recorded over the Gulf of Mexico. The massive storm impacted many cruise ships, ranging from revised itineraries to delayed departures and canceled sailings. 

At peak intensity, Milton was the fifth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record. The hurricane made landfall on Florida's west coast, with preliminary damage estimates placing the total cost of destruction at over $30 billion. 

One of my favorite aspects of preparing for my cruise is having a pre-vacation shopping spree. Before every trip I take, I usually head over to Target for some last-minute essentials. I love finding new outfits, accessories, or products to bring on my cruises.

Do I actually need anything during this shopping spree? That’s up for debate! However, it’s one of the joys that I find when preparing for any upcoming trips.

After months of planning your cruise, it’s finally time to start packing your suitcases before you set sail! Packing can be equally stressful as it is exciting, especially if you are limited on packing space. First-time cruisers might struggle particularly if they aren’t sure what to expect for their cruise vacation.

Embarking on a cruise is an exciting adventure. However, amidst the preparation, new cruisers may forget to research one often-overlooked aspect: tipping. 

Understanding cruise ship gratuities is as important as pre-purchasing your shore excursions and mastering packing. If you don't budget for cruise tips, you'll likely find yourself caught off guard with a higher-than-anticipated final statement, so it's essential to familiarize yourself with your line's gratuity policy.  

Here are 15 common cruise ship tipping mistakes to avoid on your next sailing.