Advice & Tips

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. 

As your cruise draws to an end, you will have to begin thinking about disembarkation. Though self-disembarkation is appealing, as you won't have to worry about placing your luggage outside your cabin or waiting in long queues the morning of, it comes with its own set of challenges. 

Hauling your bags off the ship means you're responsible for navigating them through the terminal, making the experience less convenient and more physically demanding than having the cruise line transport your luggage for you. 

If you're flying to London for a cruise, there are many things you can see besides the stereotypical and crowded places.

The first time I went to London, I got caught in crowds trying to see Parliament, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. I took my photos and then came back home tired and with photos of strangers in my shot.

On my next trip to London before I took a cruise, I was determined not to make the same mistake.  I asked friends that moved to England what they think is worth seeing that is special and not as well known.

Cruising doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars or consume your annual PTO. If you're smart, you can find great deals and help stretch your vacation budget as far as possible. Similarly, weekend cruises are a great option for those with limited time off who want a quick getaway. 

I'm from Romania and I've traveled around Europe extensively, and no matter where you're from, there are important things to do.

I've seen plenty of tourists make mistakes while traveling around Europe, including people visiting by cruise ship. It's not uncommon, especially by Americans, but I think these are mistakes that can be avoided.

It's worth it to do research before your European cruise to understand the basics. When I visit a new country in Europe, I'll always try to understand their culture more because it can be different from my own.

Sometimes traveling is all about the journey.

After cruising over twenty times, I have sailed through seas around the world, from Australia’s Coral Sea to Spain’s Bay of Biscay. Some seas, like the Mediterranean, tend to be quite calm, especially in the most protected waterways like the Adriatic. Other seas typically encounter rougher conditions. The Gulf of Alaska, for instance, is often choppy due to strong winds and currents.