Advice & Tips

Cruising for the first time can be equally exciting as it is nerve-racking. For those who have never stepped foot on a cruise ship before, everything onboard is a new experience — both good and bad.

When you go to book a cruise, you will notice that the price is per person, rather than per night like standard hotels. 

This can lead to a bit of sticker shock. If the going rate for a balcony cabin is $1,000 per person, does that mean you will actually have to pay $4,000 for your family of four?

That price does not even include other miscellaneous things, like flights, pre-cruise hotels, shore excursions, and other cruise add-ons. 

The longer your cruise is, the more time you will have to explore everything your ship has to offer. Plus, you will be able to visit more ports of call, allowing you to explore more of the world. 

7-night cruises are popular choices for families. 3- and 4-night sailings can often leave a lot to be desired, whereas it may be difficult to schedule longer cruises due to school and work schedules. 

Even if you plan to make the most of your time on your cruise ship by staying active at all hours of the day, you will inevitably have to devote some time to sleeping.

For some, catching up on sleep is a must-do activity while on vacation. There is no need to worry about waking up to an alarm or worrying about rushing your kids out the door for school.

Packing for a cruise is unlike packing for a land-based vacation. If you forget something, you cannot hop in the car and go to a nearby drug or department store. 

While the majority of what you will need to bring will vary based on where you are cruising to (i.e., what you'll pack for an Alaskan cruise will differ from a Caribbean or Western Mediterranean one), some staples can be brought on any voyage! 

Here's a list of 41 useful things to bring on a cruise that will ensure you have the greatest trip possible. 

The time has finally come. You are ready to splurge on a suite instead of staying in a standard cruise ship balcony stateroom, or are you?

While suites are not practical investments for many travelers, you may find that it is worth the price tag depending on how you like to travel. 

Cruise ship suites not only offer more living space than other cabins, but they come with better amenities. While what you will actually get varies from cruise line to cruise line, you can expect a more elevated cruising experience. 

If you’re looking for cruise hacks to make your vacation more enjoyable, look no further than TikTok. A quick search on the app will result in thousands of videos with people sharing their best hacks to simplify your cruise vacation.

One of the major appeals of cruising is that there's something for everyone, from mouthwatering cuisine that will satisfy the foodies to ultimate thrills that will keep the adrenaline of the most adventurous rushing.

Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or looking forward to your first sailing, there are cruise tips and hacks to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation. 

The best time to book a cruise is once you have decided on the perfect cruise line, ship, and itinerary. You should never book anything until you have done all of the necessary research. 

Just because, for instance, you found a great deal on a Carnival cruise does not mean that it is the right fit for you. Maybe it is on an older ship with fewer amenities, or perhaps it visits ports of call that do not interest you.