Packing is an important step when preparing for your cruise, but of course all your stuff needs to actually make it onto the ship.  There are several options for this, as similar to when you fly, bags can be carrier on or checked.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each – both at the start and end of your cruise...

Planning a cruise is exciting, and cruising is fantastic, but all good things must come to an end.  Once your cruise is over, there are still things to think about and do to ensure that the smooth sailing continues.  Some of them might even save you money, and make your next cruise all the easier...

Most major cruise lines now have apps or mobile websites that you can access on your smartphone to view the day's schedule, book shore excursions, chat with other guests, and more.  Generally, these apps are free to use, but it can sometimes be a bit confusing since we often see costs associated with "WiFi".  Really, this confusion is just a matter of wording, and we'll clear it up so you can use your device worry-free...

Travel insurance can be a great way to protect against the "what ifs" on your next cruise.  Like any insurance, the policy is useless if it doesn't cover the circumstance you're looking to account for.  All too often, we read about people unhappy with a policy because they simply assumed the policy covered specific circumstances, instead of fully understanding what they were buying.  Are you covered if you can't make it to your cruise?  What if you need to leave half-way through your cruise?  How much will it cost to go to a doctor on the ship, or in another country?  Let's look at some of the questions you should ask when looking into an insurance policy, and chip-away at some common misconceptions. 

Bringing extras with you on any trip can mean baggage fees and other inconveniences, and we're often struggling to pack less - not more.  There are, however, some items you can bring along which could save you money.  In many cases they're even things you already have at home...

For some, it's easy to decide on what stateroom to book, but for others it's a tough decision every time.  This leads to one of the most common questions we get "is getting a balcony worth it?"  It's always nice having your own private space from which to enjoy the views on your cruise, but that comes at a price - which means there are decisions to make.  There is no simple answer to the question, but we'll explain what considerations you should make when deciding whether to get a room with a view...

Whether sipping a fruity drink by the pool or enjoying a pint at a pub, alcoholic beverages are ubiquitous with cruising.  The cost of those drinks can certainly add up, but in the past 10-15 years, some cruise lines have started serving up unlimited drink packages and other options which allow you to better manage your bar tabs and even coffee expenses.  The cost, benefits, and restrictions can vary by cruise line, so let’s explore the overall concept of beverages packages, and some of the things unique to the offerings on each cruise line...

When booking a cruise you'll inevitably have to decide what type of cabin (aka stateroom) you want.  What's the difference between an inside and an ocean view?  What are all these numbers? G1, B13? Are we playing bingo or going on vacation?  It can be confusing, but it's important to really understand the differences, at least conceptually, so that you not only book the right room for you, but recognize value and see through some promotional gimmicks.  We'll look at the differences between stateroom types and categories and explain other things you'll run into, like guarantee rooms.

Planning a cruise can be fun, but the ultimate goal is to sail, relax, and enjoy.  Because part of your cruise planning will require some documentation, let's look at what you need to do in order to ensure you're able to sail if the name on your passport, birth certificate, or other documents does not match the name on your reservation...

We all want lower cruise fares, but getting charged for odds and ends may not be very relaxing either, so some guests prefer cruising where everything they want to do or purchase is included.  While all inclusive cruises are nothing new, there are more options than ever, and ways of packaging certain amenities for a flat cost, or even bundling some things in with your cruise fare on lines that aren't typically thought of as all inclusive.  Let's look at what it means to be an all inclusive cruise, what some cruise lines offer, and how to budget your next cruise including things you'd otherwise pay a la carte.

Onboard credit may be completely new to you, but even if you’re a seasoned cruiser there are probably things we can shed some light on.  Commonly abbreviated as “OBC” or referred to as "shipboard credit", onboard credit can be thought of as a gift card of sorts for a specific cruise - money that you can use on your cruise for any number of things, including beverages, shore excursions, retail purchases, and more.  What many people don’t realize is there are actually different types of onboard credit, which can affect how you can use it.  Let’s look at how you get onboard credit, what you can do with it, and what happens if you don’t use it...

The first day of your cruise is filled with excitement as you explore the ship and start your vacation, but safety is the priority, so you'll invariably be participating in a muster drill.  It may not be the most fun part of your vacation, but let's go over what muster drills are, why they're important, and how you can make the best of this "lost time" on embarkation day.

Most cruises are about both the fantastic onboard experience as well as the ports of call you visit.  Whether sailing the warm Caribbean or historic Mediterranean, you’ll likely want some sort of plan for while you’re in port.  From guided tours to resort passes, or even helicopter rides to glaciers, you can book a number of tours through the cruise line - but should you book independently instead? Let’s look at the risks and benefits of each.

Whether traveling by land or sea, paying for things can be a bit different in different countries.  Years ago, you simply changed currency at the purser’s desk on your cruise ship, but this is rarely done anymore.  Technologies and customs can make the simple process of paying for a meal, cab ride, or souvenir a bit confusing, but we’ve got some tips to keep things simple and more importantly, save you some time or even money...

Airlines and other carriers restrict the size and weight of bags, have limits on the number of carry-on bags, etc.  What about cruise lines?  There is no shortage of advice about how to pack for a cruise, and we have a great cruise packing list you can use, but how much you can bring onboard?  Let's look at how much of your world you can bag up and bring on a cruise and what cruise line policies say about how lightly you need to travel...

Whether you want to share your vacation memories as they happen or you're looking to be able to keep in touch with those back home, many of you have asked questions about staying connected while cruising, and there is no single answer.  In the past couple of years cell phone carriers have made international roaming a bit more palatable, but cell phone roaming rates on ships are still completely impractical, at least for calls and data.  What are your options if you want to stay in touch while cruising?  We've got 11 tips to keep you connected without breaking the bank...

No matter if it’s your first cruise or your one-hundredth you’ll probably agree that the first day of your cruise is the most exciting, but there are a few things you’ll want to consider to make it as simple and enjoyable as possible.  I’ve come up with the below list of twelve tips, in chronological order that you should consider on embarkation day...

Many of us cruise with quite a few battery-powered devices that we want to keep charged, but cruise ship cabins don’t have as many outlets as we’d like. Common power strips are prohibited from cruise ships for safety reasons, and there aren't "cruise ship power strips", but there are alternatives. Let’s look into your options, and briefly cover why power strips aren’t allowed...

One of the most common questions I find myself passionately answering both in person and on online communities (I’m looking at you Reddit), is about how to actually book a cruise.  Should you use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise line?  I’ll tell you right out the gate that whether you’re looking into your first cruise or well on your way to the highest levels of a cruise line’s loyalty program, I highly recommend using a good travel agent, but let’s talk about why by addressing some common questions and misconceptions...

Packing has become pretty automatic for us, but as we prepare for a sailing on Independence of the Seas we figured we should slow down and take a look at just how we pack for a short Caribbean cruise...