quick hits

While many people associate cruises with formal dining and being forced to eat with strangers, this certainly isn't a requirement.  Who you dine with, and where, are really up to you.  Making requests to dine the way you want is easy... read more

These days cruise ships come in all sizes and colors, but not long ago this wasn't the case.  To this day, when most of us see ships with dark colored hulls we think of them as more traditional looking, no matter what the age of the vessel.  Why is this?  Well, it has to do with how these great ships are powered, and the letters sometimes preceding ship names.  Make sense? We explain it in this short video... read more

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... read more

One of the things I prefer about a cruise vacation over traveling by air is that your luggage travels with you. The risk of getting separated from your bag is much slimmer on a cruise than on a plane, but that doesn’t mean the risk is zero. Plus, you may be transferring bags from cabs, hotels, shuttles, and planes just to get to the cruise terminal.  Luckily there is a simple step you can take to reduce the risk of being separated from your bag... read more

We occasionally hear rumors of people enjoying destinations that they don't visit by cruise ship, and it turns out you can have fun on a land vacation, too.  If you're looking for amazing beaches, nightlife, and endless resort options then Cancún might be up your alley.  Let's take a quick look at what different parts of this destination have to offer and provide some tips along the way... read more

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... read more

We all make mistakes, but some come with a bigger serving of irony than others - yesterday I made one of those mistakes.  It cost me time and sleep, and contributed a lot of stress, but it could have been worse.  What was my mistake?  Well, despite writing, ranting, and preaching cruise tips ad nauseam, I failed to take my own advice and forgot something when preparing for our Cuba cruise... read more