Whether you’ve cruised before or seen and heard about cruising through ads and friends, there is a good chance you’ve only really been exposed to one type of cruising: contemporary lines.  These lines include Royal Caribbean International, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and others.  They can all be great options, provide excellent entertainment, and value.  There are however many other types of cruise lines out there, including premium lines – and they don’t necessarily come at a higher cost.

Most of us in the US haven’t traveled outside of the country in at least five months, and if you’re reading this you’re likely hoping to go somewhere in the next year.  Despite US passport processing stopping for some time, now is the perfect time to renew your passport – or even apply for a new one.  Let’s look at who might be impacted (there’s a good chance you are), estimated processing times, why you should act now, and more...

Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale, Florida has received Broward Country's renewed approval of their 20-Year Master Plan to expand the busy cruise, cargo, and fuel port, and add some impressive new features.  The $1.6 billion plan was initiated in 2014 but is updated every few years, and outlines over fifty projects to be completed at different points over the next two decades. The goal? Strategically growing the large commercial port, which among other feats, welcomed over 3.7 million cruise passengers in 2019 alone...

It’s easy to see cruise lines selling ships and assume it’s simply because they need the cash – but that’s just a small part of what’s happening as ships that were carrying passengers just months ago head to new owners, and in some cases, shipbreaking yards.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, two of the three largest cruise companies in the world, have brought together an impressive group of cross-disciplinary experts on public health, epidemiology, maritime operations, hospitality, and more.  Their goal?  Combine all of the best science and experience to identify a science-backed plan for a healthy return to service that ensures the wellbeing of guests, crew, and communities that lines visit.  In a time we should all be coming together, these competitors are doing just that.

As we excitedly await the inaugural sailing of Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages’ first ship, we realized that we can get just a small taste of her unique flavor right now from home...

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...

On June 19th, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry's largest trade association, issued the below release, explaining that member cruise lines have suspended service until September 15th, 2020...

Whether traveling together for a special occasion or just a group of friends taking a vacation together, cruise lines are great at catering to groups.  In fact, there are programs that can pile on the perks when planning a cruise for a group - and they might even get you cruising for free - but you have to know how to fully take advantage of these programs.  We’ll look at how groups work, and special considerations you should have when planning a cruise with family or friends...

Celebrity Captain's Club Members (past guests) can now receive invitations to take a short survey in exchange for "Power Up Points".  These points can in turn add to guests' Captain's Club levels - which afford past guests various perks ranging from a free scoop of gelato, to discount laundry service, all the way up to a free cruise...