How to Avoid Norovirus on a Cruise
Wash your hands often, use buffet tongs, steer clear of sick passengers, and report symptoms early to lower your norovirus risk on a cruise.
Read guideGuides — Page 4
Is a Cruise Cheaper Than an All-Inclusive?
Cruise base fares often start lower than an all-inclusive resort, but extras like drinks, Wi-Fi, and excursions can close the gap once you add them up.
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Is Cruise Food Free?
Most cruise food is included in your fare: main dining rooms, the buffet, and many casual spots. Specialty restaurants, some snacks, and room service can cost extra.
Read guide Is Cruise Ship Water Safe to Drink?
Yes — cruise ship tap water is filtered and treated to strict health standards and is safe to drink, often cleaner than the tap water in many ports you visit.
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Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent?
Travel agents often add perks and onboard credit at no extra cost, while booking direct gives you more control over changes to your cruise.
Read guide Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Last Minute?
Sometimes booking a cruise last minute is cheaper as lines discount unsold cabins, but you risk poor cabin choice, costly airfare, and sold-out sailings.
Read guide Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through Costco?
Costco rarely beats the base cruise fare, but its Shop Card rebate and onboard credit often make the net cost lower than booking direct.
Read guide Is Room Service Free on a Cruise?
It depends on the line. Continental breakfast is often free, but most cruise lines now charge a delivery fee or per-item price for room service the rest of the day.
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Is Royal Caribbean Better Than Carnival?
Royal Caribbean has bigger, more activity-packed ships at a higher price, while Carnival is cheaper and more casual. Here's how to pick between the two lines.
Read guide Should I Cruise If I Get Motion Sickness?
Usually yes — big modern ships with stabilizers feel steady. Choose a midship lower cabin, pick calmer itineraries, and bring remedies just in case.
Read guide Should You Prepay Cruise Gratuities?
Prepaying cruise gratuities locks in today's daily rate and spreads the cost before you sail, but it's entirely optional and doesn't earn you any discount.
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What App Tracks Cruise Ships?
Apps and sites like MarineTraffic, CruiseMapper, and VesselFinder track cruise ships live using public AIS data. Here's what each does and how to pick one.
Read guide What Cabins to Avoid on a Cruise Ship?
Avoid cabins under pools or buffets, above clubs, near elevators, and at the very ends of the ship for less noise and motion on a cruise.
Read guide What Cruise Lines Include a Drink Package?
Luxury lines like Regent and Virgin include drinks in the fare, while mainstream lines such as Celebrity and Norwegian often run free-drink-package promos.
Read guide What Cruises Let Kids Sail Free?
MSC frequently lets kids sail free, and many lines run kids-sail-free promos for the third or fourth guest sharing a cabin with two adults.
Read guide What Fuel Do Cruise Ships Use?
Most cruise ships run on marine diesel or heavy fuel oil, while newer ships burn cleaner LNG — and they get through many tons of fuel every single day.
Read guide What Does MSC Stand For?
MSC stands for Mediterranean Shipping Company, the Geneva-based family-owned shipping group that is the parent of the cruise brand MSC Cruises.
Read guide What Do First-Time Cruisers Need to Know?
First-time cruisers should arrive a day early, pack a carry-on with essentials, budget for extras, and avoid over-planning their port days.
Read guide What Happens If a Cruise Ship Sinks?
Ships carry lifeboats and rafts for everyone aboard plus a margin, and crews run drills to evacuate passengers in an orderly muster to the survival craft.
Read guide What Happens If You Get Sick on a Cruise Ship?
Every cruise ship has a medical center you pay out of pocket for, and a contagious illness can mean cabin isolation until you recover or reach port.
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