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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Read guide What Is Embarkation Day on a Cruise?
Embarkation day is boarding day on a cruise: you check in at the terminal, drop your bags, board the ship, settle in, and sail away that same evening.
Read guide What Is the Safest Cabin on a Cruise Ship?
A midship cabin on a lower-to-middle deck is the steadiest and most practical pick on a cruise ship, sitting closest to the center of gravity.
Read guide Which Norwegian Cruise Ships Have Go-Karts?
Norwegian Joy, Bliss, Encore, Prima, Viva, and Aqua feature top-deck go-kart race tracks. Older NCL ships don't have them. Here's the full breakdown.
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What Not to Pack for a Cruise?
Skip irons, candles, drones, surge-protector cords, and excess alcohol when packing for a cruise, since most are banned onboard and get confiscated.
Read guide How Do Time Zones Work on a Cruise Ship?
A cruise runs on ship time, set by the captain. When you cross time zones the crew announces the change the night before, usually shifting clocks an hour overnight.
Read guide What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night?
For cruise formal night think cocktail dress or a suit, though many guests wear dark slacks and a collared shirt, with tuxedos entirely optional.
Read guide What to Wear on an Alaska Cruise?
Pack layers for an Alaska cruise: a waterproof shell, fleece, long pants, and a warm hat, because the weather stays cool and wet even in summer months.
Read guide What's Included When You Book a Cruise?
A cruise fare covers your cabin, main meals, basic drinks, entertainment, and most onboard activities, while drinks packages, Wi-Fi, and excursions cost extra.
Read guide When Are Cruise Drink Packages Cheapest?
Cruise drink packages are cheapest when prebooked online during pre-cruise promotions, since onboard prices are the highest you'll pay for the same plan.
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When Is Mediterranean Cruise Season?
Mediterranean cruise season runs April through October, with peak heat and crowds in July and August and better deals in the spring and fall shoulder months.
Read guide When Is Alaska Cruise Season?
Alaska cruise season runs from early May through late September, with the warmest weather, longest days, and best wildlife viewing in June, July, and August.
Read guide Where Do Cruise Gratuities Actually Go?
Cruise auto-gratuities are pooled and shared among cabin stewards, dining staff, and behind-the-scenes crew, supplementing wages of workers you never see.
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