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 guideGuides — Page 5
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.
Read guide
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.
Read guide
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.
Read guide
Where Do Cruise Ships Get Fresh Water?
Cruise ships make most of their own fresh water by desalinating seawater through evaporation or reverse osmosis, producing millions of gallons every day at sea.
Read guide Who Owns MSC Cruises?
MSC Cruises is privately owned by the Aponte family through Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company, one of the world's largest shipping groups.
Read guide When Is the Best Time to Book a Cruise?
Book during wave season from January to March or in the early-booking window for the best choice; last-minute deals exist but cabins are limited.
Read guide Who Owns Norwegian Cruise Line?
Norwegian Cruise Line is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, a publicly traded company that also owns the Oceania and Regent Seven Seas brands.
Read guide Why Are Some Alaska Cruises One-Way?
Many Alaska cruises sail one-way so ships can reach northern glaciers like Glacier Bay and connect passengers to inland land tours toward Denali.
Read guide Why Are Alaska Cruises So Expensive?
Alaska cruises cost more because of a short summer season, high demand, pricey shore excursions, and the expense of operating in remote northern ports.
Read guide Why Do Cruise Ships Get Norovirus?
Norovirus spreads fast in any crowded shared space, and ships report it more because outbreaks are closely tracked and disclosed, not because ships are dirty.
Read guide Why Do Cruise Ships Have Morgues?
With thousands of people aboard for days at a time, deaths do happen, so cruise ships carry a small morgue and a holding cell for genuine emergencies at sea.
Read guide