Cruise Articles

In April 2018, Independence of the Seas will undergo a multi-million refurbishment bringing new features, activities, dining and even new staterooms. While Independence of the Seas will be receiving many of the same upgrades her sister Freedom-Class ships Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas received in recent dry docks, there are other new features inspired from other ships in the fleet. Independence of the Seas Revitalization Here’s what we know is coming so far. Escape Room – Sometimes when you’re on vacation, you can feel your mind…

The Symphony of the Seas construction is progressing nicely at the STX Shipyard in France. With eight months left to go until her maiden voyage, the hurried pace of construction is evident all over the ship. Back by popular demand: A new and bigger-than-ever #Hairspray will take the stage on #SymphonyoftheSeas. Stay tuned for more details. pic.twitter.com/Qj0l9emVIq — Royal Caribbean Public Relations (@RoyalCaribPR) September 25, 2017 Construction Photos – September 2017 Following her maiden voyage in April 2018., Symphony of the Seas will spend her inaugural summer season sailing to…

With its location just 45 miles east of Orlando, Port Canaveral is a convenient port to embark from and with lots of things to do close by, a fun place to explore as a port day stop on a cruise. With being so close to Orlando, you may be wondering; Is it possible to visit Disney World or Universal Studios for the day while your ship is in port? With some cruise lines offering extended port times into the evening, visiting either theme park is possible and packages are available…

Guided cruise shore excursions are a great way to take in a port-of-call and make sure you get to see the highlights. With a knowledgeable tour guide and a well-planned tour program, you can maximize the short time your cruise ship will be in port. Many people book their shore excursions directly with their cruise line, perhaps, not aware that there are several independent shore excursion companies that can offer alternative guided experiences ashore. Which one is the better option? The answer to that question depends on several factors. Reputation…

You’ve waited a long time for your cruise to arrive and the anticipation has been making you crazy. We know, that moment you first step onboard is special, almost magical. You want to see and do everything right away before you even leave the port. Before you slap on the sunscreen and head to the pool, here’s a few things you may want to take care of first. Confirm Dining If your dining was not confirmed at time of booking or prior to your cruise departure, you’ll want to go…

Most of the time being on a cruise ship is about spending time outdoors; enjoying the sea views, taking a plunge in the pool, basking in the sun or just a nice walk around the deck. What do you do if the weather doesn’t cooperate or you just want a change of scenery? We’ve selected 5 things that you can do indoors on your next cruise. Spa/Fitness Center Treat yourself to a spa day. The spas on board most cruise ships are huge and offer all of the services of…

Getting the best cruise prices has a lot to do with when and how you book it. There are always promotions or offers available, but how do you know if your price and promotion is the best one? Compare Prices from more than One Source Unless you have a trusted travel agent or consultant at a cruise line, who you know always gets you the best deal, shopping various sources can give you a clearer view of actual prices in the marketplace and allow you to gauge if a particular…

Carnival Cruise Line has long been known for offering the most fun at sea. Their ships appeal to all types of cruisers from all ages and tastes. It wasn’t easy to just pick five, but we compiled the following list of 5 things we love about Carnival Cruise Line. Included Food Options When it comes to food on Carnival Cruise Line, you’ll never go hungry. Not only is there lots of food, it’s also very good. While many cruise lines give you a choice between just casual dining in the…

For many cruises departing from ports in the United States, passports can be optional under certain circumstances. This doesn’t mean you should cruise without one. In fact, always cruising with passport is highly recommended. Cruises that depart from and return to the same U.S. port (known as closed-loop) have an exemption for requiring passports. Just about every cruise to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda and Canada/New England will fall under the closed-loop category. Cruises that are one-way or are repositioning from one home-port to another are not considered closed-loop. If…