Cruise

How to Pick the Best Cruise Itinerary

Thinking about taking a cruise, but not sure which one is right for you? Check out our handy evaluation of the most common routes — and their strengths and weaknesses:

How to Contact Your Cruise Line

By Laura Brothers

Some lines are going beyond toll-free numbers — to online chats, callbacks, and even service-driven Twitter feeds and Facebook pages — to give cruisers ways to get questions answered and help when they need it. Here is the best contact information to reach out to any of the major cruise lines:

How to Stay Gluten-Free on Your Cruise

By Thomas Faddegon

Whether you keep a gluten-free diet because you’re allergic to wheat or for the health benefits, you’ll find that just about every cruise line has stepped up its game in order to cater to you. The extent of the accommodations varies: Some lines offer a few simple gluten-free dishes, while MSC Cruises has partnered with the Italian Celiac Association to create an extensive gluten-free menu.

Which cruise lines have a coed spa?

By Laura Brothers

Whether it’s your honeymoon, an anniversary, or you’re just looking for a romantic afternoon for two, you don’t want to head to the spa together … and then separate into his and her areas. We tracked down the cruise ship spas with coed hot tubs, steam rooms, and other shared experiences:

Do You Need a Travel Agent to Book a Cruise?

By Simon Duvall

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should use a travel agent or book your cruise directly with the cruise line. Let's look at the pros and cons of each option so you can make an informed decision.

Cruise Line Loyalty Programs

By Laura Brothers

You don’t have to have sailed on a dozen cruises to enroll in a cruise line loyalty program. All of the lines allow customers to become members either before or after their first sailing and start earning points right away. Sign up, and you’ll receive extras like complimentary Internet access and laundry services, just for booking multiple cruises with the same line. So what exactly do you get, and when? We researched all of the cruise lines’ loyalty programs:

Everything You Need to Know About Cruise Ship Casinos

By Laura Brothers

Whether you’re an avid poker player or just like to try your luck on the slot machines, cruise ship casinos offer a little something for everyone, without a flight to Las Vegas.

What is Included in Your Cruise Fare?

By Laura Brothers

So you’re ready to set sail, but do you know exactly what is included in your cruise fare? While most cruises are not all-inclusive, you expect certain things to be included: your cabin, dining in the Lido Deck buffet and main dining rooms, basic daily entertainment — such as stage shows and comedy acts — and access to the onboard fitness center.

How Wheelchair-Accessible are Cruise Ships?

By Laura Brothers

Those with impaired mobility can still enjoy a cruise ship vacation. All of the cruise lines have accessible public areas, with large corridors, automatic doors, and special seating. They also offer accessible staterooms with wide doorways, ramped entrances, roll-in showers with a seat, grab bars in the bathroom, a hand-held shower head, and a lower sink and closet rods.

The Invaluable Lessons You Learn on Your First Cruise

By Thomas Faddegon

There’s nothing like a fresh set of eyes to give you a new perspective on something you take for granted. Cruiseline.com receives thousands of reviews from first-time cruisers every year, so we gathered some of their best tips for others getting ready to take their first voyages.

5 Cruises to Avoid

By Simon Duvall and Thomas Faddegon

Any experienced cruiser is sure to have a nightmare story about a cruise they wish they had never taken. Obnoxious passengers, terrible weather, crowded ports, shipboard malfunctions, terrible cabin locations — we’ve heard them all. While many issues are impossible to predict, there are certain sailings where your odds of dealing with one of these problems are exponentially higher. We recommend using extreme caution when booking one of the following cruises, especially if it’s your first time at sea.

Which cruise should I take: Caribbean or Bahamas?

By Heidi Sarna

Both the Caribbean and the Bahamas have stretches of sand that appeal to beach bums of all ages. Party animals can swig drinks from beach bars at sundown, while couch potatoes happily roast on the sand and sporty types windsurf. The big difference is location: The Bahamas are a lot closer to Florida and offer more weekend cruise options. And they’re cheaper. Why? It takes less fuel to get to the Bahamas, and the cruise lines usually position their older ships on the weekend runs. Read on for our full comparison:

Why You Have Probably Never Heard About Europe's Largest River Cruise Brand

By Jason Cochran

For a long time, river cruiser CroisiEurope didn't seem to care if U.S. vacationers sailed with them, but now this family-run company aims to raise its image.

Which cruise should I take: Disney or Norwegian?

By Heidi Sarna

Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are both great choices for families, with flexible dining options, shows, and activities for all ages, plus movie and TV characters doing meet and greets around the ships. One major difference is price: Disney will almost always cost more. Read on to vote for your favorite line and see our selections:

Which cruise should I take: Celebrity or Princess?

By Sherri Eisenberg

What’s not to like about Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises? They both offer an elegant and tasteful experience and serve primarily couples, but also families with kids, as well as larger groups. So which one is right for you, and which is our favorite? Read on to find out.

Which cruise should I take: Western or Eastern Caribbean?

By Heidi Sarna

Looking at cruise brochures, it can be hard to differentiate between the various Caribbean itineraries. But once you know what you’re looking at, distinct differences emerge. Here, we compare the most popular two routes — Eastern and Western — to see how they stack up:

Which cruise should I take: Carnival or Norwegian?

By Heidi Sarna

These two cruise lines have a lot in common: huge ships that attract families with kids, as well as couples and singles. Their appeal boils down to plenty of choices and features like water slides, climbing walls, and ropes courses. On both fleets, the vibe is casual, and the price is low. Similarities aside, Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line have their differences too. Read on to vote for your favorite, and see our selections:

How to Avoid Getting Seasick on a Cruise

By Thomas Faddegon

While a cruise ship in rough seas can be unpleasant, it will rarely result in a cancelled voyage. However, it may make nausea-prone passengers seasick and force the ship to skip ports. Rough waters can occur anywhere at any time, but because of ocean currents, high winds, and nearby landmasses — or the lack thereof — some itineraries can be expected to have particularly rough seas at certain times of year. So even though you can’t predict the weather months in advance of your cruise, you can increase your chances of smooth sailing by not booking during the stormiest seasons. Here are the roughest seas you are most likely to encounter on a cruise, and when to avoid them:

How to Tip on a Cruise Ship

By Laura Brothers

A standout cabin steward, attentive waiter, or superior bartender can make a big impact on your cruise. But how should you compensate them for their hard work? Tipping on a cruise ship depends on the line.

Can I Bring Alcohol on a Cruise Ship?

By Polina Myagkov

You’re cruising through the Mediterranean, and you stop in Nice. In a wine shop, you see a gorgeous bottle of French rosé, and immediately picture yourself sipping some on your veranda while the ship pulls out of port later that evening. As you reach for your credit card, you wonder — are you even allowed to bring alcohol on cruise ships? The answer: It depends. Alcohol policies vary widely from line to line. In addition, many lines charge so-called corkage fees if you want to drink your purchase in a public space, including dining rooms, specialty restaurants, or lounges. There is always the option of sneaking alcohol onboard to get around these policies, but if you want to play by the rules, here’s our handy line-by-line cheat sheet:

The Cost of Internet on Cruise Ships

By Polina Myagkov

The ability, and cost, of staying connected wirelessly varies by cruise line and ship. Most lines offer Internet access via Wi-Fi or computer stations located throughout the ships in their fleet, and break down pricing by minutes — the more minutes you purchase in bulk, the less you pay per minute.

Is it Worth it to Buy a Cruise Line Drink Package?

By Laura Brothers

You may have noticed that cruise lines offer drink packages and wondered whether they're a good deal. The answer is simple but requires some math on your part: It depends on how many drinks you typically consume in a day. Here is a breakdown of what each cruise line offers, from water to soda, beer, wine, and liquor. Check it out, and then divide the package price by the cost of individual drinks to see how many you have to order a day before the savings kick in:

When is the Best Time to Cruise?

By Simon Duvall

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for when to sail: It depends on your own personal priorities. Whether you’re looking to avoid the rough seas or score a bargain deal, there’s a time of year that’s best for you. If you’re looking for low prices, shoulder season — the time between peak and low season — is a great option, but it may come with trade-offs like rainy weather or fewer wildlife sightings. Check out our breakdown of the best time to cruise based on destination, weather, and price:

Cruise Ships of the Future

By Thomas Faddegon

Fifty years ago, no one thought cruise ships would evolve into 1,200-foot behemoths capable of carrying 5,000 passengers. And while we’re excited by the innovations on new ships like Quantum of the Seas, it’s hard not to wonder how dramatically different cruise ships will look 50 years from now.