Tagged: cruising

Turkey Just Banned a Gay Cruise. Read Arthur Frommer's Inspiring Words About a Similar Situation

Last week, Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady was refused entry to Turkey by local authorities. The offense? It had gay people on it.The cruise was carrying 2,000 passengers as well as…

How to Save Hundreds on Royal Caribbean's Packages and Excursions

In the 1970s and '80s, cruises became a booming vacation option by offering a more-or-less all-inclusive pricing structure. One fare covers room, board, and access to a roster of…

The True Cost of a “Cheap” Cruise: What Each Major Cruise Line Actually Includes

The cruise deal looks unbeatable: seven nights for $499. Accommodations, meals, entertainment—all set, right? For most travelers, though, that bargain fare is only the opening bid. By…

Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Has Problems: Prepare for Your Visit with Our Review

As of March 2026, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) will have eight ships in operation, five of them with a capacity to carry 4,000 passengers each. That's a huge jump from the smaller,…

There's Another New Fee on Cruises: Penalties for Missing Dining Reservations

The big cruise lines, which are in constant pursuit of fatter profits to please shareholders, are busy finding new ways to tighten the screws on guests.Last week, word came that…

Norwegian Cruise Line Throttles Wi-Fi —Now Instagram Reels Cost Another $10/Day

Most of us know that because of the equipment and services involved, Wi-Fi access on cruise ships isn't cheap. The basic package on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), called Voyage Wi-Fi…

10 Ways to Cut the Cost of an Expedition Cruise

Fancy taking Viking’s 13-day Antarctic Explorer on the line’s newest ship, Octanis? That will be $15,000, please. Even sailings to more “affordable” expedition cruise destinations…

Men Accused of Surveilling Cruise Ships in Mediterranean for Suspicious Reasons

On June 22, a 26-year-old man was arrested near a NATO base in Souda Bay on the popular vacation island of Crete, Greece. He had booked a hotel room overlooking the port and paid in…

First Look at Oceania Allura: A Fresh Spin on Familiar Flavors

In mid-July, Oceania Cruises’ Allura said arrivederci for the first time to its birthplace in Genoa, Italy, and sailed around the coast of the boot-shaped peninsula to get to…

Rise in Measles Prompts Popular Caribbean Destination to Require Vaccination to Visit

There has been an update to this story. See the bottom of this post. The United States has logged at least 1,200 measles cases so far in 2025. Although the U.S. had declared the…

Mexico's Tax on Cruisers, Soon to Be $21, Has Taken Effect: Is It Really a Big Deal?

Late last year, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump wasn't even in the White House yet when he threatened Mexico with a new 25% tariff. When he did that, Mexico slapped back fast. The…

8 Expert Tips for Making a European River Cruise Affordable

River cruising has the reputation for being expensive. Not to worry—we talked to major experts in river cruises to get their top tips for anyone wondering how to bag a bargain.Opt for…

Save Money by Cruising the Mediterranean During ‘Quiet Season’

Winter is shaping up to be the new summer when it comes to Mediterranean cruises.Instead of deploying all of their ships to the Caribbean and other balmy destinations when the weather…

Norwegian Aqua Ship Review: 'More' for Some but Less for Others

After years of market testing and product evolution, Norwegian Cruise Line executives think they have hit a sweet spot with regard to number of passengers (half as many as some of the…

5 Things Cruise Passengers Must Remember to Do—or Else Get Soaked for Thousands of Dollars

Put your smartphone in airplane mode.As TheStreet warns: "It’s not uncommon to hear horror stories of first-time cruisers who neglected to put their phones in airplane mode, only to…

How to Avoid Seasickness on a Cruise

Some fortunate souls seem to have no trouble with motion sickness. These must be the folks who think riding a Tilt-A-Whirl is fun rather than a reliable substitute for ipecac. For the…

New Royal Caribbean Discount Codes: 60% Off Second Guest and Kids Sail Free

Cruise "wave season," the prime period for discounts, is here, and two worthwhile new deals from Royal Caribbean have just ridden the surf into vacationers' wallets.From now until…

These Are Some of the Biggest Event Cruises of 2025

Think of an event cruise as a floating convention. You take all the normal trappings of a regular cruise, then add another layer of entertainment and social events that aren't usually…

How to Avoid Getting Norovirus on a Cruise Ship

First of all, the good news: Norovirus is rarely deadly. It's more like a rotten toilet-based hangover marked by a few days of nausea and, for some people, vomiting. Its biggest risk,…

In 2025, Cruises to Mexico Will Cost More, Raising Deeper Questions of Value

All cruise itineraries that include one or more stops in Mexico will soon cost an additional $42.Countries frequently adjust the arrival fees charged to tourists. Mexico has decided…

Another Cruise Port Votes to Restrict Visitors: How Passenger Limits Are Shaping Cruising

Lost in the threshing machine of more momentous news headlines this week was the outcome of a referendum in Bar Harbor, Maine, that portends deepening complications for cruise…

How to Find Out if a Cruise Port Will Be Crowded When You're There

Cruise ships keep getting bigger and bigger, but the delicate historic sights of Europe and the Caribbean remain the same size. When locals complain about overtourism, cruise ships are…

Unplugged! Royal Caribbean Bans a Popular Item That Many Cruisers Pack

Royal Caribbean has revised its list of forbidden items to ban a useful travel tool that many cruisers pack as an essential item. Even though the change "was not communicated to…

The First-Time Cruiser's Packing List: 20 Things Your Cabin Won't Have

A recent Reddit discussion among fans of Carnival Cruise Line answered a simple question crucial to any kind of travel: What stuff should I bring? The ideas they came up with were…

Free Cruises for Casino Lovers: How Gamblers Get Invited to Cruise for Free

If you’re the kind of cruise passenger who loves finding generous discounts, you might want to take a moment before reading this next sentence. You’ve almost certainly sailed…