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Cruise

Article / Miscellaneous

The Unexpected Travel Effects of the Federal Shutdown

No matter how common they have become, U.S. Government shutdowns can be painful, especially for travelers.Already, the action that began on October 1 is affecting everything from…

Article / Cruise

CroisiEurope Is Bringing This Type of River Cruise to the Seine in France for the First Time

A popular European cruise line says it will soon operate the first-ever paddle-wheel river cruises on the Seine in France. CroisiEurope, a French company specializing in river and…

Article / Cruise

Virgin Voyages' New Airline-Style Tiered Pricing: Here's What Each Class Means

Virgin Voyages is bringing airline-style tiered pricing to its cruises. Starting Tuesday, October 7, the line will divide fares into three classes: Base, Essential, and Premium. The…

Article / Cruise

Solo Cruisers Are Getting an Entire Ship Just for Them—No Shared Cabins

As solo travel has become more and more popular, several cruise lines have begun catering to the trend by offering cabins, activities, and lounges specifically set aside for solo…

Article / Money and Fees

Holiday Travel Tips: Why You Should Book Early, What Will Be Different in 2025, and More

When the leaves are turning gold, red, and burnt orange, that means just one thing: You’ve missed the best window for booking affordable holiday travel. This year, I'm breaking out the…

Article / Miscellaneous

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…

Article / Cruise

Tulip Season in the Netherlands: Experience it Yourself with Boating and Biking Tours

Tulip season in the Netherlands typically runs from the middle of March to the middle of May, but travelers are advised to make plans far in advance. Tour slots can fill up quickly—and…

Article / Cruise

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…

Article / Cruise

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…

Article / Cruise

New and Upcoming River Cruises in Europe, the US, India, and Beyond

Heidi Sarna is the co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com, a guide to small-ship cruising.Among the many reasons river cruises entice travelers: close-up scenery, calm waters, and the…

Article / Cruise

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…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

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…

Article / Cruise

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…

Article / Cruise

What to Expect on a River Thames Barge Cruise in England’s Countryside: Our Review

Heidi Sarna is the co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com, a guide to small-ship cruising.The narrow River Thames unfolds like a ribbon dropped onto an old map. Flowing for more than 200 miles…

Article / Local Experiences

Get to Know Juneau: Things to Do Beyond the Cruise Terminal in Alaska’s Vibrant Capital

Juneau, Alaska, is arguably the prettiest capital city in the United States—that is, if you like fresh air, thriving clean waters, and occasional glimpses of the northern lights…

Article / Cruise

This $10 Item Could Keep You from Getting Sick on a Cruise Ship

A purported symbol of luxury that turns out to be a source of contamination may sound like a metaphor for critiquing society. But it's also an actual thing on cruise ships, according…

Article / Cruise

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…

Article / Cruise

A 'Marvelous' Hack for Disembarking from a Cruise Ship Faster

First-time cruisers might be surprised to learn that getting off the ship at the end of a voyage isn't exactly a simple undertaking. More or less simultaneously, crew members have to…

Article / Cruise

The New Victory Cruise Lines Sails the Great Lakes: How Improved Are Its ‘New’ Ships?

A major player in Great Lakes cruising went away. Now, it’s back.And while there’s still some room for improvement, the new Victory Cruise Lines is largely better than before. Victory…

Article / Cruise

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…

Article / Slideshows

MSC World America Ship Tour: What We Loved and What Was Meh

If you watched Super Bowl LIX or have been anywhere near a TV or computer screen since then, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of that ad in which actors Drew Barrymore and Orlando…

Article / Cruise

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…

Article / Cruise

How to Stay Safe on Cruises Now That the CDC Has Fired Health Inspectors

A new virus emerges. It has a high infection rate, sickening dozens almost immediately after its discovery. The Trump administration underplays the threat.Sound familiar?History is…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

Don't Have a REAL ID? You Can Use These Forms of Identification Instead

Update, December 1, 2025: As of February 2026, the United States government will charge its citizens a $45 fee to fly if they go to the airport without a REAL ID. Read more about the…

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

How to Spot Fake Reviews Written By AI, According to an AI Professional

Fake reviews of hotels, restaurants, and tours have been a problem for travelers since the earliest days of the internet. But now that sketchy businesses can use artificial…