Cruises

I took a seven-day small luxury cruise for $6,500, and it was worth every penny.This Windstar cruise was smaller and more intimate than sailings I've done on megaships.I fell in love with the little Icelandic towns we stopped in, where I did plenty of hiking.For a long time, I thought cruises weren't for me. I'd…

As a frequent traveler, I've seen some bad etiquette on cruise ships.One of the worst things I see many people do on cruises is use bare hands to get food at the buffet.I also think it's rude to reserve deck chairs for hours and do private hygiene tasks in public.I've been on over 25 cruises…

My mom and I went on a 21-day expedition cruise aboard the Seabourn Pursuit for $26,000 each.We went on excursions and saw wildlife throughout Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, and Georgia.Overall, the bucket-list experience was incredible and felt like a nice value.Antarctica is truly a bucket-list destination, as the beautiful continent can be difficult and expensive…

I went on a 13-day partial transit of the Panama Canal on the Holland America Line Rotterdam.I booked an interior room to save money, and I'm glad I did it.I spent very little time in my room and never missed out on incredible views.My grandmother was an avid cruiser who went on more than 100…

After over 25 cruises, I know how to book the best cabin on a cruise — and which I prefer to avoid. Cabins in the ship's rear or on the bottom two decks can feel rocky during sea days.I avoid rooms next to elevators, below gyms, or above theaters to reduce my risk of noisy…

I spent two weeks on a luxurious Explora Journeys cruise exploring the Mediterranean with friends.When broken down, we spent about $480 a person per night for an ocean-view suite.The ports were great to explore, and we had delicious meals and fun experiences on board.Having previously visited Greece and enjoyed it, I wanted to explore more…

I'm a frequent cruiser who's been on over 50 voyages, and I never book balcony rooms on ships. Most balconies fit two people, so my family of three can't even comfortably sit on them together.  Balcony rooms also tend to be expensive, and I'd rather spend money on other amenities. When my son was a…

There are still things I hate about cruises, even after more than 50 sailings.Cruises can require lots of planning and limited port time, which kills spontaneity.Loyalty programs can make it hard for those of us without status to make reservations.After more than 50 sailings, it's clear that I love cruises and keep coming back for…

As a former cruise employee and frequent cruiser, I always organize my cabin on cruises.When packing for a cruise, I almost always bring a swimsuit and French press in my carry-on bag.I pay attention to safety procedures and listen to the captain's announcements.I spent three years working on cruise ships. Now, I frequently enjoy sailing…

I took a luxury river cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia with Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours.There were only 41 of us on board, so it felt like I had the boat to myself at times.The excursions, meals, and turn-down gifts gave me a taste of the local culture.In the cruise industry, there's often a "bigger…