Sailing through the Panama Canal is what happens when a cruise ship turns into a bathtub toy. The ship drives into a concrete chamber. The gates close behind it. Water flows in from below, and the ship rises. Nobody pumps anything. Gravity does the work, and it takes most of a day. I have spent…
The Question What actually makes one cruise “luxury” and another one not? Is it the price? The ship size? The little chocolate on your pillow? Sort of all of it, and also none of it on its own. Cruise lines fall into a handful of recognized categories, and once you know what separates them, you…
The Question “Why does my total keep going up? I thought the fare was $1,499?” If you’ve ever booked a cruise and watched the number creep upward between “browsing” and “checkout,” you’re not imagining things. And nobody’s nickel-and-diming you either. What you need is a real cruise fare breakdown, the actual structure behind that number….
There’s a common assumption that smaller cruise ships mean fewer things to do — that without the rock-climbing walls, laser tag arenas, and sprawling pool decks of the mega-ships, a sea day is just you, the ocean, and a whole lot of thumb-twiddling. But spend a sea day on a smaller ship and you’ll quickly…
Cruises are all about having a great time. One of many ways cruise lines embrace fun is to hold a color-themed night. While the colors and the format will vary from line to line, they each provide a great opportunity to get out there and have some fun! I have enjoyed color-themed nights on four…
Choosing a cruise ship cabin can be a daunting experience. With so many different options to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Let’s explore some of the similarities and key differences between two popular cabin types: ocean view and balcony. I have had the pleasure of doing more than…
I have had the opportunity to sail many times on three of the four Azamara ships and both of the Crystal ships since 2022. There are many similarities between the two ships and cruise lines, but there are also a few differences between the two. During five Azamara Cruises (on Journey, Pursuit, and Quest) and…