General Cruising

On cruise embarkation day your checked luggage may not reach your stateroom for several hours. It can arrive any time between mid afternoon and early evening depending on how busy the ship is and how quickly bags are processed. To avoid being stuck without essentials, it is smart to carry …

Yes! Many first time cruisers are confused by the ships super early return to port time on the last day of their cruise. Ships often arrive back in port around 7am, but guests do not get off immediately. There is a structured process for clearing customs, retrieving luggage, and dismissing …

One of the most common questions first time cruisers have is how the beds are set up in a standard cabin. People often assume that if a cabin lists a queen bed, it is a single mattress that cannot be separated. Others worry that if they select a room with …

Cruise lines often offer travel insurance during checkout, but it is important to understand that they are not actually providing the coverage themselves. They are selling a third-party insurance product, usually with a convenience markup. That does not automatically make it bad, but it means you should compare it …

There is no single best time to get off the ship at Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay because the ideal schedule depends on the kind of day you want to have. For families who love the beach and island activities, arriving early in the morning is appealing because the water …

If you’re cruising with kids, one of the biggest deciding factors is often how good the onboard kids clubs are. Some cruise lines go all-in offering age-appropriate activities, separate spaces for toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens, and programming that runs from morning to evening. Others have more modest offerings. Here’s …

Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, and it can feel confusing if you are visiting for the first time. The terminals are spread out, different cruise lines use different buildings, and there are multiple security checkpoints before you even reach …