Cruise Travel Guide
Welcome aboard! After more than 65 cruises, here’s one takeaway: Bigger isn’t always better.
These days, you’ll usually find us sailing luxury yachts, small ships, expedition vessels, tall-masted ships and river vessels – or exploring other niche cruise experiences – rather than mainstream cruise ships.
Here, we’ve gathered all our reviews, practical tips and firsthand experiences to help you sail smarter – whether you’re booking your first voyage or your fiftieth.
Read first
All about cruises
SOME CRUISE LINES WE’VE SAILED (REVIEWS)
READER FAVORITES
CRUISE DRINKS PACKAGES
CRUISE SHIP DINING
RIVER CRUISE READS
SPECIALTY “CRUISE” STORIES
CRUISING TIPS and KNOW-HOW
LATEST CRUISE INSPO
What makes cruising so irresistible?
Cruising has never been more popular – passenger numbers are soaring, and ships are setting sail fuller than ever.
It’s easy to see why so many travelers (us included!) are hooked. Cruises tick all the right vacation boxes – and then some…
Our parting advice
Packing and must-have gear
We never board a ship without:
If you’re cruising somewhere sunny, don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen, a rashguard (to protect against sunburn when swimming or snorkeling), a wide-brimmed hat and swimwear.
For cooler-weather cruises, bring appropriate clothing, for example, a rain jacket.
Drinks packages – when they’re worth it
If you enjoy several glasses of wine or cocktails a day, a drinks package can be a money-saver. If you’re more of an occasional sipper, buying drinks à la carte might be smarter.
Shore excursions – ship vs. independent
Booking through the ship is easy and ensures you won’t get left behind if your tour runs late.
But one of our favorite cruise hacks?
We’ve had fantastic (and often less expensive) experiences booking with local guides directly, as well as through Viator and GetYourGuide.
(These are two of the world’s largest day tour companies – offering many excursions designed for cruise passengers, complete with port transfers and guaranteed back-to-ship-on-time service.)
The best choice really depends on your destination, comfort level and time in port. (A longer port day gives you more leeway to book an independent shore excursion and still get back to the ship on time.)
Internet and staying connected
Ship WiFi has improved but can still be slow.
Luxury cruise lines typically include it in the fare. But it can be pricey if you have to pay for it. We’d suggest buying a small package for essential emails and using local SIM cards or free WiFi when ashore.
Travel insurance essentials
We never cruise without travel insurance – ideally a policy that covers trip interruption, medical emergencies and evacuation. Medical care at sea can be expensive, and some ports are far from hospitals.
Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
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About the authors
