From the journal
Loyalty program tips, documentation checklists, and celebration ideas from our concierge desk — everything we've learned planning voyages, collected in one place.
Before you click "book" on your first cruise, slow down. Here's the honest, no-fluff rundown of what actually matters — destinations, what's included, hidden fees, and the questions that save first-timers hundreds of dollars.
Read the articleCruise wifi used to mean paying a fortune for a connection barely strong enough to load an email. Starlink changed that math. Here's what every major line actually charges now, and how to tell if it's worth it for your sailing.
Read the articleCruise lines make their real margin on upgrades — which is exactly why the cheapest cabin on the ship is the one they'd rather you scroll right past. Here's what the interior cabin actually gets you.
Read the articleA running database of every new cruise ship on order — cruise line, ship, class, capacity, launch date, homeport, and booking status — organized by launch year and updated as new details are announced.
Read the articleHolland America and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto just refreshed the Morimoto by Sea menu fleetwide — new dishes, an updated sushi program, and a rare chance to sail with the chef himself in 2027.
Read the articleSame ocean, different vibes — and different bills. The advertised fares don't tell you which line actually costs more once drinks, dining, wifi, and everything else is added in.
Read the articleSame ocean, a different vibe. Adult-only sailings are having a moment — here's the honest breakdown of what you actually get, what you give up, and who it's really for.
Read the articleWe handed a popular AI chatbot a budget and a week off, and let it build a full 7-day cruise itinerary from scratch. It got the sales pitch right and the actual trip wrong in ways that would only surface after final payment.
Read the articleThe $599 fare in the ad and the number on your final bill are two very different trips. Here's every cost that shows up in between, with real numbers for a couple sailing seven nights.
Read the articleThe right cruise starts with matching the line's personality to yours, not the other way around. Here's how travel style maps to the type of line worth booking.
Read the articleThe sail fare is the deposit on the trip, not the total. Here's where the rest of the budget actually goes, and where a package can quietly save you money.
Read the articleA rough map of how cruise fares move from first look to final payment — and where the real risk sits if you wait too long.
Read the articleNone of these show up until it's too late to fix them for free — from chasing a sale at the wrong moment to booking shore excursions the week before you sail.
Read the articleFor 2026, Viking Ocean Cruises is the standout choice for the Mediterranean — free excursions, destination-focused itineraries, and fewer crowds. Here's why it wins, plus strong runner-ups by travel style.
Read the articleCunard's Labor Day Sale runs through September 9, with fares from $999, up to $300 in onboard credit, and a covered hotel charge in Grill Suites. Here's what's actually worth booking.
Read the articleRing in 2028 with an overnight stay in Hong Kong: 14 nights from Singapore through Thailand and Vietnam aboard a freshly refurbished Celebrity Solstice, with four full days at sea to enjoy the ship in between.
Read the articleOne sailing, nine ports, and a route the Star only runs once this year — from Southampton down the French Atlantic coast to Lisbon, with stops in Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Bilbao, and two Galician ports most itineraries skip.
Read the articleFrom water-park mega-ships to intimate ultra-luxury vessels, here's an early look at the most anticipated new ships debuting over the next two years — and how to think about which one fits your travel style.
Read the articleCrown & Anchor, Captain's Circle, Latitudes — every line rewards repeat sailors differently. Here's how to make sure your status is actually working for you before you book.
Read the articlePassport validity rules trip up more first-time cruisers than rough seas ever will. Here's exactly what to check before you're standing at the terminal.
Read the articleBirthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons — cruise ships are built for celebrating, but only if you request the right things at the right time.
Read the articleOne suitcase, seven days, three dress codes. Here's how to pack light without showing up underdressed to formal night.
Read the articleBooking through the cruise line isn't always the safest — or the best — option. Here's how to decide port by port.
Read the articleThe price gap between cabin categories can be significant. Here's when the upgrade is worth it — and when it isn't.
Read the articleReady to start planning? Request a quote and Chip will follow up personally.