Cruise ship vacations are one of the most popular ways to travel and see destinations around the world.
Cruise ships offer an almost all-inclusive vacation experience, with plenty of activities, entertainment, and dining options to keep you and your family or friends busy during your cruise.
On our site, you’ll find cruise planning resources and cruise tips to help you decide whether cruising is for you and how to plan your next cruise for a fun vacation.
So whether you’re a cruise veteran or considering your first cruise, we hope you’ll find the following articles helpful to plan your next cruise ship vacation.
Cruise Planning
Why a Cruise Vacation: 25 Best Things About Cruises
Looking for a great vacation idea? Have you been on a cruise? Read all the best things about cruises and see why a cruise vacation will be your next vacation.
30 Fun Things to Do on a Cruise: Free Activities to Paid Ones
What are the things to do on a cruise? A cruise ship vacation is a destination in itself. You can spend the entirety of your vacation just enjoying all that a cruise ship has to offer from free cruise activities to paid ones.
11 First Time Tips: How to Prepare for a Cruise
Booking a cruise vacation is exciting and we start to count the days immediately after booking. In this post, we share our top tips on how to prepare for a cruise for first-timers.
28 Top Cruise Essentials for Your Cruise Packing List
Have a cruise booked? Need a cruise packing list? Whether this is your first-time cruise or you're an avid cruiser, it's time to make sure you have the cruise essentials you'll need. Don't forget to print the cruise packing list.
What Not to Pack for a Cruise?
What not to pack for a cruise? There are some items from home that are not allowed on a cruise ship. Check out these 15 items you should not bring on a cruise.
What is Included in a Cruise Ship Vacation?
What is included in a cruise ship vacation? And, what is not? We break down what the cruise fare includes and why it's mostly all-inclusive.
35 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips: What to Do Before and After
Are you getting ready to set sail on your cruise ship vacation? Wondering what the cruise embarkation day process is like? What should you do before and after you embark on your cruise? Find out why embarkation day can actually be a fun day of your cruise. A printable checklist is included.
The Ins and Outs of Tipping On a Cruise
What's the deal with tipping on a cruise? Are you supposed to tip on a cruise? Are cruise gratuities mandatory? Should you prepay gratuities? In this guide, we answer all these questions and more.
Cruise vs All-Inclusive Resort: What's the Difference?
Deciding between a cruise and an all-inclusive resort? Wondering what the differences are? While there are some similarities, there are plenty of differences. We'll be diving into the battle between a cruise vs all-inclusive resort or an all-inclusive resort vs cruise.
Pros and Cons of a Fall Cruise and a Winter Cruise
There are many pros and cons of a fall cruise or a winter cruise. No matter the season, you’ll be guaranteed a fabulous time on your cruise vacation.
Beach Packing List: 25 Beach Items Not to Forget
Are you getting ready for a beach trip or beach vacation? Scouring the internet for the best beach packing list? Don't worry, we have you covered with a packing list for the beach. A printable beach packing checklist is also available for you.
Southern Caribbean Ports
Plan your cruise vacation to these Southern Caribbean cruise ports? See how to spend your time at each one of these beautiful destinations. Be your town tour guide, book an adventurous excursion, go beach hopping or simply spend your day at the beach.
A Day in Aruba Cruise Port: Beach Fun and a UTV Tour
Is Oranjestad, Aruba a port-of-call on your cruise itinerary? Wondering what to do and how to spend a day in the Aruba cruise port? Spend the morning at one of the most beautiful beaches in Aruba. Then spend the second half of the day exploring the Arikok National Park.
Beach Hop Beautiful Curacao Beaches and Explore Willemstad
Visiting Curaçao with your Southern Caribbean cruise or staying near Willemstad? Rent a car and beach hop the Curaçao beaches. Explore local spots your tour guide may not show you. Still have time at the end of the day? Give colorful Willemstad a quick tour and see the things to do in Willemstad.
Top Things to Do in Bonaire in a Day
Are you planning a Bonaire vacation? Is Bonaire port-of-call part of your Southern Caribbean cruise itinerary? See the top things to do in Bonaire in a day. You’ll be calling this Dutch Caribbean island paradise shortly after arriving.
How to Spend Less than One Day in Key West
Planning one day in Key West, Florida cruise port? Whether your future cruise is landing there for less than a day in Key West or you’re taking a Key West day trip, these activities or foodie spots may be the inspiration you are looking for.
Grand Cayman Cruise Port: Swim with Stingrays
Is Grand Cayman Cruise Port on your cruise itinerary? Did you know one of the most popular attractions is swimming with Stingrays? Read all about booking an excursions and all other things to do in Grand Cayman.
Western Caribbean Cruise Ports
Plan your cruise vacation to these Western Caribbean cruise ports? See how to spend your time at each one of these destinations. Be your town tour guide, book an excursion, go beach hopping or simply spend your day at the beach.
Costa Maya Cruise Port: Be Your Own Tour Guide
Are you wondering if you can be your own tour guide at the Costa Maya cruise port? You absolutely can! We have done guided tours and we have rented a golf cart to explore on our own. Either way, you’ll have a great time exploring Costa Maya.
Harvest Caye, Belize: Don't Stay on the Ship
Harvest Caye, Belize is one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s private islands. As we spent our day enjoying what this resort-style island has to offer, we wondered, who doesn’t like a resort? If your cruise is docking in Harvest Caye and it’s your first time, don’t stay on the ship.
Spend a Relaxing and Fun Day in Paradise Beach in Cozumel, Mexico
Is Cozumel a port-of-call on your cruise itinerary? The island is a paradise with plenty of beautiful beaches and things to do. Looking for a day of fun in the sun? Spend a day at Paradise Beach in Cozumel, Mexico. Looking for more than a day at a beach? Check out these tours.
Explore and Tour the Beautiful Rio Dulce Guatemala
Santo Tomoa de Castilla port on your cruise itinerary? In this post, I give you some guidance as to what to expect when your cruise ports in Santo Tomás de Castilla and tell you about our Rio Dulce Guatemala Tour with lunch in Livingston.
Roatan, Honduras: Monkeys, Sloths, and Snorkeling
Is the Roatan, Honduras port-of-call on your cruise itinerary? We spent our day at Daniel John’s hanging out with monkeys and sloths before we heading out to snorkel the 2nd largest reef in the world that goes from Mexico to Panama.
Grand Cayman Cruise Port: Swim with Stingrays
Is Grand Cayman Cruise Port on your cruise itinerary? Did you know one of the most popular attractions is swimming with Stingrays? Read all about booking an excursions and all other things to do in Grand Cayman.
A Taste of NOLA: 3 Days in New Orleans
Did you know that some cruises depart from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean? If you cruise's home port is in New Orleans, plan a few days before or after the cruise to explore this fantastic city. See how to spend 3 days in New Orleans.
Mediterranean Cruise Ports
Plan your cruise vacation to these Mediterranean cruise ports? See how to spend your time at each one of these beautiful destinations. Be your town tour guide, rent a car or book an adventurous excursion. Don't miss these amazing ports filled with history and delicious food.
Civitacecchia to Rome: Top Sites to see in Rome
Planning to go to Rome from the Civitavecchia port? Plan your day in this historical city. Here are the top things to see in Rome, Italy.
Civitavecchia to Civita Di Bagnoregio: A Storybook Village
Civitavecchia to Civita Di Bagnorio: What if I told you there is an idyllic Italian storybook village less than two hours away from the port of Civitavecchia? Let me introduce you to Civita di Bagnoregio.
Livorno to Lucca, Italy: An Easy Day Trip to Lucca
Is the port of Livorno on your cruise itinerary? Let’s take a quick day trip to Lucca and see all the things to do in Lucca, Italy!
Livorno to Florence: One Day in Florence, Italy
Is Livorno a port-of-call on your cruise itinerary? Planning a day trip to Florence, Italy? Here are three itinerary options for a fabulous day in Florence.
Livorno to Pisa: A Quick Day Trip to Pisa
Is Livorno a port-of-call on your cruise itinerary? Plan your Livorno to Pisa day trip! See how to get there and what highlights you shouldn't miss in Pisa, Italy.
Naples to Capri: A Beautiful Day in Capri, Italy
Traveling to the Almalfi Coast of Italy? Is the port of Naples on your cruise itinerary? Add a beautiful day trip to Capri from Naples to your itinerary.
Cannes to Nice, France: One Day in Nice
Is Cannes, France a port-of-call on your Mediterranean cruise? Are you staying in Cannes and are thinking of spending one day in Nice, France? Cannes to Nice is an easy and fun day trip.
Palma de Mallorca Bike Tour
Is Palma de Mallorca, Spain part of your cruise itinerary? Spend an adventurous time in Palma de Mallorca and book a Palma de Mallorca bike tour. Eat some of the best local treats.
Where to Eat in Barcelona & What Site Not to Miss
Traveling to Barcelona, Spain? Wondering where to eat in Barcelona with great Barcelona food and dining experience. Here are some of the best spots we enjoyed when we visited.
Barcelona to Girona: 10 Great Things to Do in Girona, Spain
Planning a trip to Girona, Spain? What are the greatest things to do in Girona? We cover the highlights not to miss in this wonderful city as well as a few delicious eats.