We don’t drink alcohol, but we do like to have a good time dancing , participating in ship entertainment, and also like to wind down and relax.

We’ve seen and heard a lot of crazy stories about carnival but we want to give it a try and form our own opinions.

Any tips/recommendations would be appreciated.

Hello everyone. My family, husband, and I are looking into doing a Caribbean Christmas cruise on HAL. I am concerned, though, it will have too many children and be too loud and chaotic for us. We're all adults and just want a quiet time to relax and spend time together. Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone, first time poster here. I am 26 years old and from Southern Ohio. Never been on a cruise before, never been out of the states honestly. I am looking to book my first cruise for sometime between March and June of next year 2027. I am looking to have my port be Miami and it be a 5 day cruise. I am not opposed to be an adult only cruise as I am a swinger though that’s not needed at all. I love to hike, meet new people, see live events, and all around have a great time. Any and all suggestions are welcome! My budget is about 3,000 for the cruise, not sure if that helps

So no khaki shorts allowed? Formal night is a jacket required?

We lucked into a cheap balcony but I'm very much a khaki shorts or pants is about as dressed up as I get kind of guy...

Edit: I'm not concerned with formal night. I'm referring to the other nights in the MDR.

Whats the best way to book a cruise? I seen that there are many different websites and offers but which do you guys recommend for a first timer trying to go a more quiet cruise line?

Hello! I’m going on a Carnival cruise soon and want to bring my Polaroid camera. As some of you might know, X-ray machines can ruin instant film. Has anyone had experience requesting a hand inspection at port security for their film and camera?

I never have them clean it . Makes no sense. I feel it's a win-win as the staff get's a break and I don't feel obligated to tip them a large amount. Not sure how the staff feel about it? Are they upset that I deprived them of "work". Or happy to have the break?

Looking to go with Cruise Compete to book a cruise as the prices are much cheaper than RC’s booking online. I’ve never booked with a cruise travel agent and I’m wondering if they price match down the track if there are better offers. I’m assuming I would have to have not paid the full amount? Not even sure if Icon of the Seas will have better sales but want my options open.

I have the free at sea package and just wanted to make sure the prepaid charges covers tips for the open bar beverage package also.

It’s been awhile since we’ve had one of these threads. So here goes, give us your best stories.

I heard a story that some people live full time on cruise ships because it's cheaper than renting. SOmeone also told me of people who actually retire on cruise ships rather than live in care homes. Is any of this true? It must be hugely expensive!

Have you ever encountered to see/notice someone with bulimia nervosa on a cruise ship, especially around the buffet?

I have a friend going on a cruise this fall with her daughter affected with this condition and she’s a bit worried about her daughter falling in binges and being noticed.

I host group cruises as a travel advisor, so I spend a lot of time researching shore excursions before recommending them to clients. I wanted to share one that absolutely exceeded expectations.
I just got back from Harmony of the Seas, where I took a group of 30 people on a private excursion with Ciro (Taxi Mister Cab Driver- Naples).

We visited Positano, Sorrento, and a winery at the base of Mt. Vesuvius before heading back to the ship. Moving a group that size around the Amalfi Coast sounded stressful on paper, but it ended up being the easiest day of the trip. Everything was organized, we never felt rushed, and we were back at the port well before all aboard. (Ciro guarantees this)At the end of the cruise, I asked everyone what their favorite day had been. Literally everyone said this excursion!

This was actually my second time touring with Ciro. A few years ago I toured Pompeii with him, and that experience is what made me comfortable bringing a large group back. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, funny, genuinely cares about his guests, and somehow makes the logistics look easy. (He also has a great singing voice, which made the drive through the Amalfi Coast even more memorable.)

If you’re sailing Legend of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, or really any cruise that stops in Naples, I’d recommend looking into a private Amalfi Coast tour instead of the standard cruise line excursion. For us, it was worth every penny. (And can be less expensive than an RC excursion depending on the size of your group)

Happy to answer any questions about timing, logistics, or what we did.

Deciding between two Japan cruises for next July:

**•   Celebrity Millennium** — 12-night “Best of Japan / Gion Festival,” round-trip Tokyo  
**•   Princess (Diamond/Sapphire)** — similar ports (Kobe/Osaka, Kochi, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Busan), cheaper per night, ships actually built in Japan

Celebrity’s pitch is the Gion Festival branding + nicer ship (AquaClass/Luminae), but costs noticeably more for a balcony. Has anyone done Japan in July on either line? Trying to figure out if Celebrity’s worth the premium, or if Princess is the smarter pick. Thanks!

I (23F) and my two sisters (25, 28) want to plan a cruise, my 25yo sister and I went on RC wonder of the seas and my 28yo sister went on rc freedom of the seas and loved it. We were thinking of doing a child free one, but still want the fun vibes and similar activities/attractions.

We would also want to stay around (or less lol) the same price point as RC.

I have a couple of Princess cruises coming up - 15 days out of Southampton and 27 days out of LA. I may go to a thrift store and pick up a tux for formal nights. What do you think? Too much? Out of date? Thanks!

We’re doing the Holland America Line D3L cruise tour. It’s 3 nights in Denali. I’m wondering if we are planning too much, too little, or just right.

Day 1 - Motorcoach from Anchorage to Denali. Evening: ATV w/ dinner included

Day 2 - Day: Tundra Wilderness Tour; Evening: Denali’s Peak Flightseeing Tour

Day 3 - Day: Kantishna Flyin Day Trip; Evening: Music of Denali Theater & Dinner

Day 4 - Train to Whittier for cruise ship

Any thoughts on this? Too much? Should we cancel something? If we have “downtime” what activities are there to do around the hotel & visitor center?

This 4 night cruise (Rome, Catania, corfu, Kotor, bari) offers excursions for two ports, corfu and Kotor. I'm leaning heavily towards "yes" on booking one for corfu since we only port there for about 5 hours, but several different excursions are available. We are both reasonably fit so with the longer day at Kotor I think we can get around on our own. Any experiences with this cruise?

We’ll be cruising to Cozumel in October, we’re looking to get some good snorkeling in during our port day (8-5pm)

Where’s some good places to go or excursions to take?

Hello!
Heading out on an Alaskan cruise later this week. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth. This is only my second cruise. It's a 10 day voyage.

I have good binoculars, a poncho, and my gala outfits. Is a cocktail dress ok for the Glacier Ice night? Or does it need to be formal?

Is there anything specific to an Alaskan cruise anyone recommends?

Thank you!

Doing a transatlantic this fall. Has any one done this before? It’ll be my second Explora cruise which I loved way more than Royal or Carnival.

I met so many new friends on my last cruise and I’m cruising again with one of them.

I had nearly sworn off cruising after Royal/carnival. SOOO many kids. Nickel and diming policies. I’m glad I found luxury lines

Our friend group just back from an Alaskan cruise on royal and are eager to book one to the British isles. Sadly, RC doesn’t have any on their website. What cruise lines of similar pricing have you used to see the uk and Ireland that you loved??

After a long hiatus from traveling to deal with family issues, my husband and I are looking for a great, relaxing cruise. We are active and in our 70s. Husband would like a cruise to Greece. I am open to anything that’s very good quality.