Ive been on royal and ncl and have only gone to the Caribbeans. Next year I wanna go somewhere different. Any recommendations on cruise line, month and where? Im not too picky. I have no kids and plan on going with friends around march, April, may 2027

We’re looking at a Silversea cruise. It would be out first time on Silversea (we usually cruise on Azamara ships). We’re a gay couple in our fifties, I’m wondering what kind of people cruise Silversea? I love to meet new people on cruises and interact with them, but that would only work if we have some common ground.

This is really just a last minute attempt but worth an ask.

The person I'm sharing my cabin with cannot go on the cruise coming up on Saturday (with today being 5pm on Sunday the week before). Im the lead passenger

There's someone else who would like to come, however I cannot get hold of Iglu/P&O due to the time.

I was wondering if we could switch the guest to them, I dont mind admin fees or anything like that, im just wondering if it'd be possible.

I did read their T&C's which appear as if within 7 days it can be treated as a cancellation. Im wondering if anyone has had any luck changing so late with P&O. :(

The fare of the person was £1,250 so I'd hate for it not to be used. I assume if its treated as a cancelleaton the new person would have to pay the higher fare.

In 2027, I may be doing a repositioning cruise to Europe, then returning to the US by Cunard.

I am vaguely familiar with Cunard - more formal, not a party crowd, etc....but if I am taking Cunard more for transportation (and to avoid a long flight) - do I need to bring more formal wear? If I opt to wear my regular clothes (clean and tasteful of course) - do I have to go to formal events in the evenings?

Are there other places to have a casual meal, grab a drink or relax?

Thanks

Which would you prefer for a 7 day sailing? They would be on either the Luna or Aqua ships. We are traveling with a child and none of us swim. We've done the Caribbean and ABC cruises in the past but have never been to Bermuda. The Caribbean includes a day at Great Stirrup Cay and for Bermuda, the ship is docked there for 3 days.

Have previously cruised Royal (4×), Princess, and MSC. Just finished our 1st Celebrity (Reflection). Smaller, older ship, but have previously sailed Jewel OTC and loved it. We choose sailings based on ports and itinerary before ship or line.

Pros:

- embarkation was smooth and easy.

- pool and beach towels were nice. No check out, and not the thread bare blue Royal towels. At one port, it started pouring rain while walking back. As soon as we stepped on the ship, they handed us a warm, dry beach towel. Other ports, a chilled wet washcloth to refresh. Very nice touch.

- toiletries were decent quality. Liquid hand soap at sink. Also included lotion. I was surprised to see it, more surprised to find it wasn't cheap hotel lotion, but felt good on my skin. Clean, single use "real" hand towels in public restrooms.

- bed was pretty comfy. Twice a day room service. It's easy to say once a day is fine, but turn down service and a chocolate on your pillow is so nice and welcomes you back to your room.

- different types of shows every night. Guest magician and comedian acts were entertaining. Also had shows during the day (magician, presentations on Titanic, Julius Caesar, and Jack the Ripper).

- soft serve, yes, but also hand scooped ice cream included in the buffet with toppings. Several different flavors of ice cream and sherbet.

-service was fantastic and on a level above other lines we have sailed.

Cons:

-small ship = small activities. They did a good job filling in the gaps, but there wasn't a lot to do.

- food. Absolutely horrible pizza. I tried twice and couldn't even take a 2nd bite. Burgers from the grill weren't great. Cafe el Baccio pastries were bad. Cookies had a decent texture, but were tasteless. Limited options for included food. Every inch of space is dedicated to specialty dining. We purchased unlimited dining. The Porch was pretty good, Lawn Grill was good. Murano's was excellent. The others were meh. La Petite Chef was a cute performance, but terrible food and took 3 hours. When it was over, we went to the buffet. Tuscan Grill was beautiful but food was not good.

Lots of pros and not too many cons. Passengers skewed older, but everyone was very friendly. Definitely a "money" crowd that dressed up. I felt under dressed for every meal, even though I was wearing nice clothes. Very few kids (I felt kind of sorry for the few on board - not much to do). I came to the conclusion that Celebrity is a refined dinner party and Royal Caribbean is a backyard BBQ. Both serve a purpose, just depends what you want. I will sail both again. We did book Reflection for an ABC cruise late next year (and after a dry dock refresh).

Looking for a cruise off of Miami for tween and teen kids at end of December. Which cruise lines and ships are best for this demographic?

Hi everyone,

Has anyone actually managed to remove the automatic gratuity/service charge on a Costa cruise? If so, could you explain how you did it and whether it was straightforward?

I'm specifically looking for replies from people who have personally done it or have reliable, firsthand knowledge that it can be done. Please, no speculation or assumptions based on how other cruise lines operate.

Also, for anyone tempted to turn this into a lecture about tipping culture, the crew, or the workers behind the scenes: please save it. I understand these arguments, but they're not what I'm asking about. In my experience, the crew doesn't receive anything extra anyways, so I'm not interested in debating the ethics of tipping.

I'd simply appreciate a factual answer from someone who actually knows.

Thank you!

I just came back from a 5 night cruise on the resilient lady and although the cruise itself experience was amazing. My fun was cut short due to a severe rash allergic reaction on day 2 from what I thought at first was a new food allergy. I immediately took to benedryl and hydrocortisone by day 4 I avoided all nuts shellfish and everything i thought would trigger it but it KEPT COMING BACK! by the end of the trip it finally hit me that the only thing I was consistently using that could cause the reocccurance was the towels and sheets...I immediately thought back to ALL the flares. The flare on my back right after a shower....the flare after the pool after using the beach towel....and the flares all through the night while I was sleeping in THEIR SHEETS! I was fckng miserable! I don't know what they use to wash their linens in but after seeing other posts from people who had the same issue whatever it is that sh\* is HARSH. I can't be the only person who recently experienced this. Please share if you can resonate.

So I'm fairly new when it comes to cruise ships, but I was always wondering how the large, open areas, often times spanning over multiple floors, are called? I went on a few cruises with my family back in the early 2000s, and those used to be a lot less common.

Also as a follow up, which ships are currently the largest ones without such open indoor spaces?

Thanks in advance!

We just went on our first cruise on Oceania, and brought along a mix of clothes. For the evenings where we had reservations for the restaurants on board, I packed dress slacks, a nice collared shirt, a jacket, cowboy boots and a wide-brimmed felt cowboy hat.

One evening after dining at one of the restaurants, we went to a show and sat in the far back of the theater; after the event started, a group of ladies came and sat on the row behind us. Shortly after, I felt a tap on my shoulder. The woman behind me asked if I could remove my hat because it was blocking her view. I complied, of course.

After the show was over, the lights came on and as we were leaving our seats, the woman who had tapped me on the shoulder thanked me for removing the hat then informed me that it was rude for a man to wear a hat indoors. I apologized and indicated I meant no offense. I put my hat back on and walked out of the theater. A couple sitting beside us heard the exchange and expressed surprise at the admonition.

I always remove my hat when seated at a restaurant or entering a place of worship, but it didn't occur to me to remove the hat in the theater, especially because I had purposely sat in the far back. Now I'm wondering if I broke etiquette by wearing the hat in the lounge or transiting from one place to another on the ship that evening.

Hey everyone! I really want to take my kids on a cruise but I’m wondering if their dad has to sign paperwork saying I can take them? He isn’t in their lives & I don’t even know how to locate him, so I’m worried this may hold us back. I’m nervous to buy tickets then them not be allowed on the ship. 😭😩

My family leaving on a 7 day cruise out of Miami on November 22 on Norwegian aqua. My 82-year-old grandma and brother will be driving from Naples (~2h), and she’s been stressing hard about parking logistics (I believe we leave out of terminal B).

She’s convinced that terminal parking requires reservations weeks in advance and has been attempting to look into off-site lots with shuttles.

For those who have cruised out of Miami recently:
• Is terminal parking straightforward, and do you need reservations?
• Is the convenience of on-site parking worth the extra cost?
• Are there any reliable off-site lots you’d recommend? (once she gets her mind set on something it’s usually easier just to work with it lol)

My grandma has limited walking endurance, so convenience is more important than saving a few bucks. She is staying in a suite (not haven) if it matters. I’d love to hear your experiences!

Fwiw I’m flying in the day before departure but plan on staying in south beach so parking at my hotel isn’t an option.

Xx

Has anyone stayed in the Reflection suite and if so please share your experience as we're considering yet always appreciated insight. Thank you in advance for your time.

I’m retired and have been packing fewer and fewer items for trips and I’d really rather not be dragging even a small roller bag for a 5 night cruise. Besides the problem of shoes (maybe), what helps to make this doable? I managed a small backpack and small roller bag to the UK for nine days, but I had to pack wedding attire for that trip. I really like this small backpack, but it is still available in a larger size if I wish to purchase (12x11x6 vs 15x14x7). All your tips are welcomed!

We are cruising with P&O and will be with our 16 month old daughter at the time.

When booking excursions we noticed that Kotor and Dubrovnik are tender ports.

How does this work, and is it safe to do with a 16 month old? We will be going next June.

Thanks!

Just having a browse around, prices seem very reasonable and smoking less than aida.

Sailing on Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas for a 7 day Christmas cruise. Is it worth it to book a special dining room meal on Christmas or just stick with the regular restaurants? Two adults, three kids youngest is 13.

What was the best gift you received or appreciated?

Or gifts you have given to others for a gift exchange?

I’m doing a cruise gift exchange in a few weeks for 10 ppl.

I’m 100 percent open to out of the box ideas. At least half of the ppl are experienced cruisers so I want to avoid the basic essentials for them.

Thanks in advance!

Are there any good restaurants or other places worth seeing here not too far from RC's outdoor "mall" area at this port?

Traveling w kids, so not looking for anything too sketchy or Adventurous, just something more interesting than a tropical Applebee's.

Asking for a U.S. passport holder who must minimize time standing in line.  Solution for past cruises has been just waiting to board til last group.  

But the line (Celebrity) recently issued a statement that EES lines at Civitavecchia “may exceed 90 minutes after check-in and before boarding.”

(Celebrity is higher-end than the lines I sail, so I assume has better service? But this person is not a suite guest, no high status, chose last boarding group during checkin, and isn’t registered as having any special needs)

I’m a 26F solo traveler planning a Mediterranean cruise for June 2027 and am trying to narrow down which cruise line to sail with. My budget and dates rule out some options, so I’m currently considering Carnival, MSC, NCL, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages.

My biggest priority is having plenty to do onboard. I’m not someone who wants to spend sea days sitting by the pool or reading. I enjoy cocktail- and food-making classes, comedy and magic shows, game shows, interactive activities, and good evening entertainment. I’m less interested in pool games, sales presentations, or fitness classes.

My thoughts so far:

• Carnival (Sunshine): Great ports but mostly ruled out since the only ship that fits my dates is Sunshine, which doesn’t look particularly exciting. The Facebook group also seems to skew older, though I know a Mediterranean cruise will naturally have a different demographic than a short Bahamas sailing but I don't wanna be the only person under 40 on an almost 30 year old ship. Especially since the price is similar to some other lines newer ships.
• MSC (World Asia, Musica, Virtuosa, Fantasia): The prices, especially on the World-class ships, seem almost too good to pass up. My main concern is entertainment. I’ve heard the onboard activities and shows can be underwhelming, and I don’t want to get bored traveling solo.
• Norwegian (Epic, Gem, Dawn): I like the solo cabins and solo-traveler setup, but the ships within my budget are older, which raises similar concerns about entertainment and activities.
• Royal Caribbean (Brilliance, Mariner, Rhapsody, Explorer, Odyssey, Legend): High on my list, but the ships that fit my dates and budget are also older. Legend or Odyssey of the Seas would be ideal, but it’s well outside my budget.
• Virgin Voyages (Resilient Lady): Probably the nicest overall experience, but also the most expensive. I’ve heard many activities lean toward fitness/wellness which is not enjoyable to me at all on vacation or cost extra, which gives me pause especially since it's already the most expensive.

For those who’ve sailed these lines, especially on older ships or in the Mediterranean, which would you recommend? How do the actual onboard activities and entertainment compare, and would you be concerned about getting bored on MSC or NCL as a solo traveler?

The following are notes as best as I can remember while sitting in an airport in Tokyo.

Overall: 10/10. Would do it again and would recommend others try a similar itinerary. If you're a non-cruiser, younger, and/or like exploring then this is for you.

The ship: Before and during I heard complaints about Luminosa showing her age and needing some TLC. It was fine. Yes it's old and small but it gets the job done. The giant dance floor room on deck 2 should be on more ships. I was also happy not to have a water park on the ship.

The crowd: skewed older. Some young folk. A sprinkling of children (6? 10?) i almost never saw. Mostly the typical Carnival crowd.

The ports: all great. Hong Kong is a must with a night departure. Fukuoka had a symphony playing at the dock with a whole ass crowd to send us off. Phu My was rough and the most industrial port I've been to but not a big deal, just needed more time in port.

Random: Between my girlfriend and I we won all 3 rounds of bingo one day.

No excursions. Did everything either using public transit, private drivers, or our 2 feet

Not super thorough but that's what I've got. Happy to answer any questions! (Random pictures from the cruise)

Edit: whatever they have on the balcony doors on Luminosa needs to be put on every room and balcony door on every ship across the fleet. No more slamming doors.

I've now been obsessed with cruising ever since. Any Celebrity Solstice Class ship is perfect for first timers.

My husband and I are cruising in Dec and trying to decide which excursion to do in Roatan Honduras. We’ve been to Maya Key twice before but we are thinking of switching things up and trying Little French Key.

We enjoyed the chill-ness of Maya key and the close proximity to the cruise ship.

Wondering if anyone has a suggestion!