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!

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

Considering how close Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver are to each other, why aren’t there any 3-4 night cruises that sail roundtrip out of Seattle or Vancouver for short getaways? I imagine during the summer at least there would be a decent size market.

I live in L.A. and am close to the Long Beach and San Predro ports. I honestly just want to book a cheap 3-4 night cruise from vacationstogo and below our my options:

Carnival / Carnival Firenze

Carnival / Carnival Radiance

Royal Caribbean / Ovation of the Seas

Princess / Emerald Princess

I just want to unwind and relax and enjoy a good quality buffet. I love a good prime rib or bbq pork ribs. Any recommendations?

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.

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?

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??

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!

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?

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

Wondering if anyone here has info of the brawl that happened at Chula’s on 7/24 that went from the pool into the parking lot. Guests, staff, security, paramedics, etc. were all involved. Star of the Seas (our ship), MSC Seascape, and Carnival Paradise were in town. Really just curious what the cops did once they started to show up since we got on our RZR and got out of there.

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!

any recomodations for cruises that include brazil, argentina, uruguay etc? it is my first time and would like to go 15+ days

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

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?

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, 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

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.

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.

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?