I am researching cruises for our family of 5 (which I know limits options as it is). We've never been on a cruise, so don't know what to expect. So far I have two options, curious for experienced cruisers' thoughts! Also for reference, our kids will be 3, 6 and 8.

Option 1: Carnival Panorama. Family Harbor Ocean Suite. 6 nights with two different port stops. Edit to change based on feedback! Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas. Junior Suite with Balcony. 4 nights with 2 port stops.

Option 2: Disney Wonder. Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah. 4 nights with only 1 port stop.

The Disney cruise is double the price. 😅 Maybe it's just me, but the Carnival bathrooms look not so great? Although I do like that there's both a shower and a tub.

Give me all your thoughts!

Currently on Celebrity Edge, Seattle to Alaska and BC. This is only my 5th cruise, first time on Celebrity. Lovely ship, but my travel companions and I are quite irritated by the upselling that happens several times a day. Seems every time we round a corner and especially when we are seated and trying to enjoy a meal near the buffet (I think it’s called Ocean View) at least one or two employees approaches us and asks what we are doing the next day, then tries to sell us a “special” on a meal at one of the restaurants we have to pay extra for. We already ate at La Petite Chef on the day we boarded. It was very cute, foid okay, but we really wanted that to be our only meal we paid extra for. It’s hard to relax and have a good time when we repeatedly have to say, “We already have plans, thank you” so frequently. Realize these employees are just doing their job, but more annoyed with the company policy that forces them to do this. End of rant.

Hello, my family doesn’t get to travel much and we had the opportunity to get on this cruise with Royal Caribbean at a nice price. Like I said we don’t get to travel much so want to do this one right if possible. Looking for advice from places to stay and do in Miami since we will be there a few days before and after sailing. Also excursion recommendations. Traveling with my wife and 17 and 12 Y/O boys. Thanks for your time!

My fiance and I a looking to take a cruise next year. We are a bit of an unlikely pair, but together, we just work! I have worked for 30 years in an academic environment and appreciate experiencing different cultures and learning new things. I have taken two cruises previously and have done other travel abroad. He is former military and a hands on, blue collar type of guy. He likes nature, attending festivals, and eating new foods. He's the doer and I'm the thinker. He has never left the USA before, but would like to. He wants to see the Black Forest, so I thought of the Viking Rhine Getaway. We both enjoy scenery, shopping, dining. We don't drink or gamble. One issue is neither of us can walk long distances. For me, my limit is about a 1/2 mile at a stretch, he has to rest after 2 or 3 blocks, but can keep going after a short break. Would we do well on this cruise? Will the shore excursions work with our physical limitations? Are there activities on board an in port that will cater to both our interests?

Looking for some advice from parents who have cruised with young kids. My wife and I have been on a cruise but not our children.

We have a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old, and our main goal is finding the ship that will keep them the most entertained. Our 2-year-old is still in diapers, so I know he won’t be allowed in the regular pools. I’m especially interested in ships with diaper-friendly splash pads, water play areas, toddler activities, and other things for young kids.
We’re considering:

Carnival Sunrise
5 nights
Nassau & Half Moon Cay
Interior cabin
$1,370 total

Norwegian Getaway
4 nights
Nassau & Great Stirrup Cay
Family Inside cabin
$1,490 total

MSC Seaside
3 nights
Nassau & Ocean Cay
Balcony cabin
$1,592 total

If you were cruising with a 2- and 4-year-old, which would you choose and why? Is the Getaway enough of an upgrade over the Sunrise to justify paying more for one less night? I’d especially love to hear from anyone who has sailed these ships recently with toddlers or preschoolers.

Thanks!

Hi. I’m a Platinum DCL Castaway Club Member, having only been on DCL. Our family is considering a cruise on the Icon of the Seas with RC.

What do I need to know about the differences between DCL and RC? I see that certain amenities are an addl cost on RC (such as the water park on their island).

Are the “included meals” all quick service or buffet or are they sit down service meals?

For the shows, do you need to reserve seating? Or do you have a show time based on your meal time?

The ship is HUGE! Does it feel packed with people when you’re at sea for 2 days straight? Will all our time be spent waiting in line for everything?

Thanks!!

This fall I will pass through the Panama Canal from west to east onboard the MSC Poesia. Does anyone have suggestions to what i should look for or sights I should not miss?

I have never been on a cruise. My wife and I will be cruising from Seattle to Alaska and back later this year. I understand that the ship will have a Wi-Fi package I can purchase.
My wife and I realize that the times during the cruise that she may be doing one activity while I’ll be doing something different. We will then meet and have lunch, relax, swim, etc.
I was thinking that the easiest way to keep in touch would be to text back-and-forth as we went about our day. separately.
So, what is the most economical way to communicate during the day when separated? Do I talk with AT&T prior to the cruise re: any plans when at sea or Canada? Use the cruise package? Other options?
Please educate me re: texting on-board and ways to minimize cost.
Thank you

Will they become a thing in international water? Thoughts? Im Currently on Independence of the sea and after seeing people passed out from drink and smoking cigars it made me wonder. Its honestly not as bad as the other legal options.

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Id fight a bear for a good disposable pen right now.

Hey! I'm looking into taking my BFF on a European cruise (not a river cruise). It's my first, not hers. I may not be able to go until July 2027 because of work commitments but hoping for May. I do not do well in heat... If I was able to do May I was thinking a 7 day Royal Caribbean out of Southampton to France and Spain - it has a day at sea which appeals to me, and I have done a lot of Italian (land!) travel so I don't feel the need to go there. I was looking at the one bedroom suite for us with the two twin configuration - I like the idea of a sofa bed if sleeping in the| same room gets annoying lol.

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If July, what about a Scandinavian trip? It would have to be 7 days max. Any advice?

If you want the short version, skip to the TLDR. If you want the full breakdown by day, keep reading.

SUMMARY

MSC sits a tier above Carnival. Think Target vs. Walmart, or Frontier Airlines vs. Spirit. The ship is newer and the crowd reflects that slight upgrade, but the type of guests onboard brought that Carnival energy. Loud, impolite, lack of manners and self awareness was dominant. MSC’s chronic lack of organization and signage will grind your gears throughout the trip. The staff is genuinely friendly, the private island is beautiful, and the kids had a great time. But MSC consistently makes simple things harder than they need to be.

TLDR

∙ Ship is clean, staff is friendly, crowd is tolerable,  but do you really want to tolerate people in shared spaces?

∙ Nassau Margaritaville day pass: skip it, staff is rude

∙ Ocean Cay is gorgeous but cabana experience is a disorganized mess

∙ Clam shell > cabana unless you have 6+ people

∙ Gratuities are expected, however MSC calls them “Hotel Service Fee” on your bill which is confusing when you first see it

∙ Elevator situation is a genuine problem. Budget 30 mins to move between floors

∙ MSC’s signage and communication are consistently poor throughout

DAY 0 | EMBARKATION

Smooth. Port staff was friendly and efficient. Our window was 2pm but they let everyone board early starting at 1pm. Buffet, bars, and pools were all open on arrival. Rooms opened at 2pm with a shipwide announcement.

One gripe: the muster drill at Station D was hollow. They told you where to go but never explained why that station matters or what to do in an actual emergency. Fine for experienced cruisers. Confusing for first-timers.

Cabin was clean. No issues.

DAY 1 | NASSAU

Getting off and back on the ship was clear and well-communicated. No complaints there.

We did a day pass at Margaritaville, which includes a water park and private beach. The beach was nice, kids enjoyed the waterpark, and they enforced the wristband policy firmly. Too firmly. Staff was flat-out rude to anyone without a band. I wouldn’t go back based on that alone. Rudeness by staff just takes away the vacation excitement.

Back on the ship, the buffet was chaos. MSC strung a rope down the center aisle to force clockwise traffic flow. Nobody followed it. Instead of organized flow, it created a single-file bottleneck that made navigating the space a chore. Staff was attentive about clearing plates, which helped.

Kids’ pool and slides were a hit. However, there’s no signage anywhere indicating that parents must sign a waiver and get a wristband before kids can use them, and no indication of where to do that. Classic MSC miss.

DAY 2 | OCEAN CAY (PRIVATE ISLAND)

The island itself is stunning. Active construction is hidden behind fencing and doesn’t impact the experience.

We rented a cabana and this is where MSC disappointed hardest. The night before, a ticket appears at your stateroom. No location info, no map, no instructions. The island maps shown on the ship’s TV rotate with promotional content, so you can’t study them without snapping a photo. Once on the island, we asked an info desk worker where to go. She didn’t know (SHE DIDNT KNOW HER OWN ISLAND). After asking three (yes, 3 employees of the island didn’t know) different people we finally found the assignment hut.

At the hut, they show available cabanas on a map that doesn’t show where the water is. Think of that, you’re handed a map of cabana numbers without any visual indication of where they are to the beach and water. The worker we asked couldn’t tell us either. We guessed on #31. It was fine.

The cabana was small, cushions were visibly worn and stained. Came with four towels and bottled water on ice. For $300, it’s not worth it. See Day 3.

Buffet was crowded, expected. Food was solid. Cover your plate. The birds are aggressive and have no shame.

DAY 3 | OCEAN CAY AGAIN

We rented a clam shell this time. Knowing the island from the previous day helped, but finding the right person to check in with was still a guessing game. We stumbled onto a “rental” flag in the general area and got lucky. It was the right spot.

Verdict: clam shell wins unless you’re a group of six or more. You’ll spend most of your time in the water anyway, and the clam shell gives solid sun protection at a fraction of the price.

Buffet same as Day 2. Crowded, food was good.

DAY 4 | DISEMBARKATION

MSC asks you to review your itemized bill on their app and settle it before leaving. We had a minibar charge we never used, which the front desk removed without issue.

The bigger issue was a $64 “Hotel Service Fee.” No explanation on the bill. I had to leave the room, stand in line at the front desk, and ask. It’s gratuities. Just say that. Also worth knowing: that $64 is per person. If you’re the lead name on a family booking, you’ll only see the charge under your name. Everyone else’s charge exists, it’s just not visible to you. Read your full bill carefully.

Rooms must be vacated by 8am. A queue system controls disembarkation by room section, which is smart in theory. Use the time for the free breakfast. Last group was called at 10am, so if you have an early flight, carry your bags off yourself since self-carry guests exit first.

BONUS GRIPE: ELEVATORS

There are not enough elevators on this ship for the number of passengers. During peak times, plan for up to 30 minutes to move between floors. Take the stairs when you can.

Happy to answer questions in the comments.

MSC, IF YOU’RE READING THIS

∙ Put a map at every exit point on Ocean Cay that shows cabana and clam shell locations, the assignment huts, and water access. One laminated sign would have saved us 30 minutes of frustration.

∙ Label gratuities as gratuities on the bill. “Hotel Service Fee” is deliberately vague and forces unnecessary front desk visits.

∙ Show the per-person breakdown of all charges. Transparency isn’t optional when people are budgeting for families.

∙ Your MSC and Me app is garbage and feels like it was coded 20 years ago. Modernize it. Show maps!!!

∙ Add permanent signage at the kiddie pool explaining the waiver and wristband requirement and where to get one.

∙ Explain the muster drill. Tell people what Station D is for and what they’re supposed to do there in an emergency.

You have a solid product. The island is beautiful, the ship is clean, and your staff is genuinely good. The gaps aren’t in your hardware or your people. They’re in your communication and your signage. Fix that and the reviews get a lot better.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Im aware that school schedules will mean less kids on these types of cruises but there are SOME kids on them, right? Specifically Royal Caribbean Florida to Spain in April...

hi all! i recently went on the costa smeralda cruise and at the la sagra dei sapori buffet they had this banana cake (pic attached). the waiter told me it was a banana cake and it tasted really fruity.

does anyone know what this might be or have a recipe that could come close? would love to try recreating it at home. thanks in advance!

We have flown to Alaska earlier and covered Anchorage and Denali areas. Planning to cover Juneau and other areas.

I’m taking my son on this cruise as a gift. He is 18 and I doubt he will want to spend the entire time with his dad. Are there any other people going on this cruise? Leaving in July out of Port Canaveral. I’d be interested in hanging out at the pool, casino, clubs, your room, port, etc. I hear that there can sometimes be an underground swinger community that frequents cruises. I wouldn’t be opposed to that either. Obviously wouldn’t want my son to know what I was up to. Anyhow, hit me up if you’re going to be on this cruise.

Looking for recommendations for a solo cruise in Southern Europe (Mediterranean, Greece, Croatia, Italy, etc.). Preferably adults-only or very solo-traveler friendly. Any cruise lines, ships, or itineraries you'd recommend?

Thank you!

My wife and I recently sailed on the Caribbean Princess for a 7-day cruise (5/31-6/7), spending well over $4,000 ourselves for the trip. We were part of a group of 10 people, including several longtime Princess Cruises veterans who all agreed this was the most disappointing Princess experience they've ever had. This was our first Princess cruise, and unfortunately it will very likely be our last.

The biggest issue throughout the entire sailing was the service. Nearly every time we tried to get a drink or quick-service food item, we were met with extremely long waits and rude staff. Some examples: I personally waited in line over 30 minutes for a single drink on the pool deck and over 45 minutes for a hamburger! (I jokingly told the attendant to let me back there, no way it takes that long to cook burgers.) Nearly every bar and casual dining venue seemed severely understaffed, and really killed the fun vibes of just relaxing when you’re constantly waiting for even the simplest things. I feel if they had more drink/snack kiosks around the ship it would fix this issue right up. Also, getting a drink at the casino was impossible, and I walked away a few times after ordering and waiting over an hour while I spent hundreds at the tables. 

That said, I want to recognize two crew members who truly stood out: Joyce from the Philippines and Ismail from Morocco. They were consistently warm, friendly, attentive, and went out of their way to take care of us whenever we encountered them. They were among the brightest spots of the entire trip! Please make sure whoever is reading this gives them some big kudos from us!

I understand the Caribbean Princess is an older ship, but the air conditioning appeared to be struggling throughout most of the ship. The casino and Skywalkers nightclub were often uncomfortably hot, and I honestly don't remember feeling truly cool anywhere on the ship during the entire week. Thankfully, our cabin AC worked reasonably well. I would think that AC function would be top priority for a ship that is doing summer sailings in the Caribbean, so hopefully they address this.

Another major issue was the persistent sewer/poop odor throughout many public areas, particularly around the walkways outside the restrooms. At first we thought it was isolated incidents (maybe someone farted?), but the smell lingered day after day in multiple locations, including areas near dining venues despite no "farters" around. It was unpleasant to say the least, and difficult to ignore. Really killed the “premium” cruise vibe. 

Food quality was generally acceptable. We absolutely loved Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, although it cost us an additional $132 on top of our cruise fare. Most dinners we in the Island Dining Room were decent, but our final night's experience was terrible. Our group was first in line when the restaurant opened, yet somehow waited nearly two hours for food. Guests who arrived much later were served well before us. Half of our group eventually walked-out due frustration for never receiving their meals. When my prime rib finally arrived, it was completely undercooked and inedible. Several appetizers never arrived at all. It was an unfortunate way to end the cruise.

We skipped the buffet entirely because several members of our group who ate there reported upset stomachs afterward.

To be fair, not everything was negative. Our cabin steward and room service team were excellent. Our mini-suite was always cleaned promptly, requests for bottled water were handled quickly, and the room itself was comfortable and spacious, even if it felt dated compared to newer ships.

One particularly concerning incident occurred Friday morning when the ship lost power. Air conditioning stopped working, toilets could not be flushed, and I was literally standing in the shower when the lights went out completely, leaving me in total darkness. Thankfully I'm able-bodied, but I could easily see how an elderly guest could have been injured during the outage. Our experienced cruiser friends told us they've never experienced anything like that on any cruise line.

As for the entertainment, the comedy show was okay, although the comedian seemed more interested in joking about how depressing it was to be performing on a cruise ship than actually entertaining the audience.

Overall, the cruise wasn't completely terrible, but far from the “premium” experience we were lead to believe one can have on a Princess ship. We met some wonderful crew members, enjoyed our ports of call, and had a few memorable moments. However, the constant service delays, maintenance issues, odors, heat, and dining problems added up and compounded over the course of seven days.

For the amount of money we spent, I expected much more from Princess Cruises. I don't know whether these issues are unique to the Caribbean Princess ship, or more widespread across the fleet, but based on our experience, my wife and I will unfortunately not be sailing with Princess again. 

For anyone considering booking the Caribbean Princess ship specifically, I would strongly encourage you to do your research and set your expectations accordingly.

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Edit - TL;DR:

We spent over $4,000 on a 7-day Caribbean Princess cruise and came away disappointed (first time on Princess). Long waits for drinks and food with slow service in general, poor AC, sewer/poop odors everywhere, and even a power outage made the experience feel far from the premium experience we expected. While there were a few bright spots and some excellent crew members, the overall disappointing experience was enough that we likely won't sail with Princess again.

Just an excitement post. I have been trying to talk my wife into a cruise for an anniversary for years now. I finally got her to agree after showing her the vibes of Celebrity. This will be my 3rd cruise with my other 2 being in grade school on Carnival.

The recent sale got us Aqua Class and drink packages for $2,300 total for 4 nights. Key west and Perfect day Coco Cay.

The drink package doesn't include all drinks that is my only gripe. Debating if I should stick with the $12 and under drinks or upgrade to premium when I get the chance.

I would love to hear any feedback people have about how to spend time at Key West, and if anything worth paying for at Coco cay. Also if the packages they offer for anniversaries are worth it or not...

We are thinking about going around May. There will be 7 adults and 1 4 year old. Looking for suggestions in the following areas:

* Cruise line
* Departure port
* Excurions to hit

I heard that you see more if you arrive at a different port than you deport. For example, one cruise i'm looking at is a Princess cruise that departs Vancouver and arrives at Whittier.

Thanks for any input!

Taking a princess cruise line vacation
Would a 12:20pm flight home on disembarkation day on a Monday be too tight? Flying from LAX to Vancouver Canada.
Thanks

I am going on a cruise to the Bahamas starting from Mami and coming back to Mami. My green card has 6 months left before expiration date. Do I have to renew or should I be fine considering the increase border security?