Disney Cruise Line has one of the most fiercely loyal fan bases in cruising. People who love Disney cruises tend to really love them, and I get it. You get the characters, the rotational dining, ships that are kept looking sharp despite their age, and service that makes a lot…

Here's the honest truth about picking a Carnival ship: it matters a lot more than most people think. Carnival has nearly 30 ships out there, ranging from fresh-out-of-the-shipyard megaships packed with every bell, whistle, roller coaster, and possible way to separate you from a few extra dollars, to ships that…

You've been sharing your cruise countdown on social media, luggage tags are printed, excursions are booked, and you've been obsessing over your Excel spreadsheet packing list. And then the email arrives... your cruise is canceled. It stings. But here's the thing: cruise cancellations happen more often than people realize, and…

If you're cruising this year (2026), there's a good chance the alcohol policy for your cruise line looks a little different than it did a year or two ago. Several major lines have quietly updated their rules around what you can bring on board, what gets confiscated, and what fees…

You've seen the ads. A flash sale price of $199 per person for a Bahamas cruise. When hotels are charging that for a single night, a 3-day cruise sounds like you stumbled upon the deal of a lifetime, right? Well, you didn't and I'm here to show you why. The…

Every summer, the same question floods cruise Facebook groups and travel forums: do I actually need a passport for my cruise? With Caribbean and Bahamas sailings selling like hotcakes leading into the 2026 summer season, here's the straight answer along with the part most people miss. The Closed-Loop Rule (And…

People often ask me about Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program, Club Royale. When it comes to casino programs at sea, this is the one I'm most familiar with. It's also widely considered one of the best in the cruise industry. I've spent years researching and experiencing it firsthand through trial…

If you've spent any time in cruise forums or Facebook groups, you've probably heard someone mention repositioning cruises and became curious with the interesting itineraries these journeys sometime offer.  They sound self-explanatory, but there's actually more to them than you'd think, and once you understand how they work, you might…

Alaska coverage is coming to Scott’s Cruises, and honestly, it’s about time we traded all that amazing Caribbean sunshine for glaciers, fjords, bald eagles, and weather that may require more than just a pair of shorts and flip flops. Contributor and frequent Disney Cruise Line cruiser Jason, along with his…

The email finally arrived. You know the one. The “Princess Upgrade – Stay Your Way” email that shows up once your cruise gets close enough for the upgrade bidding process to begin. Princess Cruises, like several other cruise lines, uses Plusgrade to let passengers place paid bids on higher-category staterooms.…