Hurricane season is right around the corner, running from June 1 through November 30, which means it is officially time for the annual barrage of “should I cancel my cruise?” panic posts to begin appearing in Facebook groups. This year, though, forecasters are calling for a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane…

For years, Florida cruise math was pretty simple. Find the cheapest flight. Pack a bag. Fly to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or West Palm Beach. Grab an Uber, shuttle, or rental car. Start vacation. Then Spirit Airlines went away, and so did the “cheap flight to Florida." Spirit…

I cruise in all different types of staterooms. Sometimes I’m in a suite. Sometimes I’m in a spa stateroom. Sometimes I’m in a balcony where I can sit outside with with my first Diet Coke of the morning and pretend I’m not going to end up at the buffet 37…

When people think of gambling on a cruise ship, they usually picture the casino.   But one of the most consistent revenue generators onboard doesn't always happen in the casino.  It happens in a lounge, with a microphone, a stack of cards, and a room full of passengers waiting for the…

Cruise ship door decorations are one of those traditions that either make you smile or make you wonder how we got here. Some people keep it simple with a family magnet or a birthday sign. Others turn their stateroom door into a full-blown craft fair with lights, garland, ducks, dry…

If you’ve followed along with any of my daily cruise reports, you already know that one of my favorite things to do during a port stop is simply wander. Not wander aimlessly into questionable situations, of course, but wander in the best possible way. I like getting beyond the immediate…

For those who followed along with my MSC World America cruise last week, one theme came up several times throughout the sailing: crowds. MSC World America is a very large ship. At full capacity, she can carry nearly 7,000 passengers. Our sailing was below that, with passenger counts in the…

Cruising can be one of the best vacation choices for seniors. It offers the opportunity to visit multiple destinations while unpacking only once, with meals, entertainment, transportation, and accommodations all included in one trip. For many older travelers, that convenience is a major part of the appeal. There are no…

Puerto Plata is one of those cruise ports where the answer to “Can I just walk around?” depends entirely on where your ship docks at. Because yes, Puerto Plata can be a great walking port. There are colorful streets, historic buildings, ocean views, local restaurants, little shops, and plenty of…

Virgin Voyages has teamed up with TikTok for what it says is the biggest creator activation in the brand’s history, putting more than 1,000 creators and their guests onboard Scarlet Lady for a Miami to Bimini sailing running April 19 through April 22, 2026. Virgin says the voyage is built…