Today marked the first of two back-to-back port calls in Mexico as the MSC Seashore arrived in Costa Maya at 8:00 a.m. We were joined in port by Princess Cruises' Enchanted Princess, which I sailed on last Christmas, and two ships from Royal Caribbean—Grandeur of the Seas and the massive…

After a day and a half at MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, it’s time to chill a bit with a day at sea as we head toward our next port of call—Costa Maya, the first of two stops in Mexico. Since it’s a sea day, the daily planner (which you…

Princess Cruises has announced updates to its Premier and Plus packages, set to take effect for voyages sailing in 2026. These packages bundle popular onboard amenities at a discounted rate.  Both have had some adjustments made to them that also include price increases, the introduction of new benefits, and the…

Hello again from MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, where the MSC Seashore spent the night! Out of all the MSC cruises I’ve taken since Ocean Cay opened a few years ago, this is the first time I’ve been on one that included an overnight stop here. Most itineraries have Ocean…

It’s day two onboard the MSC Seashore, and this morning we’re waking up at MSC’s private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. A unique draw for this cruise is that we’re actually docked overnight—as in… we don’t leave until noon tomorrow! That makes for a lot of island…

It's my birthday week, and I could think of nothing better than to—well... take a cruise! This time I took the drive up to Port Canaveral (Orlando, FL) for a 7-day Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruise on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore — a Seaside EVO-class ship that joined the MSC…

As summer travel plans heat up, a recent report from Yelp has raised eyebrows among frequent travelers, particularly those setting sail on cruises. Yelp’s Summer 2025 Pest Control Infestation Index highlights a 53% surge in nationwide searches for bed bug extermination services from May 2024 to April 2025 compared to the…

If you’re a cruiser who loves food—or a foodie who loves cruising—there’s one experience on Carnival Cruise Line that you may be considering booking: The Chef’s Table. This is one of those events where fine dining meets behind-the-scenes magic, where every bite is a masterpiece, and where you’re treated to…

On the final day of this 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on the MSC World America, we are at MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. I wanted to get a nice view of the island as we pulled up to the pier, so I scouted out what I thought would be a…

Margaritaville at Sea is getting ready to set sail with its third and largest ship, the Beachcomber, and they just shared a peek at what the ship will look like when it is welcomed into the fleet in late 2026. Currently known as the Costa Fortuna, this vessel will join…