Cruisers planning a trip to Mexico’s sun-soaked ports like Cozumel, Costa Maya, or Puerto Vallarta can breathe a sigh of relief. After months of negotiations between the Mexican government and the cruise industry, Mexico has reduced its proposed head tax on cruise passengers and opted for a phased rollout. This…
Cruising is a fantastic way for families to bond, explore new destinations, and enjoy a variety of onboard activities. However, with ships as large as floating cities—some, like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, spanning over 1,198 feet—staying connected with your travel companions can be a challenge. For many families,…
Ready for a vacation but can’t spare a whole week away from work or family commitments? You're not alone and cruise lines know it which is why they're betting big on short cruises—those 3- to 5-night getaways that deliver all the fun of a cruise in a compact, wallet-friendly package.…
If you’re eyeing a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ve probably heard about Labadee, their private destination in Haiti. It’s a bucket-list stop, but recent cancellations due to safety concerns have some folks upset and wondering what’s going on. Those dreams of stepping off the ship onto a beach with crystal-clear water…
When I stepped aboard the MSC World America for its inaugural sailing on April 12, 2025, I knew I was in for a treat. There was plenty of buzz around the ship’s food and beverage options, but one restaurant stood out above the rest: Eataly. Billed as the “first Eataly…
It’s the final day of this four-day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas, and it just so happens to be Easter Sunday. For this trip, we had just one port of call—yesterday’s stop in Cozumel, Mexico. Now, we’re making our way back to our home port of Tampa,…
Cruise lines are investing heavily in their private island and destination experiences in the Bahamas and Caribbean as cruisers are growing tired of stops at places such as Nassau, and are looking for more resort-style experiences that offer a day of relaxation rather than high pressure from local mechants and…
If you're someone who plans your cruise around the food (guilty), then you’re going to want to make a reservation at one of my favorite restaurants on Holland America Line ships, Tamarind. The cruise line is giving this specialty restaurant a bit of a refresh—and not just in the kitchen.…
What an exciting day! A lot of people sleep on Cozumel and often compare it to a port like Nassau—mostly because cruise ships visit so often and there are market vendors near the port. But Cozumel is nothing like Nassau. I don’t even find the vendors here to be bothersome.…
Just doing a quick check-in today as part of this 4-day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas. Today is a sea day, and honestly... I didn’t do much of anything. But when you’re on vacation, is that really a bad thing? Got some coffee and breakfast to start…
