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Norwegian Cruise Line just killed MORE at Sea after barely a year. Starting November 5, 2025, it’s back to “Free at Sea” – but this isn’t your 2022 Free at Sea. Here’s the evolution: 🍹 BEVERAGE PACKAGE: The 5 Cap That Vanished (Then Came Back as Tier Exclusions) OLD Free at Sea (2022-2024): – 5 price cap – want that 7 cocktail? Pay difference + 20% gratuity – Premium brands limited – Daily gratuity: ~38.60/person for 7… Read more
Next weekend, I’ll be making the drive to New Orleans for something that always gets my pulse racing: a ship inspection aboard the Norwegian Escape. While most cruisers experience these magnificent vessels as passengers, ship inspections offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at everything from galley operations to bridge technology—and right now, there’s no better time to get an up-close look at this particular ship. What Exactly Is a Ship Inspection? For those unfamiliar, a ship… Read more
Australia and New Zealand cruising is about as far from home as most Americans can get – literally on the opposite side of the planet. But what you get for that epic journey is some of the world’s most spectacular coastal scenery, unique wildlife you can’t see anywhere else, vibrant cosmopolitan cities, and English-speaking cultures that feel familiar yet distinctly different. This is cruising for people who want major destinations delivered efficiently, who appreciate nature… Read more
Asia cruising opens up a region that most Americans never properly explore – from the ancient temples of Southeast Asia to the neon-lit modernity of Hong Kong and Tokyo. This is cruising for people who want cultural immersion, exotic experiences, food that challenges and delights, and destinations that feel genuinely foreign in the best possible way. If your perfect vacation involves haggling in floating markets, exploring ancient Buddhist temples, and eating street food that you… Read more
Panama Canal cruising is bucket-list travel for people who appreciate engineering marvels, maritime history, and the satisfaction of crossing between two oceans on a ship. This isn’t about beaches or party ports – it’s about transiting one of the world’s most important waterways while visiting Central American and Caribbean ports along the way. If the idea of watching your massive cruise ship being lifted 85 feet in locks excites you, this is your cruise. Understanding… Read more
Nordic and Baltic cruising covers Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland) and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) with often Russia (St. Petersburg) included. This is cruising for people who find fjords more interesting than beaches, who appreciate design and architecture, and who are genuinely curious about cultures that Americans don’t typically know much about. Expect sophisticated cities, dramatic natural scenery, Viking history, and prices that will make your wallet weep. Understanding the Region Nordic-Baltic cruises… Read more
Northern Europe and British Isles cruising is what happens when you want European history and culture without Mediterranean heat. Think castles, dramatic coastlines, Viking history, literary landmarks, whisky, and cities that shaped the modern world. This is cruising for people who own raincoats and aren’t afraid to use them, who find Edinburgh more appealing than Barcelona, and who consider museums and pubs equally valid cultural experiences. Understanding the Region Northern Europe/British Isles cruises cover a… Read more
The Western Mediterranean is where you go when you want European sophistication, world-class food, iconic cities, and coastline that’s been attracting wealthy travelers since the Roman Empire. We’re talking Barcelona, Rome, the French Riviera, Florence, Monaco – places that show up on bucket lists and travel magazines. This is cruising for people who appreciate art, architecture, cuisine, and culture with their ocean views. The Route and Region Western Mediterranean cruises typically run routes connecting Spain,… Read more
The Mediterranean is where cruising trades beaches for culture, rum drinks for wine, and casual island vibes for thousands of years of history. You’re sailing routes that ancient Greeks and Romans traveled, visiting cities that were old when Columbus discovered America, and eating food that’s been perfected over centuries. If you want your vacation to actually teach you something while still being relaxing and beautiful, the Mediterranean delivers. Understanding the Region The Mediterranean is massive,… Read more
The Caribbean is cruise central – the most popular cruise destination in the world, and for good reason. Warm weather year-round, islands packed into relatively short distances, established cruise infrastructure, and enough variety that you could cruise the Caribbean ten times and have different experiences. If someone says they’re going on a cruise without specifying where, there’s a good chance they mean the Caribbean. Understanding Caribbean Geography The Caribbean isn’t one destination – it’s dozens… Read more
Bermuda and the Bahamas represent the shortest getaway options for East Coast cruisers looking for warm weather without the commitment of a full week-long Caribbean cruise. While they’re very different destinations – Bermuda is British sophistication meets pink beaches, Bahamas is laid-back island vibes – they share the common thread of being quick escapes to turquoise water and sunshine from Eastern U.S. ports. Bermuda: The Sophisticated Island Escape Bermuda cruises are unusual in the cruise… Read more
Repositioning cruises are what happens when cruise lines need to move ships between regions for seasonal deployment changes. Ships that cruise Alaska in summer need to be somewhere warm in winter. Ships that sail the Mediterranean in summer often cross to the Caribbean for winter. These relocation sailings create unique itineraries that are often longer, cheaper, and more sea-day-heavy than regular cruises – and that’s either a deal or a dealbreaker depending on what you… Read more
