When I first started cruising, I thought choosing the cheapest fare and figuring everything else out along the way was a good strategy. Then I nearly missed the ship, ended up in cabins that weren’t right for me, and got so seasick that I stopped cruising for a few years. Now, after more than 25

With inflation making everything more expensive, I am always looking for ways to save money. And while cruising is one of my favorite vacations, it can get expensive fast, especially when you start adding up all the cruise extras. The good news is, there are many ways to cut costs without sacrificing a great vacation.

I love cruising, but sharing a small cabin with kids can get crowded fast. Between four people, everyone’s clothes, shoes, toiletries, and electronics, it doesn’t take much for the room to feel cluttered. After more than 25 cruises, most of them with my husband and two kids, I’ve learned a few simple ways to make

Norwegian Cruise Line or MSC Cruises? I’ve sailed on both, and some of the differences aren’t obvious until you’re actually on the ship. Some are small conveniences, like having tissues in your cabin or a printed daily planner. Others affect how you communicate with your family, when you eat dinner, and how much you spend

The last thing you want to do on a cruise is spend your vacation waiting in line, searching for your family, or walking back to your cabin for something you forgot. After more than 25 cruises, I’ve learned that a little planning can save a surprising amount of time. You don’t need to schedule every

MSC Cruises can be a great bargain compared with other major cruise lines. But what many first-time cruisers don’t realize is that an inexpensive MSC cruise can quickly cost a lot more than expected.  I’ve taken five MSC cruises, including three from the United States and two in Europe, and I’ve learned that MSC can

Cruise food is one of the main reasons why I keep cruising. But it’s easy to miss the best meals, wait too long for a table, or eat at the wrong place at the wrong time. After more than 25 cruises, these are the dining mistakes I’ve learned to avoid. 1. Not Checking the Main

The cruise buffet is one of the places I spend a surprising amount of time when I’m on a cruise. It’s convenient, there’s usually a huge selection, and I like being able to try a little bit of everything without committing to a full meal. But after more than 25 cruises, I’ve also learned that

Cruise shore excursions can get expensive fast. Depending on the port and the activity, I often see tours priced at $100 or more per person. For my family of four, that adds up. What’s frustrating is paying for a cruise shore excursion, then realizing once you’re ashore that you could have explored the port on

If you’re planning an MSC Norway cruise, there are a few things you should know before you go. I recently took a 14-day Norway cruise on MSC Preziosa with my husband and kids, sailing from the end of June into July. It was an amazing trip, but there were definitely things I wish I had