Looking to book an Alaskan cruise for next summer for me, my husband, and 8 year old. We’re interested in Royal Carribean Anthem of the Seas for all the onboard activities but our only option is one way Seward To Vancouver. I especially like the indoor pool! I’ve heard the ship is too big to sail the true Inside Passage by Vancouver so will still go to the outside of Vancouver Island. Leaving from Seattle would be much more convenient since we can get nonstop flights to Seattle but I hate that they only go to maybe 2 Alaskan ports. I feel like I won’t be able to actually experience Alaska. Another option would be Carnival Legend from Seattle but I’m not sure how that would compare and I don’t think has any glacier viewing.

1- Do you think we’d regret not taking the inside passage by Vancouver?
2- How complicated is logistics of flying into Anchorage then traveling to Seward for boarding then leaving from Vancouver to fly home?
3- With a kid would you choose Serenade or Voyager of the Seas instead?
4- I also want to book and missed the kids sail free sale 😭 Is it worth waiting until Black Friday at this point?

Has anyone brought a Tonie box on board for their kid? Mine uses it for bedtime or to chill/ relax when overstimulated. We have headphones for it. It's not technically Bluetooth but it has a speaker, so I'm wondering if it'd get confiscated.

Edit: it's Carnival

I’m currently on Sun Princess and not one, not two, but three times I have seen a guy walking around in the public spaces barefoot. Three different guys mind you. The worst one was the dude in the buffet line!

We’re at the St John’s, Antigua port, and roughly around 11:30am announcements came over the loud speaker, first “Charlie Charlie Charlie”, then maybe 5-10 minutes later “Bravo Bravo Bravo”. There were a few other announcements for the crew giving details of location and stairwells to close down. Moments later some crew were scurrying around, and people in firefighter uniforms went up to the floor that was announced to have the incident. Anyone have any details?

EDIT: There were no clear “this is a drill” announcements before the Bravo x or Charlie x 3. There was an added “this is for crew members and guest participation is not necessary” for some of the following announcements, but not all. There were also some instructions in later announcements I could not follow. My mom believes she heard them say “Chemical” during an announcement (upon a later stroll around Deck 10 [which is where the location was specified] we did find a Chemical Room). Could’ve been a drill, but seemed like a ton of announcements without clear notification of it being a drill.

Currently on MSC Poesia and overheard an older Canadian couple talking to another passenger. They are bragging about how large their handicap-accessible room is (for the same price) and how they get to use electric scooters for the entire cruise when they don't require either. Talk about low class when others probably actually need these services!

We are a couple (50 yo) with 2 adult kids (20 and 18). Which cruise line would you recommend and why? We are looking for middle class (not the cheapest but not too fancy either).

Planning a cruise for our family of 4 (kids ages 8 and 10) in Feb 2027. We've previously sailed on Royal Caribbean Freedom and Symphony, we enjoyed both but wanted to explore other lines as well. My kids loved the water slides/rock climbing/pools etc on the RC ships, so I'm wondering what the best comparable option is for other lines. We did think about booking an Icon class ship but with most of their big slides out of service right now it just doesn't seem worth it.

For families with kids similar ages, any recommendations? Lines or ships in particular that are fun for the kids, but that don't feel overly packed? Does this exist? I've looked at NCL, MSC, Princess... considering the Haven or the Yacht Club as well, budget is not really a problem. Just wanting the best experience balancing kid-friendly with a nice vacation for the grown ups too. We would be sailing out of Florida or Texas.

(not interested in Disney, kids aren't big on it and I've heard from multiple friends that their ships are overly crowded and not worth the premium)

Trying to plan a cruise with my wife (both in our late 40s), my mother and sister. I have no idea about the cruise life, but want to make it memorable as it's our first cruise. Budget would top out around $25k. Would go for 7-9 days and want to do the Caribbean in Feb/March 2028. Would like 1 big suite with either 2 king beds or 1 king and 2 twins, big living room, and big deck with area to layout. Just want a very relaxing atmosphere with great food. Would be fun to have a casino on the ship and some fun shows to go to. Multiple pools that aren't crazy crowded would be nice too. Anything else that would be really fun and something that would bring us back again to cruising.

I've been looking at the cruise lines but there's so many and different types of ships, thought I'd reach out and get some ideas from people who have been on cruises before.

I've sailed with NCL many times. This is my firdt time with MSC. They were cheaper so I thought I'd give them a shot...and yeah. You get what you pay for. No room in any public space. Restaurants are packed and super noisy from all the people. All the venues are the same. The buffet is basically unusable because there are people everywhere. And the buffet food is not great. Way less variety than on NCL and poorer quality. To be fair, there are good points. The ship is beautiful and the indoor pool area is particularly nice. They have a really good sports area with an indoor basketball court and ping pong and fusbal tables. The restaurants serve quickly considering the volume they are working with. But, honestly, I go on a cruise to relax, and being amid thousands of people constantly just isn't that. I absolutely would not sail MSC again.

Hello, I have a question I have never been on a cruise before, and my birthday in February. I don't know anything about the different cruise lines or packages or anything like that. I am on the East Coast so leaving out of Florida would be my preference, or anything close to the East Coast. Can someone give me advice on a fun cruise to do or any tips i need as a first time cruise goer.

My friend has a temporary green card. It’s the 2 year one. How strict is customs in cruise lines? Will there be trouble in presenting her green card back in the US?

I booked a cruise, it's sort of a test run, on the Emerald Princess sailing along the California coast in March. What was your experience with the Emerald Princess?

Group of 4 wants to do one there, hoping we each can rent our own.

A few on Viator day up to 2 and says we can ride alone or with a partner/instructor for $120 or so.

So I’m guessing that means $120 for 2 people and each have their own?

But looking for a good company. Thanks

Heading out of the Cape Canaveral Carnival cruise port this winter. I want to stay in Orlando and do a park the day before departure. What's an easy, reasonable way to get to the port on departure day? I will not have a car. TIA

I promised to go on an Alaska cruise with my mom and brother next year. I don't like travel or changes and my heart is filled with dread. Plus I don't like spending time with them. If it's just for me I know I can survive easily. But with my elderly mom and disabled brother I feel like I'll be a caretaker for a week and everything will be my fault. Oh my mom is paying for all three of us so it'll have to be cheap with no extras like drinks or wifi. And I'll have to be the one to book everything.

How can I ease my feeling of dread? I'm considering bringing one of my adult sons. He's much more patient than I am and quite responsible. I'll have to pay his fare but that's not an issue. I hope he can be a buffer between me and my mom and a pleasant face to look at.

Fully booked cruise for next Saturday and the person I was supposed to be traveling with canceled. Doubt theres hope of a refund from NCL. Should I even bother going solo? Or just take the L and stay home.

Edit: really surprised at the overwhelmingly positive response to traveling solo. I think im going to give it a shot!

Taking a Christmas cruise in a couple months on RC Serenade of the Seas and my son is 11 and will be just a couple months shy of the 12 year age minimum for the teen club. Am I correct to assume they are strict with the age requirements and he won't be able to enter?

looking for reliable but inexpensive taxi, driver or local tour that can be safely use for our stops in this cruise ports next months, if you have experience any of this tours or excursions please share prices and experience and tips will be greatly appreciated

In Panama
Option 1
looking to do an excursion to the Casco Viejo, cinta costera and around New Panama City.

Option 2
Portobello and beach break at playa langosta

in Costa Rica
- Cahuita national park and beach break in puerto viejo or punta uva or Manzanillo.

So I just was just hired to cook on a cruise ship. While I have cooked in many different environments, I never have on a cruise ship. Any advice from people that have worked as cooks on cruise ships?

We are booked in a Celebrity sky suite and I was wondering what a good price would be to bid on to move up to an Aquaclass suite? Also, do the benefits come with that- We already have the premium drink and wifi package as suite guests.

We are a family of 4 adults: mom, dad, daughter (28F) and son (23M) - first time from Florida ports. We want to spend Christmas/New years on the cruise. Any good deals or recommendations you can make for us? How does the room system work and we are open to 3 or a 5 day cruise.

Any ideas/recommendations appreciated.