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The Cruise Journal

Expert-written cruise guides, reviews, and travel tips. Fact-checked and regularly updated.

Tips

15 Things Cruise Passengers Secretly Hate (According to Reddit)Tips

15 Things Cruise Passengers Secretly Hate (According to Reddit)

From chair hogging to one-floor elevator riders, here are 15 things cruisers secretly can't stand, the etiquette norm behind each, and why it bugs everyone.

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Left Behind: What Really Happens When You Miss the ShipTips

Left Behind: What Really Happens When You Miss the Ship

Miss your cruise ship and it won't come back. Here's why ships don't wait, why ship-sponsored vs. independent excursions change everything, what to do on the pier, the real costs, and how to never be the next viral pier runner.

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The Great Cruise Tipping Debate: What Cruisers Really ThinkTips

The Great Cruise Tipping Debate: What Cruisers Really Think

Auto-gratuities, who really gets the money, and whether tips should just be in the fare. We break down both sides of cruising's most heated debate, with 2026 rates.

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Cruise Ship Secrets the Crew Won't Tell YouTips

Cruise Ship Secrets the Crew Won't Tell You

From 9-month contracts and the hidden 'I-95' crew corridor to coded PA announcements and how tips really get split — here's the insider world of cruise ship crew that passengers never see.

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The Truth About Norovirus on Cruise ShipsTips

The Truth About Norovirus on Cruise Ships

Cruise ship norovirus headlines are scarier than the reality. Here's what the CDC data actually shows about how common it is, why ships report it, and how to protect yourself.

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Banned for Life: The Real Reasons People Get Kicked Off Cruise ShipsTips

Banned for Life: The Real Reasons People Get Kicked Off Cruise Ships

Cruise lines keep permanent no-sail lists — and the reasons people land on them go beyond fighting. Chargebacks, smuggling, railing stunts, and real cases.

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How to Find the Best Cruise Vacation Package Deals (2026)Tips

How to Find the Best Cruise Vacation Package Deals (2026)

How to find the best cruise vacation package deals in 2026. Flight plus hotel bundles, when to book, how to save, and which packages are actually worth it.

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Cruising with a Baby or Toddler: Everything You Need to KnowTips

Cruising with a Baby or Toddler: Everything You Need to Know

A complete guide to taking a baby or toddler on a cruise. Minimum age requirements by cruise line, packing essentials, nursery programs, babysitting options, cabin baby-proofing, stroller tips, feeding logistics, and the best cruise lines for babies and toddlers.

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21 Cruise Travel Hacks That Will Save You HundredsTips

21 Cruise Travel Hacks That Will Save You Hundreds

21 proven cruise travel hacks that save real money — from how to find the best cabin at the cheapest price to beating the onboard WiFi cost and booking excursions smarter.

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Cruise Ship Spa Guide: Treatments and How to SaveTips

Cruise Ship Spa Guide: Treatments and How to Save

A complete guide to cruise ship spas covering treatment types and pricing, port day deals, thermal suite value, spa packages vs individual treatments, the best cruise line spas ranked, sales tactics to avoid, and when to book for the best deals.

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Cruise Ship Safety: Muster Drills and LifeboatsTips

Cruise Ship Safety: Muster Drills and Lifeboats

A thorough guide to cruise ship safety covering muster drills (digital and traditional), lifeboat capacity, man overboard procedures, fire safety, medical emergencies, Coast Guard inspections, and how safe cruising actually is by the numbers.

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Cruising While Pregnant: Policies and Safety TipsTips

Cruising While Pregnant: Policies and Safety Tips

Everything you need to know about cruising while pregnant, including week limits by cruise line, medical clearance requirements, cabin considerations, food safety, shore excursion restrictions, and what to pack for a comfortable voyage.

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Cruise Port Parking Guide: Costs and Best OptionsTips

Cruise Port Parking Guide: Costs and Best Options

Complete guide to parking at major cruise ports. Port-by-port costs for Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Seattle, New York, and Barcelona. Official vs off-site parking, ride-share comparison, pre-booking deals, hotel-and-parking packages, and security tips for long-term cruise parking.

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How to Plan a Perfect Cruise Port Day: Tips and TimingTips

How to Plan a Perfect Cruise Port Day: Tips and Timing

Everything you need to know about planning cruise port days — from timing your departure to transport options, tender ports, getting back on time, and free activities in popular cruise destinations.

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Cruise Ship Photography: Tips for Stunning Vacation PhotosTips

Cruise Ship Photography: Tips for Stunning Vacation Photos

Practical cruise photography tips for phones and cameras. Best times for photos at sea, top spots on the ship, port photography techniques, wildlife photography on Alaska and Antarctica cruises.

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Pet-Friendly Cruise Lines: Can You Bring Pets Aboard?Tips

Pet-Friendly Cruise Lines: Can You Bring Pets Aboard?

A comprehensive guide to pet policies on major cruise lines, including Cunard's kennel program, service animal rules, emotional support animal changes, river cruise options, and the best alternatives for pet owners who want to cruise.

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Cruise Ship Medical Care: What If You Get Sick?Tips

Cruise Ship Medical Care: What If You Get Sick?

Everything you need to know about medical care on cruise ships. Ship medical center facilities, common illnesses, treatment costs, medevac procedures, travel insurance, and which cruise lines have the best medical facilities.

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Cruise Kids Clubs Compared: Royal vs Disney vs CarnivalTips

Cruise Kids Clubs Compared: Royal vs Disney vs Carnival

Detailed comparison of kids clubs on Royal Caribbean, Disney, Carnival, and Norwegian cruise lines. Age groups, activities, hours, costs, teen programs, and nursery options.

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Cruise Hidden Costs: What's NOT Included in 2026Tips

Cruise Hidden Costs: What's NOT Included in 2026

A comprehensive breakdown of every extra cost on a cruise ship beyond the base fare, including gratuities, drinks, WiFi, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, photos, casino spending, and laundry. Includes a realistic budget template for a 7-night cruise.

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How to Book a Group Cruise: Discounts, Perks & Planning TipsTips

How to Book a Group Cruise: Discounts, Perks & Planning Tips

Complete guide to booking a group cruise. Minimum cabin requirements, group perks by cruise line, coordination tips, family reunion planning, bachelor/bachelorette cruises, dining arrangements, and when to use a travel agent.

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Cruise Embarkation Day Checklist: 20 Things to PackTips

Cruise Embarkation Day Checklist: 20 Things to Pack

Complete embarkation day checklist for cruise passengers. Documents, carry-on essentials, arrival timing, check-in process, and what to do in your first 2 hours onboard to start your cruise right.

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Cruise Disembarkation Day: Step-by-Step GuideTips

Cruise Disembarkation Day: Step-by-Step Guide

A complete guide to cruise ship disembarkation day. Night-before preparation, luggage tags, self-assist vs porter departure, express walk-off, customs and immigration, breakfast options, and airport transfer timing to make your last day stress-free.

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Cruise Ship Casino Guide: Games, Odds, Comps & Tips for 2026Tips

Cruise Ship Casino Guide: Games, Odds, Comps & Tips for 2026

Everything you need to know about cruise ship casinos — from games and odds to loyalty programs, free play offers, tax implications, and bankroll management. Covers casino policies across Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, and MSC.

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How to Get a Cruise Cabin Upgrade: Best StrategiesTips

How to Get a Cruise Cabin Upgrade: Best Strategies

Proven strategies for getting a cruise cabin upgrade. How bid upgrade programs work (Royal Up, Carnival Up, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity), optimal bid amounts, loyalty status upgrades, GTY guarantee cabins, last-minute strategies, and when paying for an upgrade is actually worth it.

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