Hey everyone,

I’m booking a solo cruise for my 65yo mum in April, and I’m torn between two options. She loves concerts, live performances, and having things to explore, but she’s not into water slides, ice skating, laser tag, or high-energy activities. She enjoys a relaxed but engaging atmosphere with good entertainment and a social but not overwhelming vibe.

Here are the two options:

1. Celebrity Ascent – 7-Night Western Caribbean ($4,957 AUD)

• Room: Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda
• Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale → Nassau → At Sea → Cozumel → At Sea → Grand Cayman → At Sea → Fort Lauderdale
• Vibe: More upscale and refined, great entertainment, fewer kids?
• Pros: Better solo traveller experience? More relaxed, premium feel?

2. Wonder of the Seas – 7-Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day ($3,934 AUD)

• Room: Interior room (no view)
• Itinerary: Port Canaveral → CocoCay → At Sea → Cozumel → Roatán → Costa Maya → At Sea → Port Canaveral
• Vibe: More family-oriented, larger crowds, lots of activities.
• Pros: Cheaper, but is it too geared toward families for a solo traveller?

Would love input from anyone who has sailed on either of these ships or has experience as a solo traveller (or knows someone in a similar situation). Is the extra ~$1,000 worth it for the Celebrity Ascent’s atmosphere, better room, and solo experience? Or would Wonder of the Seas still be enjoyable despite being more family-focused?

Thanks so much for your advice!

Hey all! It looks like MSC will be starting an Alaska cruise in summer 26 and i have a cruise credit i need to use before then. the screenshot attached is the itinerary and i was curious for anyone that has ever done any Alaskan cruise if this one is good at all.

thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/3g4fmhj312he1.png?width=750&format=png&auto=webp&s=826340b04d9f88033feab63cedc86894fc0ed77e

Hotel recommendations for two days, pre-cruise in Barcelona in May 2025. Looking for nice, reasonably priced place near cruise port. Edit Possibly walk-able to ship.We found Leonardo Royal and Hotel Radha on hotel.com. Opinion of these two or suggest somewhere else.

Thank you

I have some Amber Cove/ Puerto Plata questions. Sailing with Carnival this summer, 3 kids ranging in age from 3 to 14. We decided on the Monkeyland and Puerto Plata tour as our excursion. It ends around 11:30 and the ship doesn't leave port until 3. If my little kids aren't just done and cranky by the end of the excursion, can we ditch the group and hang around and explore Puerto Plata a little longer? Is it easy to find a taxi or uber back to the port? About how much would it cost? Also, I was going to exchange some money at my bank ahead of time so I don't have to worry about it the day of. I plan on using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees for any bigger purchases, but I'd like to have enough Domincan Pesos for street food and tips and such. How much would everyone recommend? Thanks for any input!

Would a sailing out of Southampton to Norway in early October have a good likelihood of rocky seas?

Currently on carnival Firenze (out of Long Beach) and they charged $1 for drinks while we were still at the port. And then again today when we’re in Catalina.

I’m told it’s state tax since we’re in state territory.

I was on Royal Caribbean/navigator in 2023 and they didn’t do this.

Is this a carnival thing or a new thing?

Hello everyone! In May, my family of four (two adults & two kids ages 6 & 10) will be flying into Fort Lauderdale, staying overnight, then cruising out of the Port of Miami the next day.

Any recommendations for transportation from the airport to a hotel, then from the hotel to the Port of Miami?

Any recommendations for overnight hotels in the Fort Lauderdale / Miami area?

Hey, Fellow Cruise Fanatics! We are a family of five, and all of our kiddos are elementary school aged. I am looking for a cruise that is an alternative to Disney...My kids LOVE the Oceaneers Lab. So, an emphasis on a good kids club where we can check the kids in and the adults can have a quiet cocktail hour is a must! Thank you for your help and guidance!

Edit: thank you! I'll be looking into Royal! DCL is 💵💵

YouTube bloggers on Coco Beach Florida catch Carnival ship leaving port in the fog. The ship looks like it was cut in half! Perfect timing.

Here is the link!!!

Half of ship

Hello, I am considering a Galapagos cruise that leaves from Baltra island. While that's conveniently one of the islands with an airport, it unfortunately does not have any hotels.

I know the advice is to always arrive the day before, but this port is either a 2-hour flight or 2 cabs and 2 ferries away from the nearest hotel. Paying for an extra hotel isn't the same guarantee that it is in most other ports.

I'm hoping that people who have sailed from Baltra could share what they have done in the past. Thank you!

HELP So me and my two friends (19M all) are looking for a solution to go on a carnival cruise out of Galveston. I did some research and found that we need to have a cabin member 25 or older in order for us to go. It sounds dumb but we are willing to make a new friend and bring someone (25 or older) so that we can cruise. Unless you have a loophole to get us all in lol.

Alright so, I’m fairly positive I will be getting a comped balcony for an Alaskan cruise next year through Royal with a $500 free play however, my wife and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary and want to make this trip special since it’s far from us and a once in a lifetime trip. The question is, do we take advantage of the free balcony and free play on a ship like ovation or do we forgo that all together and go on a princess, HAL or Norwegian ship that has special access to glacier bay and spend about $7-10k?

Is glacier bay worth the extra money?

What gets you more bang for your buck?

Edit: Solved. Used the port agent as accommodation address.

I am helping family members apply for Schengen visa for their upcoming Norway cruise.

Totally stumped by some of the questions. What physical address did you all provide for the ‘accommodation’ question. It needs a proper Norwegian postcode. So just quoting the ship name isn’t working.

TIA for your help!

My wife and I are looking forward to the cruise (not booked yet), and we are trying to be prepared. We will need to bring 2 large suitcases, a foldable (not umbrella) stroller, and a car seat. We're planning on the slightly larger ocean view room with a balcony. We will need a crib from the cruise line. Will we have space to keep everything?

What kinds of things should we keep in mind? Floor level? Close to dining areas or play areas? We are trying to make sure we'll have stuff to do with our son - there's Adventure Ocean - is that good for his age?

We also typically let him take a 1-2 hour nap in the afternoon in his stroller. Will we be able to keep him parked next to us while we have drinks or lunch?

Is there any danger for a toddler this age on the boat? I assume he can't just climb overboard? We will always keep an eye on him of course.

Thanks for the help!

This is a follow up to my earlier post >> https://www.reddit.com/r/Cruise/comments/1id7qbr/single_dad_first_time_cruising_with_2_boys_12_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Planning to cruise end of April

Came across MSC Meraviglia (from Brooklyn). This saves me a lot of time and money (air travel) compared to any of the Orlando, Miami or Galveston based cruises. I can just drive down from Boston to a relative's house in NJ.

Wondering what are the downsides compared to Royal. I have 2 teens 12 and 14.

• How are the crowds during this time compared to RC?
• Any tips on navigating the crowd?
• I am ok to spend that extra money if RC will be worth it over MSC. But as a first time cruiser, does it matter that much?
• Teen activities?
• Heard Oceancay is great. Less of a party atmosphere compared to RC but enough to do?
• How is the food rated? I am a vegetarian and my kids eat anything and everything
• Activity \ Socializing for single adults?

Miami, Florida-Isla de Roatan, Honduras-Costa Maya, Mexico-Cozumel, Mexico-Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas-Miami, Florida

OR

Miami, Florida-Puerto Plata, Dominican Rep.-San Juan, Puerto Rico-Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas-Miami, Florida

Both are 7 days. Nothing is screaming I need to do this one and it's been a lot time since I've been to a couple of the ports so I can't remember. Half the videos you watch are ads so asking here if anyone has any thoughts on specific ports or ones that may be your favorite?

Good morning:

I wanted to see if any Americans are currently cruising and if so have noticed hostility while in port in Mexico now that Trump is following through on his tariff promises.

I have cruise booked later this month with two stops in Mexico, I have beach club trips planned at both ports but am now concerned that my family will face understandable hostility due to our wanna be dictator's tariffs. I can deal with some ribbing [traveled abroad solo in early 2005 after Bush II was reelected and was questioned by a number of Europeans about what the USA was doing] but now traveling with kids and don't want to be unsafe so I'm considering canceling beach club days in Mexico.

Any changes in ports? Any hostility or unsafe situations due to anger at USA policy?

Thanks for any feedback. I don't want to cancel trips and want to spend $$$ in Mexico, but I also want to ensure family safety on trip.

I spent some time last night looking to book a cruise for later this year and early next year and I have become increasingly discouraged with what I've found. Here are some highlights:

1. Flights: Now this wasn't discovered last night but it's becoming more and more of a problem for me. I am Canadian and I fly out of Detroit, which is super convenient. BUT flights from DTW to Florida are becoming more and more ridiculous. The cost is reaching 4 digits for a 3hr flight. Yes yes inflation and cruises are becoming too popular. But that wont convince away my discouragement.

2. Hotels: Mainly again in Florida. I like to spend a night prior to sailing in the port city but Florida is just gouging people for doing this. And they can because there is the demand. I get it supply and demand.

3. Upcharging EVERYTHING: I used to be able to pick whatever stateroom I wanted, high or low. But a recent cruise on Celebrity Apex taught me that cruise ships are now being built to charge more for the higher decks. Thinking this was just the new ships, I tried to price out one of the older ships (Eclipse) and a "normal veranda stateroom" is unavailable above deck 9. Anything past that is their Auqa class or whatever. But I know the rooms are no different than the decks below! I am now priced out of being higher on the cruise ship.

4. Western Cruises: In an attempt to help the cost of flights I looked into cruises from Galveston but every itinerary is nearly identical hitting: Cozumel, Honduras, Costa Maya, Maybe Belize. I've run out of things to do in these ports, and don't get me started about Costa Maya.

5. Private Islands: On our last cruise (Celebrity), instead of hitting Labadee we got to go to Cococay. I was blown away by this island. I'm sorry, I'm a fan of what was done here. It was so well organized and clean and just a lovely day. BUT, obviously, only RC ships go there. Carnival has its new island but I doubt I'll end up there. I used to be a loyal Princess fan but its Princess Cays is terrible. You have to tender in. The swimming is bad. The lunch lineups are bad. Its just not good. We saw the Amazon Prime TV show about Virgin Voyages and boy do they build up Bimini but Bimini is also terrible. Slow infrequent trams, lackluster beaches unless you rent a golf buggy which I only see horror stories about.

Anyways, maybe you guys have some tactics or tricks to help a guy out. I used to be okay with $4000, $5000 for a cruise for the wife and I but its seeming more and more we have to settle for what we want and still pay more than what we used to (I get it inflation) But I am close to looking at a different type of vacation. All inclusive resort? I just miss the sea!

Their prices seem to be very high when I can get them for cheaper. I know it is garunteed to get me there, but I'm also trying to save some cash.

Hey everyone. I recently did a 5 day cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, and I loved it. I love travel and everything, so I began searching for more cruises. I found that RC’s 7 day cruises are well out of my budget. Their regular 5 day ones are too now unfortunately. Then, I found MSC doing 7 night cruises and they seem affordable. About 620 per person for the dates I’m looking at. Now I’m not planning the cruise for a while yet, but still. So I’m just wondering what everyone’s opinions on MSC are.

I got a free one from Ocean Resort and Casino. I would love to get more but not exactly sure who gives them out and how to qualify.

I’m in the cruising ducks F B Group. I keep seeing people who are collecting TONS of ducks (last pic I saw they had 85). I know everyone can choose what to do, but IMHO after you get a couple (especially if you’re an older teen or adult), leave them or rehide them. Am I wrong??

What are some tips for scoring free cocktails or wine on a cruise?

Hello all,

I am contemplating to book an European cruise through cruiseguru.com.au

It’s going to cost me around $16000 AUD for couple.

I am bit hesitant to go through them as previously I always booked directly through cruise lines.

Are they legit travel company ? I don’t wanna loose big money. or shall go through directly with cruiseline?

Any experiences or suggestions about booking with them would be greatly appreciated.

Every cruise I've been on I see it at least once during the cruise. I don't take the elevators so the stairs are my go to. I still don't understand the reasoning for it.

Who would eat while walking through the ship and think "hey let me put a empty dish on the stairs"?

Yes, I'm waiting to catch someone in the act and call them out on it. Along with people who sit on the stairs.

Hello, I’ll be taking NCL Bliss in early October to Alaska. Any tips/recommendations/reviews? I haven’t been on a cruise since I was a child, I’m 29 now. Thanks!