Skip to content

Cruise How To's, Tips and Tricks

Latest Posts
Bahamas Cruises That Actually Fit Your Trip

Bahamas Cruises That Actually Fit Your Trip

Cruise Comparison 2026–27 For Norwegian and Royal Caribbean

Cruise Comparison 2026–27 For Norwegian and Royal Caribbean

Best Cruise Deals by Month in 2026–27

Best Cruise Deals by Month in 2026–27

Norwegian Free at Sea Explained, Simply

Norwegian Free at Sea Explained, Simply

Do Cruise Advisors Charge Planning Fees? Why We Don’t

Do Cruise Advisors Charge Planning Fees? Why We Don’t

Cruise Agent vs Costco Travel: What Fits You?

Cruise Agent vs Costco Travel: What Fits You?

Pick the Best Cruise Cabin Location

Pick the Best Cruise Cabin Location

Cruise Travel Agent Near Me in New Hampshire: What to Look For

Cruise Travel Agent Near Me in New Hampshire: What to Look For

Cruise Deals From Miami: Pay Less, Stress Less

Cruise Deals From Miami: Pay Less, Stress Less

Cruise Drink Packages: Worth It or Not?

Cruise Drink Packages: Worth It or Not?

Book a Cruise With an Agent (Without Guesswork)

Book a Cruise With an Agent (Without Guesswork)

Best Cruise Lines for First Timers in 2026–27

Best Cruise Lines for First Timers in 2026–27

Do Cruise Prices Drop After Booking?

Do Cruise Prices Drop After Booking?

When to Buy Cruise Insurance (So It Pays Off)

When to Buy Cruise Insurance (So It Pays Off)

Are Travel Agents Free for Cruises?

Are Travel Agents Free for Cruises?

Cruise Gratuities Explained (Without the Confusion)

Cruise Gratuities Explained (Without the Confusion)

Why the Caribbean Keeps Calling Cruisers Back

Why the Caribbean Keeps Calling Cruisers Back

Best Time to Book Cruises (Without Overpaying)

Best Time to Book Cruises (Without Overpaying)

What Onboard Credit Covers on a Cruise

What Onboard Credit Covers on a Cruise

Norwegian Cruise Promotions Help That Pays Off

Norwegian Cruise Promotions Help That Pays Off

Bahamas Cruises That Actually Fit Your Trip
Destinations & Itineraries

Bahamas Cruises That Actually Fit Your Trip

Bahamas cruises that actually fit your trip: ports, private islands by cruise line, best picks for families, couples, and first-timers,...
Read More
Cruise Comparison 2026–27 For Norwegian and Royal Caribbean
Cruise Line Reviews & Comparisons

Cruise Comparison 2026–27 For Norwegian and Royal Caribbean

2026 cruise comparison for Norwegian and Royal Caribbean: ships, thrills, dining, entertainment, perks, pricing, and which line fits your travel...
Read More
Best Cruise Deals by Month in 2026–27
Cruise Pricing & Deals

Best Cruise Deals by Month in 2026–27

Best cruise deals by month in 2026: when wave season, Black Friday, and shoulder-season bargains happen, and the cheapest months...
Read More
Norwegian Free at Sea Explained, Simply
Cruise Line Reviews & Comparisons Onboard Costs & Packages

Norwegian Free at Sea Explained, Simply

Norwegian Free at Sea explained simply: what perks you get, what's not free, the rules, and how to tell if...
Read More
Do Cruise Advisors Charge Planning Fees? Why We Don’t
Using a Cruise Advisor

Do Cruise Advisors Charge Planning Fees? Why We Don’t

Some travel advisors charge planning or consulting fees. Here is how those fees work, when they can make sense, and...
Read More
Cruise Agent vs Costco Travel: What Fits You?
Using a Cruise Advisor

Cruise Agent vs Costco Travel: What Fits You?

Cruise agent vs Costco Travel: compare pricing, rewards, personalized advice, price monitoring, group bookings, and support to choose what fits...
Read More
Pick the Best Cruise Cabin Location
Cabins & Staterooms

Pick the Best Cruise Cabin Location

How to pick the best cruise cabin location for less motion, more quiet, better views, and convenience, with ideal spots...
Read More
Cruise Travel Agent Near Me in New Hampshire: What to Look For
Using a Cruise Advisor

Cruise Travel Agent Near Me in New Hampshire: What to Look For

Searching for a cruise travel agent near me? Here's what you really want: expertise, responsiveness, price monitoring, perks, and support...
Read More
Cruise Deals From Miami: Pay Less, Stress Less
Cruise Pricing & Deals Destinations & Itineraries

Cruise Deals From Miami: Pay Less, Stress Less

Cruise deals from Miami: popular itineraries, where to find the best fares, how to save on getting to the port,...
Read More
Cruise Drink Packages: Worth It or Not?
Onboard Costs & Packages

Cruise Drink Packages: Worth It or Not?

Are cruise drink packages worth it? Learn how they work, the break-even math, line-by-line rules, and when to skip the...
Read More
Book a Cruise With an Agent (Without Guesswork)
Booking Rules & Policies Using a Cruise Advisor

Book a Cruise With an Agent (Without Guesswork)

How to book a cruise with an agent without guesswork: what to prepare, what to expect, how deposits and payments...
Read More
Best Cruise Lines for First Timers in 2026–27
Cruise Line Reviews & Comparisons Cruise Planning Tips

Best Cruise Lines for First Timers in 2026–27

The best cruise lines for first timers in 2026, from Royal Caribbean to Carnival and Celebrity, plus starter itineraries and...
Read More
Do Cruise Prices Drop After Booking?
Cruise Pricing & Deals

Do Cruise Prices Drop After Booking?

Do cruise prices drop after booking? Yes, often. Learn why fares fall, how repricing works before final payment, and how...
Read More
When to Buy Cruise Insurance (So It Pays Off)
Booking Rules & Policies Cruise Planning Tips

When to Buy Cruise Insurance (So It Pays Off)

When to buy cruise insurance so it pays off: why timing matters, what policies cover, cruise line vs third-party plans,...
Read More
Are Travel Agents Free for Cruises?
Using a Cruise Advisor

Are Travel Agents Free for Cruises?

Are travel agents free for cruises? Usually yes. Learn how cruise agents get paid, when fees might apply, and why...
Read More
Cruise Gratuities Explained (Without the Confusion)
Onboard Costs & Packages

Cruise Gratuities Explained (Without the Confusion)

Cruise gratuities explained without the confusion: how much they cost, how they're charged, whether kids pay, other service charges, and...
Read More
Why the Caribbean Keeps Calling Cruisers Back
Destinations & Itineraries

Why the Caribbean Keeps Calling Cruisers Back

The Caribbean called, and my heart answered. Discover why a Caribbean cruise captures so many travelers, the moments that make...
Read More
Best Time to Book Cruises (Without Overpaying)
Cruise Pricing & Deals

Best Time to Book Cruises (Without Overpaying)

The best time to book cruises without overpaying: how far ahead to book by cruise type, the best promotion periods,...
Read More
What Onboard Credit Covers on a Cruise
Onboard Costs & Packages

What Onboard Credit Covers on a Cruise

What onboard credit covers on a cruise: drinks, dining, spa, gratuities, excursions, and more, plus what it can't cover and...
Read More
Norwegian Cruise Promotions Help That Pays Off
Cruise Line Reviews & Comparisons Cruise Pricing & Deals

Norwegian Cruise Promotions Help That Pays Off

Norwegian cruise promotions help that pays off: Free at Sea, sales, and special rates explained, common mistakes, and how to...
Read More

About The Author - Alex Waverly

Sorry, layout does not exist.
Sorry, layout does not exist.

About Our Blog Author:

Alexandra "Alex" Waverly is a cruise travel expert, blogger, and vacation planner with over 15 years of experience reviewing and sailing the world's best cruise itineraries. Having completed 120+ cruises across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, and Norwegian fjords, Alex is one of the most well-traveled and trusted voices in the cruise travel industry.
As the author of this cruise tips and reviews blog, Alex has helped hundreds of thousands of travelers find the best cruise lines, cabin deals, and shore excursions — whether they're planning a luxury cruise vacation, a family cruise holiday, or a budget-friendly cruise getaway. She has sailed with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Cunard, and Viking Ocean Cruises, offering firsthand, unbiased insights you won't find anywhere else.
Her expert guides cover everything from cruise packing tips and cruise ship reviews to best cruises for couples, solo cruising advice, and cruise port destination guides — making this blog your #1 resource for cruise travel planning.
Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Alex is always on the water — and always sharing what she finds.