Bags Out by 11, Cabin Empty by 8: How Does Disembarkation Work on a Cruise?
Tags, time slots, self-assist and customs: how getting off a cruise ship actually works, from the last night to the terminal exit.
What Happens If You Miss the Muster Drill on a Cruise? The Crew Will Find You
Skip the muster drill and the crew will chase you for a catch-up briefing. Keep refusing and you can be put ashore with no refund. The rules, quoted.
Can You Bring Snacks on a Carnival Cruise? The Sealed-Package Rule, Explained
Yes, if they are factory-sealed and unopened. Carnival's full snack and drink rules, what gets confiscated, and how the big four lines compare.
Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise to the Bahamas? The Birth Certificate Rules That Trip People Up
U.S. citizens can cruise to the Bahamas on a birth certificate, but cruise lines add their own rules. What works, what doesn't, and when you need a passport.
Can You Bring Water on a Cruise? Cans Yes, Bottles Mostly No, and the Tap Is Fine
Can you bring water on a cruise? Nine lines' rules on bottles, cans and cartons, whether ship tap water is safe, and what bottled water costs.
Is Room Service Free on a Cruise? Breakfast Usually Is. Your 2 A.M. Snack Usually Isn’t
Breakfast is usually free; the rest often carries a fee. We checked ten cruise lines' room service rules, and how to order in without paying one.
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Cruise? Mind the 120-Day Line
Book 6 to 18 months ahead for most cruises. New seasons open two years out, and three big lines now take full payment 120 days before sailing.
Should You Book Excursions Through the Cruise Line? What the Fine Print Promises
Ship tours cost more but promise to get you back. We compared five lines' excursion rules, the Ketchikan case, and when booking your own tour makes sense.
10 Cruise Nightmares That Aren’t Your Fault (and How to Protect Yourself)
Storms, outbreaks, blocked ports and lost bags: the ten cruise nightmares you can't control, what the cruise line actually owes you for each, and how to protect yourself.
10 Things to Know Before You Book Your Cruise
Cancellation penalties, hidden fees, fuel clauses, age and pregnancy rules: 10 things to know before booking a cruise, from the lines' own contracts.