Surprises on vacation can be fun, but seeing what your cruise ship looks like as it sails away without you onboard isn't something any of us want to experience.  While we've got a lot of practice cruising, there's still a little part of us that worries about missing the ship in port, but if you do these five things you can almost certainly make it back onboard with just enough time to shower before realizing that you forgot about your dinner reservations. read more

It was less than a year and a half ago that a new cruise line started sailing in North America with the promise of being different.  Suggestive marketing, tech-forward gimmicks like Shake for Champagne, and promoting themselves as a holiday for rock stars were cornerstones of the brand before Richard Branson’s Adult-by-Design Virgin Voyages even had a ship in the water.  We’re not all young sexy rock stars though (spoiler alert, I know), and this led to a statement I hear a lot, “I don’t think they’re for me.”  Funny enough, I’ve heard this from all sorts of would-be cruisers - er, sailors, as Virgin calls them... read more

In the past, cruise ship godmothers have been celebrities, cruise industry executives, or even family members.  In recent years though, some lines have changed this up and chose individuals representing more noble causes.  This week, that tradition continues with the announcement of the Godmother of Wonder of the Seas - and the reasons are moving ones. read more

Recently, the adult only cruise line Virgin Voyages created a new add-on to allow sailors traveling as couples to enjoy themselves even more.  The new “A Splash of Romance” package includes VIP access, spa access, pressed juice, champagne, and more.  Is it worth it?  Does it add romance, or just perks?  We tried it on the very first cruise to offer this option... read more