Cruise Guides
Straight answers to the questions we hear most, from choosing a cruise line to picking the right cabin. Written by the advisors who book these trips every day.
When to cruise Australia and New Zealand, how the main routes compare, where ships sail from, and what US travelers should prepare.
How Europe's main river cruise routes compare, the best seasons including Christmas markets, where cruises start, and how the lines differ.
How Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific cruises differ, from island-hopping out of Honolulu to round trips from California and small ships in French Polynesia.
How to pair a Europe cruise with time on land: when to go, which regions work best, pre- and post-cruise stays, cruise lines with land packages…
Daily gratuity rates for 16 cruise lines in one table, which lines include tips in the fare, what a week adds up to and what gratuities…
How airline employees and retirees plan a cruise around standby flights: when to fly in, which ports to choose, backup plans, insurance and getting home.
How the Medallion and app work, what dining is included, how Princess Plus and Premier compare, which ships to know and how Captain's Circle status builds.
Airline employees and retirees in the Bay Area: how interline cruise rates work, ports to fly to from SFO, OAK and SJC, and why booking locally…
Where you can cruise from San Francisco without flying: Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii and the Pacific Coast, when to go, and how SF compares with Seattle and…
How full and partial Panama Canal transits differ, the best months to sail, where cruises leave from, and which lines to consider.
When to cruise to Bermuda, what to expect on board and ashore, which East Coast ports sail there and how to plan your days on the…
When to sail Canada and New England, how round trips and one-way St. Lawrence routes compare, plus departure ports, cruise lines and packing tips.
How to choose between Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, when to sail, which ports to leave from and what to pack.
What to expect on a Great Lakes cruise: the short summer season, which lakes and routes ships follow, small-ship options, departure cities and documents for Canada.
How short Baja cruises compare with 7-night Mexican Riviera and longer Pacific Mexico sailings, plus timing, West Coast ports, lines and packing.
Compare Norwegian fjords, Baltic capitals, British Isles and Iceland itineraries, with advice on timing, departure ports, cruise lines and packing.
What Pacific Coastal cruises are, when they sail, which ports they visit between Vancouver and California, and how to pick a line.
When to cruise French Polynesia, how the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas and Cook Islands compare, why small ships suit Tahiti, and how to get there.
A guide to river cruising in North America: Mississippi, Columbia and Snake, and St. Lawrence routes compared, with seasons, departure cities, ships and documents.
How Africa cruises work, from southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands to Morocco and West Africa, with seasons, ports, cruise lines and safari add-on advice.
When to go to Antarctica, how Peninsula and South Georgia routes differ, what the Drake Passage is like, and how to choose between expedition and scenic-cruising…
A practical look at the short Arctic cruise season, how Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Arctic Norway and the Canadian Arctic compare, and which ships sail there.
When to cruise Japan and Southeast Asia, how the main itinerary types compare, where ships leave from, and what to know about documents.
Getting to Pier 27 from the Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay and the airports, parking and drop-off, when to arrive, and tips for sailaway under the…
How Cape Horn, Brazil, Amazon and Galapagos cruises compare, the best months to go, where ships sail from, and what to pack.
When to sail the Mediterranean, how Western Med, Greek Isles and Adriatic routes compare, where cruises start and how to plan your trip.
How transatlantic crossings and repositioning cruises work, when they sail, northern vs southern routes, and how to prepare for many sea days.
What to know about world cruises, segments, grand voyages and special event sailings: timing, routes, departure ports, cruise lines, visas and packing for months at sea.
How the two biggest names in mainstream cruising compare on ships, food, families, ports and value, and how to choose between them.
Which cruise lines work best for young kids, teens, budget-minded families and multi-generation trips, and how to choose the right ship and cabin.
Everything first-time cruisers ask us: how long to sail, what is included, choosing a cabin, documents, embarkation day and budgeting on board.
Inside, oceanview, balcony or suite: what each cabin type gets you, which locations to choose or avoid, and tips for families and accessible cabins.
Alaska month by month from May to September, Inside Passage versus Gulf of Alaska, which cruise lines to consider and what to pack.
How six luxury and premium cruise lines compare on ship size, style, inclusions and expedition options, and which suits which traveler.
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