beginner – Dreamin' of Cruisin'

01/15/202401/15/2024

The cruise ship muster drill: What is it and why is it important

Amidst all the excitement of embarkation day, you will have to complete the required safety drill. Do not worry, though. It must be done before sail away, so you will still be able to sip on a drink while watching the shore disappear into the horizon.

While emergencies at sea are rare, the safety, or muster, drill is meant to familiarize you and your travel party with your assigned assembly station and other protocols. It is mandatory for all passengers, even those who have cruised before, as the assigned location will most likely be different on each sailing.

Today, many cruise lines have converted to a virtual muster process that allows guests to watch safety briefings from their smartphones or stateroom television prior to visiting their muster station on their own within a specified window of time.

Click the link to see Harr Travel explain the E-Muster for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises:

Here’s what you need to know about the cruise ship muster drill, including what it is and why it is important.

What is the muster drill and how does it work?

The muster drill will occur prior to sail away, and every passenger onboard will be required to either attend a physical all-ship drill or complete it virtually on the cruise line’s app. Note, though, that if you have the option to participate via the app, you will still have to physically visit your muster station.

For in-person drills, everyone will head to their designated stations at the same time. Upon arrival, your cruise card will be scanned in order to confirm your attendance. There will be life jacket demonstrations performed by the crew, and other safety announcements will be made.

If you are on a ship with a large percentage of international guests, the drill may take longer, as the crew will make the announcements in multiple different languages. At the end of the drill, the emergency signal will be blasted.

During the pandemic, some cruise lines switched to a virtual format, which allows you to watch safety videos and listen to the ship’s emergency horn on your mobile device. Once onboard, you will have to visit your muster station and marked present by scanning your cruise card in order to satisfy all the requirements. Prior to sail away, the ship will still sound the emergency alarm, just so everyone is familiar with it.

Is the muster drill optional?

No, the muster drill is mandatory for every passenger. If you fail to show up or do not complete the virtual muster, your name and stateroom number will be given to crew members who will track you down. If you think you can hide out in your cabin, think again! That is one of the first places that they will check.

If you miss the initial drill, you may be given a second opportunity to complete the safety briefing. If, for whatever reason, you fail to attend it again, you face getting forced off of the ship at the next port of call without receiving a refund. In some instances, you may be kicked off before the ship event sets sail.

It is also annoying for those who have done their part, as they do not want their first day of vacation to be cluttered with announcements reminding guests that they need to fully participate in the drill.

In short, do not be the person who misses the muster drill. It is part of the cruising experience. The sooner everyone shows up, the sooner everyone can get back to the fun things onboard! In the end, the drill is to benefit you in the event of an emergency. There will always be crew members able to assist; however, it is important that you know what to do to keep yourself safe.

Why is the muster drill important?

In the event of a real emergency, it is important that passengers know where to go. Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue with thousands of unprepared guests? It would make the emergency even worse and potentially more disastrous!

SOLAS, or Safety of Life at Sea, is an international treaty that was formed following the sinking of the Titanic in 1914. When the ship sank, there were only enough lifeboats onboard for roughly half of the passengers.

In total, less than one-third of the passengers and crew survived the disaster, so SOLAS was formed to prevent another major incident like this from occurring again by setting safety standards for both the construction and operation of passenger and merchant ships.

Prior to the sinking of Costa Concordia, the muster drill could be conducted at any point up to 24 hours after setting sail (although, many ships completed the drill before leaving the port). When the Costa ship sank off the coast of Italy, about 600 guests had yet to complete the muster drill because they had embarked hours earlier.

Starting in February 2012, it became a requirement for all cruise ships to complete the safety drill while still docked in the embarkation port.

Which cruise lines offer virtual muster drills?

As of April 2023, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages, and Regent Seven Seas all have virtual muster drills.

In January, Norwegian reverted back to traditional muster drills; however, after receiving feedback from guests, they announced that all ships would return to the e-muster drill format by the first of April.

The virtual muster drills are well-recieved by guests, particually those who cruised before the pandemic and attended in-person drills.

According to Greg Purdy, Royal Caribbean International’s Senior Vice President of Marine Operations, “[guests are] able to have a more personal experience with the crew to ask them questions about the muster, to receive further instruction about donning the life jacket or or what should they bring.”

Most cruise lines do not have any intention to revert back to the old system, so long as the U.S. Coast Guard does not require it.

Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises are two of the only mainstream cruise lines to require passengers to attend an in-person drill.

Do I need to take a life jacket to my muster drill?

Some cruise lines require guests bring life jackets to the muster drill, while others do not. Today, most cruise lines have moved away from making guests bring life jackets from their stateroom. If your cruise line requires it, you will be aware ahead of time, so you have time to fetch the jacket from your cabin.

In most cases, you will just have to watch a demonstration of how to properly put on a life jacket, whether that is in-person or via your smartphone. And, of course, if you have any questions or concerns, you talk with a crew member!

Be Prepared

The muster drill is something everyone has to participate in prior to the ship setting sail, so it is best that you know what to expect!

If you are on a cruise line that still conducts an in-person drill, you may want to apply sunscreen prior, as you never know if your assigned will be in the sun or not! While cruise lines usually avoid this, you do not want to be stuck in a situation where you are sitting in direct sunlight for thirty-minutes or so!

Families with young children should brief them ahead of time, even if sailing on a cruise line with e-muster protocols. In the event of an emergency, it is best if they have some awareness of what to do, even if that is just finding a crew member. And if you have a child who is sensitive to loud noises, be prepared for the emergency signal; it is not the most pleasant of noises.

01/15/202401/15/2024

Top Five Cruises to Avoid and WHY

There are lots of different cruise voyages out there that you can try, but depending on your experience level or tolerance for hiccups, there are a few that should stay away from booking.

I love cruises, and there is definitely one for everyone, but there are certain kinds of cruises that are simply a bad fit for good reason.

Whether it is high expectations not meeting reality, or highly specialized sailings that do not mesh well with newer cruisers, I have a breakdown of the top cruises to avoid and why.

1. Popular times of the year to cruise

There are ebbs and flows to demand for vacations, but if at all possible, avoid going on a cruise during super popular times of the year.

Cruises over Christmas, Spring Break, and the height of summer vacation (July) are so popular that you will encounter ships and ports with the most people, as well as ridiculously high prices.

There is a reason so many people choose to go on a cruise during these times: everyone has time off from school and work, and they want to get away.

By going on a cruise during these very popular times is you are going to run into the biggest crowds and worst prices possible.

It may not always been possible to avoid cruising during these times of year, but if you have a choice, try to pick a slightly less popular time to take advantage of better prices and less crowding in ports.

How do you know if you are sailing during a super popular time?

A travel agent is always a good resource for determining that. In addition, look at prices. Cruise prices for the week before Christmas and after are usually night and day different. That is a good sign of demand.

2. Maiden Sailings

New cruise ships are exciting because they usually represent the latest and greatest a cruise line has to offer. Just like a new car, a new cruise ship is exciting, but brand new doesn’t always mean all the kinks are ironed out.

When new cruise ships debut, it is a bit of learning experience for the crew members onboard who are trying to get everything to operate nominally.

A maiden voyage means it is the first time the ship is heading out to sea full of passengers, and things can go wrong as processes are still being developed. On some brand new ships, some venues may not even be complete yet.

It is not uncommon for maiden sailings to not have all the shows, dining, or activities ready for passengers yet.

So unless you absolutely want to say you were on a particular ship first, skipping the first sailing (or three) is a good way to ensure when you do sail later, everything is running smoothly.

3. Very Short Cruises

If you are brand new to cruises, a short sailing of 3-nights or less may seem like a great idea, but these are pitfalls.

A sailing of 3-nights or less seems like an ideal way to try things out, but they are over before you know it and do not give first time cruisers a true taste of what cruises are all about.

Moreover, short cruises over weekends tend to attract more of a party crowd because of the low cost and convenient timing. Many people come onboard looking to get a bit more rambunctious than typically for most cruises.

Avoiding short cruises is especially around school vacations and holidays is good advice so that your family isn’t caught up in Spring Break or some other party scene.

First time cruisers should try longer sailings (7-nights is a great length for a first cruise), or perhaps look for a short sailing not over a weekend.

4. First Sailing after Dry Dock

Very similar to maiden voyages, cruise ships returning to service after getting upgrades and work done shouldn’t be booked to sail on for the first voyage or two back.

When a ship goes into dry dock, it undergoes a variety of maintenance work and (sometimes) upgrades over the course of weeks and even months. Ships have to go into dry dock every few years in order to remain legally operational.

Some dry docks are just for technical work, while others get new enhancements as well. Cruise lines often try to time dry dock scheduled with when they can add new amenities so the ship can return to service with some buzz around it.

The problem with booking the first sailing or two after dry dock is the work can sometimes overrun and that leads to cancelled sailings.

While cruise lines have gotten a whole lot better at predicting how long work will take, just like when you take a car in for work, you never truly know the extent of maintenance required until you look inside.

To save time, it is not uncommon for workers to remain onboard for a sailing or two to wrap up work.

This means if you book one of these sailings, you may end up with activities or venues not yet ready for guests, or just the ship not quite totally polished and ready.

If you are excited to try a ship after she gets refurbished, wait at least 2 or 3 sailings before booking to avoid disappointment.

5. Themed Cruises

A popular trend these days is for a group or company to charter a cruise ship so that it can be used as a backdrop for a conference, club meeting, or even a celebration.

You should probably avoid these types of themed cruises because the organizers may require certain venues be closed down for special events, or limited access to other areas.

In addition, cruise lines change up their protocols for chartered events, and some lines do not offer things like unlimited drink packages or other common money saving offerings because it is not a typical sailing.

When booking, ask your travel agent to double check there are not major groups on a sailing with you and avoid booking a chartered cruise that is only bookable through the organizer. Finally, some of the charter cruises are “adults-only” and while rare, it has happened where people unknowingly booked a cruise that was a charter cruise with sometimes adult themed activities or clothing optional experiences taking place.

01/15/202401/15/2024

Essential Cruise Packing Items

Packing for your cruise might be a little stress-inducing. There’s nothing worse than getting onboard your cruise ship and realizing you forgot something back home.

At the bottom of the page there is an in-depth cruise list to help in creating your own personalized cruise packing list.

Here are a few items that are a must have and make packing a breeze:

1: Packing Cubes

Packing cubes help keep your suitcase perfectly organized. I’ve also found that I can simply pack more because they slightly compress everything. Since I often cruise with just a carry-on, optimizing the small space is important.

The best part of it all? Once you get onboard your cruise ship, packing cubes make it so much easier to get settled into your stateroom. You can whip out your packed cubes and simply place them in the drawers and shelves of your stateroom.

2. Compression Travel Bags

In addition to packing cubes, I’ve also started to utilize these compression travel bags that are super convenient and easy to use.

Simply pack your clothes inside and roll the bag to release air. These types of compression bags truly save so much space, especially for bulkier items that you need to pack, like your winter coat for an Alaskan cruise! Another reason I love these compression bags is that they will protect your clothes from any water that gets inside your luggage.

3. Portable Phone Charger

If you’re going on a cruise, it’s essential to pack a portable phone charger, especially if you’re sailing on an older ship with limited outlets and plugins. Older ships might only have one or two outlets in each stateroom – and they likely won’t be near your bed.

A portable charger is also great for long days spent in port exploring or on an excursion. You won’t want your phone battery to die, so having a portable charger is a must.

4. Electronics Organizer

If you’re like me, you travel with quite a few electronics. I probably cruise with more electronics than the average cruiser if I am doing work for my blog because I need to pack multiple cameras.

As such, I purchased this electronics organizer for traveling and cruising – it’s been a total game changer! This organizer has tons of pouches and mesh pockets to keep everything perfectly organized in my carry-on bag and even in my stateroom.

5. Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated on your cruise is very important. It’s super easy to get dehydrated when you’re drinking alcohol and spending a lot of time in the sun. In general, traveling dehydrates our bodies.

It’s essential to pack a reusable water bottle for your cruise. I never cruise without mine and I bring it everywhere from my stateroom to the pool deck and off the ship for excursions. Granted you can get disposable water bottles from the bars and restaurants for a fee, unless you have a drink package, but it is easy nonetheless to bring one and refill it in your stateroom. All the ships are equipped with state of the art filtration with clean water right from your sink.

6. Hanging Toiletry Bag

There are a few different cosmetic bags that I travel with, but I absolutely always cruise with my hanging toiletry bag. The bathrooms are so tiny on a cruise ship and counter space is limited. I prefer to have my toiletries hanging in a cosmetic bag on the door to keep the counter less cluttered.

I’ve cruised with these hanging cosmetic bags for decades; it especially saved space when I cruised with my family having four of us share one bathroom!

7. USB Outlet Extender

If you’re cruising with multiple people in your stateroom, you will likely want more available plugins in your cabin. While newer ships are starting to incorporate more outlets in each cabin, older ships are still limited to just one or two outlets.

Consider packing this foldable power strip with multiple outlets and USB plugs. This will allow you to charge many more devices.

8. Lanyard for Cruise Card

Onboard your cruise, you will have a SeaPass card to use, which is how you will purchase items onboard and access your stateroom. As such, you have to carry it everywhere!

I prefer to have a lanyard with a card holder that I can take around the ship. This can easily go over my neck as I wander around the ship without having to bring my purse or wallet.

9. Luggage Tag Holders

Printing off your luggage tags is an essential step for preparing for your cruise, but I always find that I never have a stapler or tape to properly add them to my luggage.

These plastic tag holders are perfect for cruising and it protects the tag from getting ripped off at the cruise terminal.

10. Magnetic Hooks

Your cruise ship cabin is made of magnetic walls, so you should definitely pack these handy little magnetic hooks for your stateroom!

These magnetic hooks are very strong and perfect for a variety of uses, from holding your hats, towels and jackets to decorating your cabin or door.

11. Motion Sickness Medication

In the way of seasickness, it’s essential that you always pack motion sickness medication for your cruise. You never know when nausea will strike when you are sailing at sea.

I prefer to cruise with these travel-sized containers. Dramamine makes a less drowsy formula, which is perfect for during the day when I don’t want to get too sleepy from the medication. The small container is easy to keep in my purse or bag while ashore too – as bus, boat and taxi rides can all induce motion sickness.

12. Travel Size Hand Sanitizer

Keeping healthy is a top priority when cruising. Illnesses can spread in a variety of ways, especially on a cruise in close quarters. I keep these hand sanitizers attached directly to my lanyard.

I find myself sanitizing frequently while I cruise, especially after using the tongs in the buffet before indulging in my plate of food.

13. Variety of OTC Medication

One essential that I never cruise without is my tiny ‘pharmacy’. In a small pouch, I bring a variety of over-the-counter medication just to have on hand. Because medicine is so expensive onboard and I do not want to buy medication in port, I cruise with a small amount of medication.

It’s essential for me to bring a multi-symptom combo pack of daytime/nighttime cold and flu because it covers a variety of symptoms. Other essential OTC medication that I always cruise with in my tiny pharmacy includes laxatives, Imodium, sleep aid, nasal congestion spray, antihistamine, and cough drops. Everyone is different and thankfully my wife is a nurse so we have a large amount and varying medications just in case, just be sure to plan ahead and have extras if need be.

14. Mini First Aid Kit

You never know when an emergency will strike, even on your cruise vacation! For this reason, I always travel with a mini first aid and emergency kit.

This mini emergency kit includes band-aids, gauze, alcohol wipes, a mini tweezers and so much more. I have peace of mind cruising with this little kit – and it’s the perfect size to fit in a backpack. NOTE– Knives and other cutting equipment most likely will not be allowed on the ship, although some cruise lines allow small scissors as ones found in sewing kits.

15. Wrinkle Release Spray

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to wear a wrinkly dress on a cruise ship! Without an iron onboard due to fire hazard, it’s not uncommon to have very wrinkly clothes.

For this reason, it’s essential for me to pack wrinkle release spray. This travel-sized bottle is perfect for cruising and really helps get out those big wrinkles after I stuff my suitcase full of cruise clothes.

These are just the tip of the iceberg for cruise packing essentials. For more, see the cruise packing list and make your own changes as need be for your own necessities.

ultimate-cruise-packing-list Download

01/15/2024

The most popular cruise lines

Cruising is a popular vacation for many different travelers. Nothing beats the endless food, gorgeous destinations, stunning entertainment, and overall convenience of cruising. Families, couples, and older travelers can all enjoy cruising for different reasons.

The most popular cruise lines have itineraries and ships that operate around the world. Cruise lines typically offer a wide variety of cruises that offer different itineraries on ships of all sizes with varying amenities. This gives travelers so many options for finding a cruise line that fits their needs and travel style.

Plus, you do not have to worry about taking the same vacation twice! There is an endless combination of destinations and ships to choose from.

The most popular cruise lines continue to innovate ships that are bigger and better than ever before. These mega ships can hold up to 7,000 passengers and have more things to do than most cruisers would even have time to complete during their sailing. As technology continues to evolve, cruise ships become more advanced than ever.

In this way, the most popular cruise lines have a large fleet of ships to appeal to a wide variety of cruisers. Here’s our list of the most popular cruise lines and why these continue attracting travelers around the world!

Royal Caribbean

It is no surprise that one of the most popular cruise lines is Royal Caribbean with its unbelievable and innovative cruise ships, which are basically floating cities. The cruise line sails to the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, Australia, and Alaska.

In 2022, the cruise line’s newest ship, Wonder of the Seas, broke the record for largest cruise ship in the world. Royal Caribbean also holds the next 4 slots for biggest ships in the world with Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. The cruise line has held the title for largest cruise ship since 2008 with the debut of the Freedom of the Seas.

In fact, they are going to (once again) break their own record when Icon of the Seas sets sail in January 2024. This 250,800 gross ton ship will be 6% larger than Wonder of the Seas and will be unlike any other ship in their fleet. From the record-breaking Category 6 water park, to brand-new bars and restaurants, and the AquaDome, it will be the ultimate family vacation for thrill seekers!

These mega ships have more to do than you can imagine: a waterpark, ice skating rink, promenade mall, central park, aqua theater, and even surf simulators. You can watch a full-length Broadway musical while enjoying world-class cuisine during your sailing. There is so much to do, you might not even want to get off the ship!

If you prefer a smaller ship, Royal Caribbean has a large fleet of 24 ships that offer a huge variety of itineraries and experiences. For example, one of the cruise line’s smallest ships, Vision of the Seas, will be sailing to picturesque towns along the French Riviera in the summer of 2022.

Cruising with Royal Caribbean won’t break your bank either. It is one of the most affordable options for cruising that is sure to offer a memorable experience.

In 2018, they introduced the Royal Amplified® program in which they are refurbishing and upgrading their older ships with newer amenities.

Oasis of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas

With so many ships and itineraries to choose from, Royal Caribbean remains one of the most popular cruise lines. You are almost guaranteed to see Royal Caribbean sailing anywhere that you want to cruise!

Carnival Cruise Line

If you are looking for family fun at an affordable rate, Carnival Cruises will be a perfect fit for you. The cruise line is most popular for offering low fares to sail but plenty of family-friendly activities onboard that won’t cost you extra.

In fact, Carnival Cruise Line was one of the first companies to make cruising accessible to travelers who couldn’t afford the traditional luxury liners. As one of the first pioneers of the leisure cruise industry, Carnival continues to focus on offering exciting and affordable vacations.

The cruise line brands itself as having the most fun ships at sea with plenty of things to do like waterslides, 24-hour pizza, miniature golfing, 4D theaters and more. The party does not stop onboard Carnival’s cruise ships with entertainment, live music and DJs that keep the atmosphere lively and full of energy.

With 24 ships in its fleet, Carnival offers sailings around the world to Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean. For those looking to getaway for a weekend, Carnival offers plenty of sailings that are 3 to 4 night cruises. These are perfect for cruisers looking to have a fun weekend at sea without breaking the bank.

Since 2011, Carnival has been upgrading older ships as part of their Fun Ship 2.0 initiative. Three of their Destiny Class cruise ships received a near overhaul to become the Sunshine Class, offering new dining and entertainment venues, as well as updated staterooms.

Recently, Carnival Cruise Line announced their newest initiative: Costa by Carnival. Costa’s Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze will be joining Carnival’s fleet. Guests will be able to see take pleasure in the Italian-inspired interior of the ships while enjoying the benefits of sailing with Carnival (think VIFP benefits, food, entertainment). Think of the traditional fun Carnival experience but with an Italian flair!

Carnival Cruise Line offers a fun experience with friendly service and delicious food onboard. You can expect to find nonstop activities during your cruise – from sunrise to sunset!

Norwegian Cruise Line

Gaining momentum in the cruise industry is Norwegian Cruise Line. The cruise line has been focusing on upgrading its fleet and building new ships with innovative design, all while offering fairly affordable itineraries. Cruisers love that Norwegian offers an upscale experience with plenty of family-friendly activities for the whole gang to enjoy.

However, upscale does not mean you will find a stuffy atmosphere onboard any of Norwegian’s ships. The cruise line was the first to ditch longtime cruising traditions like formal night and set dining times in the evening, making it a popular choice for travelers who want a carefree cruise. The cruise line was the first to offer Freestyle cruising, which is meant to be more convenient and relaxing than traditional cruises.

Another reason for its popularity is that Norwegian Cruise Lines offers cruising to exotic destinations. For example, you can find sailings on Norwegian to incredible destinations like Namibia, South Africa, Antarctica and Brazil.

In 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line will launch its highly anticipated Viva cruise ship, which is expected to debut some firsts for the cruise industry. Viva will offer the most outdoor space of any cruise ship, along with a three story GoKart track!

Princess Cruises

As a sister brand to Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises is another popular cruise line for those looking to have a more in-depth exploration. Princess Cruises offers longer voyages to international destinations without breaking the bank for most travelers.

You might also know Princess Cruises from a little show called The Love Boat. This propelled Princess Cruises into stardom when one of its ships, Pacific Princess, was featured on the show in 1977!

Princess Cruises caters to an older audience overall with activities like wine tasting, cooking classes and even history lectures. You can find craft beer tasting through the cruise line’s Seawitch program, offering craft beers from around the world.

The long itineraries are meant to provide enriching voyages that allow cruisers to be immersed in different cultures. On some of these longer voyages, Princess Cruises offers sailings to incredible destinations like South America, Morocco, Taiwan and Thailand.

Princess Cruises has a modest fleet of 14 ships that sail around the world. Its ships aren’t the biggest compared to other cruise lines, but Princess Cruises aims to offer a refined, enriching experience for its guests.

MSC Cruises

European-based MSC Cruises has some of the biggest cruise ships in the industry, holding 5 slots of the 15 biggest ships in the world. These include ships like MSC Virtusoa and MSC Bellissima, each holding around 5,500 passengers.

The momentum isn’t stopping anytime soon for MSC Cruises, as the company announced 4 new ships being built for its new mega ship World class. MSC World Europa, the first of its class, is debuting in 2022 with highly anticipated sailings from the Dubai, UAE.

MSC Cruises caters mostly to European travelers, although the cruise line does offer a few limited itineraries from North America as well. The cruise line also offers sailings to exciting locations like South America, Northern Europe, and Asia.

They have six ships that rotate sailing the Caribbean to maintain a year-round presence making stops at their private island, MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve.

Onboard MSC cruise ships, you can expect to find European culture and service for an affordable price. Although MSC offers a more upscale experience, families will still find plenty of fun activities that kids of all ages will enjoy, like waterslides, zip lines, and teen clubs.

Celebrity Cruises

An older sister to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises earns a spot on our most popular cruise line list. With new ships offering world-class cuisine, service and entertainment, it’s no surprise cruisers are loving the experience onboard Celebrity’s cruise ships.

Although the cruise line has a smaller fleet with only 12 ships, Celebrity offers an intimate and quality experience for cruisers with voyages around the world. Those looking for an extreme adventure flock to one of the cruise line’s three Xpedition-class vessels, which carries a maximum number of 100 passengers. These ships sail to remote locations, like the Galapagos Islands in South America.

The cruise line’s bigger ships have taken innovation to heart with features that appeal to even non-cruisers. For example, Celebrity Edge features Eden, which is a 3-story restaurant featuring a craft cocktail lounge, a 4D dining experience, and a performance venue.

Celebrity Cruises has no plans of slowing down its fleet expansion, with Celebrity Ascent in 2023 and another unnamed Edge Class cruise ship launching in 2025. These innovative ships will sail from Europe and North America.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is a relatively new cruise line that offers the ultimate adults-only. Currently, they only have two ships at sea, and unlike some other mainstream cruise lines, you will not find any mega “thrills” onboard.

Where they shine is the is one-of-a-kind entertainment — think drag shows, interactive late-night cabaret shows, circus-like performances, and some of the craziest dance parties at sea! If you really want to make your trip memorable, there is a tattoo parlor onboard.

Virgin Voyages has also strayed away from the traditional cruise main dining room experience. You will not find a main buffet, main dining rooms, or set dining times. Every single restaurant onboard is included, and passengers can walk in anytime to be seated. There are enough options to satisfy everyone’s palette, including Mexican, vegetarian, steak and seafood, Italian, Korean BBQ, and more.