How FAST do Cruise Ships Go?
In this post from our First-Time Cruisers FAQs, we answer the question “How Fast Does a Cruise Ship Go?”
Can you smoke on a cruise ship?
While smoking is not as prevalent as it once was, it is still a habit enjoyed by an estimated 28.3 million Americans. Whether you are looking to partake in tobacco or avoid the smoke, you may wonder – Is smoking allowed on a cruise ship?
How Should I Pack for my Cruise?
Ready for your next cruise? Discover seven essential packing strategies to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip!
Our Sapphire Princess South American Cruise
In December 2023, we took our longest cruise ever: 18 days on the Sapphire Princess, sailing from Los Angeles to Santiago, Chile. We made stops in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, and had a lot of sea days. This gave us plenty of time to explore the ship’s unique layout. She ended up being our favorite cruise ship to date!
The Nazca Lines of Peru: Shore Excursion
In December 2023, we took a South American cruise on the Sapphire Princess. When we found out that our port stop in San Martin was close to the enigmatic Nazca Lines, we knew we had to check them out!
Shore Excursion in Manta: Ceviche and More in Ecuador
In December 2023, we visited our first city south of the equator: Manta, Ecuador. Rather than join one of the expensive shore excursion offered by the cruise line, we opted to explore the city on our own. We walked around this tuna capital of the world, tried ceviche for the first time, and visited a few cultural sites.
Shore Excursion: Walking Around Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Puntarenas is a small town, a peninsula that juts out into the bay on the western side of Costa Rica. Its name literally means “sandy point”, an apt description.
Has the Disney Magic cruise ship lost its magic?
We cruised on the Disney Magic in November 2023, on one of its Merrytime Christmas cruises. Find out how magical the ship remains 25 years after it was first launched.
Shore Excursion: Ensenada, Mexico on Your Own
Ensenada, Mexico is a small town on Baha California, the peninsula of land just south of the state of California, USA. It is a popular destination for cruise ships and it has a bustling tourist shopping center.
Shore Excursion: Catalina Island Golf Cart Tour
We stopped on Catalina Island during our Disney Magic cruise. We had a fantastic time exploring the island in a golf cart!