Are you a mother looking for an unforgettable getaway with your adult daughter? Look no further than Virgin Voyages' upcoming West Coast sailings. Starting in spring 2026, the Brilliant Lady will be embarking on exciting journeys from Los Angeles, offering a perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and bonding opportunities along the stunning Pacific Coast and Mexican Riviera.
Read more: Rose Champagne And Tacos: How Virgin Voyages Is Redefining Mother-Daughter Bonding
There's a lot of things that people misunderstand about cruising and some of them aren't entirely untrue. For instance, the concept of taking a cruise can feel unwelcoming if you're not white or straight. This is true in large part because of the industry's heritage as something evolving from expensive steamship travel that was only available to wealthy white families. While the modern cruise industry is distinctly different today, many racially diverse and LGBTQ+ travelers still worry about discrimination on ships.
Read more: Is Cruising Only Good If You Are White And Straight?
As an experienced cruiser and travel agent, I'm often asked why cruise ships can't just turn around for late guests. It's not a simple task. This is due to strict safety protocols, the time it takes for a turnaround, and the significant costs associated with delays. There are also preventative measures in place to help guests avoid such situations. Though accidents and unforeseen events such as traffic delays or mechanical failures can create issues that are unavoidable, most of the time, the failure to return to the ship on time is due to guests not planning properly and situations involving alcohol-related carelessness. If you're left behind though, it may be comforting to know that while each case is treated differently, cruise lines and port agents have procedures in place (where possible) to help you return to the ship at the next port.
Unfortuantely for guests that are left behind, the ship can't simply stop and turn around to pick them up. That can be extremely frustrating. However, understanding the complexities of cruise ship operations can help you avoid such predicaments, so let's dive in and look at what you should know if you miss your ship at a cruise port.
Read more: Why A Cruise Ship Can't Simply Turn Around And Let Late Guests Back On
In 2019 (before the pandemic) more than 15 million people took cruise vacations - this number is expected to be surpassed in 2023 as more people feel comfortable to travel in close quarters once again. While that's a large number of people and the industry is growing rapidly ... many people still have outdated views and misunderstandings about what it's like to be on a cruise ship. Personally, I find that sometimes industry associates over simplify things or brush off concerns too much as a counterweight to media mentions that are vastly inaccurate. However, these topics of myths and misunderstandings continue to be a popular topic of new cruisers and experienced ones alike, so let's get started on some of my favorites!
Read more: Don't Fall For These Myths About West Coast Cruises
So you've booked a cruise and are shopping for that perfect dress and tuxedo for formal night ... you want to look sharp for photos and feel great while exploring the world. While buying clothes and jewelry is great ... taking proper care of your skin is essential to looking fabulous too! Luckily, on most cruise ships, there's a literal army of aestheticians waiting to offer beauty seminars and treatments promising to make you look and feel younger. In reality, though, great-looking skin isn't just something you can buy on a cruise and take home with you. It's a process that needs to start before you even leave home.
Read more: Vacation Beauty Tips: Keeping Your Skin Looking Great On A Cruise
One of the absolute best steaks at sea isn't even found inside of a steakhouse. It is found on Viking Ocean cruises' Italian restarant Manfredi's and it is a perfect combination of ambiance, meat, rub, and preparation ... as well as service of course too. While it might be beyond most people's budget to plan a cruise around a steak, I wouldn't fault any of you who might choose to do that. For the rest of us, don't worry ... here's the recipe so you can make the world famous Viking Cruises Porcini Dry-Rubbed Rib Eye at home.
Read more: Viking Cruises Recipe: Porcini Dry-Rubbed Rib Eye Steak
If you're a fan of cruises and love discovering new cultures in style then you probably already are familiar with Holland America Line and how proud they are of their Dutch heritage. In fact, this is one of the things that I love most about sailing with them. Their ships are in many ways, literally floating embassies that harken back to the days when Dutch merchants ruled the waves and spread their culture around the globe while bringing back a wealth of food, resources, ideas and other cultural elements back home. Now, Holland America Line is expanding on their "Orange Party" night that we talked about a few months ago and are making it a day-long Dutch Day celebration where guests can immerse themselves in the vibrant Dutch heritage through food, drinks, art, music and other activities too. During this special celebration, the "whole 'dam ship" transforms into a lively orange spectacle, complete with Dutch decor, food, and live entertainment. It's an all-day celebration that has you and your pals donning orange to commemorate King's Day. Let's take a deeper look ...
Read more: Holland America Line's Dutch Day Turns Their Orange Party Into An All Day Event
One of the things that makes San Diego such a perfect port to start your cruise as well as a great destination to visit on a cruise is that it is extremely easy to get around. There are tons of options from public transportation to rideshare and it is also very walkable to attractions located along the embarcadero such as the USS Midway, Seaport Village and the Maritime Museum. However, if you want to get out and explore on your own you'll want to grab an Lyft or Uber to get there fast, or use San Diego's public bus and trolly system if you want a slower and cheaper way to explore the area.
Read more: San Diego Transportation Tips For Cruisers Looking To Get Around Town
The culinary diversity of San Diego is evident within a few blocks – and even a few steps – of the city’s cruise ship port. Here is a rundown of our recommendations, most of which are very close to cruise port or an easy Uber, ferry, or walk to get there. San Diego is a vibrant city packed with incredible restaurants that are perfect for those visiting before embarking on their cruise as well as those wanting to get a taste of what makes "America's Finest City" one of the nation's top foodie destinations. From standout seafood options to colorful beach bars and taco shops, there's something here to tantalize all kinds of taste buds!
Read more: Our Picks For Top Places To Eat In San Diego For Hungry Cruise Visitors | Updated 2024
If someone offered you a job where you could see far-flung destinations, kaleidoscopic sunsets and sprawling ocean vistas each day; where you could forge meaningful connections with colleagues, and meet a new cast of customers every couple of weeks; and where you could participate in a host of recreational and entertainment activities – would you do it?
Read more: Have You Ever Wondered How To Become A Cruise Ship Bartender?
While this site focuses specifically on west coast cruises, I know a lot of you also dream of floating down some of Europe's most famous rivers like the Danube and Rhine as well as other iconic waterways around the world such as the Nile, Amazon, and MeKong. What many of our clients don't quite understand initially is that river cruising is a far different experience than simply a cruise on a smaller vessel and no waves.
As you shift from the ocean's expanse to the river's intimacy, there's stuff you need to know and we're here to help. River cruises offer a unique cultural immersion, delicious local cuisine, and personalized service that we enjoy as much as we do cruising Alaskan fjords and whale watching off the coast of Cabo.
Read more: What Fans Of Ocean Cruises Need To Know About River Cruises
Princess Cruises has just announced something special for all you wine aficionados out there. Set sail this fall on two Pacific Coast Wine & Food Experience cruises: one on Discovery Princess leaving October 1, and the other on Sapphire Princess departing October 8, 2023.
While I love to experience the thrill of watching whales on cruises to Cabo and other ports in the Mexican Riviera, Alaska is equally special. Here though, in the icy northern waters the ships tend to go a little bit slower and especially on inside passage cruises, there's more of an opportunity to relax and watch the whales from the ship. However, one of the big differences between a Mexico cruise and Alaska is that virtually every port here has access to fabulous spots to see whales very close to port. This means shorter rides, more whale sightings, and ultimately more fun too. So, are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure through Alaska's pristine waters, where you'll witness the majestic beauty of whales in their natural habitat? From humpbacks to orcas and even elusive blue whales, an Alaska whale-watching cruise offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.
Read more: Alaska Cruise Guide To The Best Time To See Whales
If you are preparing to embark on a culinary adventure during your Alaska cruise, chances are you have dreams of and discover the top spots for fresh seafood dining along the way. While most people only think of salmon from Alaska, the reality is that this cruise that you are about to embark on will be a wonderland for anyone who loves seafood. Depending on the season, no matter where you go, there will be fresh King Crab, mouthwatering halibut, local oysters, and other local treats the might even include pickled kelp based on indiginous traditional recipes. Foodies will love an Alaskan cruise since they will have tons of opportunities on, and off, the ship to explore all that Alaska offers in terms of a delectable variety of flavors that will leave you craving more.
Read more: Discover The Top Spots For Fresh Seafood Dining On Your Alaska Cruise
My absolute favorite place on Earth to watch whales is along the Pacific Coast. During the winter, there is no better place for this than the southern tip of Baja. Imagine sailing into Cabo, sitting on deck (or on your balcony), holding a cup of hot tea and enjoying some breakfast while spotting for spouts and splashes from breaching whales ... all while you get ready for your shore excursion in a few hours that will bring you even closer to these amazing animals. While whale watching excurisons are available at several different ports along your Mexican Riviera cruise itinerary ... it is important to plan ahead so you can maximize your time and money!
Read more: Guide To Baja Whale Watching On A Mexican Riviera Cruise
When you're on a cruise, getting disconnected from the world outside is easy. In fact, that’s the biggest reason why I started cruising. Simply put, I could board the ship and then forget about everything for a week. Some twenty years later though, the availability of internet on cruise ships is now an essential feature instead of a pricy option, and this means that you need to make sure your phone and laptop are protected.
Have you ever heard of a Fish Extender on a Disney Cruise? This unique concept may sound strange, but it is actually an important part of the cruise experience for many people that sail on a Disney cruise. While socializing with other guests on your itinerary before the cruise is something that is common regardless of which cruise line - the notion of sharing gifts with each other, planning your door decorations, and indeed encouraging people to travel through the ships hallways seeking out door decorations that they learned about online is something that in uniquely Disney. I think this extends from the already popular activity of trading pins with other folks at the Disney parks but I'm not entirely sure. Whatever the reason - it's an incredibly fun experience that anyone can join in on ... even if it is your first cruise with Disney!
Going on a cruise vacation with your loved ones is exciting, exhilarating, and entertaining. While you will enjoy your much-anticipated time, your phone can be distracting. So, it's good to refrain from using your phone on such once-in-a-lifetime excursions.
Read more: Best Walkie-Talkies For 2024: Stay Safe and Connected On A Cruise