Fans of Celebrity Cruises have two big reasons to cheer as the cruise line announced a double dose of good news. Not only has the cruise line welcomed its newest ship to the fleet, it’s also revealed the name of the ship that’s coming next. Celebrity Xcel — the fifth Edge-class ship in the fleet — joined the cruise line officially. It will begin sailing with passengers in … [Read more...]

While many people are already thinking about Thanksgiving, turning leaves, and cooler weather, Mother Nature has different plans. Tropical Storm Melissa looks to slowly meander around the Caribbean, impacting Jamaica for days to come. While hurricane season is normally thought of as a summer phenomenon, it actually runs through November 30. Now, there’s a late season storm that’s … [Read more...]

At Cruzely, we’re big obviously fans of taking a cruise. The sun, the atmosphere, the beautiful beaches, and the chance to get away and disconnect in a way that’s just not possible on land is pretty special. Cruises are fun, but they certainly aren’t for everyone. There are some definite red flags to know if they aren’t for you. However, we are also realists and know that … [Read more...]

If you’re visiting Carnival’s Celebration Key on an upcoming cruise, you’re likely looking forward to the beach or the massive pools. The Pearl Cove Beach Club is an adults-only luxury retreat located on Celebration Key. But what if you want to have something a little more exclusive? In that case, Carnival has you covered with the Pearl Cove Beach Club. A secluded part of … [Read more...]

Looking for cruise tips on sailing Royal Caribbean? You’ve come to the right place. The cruise line is among the largest — and most loved — in the world. Royal Caribbean is one of the biggest and most popular cruise lines on the planet. There are a number of tips and things to know that can help you have a great vacation. That popularity is for good reason. While any cruise line … [Read more...]

When it comes to cruising, there’s simply no bigger — or busier — port than the Port of Miami. Also known as PortMiami, the cruise side of the port handles more than 8 million passengers in a typical year, making it the most popular starting point for cruises on the entire planet. It’s literally the cruise capital of the world. The Port of Miami has a staggering 10 active … [Read more...]

I sailed my first Carnival cruise years ago, but it seems like it was yesterday when I took that trip aboard Carnival Valor. My first cruise ever with Carnival was aboard Carnival Valor. Today, I’ve sailed many times and learned quite a few things about cruising with the line. Since then, I’ve taken more trips on the cruise line, including the absolute first cruise back after the pause … [Read more...]

If you’re headed to Celebration Key, you’re no doubt looking forward to your day at the private destination. You also likely have a lot of questions about what to expect and how things work at the new spot. If you’re visiting for the first time, there’s plenty that you’ll want to know before you get to shore. Having been there ourselves, we can give you the ins and … [Read more...]

After taking 30 cruises, you learn a thing or two about what to leave an home… and what you can’t leave home without.  As a veteran of 30 cruises, there are some things I never leave home without, including the lightweight backpack you see on my arm here. Truth is that packing for a cruise is a bit different than any other vacation. Where else do you have to pack for all sorts of … [Read more...]

If you’re headed to The Bahamas on aboard Carnival or Princess, then there’s a good chance your ship will make a stop at a private destination called Princess Cays. Princess Cays is a laid-back private destination that’s visited only by passengers from your cruise line. It’s the definition of a relaxing beach day. Sitting on the southern end of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, … [Read more...]

Looking for a great deal on a beer during your cruise? You’re not alone. Carnival offers “PYOB” stations (Pour Your Own Beer) that offer discounted suds compared to going to a bar. And because you control the pour, you can also have a smaller beer if you’d rather. There’s something about sipping a brew poolside that just seems perfect. The only thing that’s not … [Read more...]

Texas cruisers are just one month from having even more options to choose from when sailing. Galveston is putting the final touches on a brand-new terminal and is set to enjoy the arrival of an entirely new cruise line to the island — MSC Cruises. MSC Cruises continues to make inroads to U.S. cruising, opening up its fourth homeport with year-round sailings from Galveston beginning in … [Read more...]

Anxious about security for getting on your cruise? Don’t worry. If you can handle airport security, then going through the cruise line’s process will be easy in comparison. In fact, while every port does things a little differently, going through cruise security is much easier than any airport you’ve ever been through. From less intrusive screening to no body scanners to being … [Read more...]

What tips do smart cruisers know but rarely share? From how to save tons during your cruise to picking the right room to even an embarrassing item that you simply have to pack, there’s a lot you can learn from those that have sailed many times before. And while these tips rarely get discussed for one reason or another, they are all things I think every passenger needs to know so I’m … [Read more...]

Think of taking a cruise and it’s likely a family-friendly atmosphere that you envision. The kids play in the pool while mom and dad get some sun. In the evenings, everyone takes in a show in the theater and when in port, snorkeling trips make memories for the whole family. Yes, when it comes to a family vacation there’s not much that’s better than taking a cruise. However, … [Read more...]

Whenever sailing during hurricane season, it’s important to be flexible. The size and path of storms mean that cruise lines have to regularly adjust itineraries to steer clear. Often this simply means skipping a port to stay out of the way or sometimes rearranging the ship’s schedule to visit an unaffected port of call until the storm passes. Hurricane Imelda isn’t a particularly … [Read more...]

You never forget the first time you see a cruise ship up close. While everyone knows cruise ships are big, it’s not until you are right next to one that you really appreciate just how large they are. It almost seems impossible that something so large and so heavy could float. But a cruise ship actually floats quite easily. Here’s why… It’s no exaggeration to say it’s … [Read more...]

It’s a tropical system that’s not even named yet, but could impact plenty of cruise itineraries over the next few days. The disturbance that will form into Tropical Storm Imelda could impact cruises in the coming days. It’s shown here as the cluster of clouds to the left above Haiti/Dominican Republic. A so-far quiet hurricane season has been a thankful reprieve for cruising. … [Read more...]

In the past few years, there’s arguably been no bigger change in cruising than the launch of Virgin Voyages. Known for adults-only cruises with all-inclusive fares, Virgin Voyages has announced a major change. Starting October 7, there will be multiple fare types offered and gratuities will now be a separate charge. While we’ve seen cruise lines launch bigger ships, announce new … [Read more...]

Alcohol is a big deal on a cruise. When you think of yourself on a cruise, you’re no doubt picturing yourself sitting by the pool, with a drink in your hand. Or maybe enjoying a glass of wine with your dinner in the dining room. Or even having a cocktail while you try your luck in a casino. Despite being on dozens of cruises, I don’t buy the drink package. There’s some very good … [Read more...]

Looking for a New Orleans cruise hotel before you set sail? As you know, the city isn’t just a place to get on a ship. It’s a destination all itself. With Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras, American history, wonderful cuisine, and beautiful architecture, the city truly has something for everyone. That’s why we recommend spending a day or two in the city before or after your cruise. The New … [Read more...]

One of the big draws with cruising is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time. However, like any other mode of travel, there are tons of ways that cruise lines can “help” you if you want to spend more. When you spend a lot on your cruise, it can open up a completely different world on the ship. For instance, NCL offers The Haven, which comes with … [Read more...]

If you’re taking a cruise from anywhere on the East Coast, there’s a good chance it will include a stop in Nassau. The Bahamian capital city is one of the most visited cruise ports on the planet with millions of people visiting each year. Nassau is one of the busiest ports in the world, but it’s not focused on kids. To help out, we’ve rounded up some of the most … [Read more...]

Back in June, Carnival Cruise Line announced a complete revamp of its loyalty program. The new changes were poorly received by the public, with major blowback throughout social media. Now the cruise line has announced another tweak of its upcoming change, designed to keep its most loyal passengers happy. However, not everyone seems convinced. A Simple Program Based on Nights Cruised Is … [Read more...]

Anyone who reads Cruzely knows that we are big fans of CocoCay. The Royal Caribbean private island underwent a $250 million renovation (opening up as a revamped destination in 2019)  that took it from a sleepy spot in the Bahamas to a complete destination. Thrill Waterpark is CocoCay’s crown jewel, but there is an entrance fee. Unfortunately, that fee can be considerable. Visit today … [Read more...]

Picture a Carnival cruise and you no doubt imagine a busy pool deck, drinks flowing, sunshine, and families having a great time. Carnival is known for being a family-friendly line, but it’s offering a select handful of cruises for adults only. But for some people, sailing with kids isn’t ideal even if they love Carnival. Kids tend to make a cruise louder, more hectic, and lead to a lot … [Read more...]

When it comes to cruising, Royal Caribbean is a household name. But there’s another line that many people don’t know as much about. Celebrity Cruises is still well-known, but it’s far from seeing the sort of passenger numbers as its sister line. And yes, if you didn’t know, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are part of the same company. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are two … [Read more...]

Get enough people in one place, and there’s always someone that can’t follow the rules. That’s why despite the fact that 99.9% of passengers know how to behave themselves, with thousands of people on a cruise ship, there’s always at least a few people who do something they shouldn’t be doing. With so many people on the ship, there’s bound to be someone doing … [Read more...]

If you go on a Caribbean cruise, it’s well known that the alcohol is free-flowing. Bars are everywhere, tropical drinks are served up, and there are even packages you can buy that allow you to drink you fill without worrying about the bill afterward. But not everyone drinks alcohol. Or they don’t drink enough to justify buying an entire drink package. Now Carnival is adding a new … [Read more...]

We’ve gone on the record of being big fans of Celebrity Cruises. The luxury-focused line has some of the most sophisticated ships at sea that offer a high-end experience without feeling too stuffy or formal. To us, they are one of the best lines for adults on the ocean. Now, it looks like the same can be said for rivers too. We told you months ago how Celebrity was branching out from ocean … [Read more...]