Never taken a cruise before? We can tell you it is unlike any other vacation. Nowhere else are you on a floating resort in the middle of the ocean, making your way from port to port. Meanwhile, all your food, entertainment, and accommodations are all on one property. That means almost your entire vacation takes place in one spot.

13 Simple Things that Surprise First-Time Cruisers

Insider

As someone who works on cruises, passengers should avoid spending money on these things, including individual drinks and laundry.

I've worked on cruise ships for years. Here are 6 things passengers should stop wasting money on.

Alabama State

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Los Angeles County, CA

Herbie J Pilato

It's been 21 years since actress/singer Nell Carter, best known for the 1980s NBC sitcom, Gimme a Break!, died of natural causes at only 54. This is her story. Nell Carter was born September 13, 1948, in Birmingham, Alabama. After initially finding fame on and off-Broadway, and via a brief role in 1977 on the TV datime drama, Ryan's Hope, Carter took the lead in Ain't Misbehavin'!, a live stage revue of the works of composer Fats Waller.

The Brief Life & Tragic Death of Nell Carter ('Gimme A Break' & 'Ain't Misbehavin'): 21 Years Later

Ketchikan, AK

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Cruise ship leaves family of 9 stranded in a remote part of Alaska due to tour bus mix-up

Florida State

Stuart, FL

What do alligators, Mickey Mouse, and oranges have in common? That's right, Florida. While the Sunshine State is known for all kinds of things, it is now also known for being home to the Best Coastal Small Town in America: Stuart. There are so many timeless things to do in Florida that it can be easy to forget to visit the smaller gems throughout the state. That's especially true for hidden gems that are more off-the-map like this beloved destination.

The Hidden Gem Florida Destination Ranked As The Best Coastal Small Town In America

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J. Souza

There's nothing quite like having a balcony cabin on a cruise ship. But while that semi-private space might seem like yours to do with as you please, Carnival is making sure cruisers know it comes with limitations.

Carnival Issues Ban on Balcony Activity Popular with Another Cruise Line

Denver, CO

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David Heitz

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas has many types of cabins and suites, and I booked the inaugural sailing in a Crown Loft Suite with my family. Suites are never cheap, but they do come with perks that help make the cost more palatable. They're a luxury, and not about necessarily the best value you can find.

I stayed in a two-story suite on Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship. It's pricey, but the second bathroom and perks are worth the cost

Technically speaking, cruise ships are just floating hotels that have the added benefit of taking you to all sorts of fun places. They've got all the amenities, activities, and room setups you'd expect, making them a home away from home where you can veg out for days or weeks. There's not much a hotel can offer that a cruise ship can't — except for an Olympic-sized pool, because that might tip the whole thing over. That's just one of the unsettling reasons why you may want to avoid taking a cruise.

The Unsettling Reason Why Cruise Ship Pools Are So Small

Middleborough, MA

Dianna Carney

Get ready for a delightful night of inflatables, games, and fun, all set to the backdrop of a family-friendly movie! MeetingHouse Church has announced they'll be hosting Free Movie Saturday, inviting the entire community to join them on the Middleboro Town Hall Lawn (10 Nickerson Ave) for an evening filled with engaging activities and an entertaining movie.

Inflatables, Games & More: Don't Miss This Free Family Movie Night in Middleborough

You can receive daily cruise news updates directly to your inbox, so you don't miss a thing! Go ahead and Subscribe here. Royal Caribbean International will reposition the 2,476-passenger Serenade of the Seas to Latin America for the 2025-2026 season, starting from October 2025. The 90,090-gross-ton ship will embark on...

Royal Caribbean’s Viral Cruise Ship Will Sail in Latin America

Los Angeles, CA

Dennis the Menace actor Jay North is now 73 years old. This is his story. On August 3, 1951, Jay North was born Jay Waverly North, Jr., in Los Angeles, and seven years later, began acting on TV on shows like Wanted: Dead or Alive, and 77 Sunset Strip.

Former Childstar Jay North (TV's 'Dennis the Menace') Turns 73

Washington State

Kentucky Vibes.net

Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software. Incident Summary: On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, during the 3m springboard preliminaries at the Olympic Games in Paris, American diver Alison Gibson faced an unfortunate incident that led to a score of 0.0. Competing to secure a place in the semi-finals, the 25-year-old Texas-born athlete experienced a collision with the diving board that significantly impacted her performance.

Heart-Stopping Moment: Alison Gibson’s Dive Ends in Disaster at the 2024 Olympics

New Mexico State

Cruise ships are vacations from hell to the point where, if you’re trapped on one, you might need a vacation from your vacation. What better way to get away while getting away than to get away by train. Suggested Reading. Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas is a brand...

There's a new cruise ship that makes you feel like you're on a train

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Upworthy

Imagine retiring early and spending the rest of your life on a cruise ship visiting exotic locations, meeting interesting people and eating delectable food. It sounds fantastic, but surely it’s a billionaire’s fantasy, right?Not according to Angelyn Burk, 53, and her husband Richard. They’re living their best life hopping from ship to ship for around $100 a night, depending on the cruise. "Cruise costs vary quite a bit, our goal is to average about $100 per night, for the couple, or less across and entire calendar year," Richard told Upworthy. The Burks have called cruise ships their home since May 2021 and have no plans to go back to their lives as landlubbers. Angelyn took her first cruise in 1992 and it changed her goals in life forever. “Our original plan was to stay in different countries for a month at a time and eventually retire to cruise ships as we got older,” Angelyn told 7 News. But a few years back, Angelyn crunched the numbers and realized they could start much sooner than expected.

A couple in their 50s live permanently on a cruise ship because it's cheaper than a mortgage

With a few exceptions, you probably don't touch — or perhaps even think about — your passport until you're prepping for your next vacation abroad. Maybe you've tied the knot and want to drop your maiden name from it, or perhaps recent plastic surgery has you feeling like it's time for a new photo. The worst scenario, though, is realizing your passport expired just days before your trip. That's why it's smart to renew it well before it expires. How early, you ask? Aim for nine months in advance. And believe it or not, the easiest way to renew is still the old-school way: snail mail.

The Best Time To Renew Your Passport (& The Easiest Way To Do It)

Cooking With Maryann

Coconut shrimp is such a treat! It's sweet, savory, golden, crispy goodness is completely addicting. It checks off all the boxes for a great appetizer or the main star of the night. Start to finish, this only takes about 20-30 minutes. Here's what you need to make two servings:

Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce

Hinsdale, IL

Chicago Food King

My next stop is at an extremely popular restaurant that has one of the best outdoor patios in the suburbs. It also has a hamburger that people are saying tastes just like an “In-N-Out” burger. The restaurant I am talking about is Fuller House in Hinsdale.

The Best “In N Out” Replica burger is in this Popular Hinsdale Restaurant

Walt Disney World is a place of magic where nostalgia comes to the forefront of a day at the parks — especially if you know them well. Whether you're an Animal Kingdom fan or not, big changes can impact how one experiences Disney World. Now that the demolition of an Animal Kingdom section is imminent, fans are wondering how long they have to enjoy Dinoland USA before it goes extinct.

Is Disney World Actually Demolishing Part Of Animal Kingdom? Here's What We Know

NewsBreak

The Disgusting Reason To Avoid This Breakfast Food On Cruises (& What To Eat Instead)

A cruise affords passengers the opportunity to live out their dream vacation, traveling the world port by port and seeing beautiful vistas along the way. But...

The Disgusting Reason To Avoid This Breakfast Food On Cruises (& What To Eat Instead)

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