Cruise Guides

The current park fees and transit card, cruise versus land-based, the rules that fix every itinerary, east versus west, vessel size, season, and what operators do and do not include.

The fare comparison is the wrong comparison. What premium and luxury lines each include, what the premium add-ons really cost per day, which bundled fares include gratuities, and when a premium suite beats moving lines.

Not every Antarctica cruise sets foot on the continent. The IAATO rules that decide it, Drake Passage versus fly-cruise, ship size, season, itinerary types, what is included, and what it really costs.

An advisor’s decision guide to Disney Cruise Line — the eight-ship fleet, kids’ clubs, rotational dining, both private islands, the absence of a drink package, and an honest look at what the premium does and does not buy.

The break-even arithmetic, the five rules that catch people out, and how Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, MSC, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America and Virgin Voyages each handle drink packages differently.

Who Carnival actually suits, ship class by ship class — plus Celebration Key, what CHEERS! does and does not cover, the new Carnival Rewards programme, and the homeports a Midwest family can drive to.

“Norwegian Fjords” is not one itinerary. Compare the fjords, ports, ships and cruise lines that actually differ — plus what Norway’s zero-emission fjord rules do and do not mean for large ships.

Dedicated solo cabins, reduced single supplements and a double booked alone are three different things. Which lines build cabins for one, which discount the supplement, and what to check before booking.

A traveller-by-traveller comparison of Norwegian and Royal Caribbean — dining, solo cabins, families, teens, private islands, suites and total cost — to help you choose the right line for your trip.