#cruise-essentials

#cruise-essentials

"Yacht shows play a central role across the entire yachting ecosystem. They're not just for buyers, but for everyone involved in bringing a yacht or charter vacation to life."

"Since September 2025, Haitian foreign terrorist organizations' (FTOs) have used small-arms fire to attack at least three aircraft within the area in which U.S. civil aviation operations are prohibited. Additionally, gangs have increasingly conducted violent attacks... north of the capital, necessitating adjustments to the area in which U.S. civil aviation operations are prohibited."

Sandy Cay is a natural extension of our vision for private destinations. When we opened Ocean Cay in 2019, our goal was to give guests an experience that's authentic to the Bahamas and reflects the region's natural beauty.

This year's cruise list covers the latest and greatest, including the ships reacquainting us with beloved Caribbean islands, small vessels meandering the Amazon, and expeditions to Antarctica.

AIDA's approach to IT infrastructure prioritizes availability through redundancy, with each vessel operating two physically separated data centers in different fire zones to ensure critical services remain operational.

Marisa Christensen, Holland America's associate vice president of food and beverage operations, directs guests to the line's Dive-In burger. 'It's made fresh to order, incredibly satisfying, and so easy to enjoy right after embarkation when you're settling in.'

The button-up shirt is consistently my ultimate travel multitasker, bridging the gap between casual and sophisticated outfits throughout. The flowy silhouette keeps me cool during hot afternoons, but the crisp fabric looks polished enough for ship dining and evening strolls.

"We commonly see travelers buying coverage without fully understanding what is included and excluded. We always recommend that cruisers opt for comprehensive coverage versus medical-only plans and also consider cruise-specific policies like the ones featured on our website."

Beginning April 6, 2026, all Virgin Voyages sailings from New York City will now depart from: Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. We wanted to share an important update about your upcoming voyage. The relocation stems from a bit of a berth crunch in Manhattan. Pier 90, Virgin's usual home, is currently offline as part of a massive, multi-year redevelopment project to address structural issues and upgrade the city's cruise infrastructure.

I had booked the wrong room, packed the wrong clothes, and selected the wrong excursions. I went home with so many regrets that cost me money, sleep, and luggage space.

Cruise enthusiasts are able to choose from hundreds of different promotions, which, while exciting, can also be overwhelming. "The lowest fare is only a deal if it is the right cruise for you," says Travel + Leisure Advisory Board Member Rob Clabbers. In other words, he says, if you "pick the wrong line or itinerary, that deal just turns into a waste of vacation time and money."

Both cruises and all-inclusive resorts promise stress-free vacations, thanks to upfront pricing and built-in entertainment. But despite similar perks, the travel experiences couldn't be more different. Choosing between a floating resort that whisks you between several ports and a property that promises everything in one place depends on personal travel style. Do you crave variety and a busy schedule, or prefer settling into a single destination? Do you thrive with structure, or prefer flexible days at your own pace?

Whether you prefer river or ocean voyages, many of the best cruises for couples are all-inclusive, with unlimited food and alcohol, free Wi-Fi, plenty of onboard entertainment, and other perks. Some cruise lines even throw in unlimited shore excursions, free spa access, airfare, and private transfers-so there's no need to bring along extra cash. For a tranquil onboard vibe, couples can opt for an adults-only sailing or a ship with exclusive spaces for grown-ups.

From humongous megaships to luxurious yacht-like vessels, cruise travelers all love to grumble about the same thing-taking time out of their first day on board to complete the mandatory safety drill. Despite the efforts cruise lines have made to make them shorter and easier to complete, some guests are tempted to ignore the calls to report to their muster stations-especially in the rare occurrence of a full, in-person drill.