A True IQ Test: Turning Off the Lights

Cruise ship cabin design seems to follow the rule that the newer and more luxurious the ship, the more complicated the cabin electronics. I’ve battled with silly showers and crazy curtains, nonfunctioning telephones and “smart” interactive TV systems with messages welcoming another passenger entirely. But I’ve never been defeated by the lighting system. Until now.

Mind Your Theater Manners — Even on a Cruise

This week, I went to the theater on a cruise ship, and it was a revelation. Not just because the show (“Burn the Floor,” featured on the Norwegian Cruise Line‘s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway) was excellent. But because it was actually like going to the theater ought to be. You want to see the show? [...]

River Cruising, African-Style?

Deepest Africa isn’t a place normally associated with cruising. But on a small stretch of the Chobe River, a sometimes mile-wide waterway forming part of the border between Namibia and Botswana, there’s an unexpected and thriving boutique riverboat operation, the elegant, 28-passenger Zambezi Queen.

Is Cunard Relaxing its Dress Code?

Apart from smoking and tipping, few other topics spark debate like what to wear onboard. It seems everyone and their great aunt has a view on whether you should dress up onboard. Which is why when Cunard — regarded as the most formal of all the lines — announced it is “loosening” its dress code [...]

12 Things You Never Thought You’d Hear on an Expedition Cruise

We’ve all heard about the funny questions cruise passengers ask on big ships. “Do the crewmembers sleep on board?” Or “What time’s the midnight buffet?” And so on. But what about the more rugged types who favour small expedition ships? Let me tell you, the ask-before-you-think mentality is just the same. Here are some gems [...]

6 Simple Tips for Keeping Your Cabin Steward Friendly

Have you ever had a falling out with your cabin attendant on a cruise? It’s an unusual event, as cabin stewards usually are the smiling, front-line points of contact passengers have with crew. But anybody can have an off day. From the sounds of the discussion on the Cruise Critic forums, member Cardqb and partner [...]

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Growing a Lawn at Sea

Celebrity Cruises’ five Solstice-class ships, the latest of which, Celebrity Reflection, is on its inaugural voyage, are famous in cruising circles for their distinctive half-acres of living lawn on the top deck. The lawns are venues for bocce, croquet, afternoon jazz or simply for lying on a blanket with a book.

The 6 Stages of Eating During a Cruise

Day one — Resolution: “I’ll avoid greasy, bacon- and sausage-laden breakfasts, I’ll only have salad for lunch and I’ll go to the gym every day.” Sign up for exercise classes. Sometime around day two or three -– Denial: “I’m too tired/hungover/sunburnt. I’ll take a day off from the gym today. I’m on a vacation and [...]