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Cruise Activities You Can Re-create at Home: Shore Excursions

You've likely heard of armchair travel, but have you ever applied the concept to cruising? Ok, so maybe constructing a proper kids club will be a challenge, and mimicking a pool or hot tub in the dead of winter is a definite hurdle (does the bathtub count?). Regardless, there are a surprising amount of things you can do from the comfort of home to re-create your favorite cruise ship experiences. In our series, we'll prepare you to set sail on the S.S. Armchair. Your "at sea" agenda will be packed with cruise activities you can embark upon without leaving the house. First up, how to experience what the best cruise ports have to offer with the aid of your computer or smart phone.

9 Things You Don't Know About Your Cruise Ship Cabin

Whether you've never been on a cruise ship or have been on 50, we bet there's something surprising you don't know about your cruise ship cabin. Staterooms are a little more complicated than hotel rooms, and you can learn a few tricks of the trade to make them more user-friendly. Most people stumble

What Is Future Cruise Credit and How Can I Use It?

Future cruise credit (FCC) is a bit like store credit from a cruise line. Many times, in lieu of a direct cash refund, a cruise line will take the price of a refunded cruise and issue it as a kind of gift certificate to be used toward booking a new sailing. When cruises are greatly affected or canceled, or if passengers are given compensation for any reason, a nonrefundable future cruise credit is a common form of payment. The amount of FCC that a cruise passenger qualifies for is calculated on the base fare that they paid, less any taxes, fees, upgrades or additional purchases like excursions. (Those are often reimbursed to the original form of payment, like a credit card.) Have you qualified for a future cruise credit but aren't sure how to use it? Check out the following tips.

Fee vs. Free: What's Included in Your Cruise Fare?

Mainstream cruise lines like to tout their vacations as "all-inclusive," but with so many added fees for optional items -- massages, fruity cocktails, souvenir photos -- it's tough to determine just what's included in your fare. Check out our chart to further explain your cruise fare!

Cruising 101

Featured Destinations

The 49th State, the largest in the U.S., is perfect for cruisers, with numerous opportunities to appreciate its vast natural beauty. Sail along the Inside Passage to visit the immense ice formations of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, as well popular ports such as Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, the only U.S. state capital that's not accessible by car. Or travel further north to the Kenai Peninsula and nearby Anchorage, a perfect jumping-off point for cruise tours to Denali, Fairbanks and Canada's Yukon. Maybe you'll see a bear! *A message from Cruise Critic: During this unprecedented time throughout the world and across the cruise industry, it is important to note that article information might be impacted by cruise line hiatuses and port closures due to COVID-19. For the latest information, please visit our regularly updated [article on cruise port closures](/news/5097).*

With an island for every taste, the Caribbean is the ultimate place for relaxation. You'll find white sands and turquoise water throughout the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Some islands are lush, with rainforests and mountain trails, while others have desert climates and coral beaches. Wherever you visit, taste regional specialties such as conch fritters and get out on the water with snorkeling and sailing excursions. *A message from Cruise Critic: During this unprecedented time throughout the world and across the cruise industry, it is important to note that article information might be impacted by cruise line hiatuses and port closures due to COVID-19. For the latest information, please visit our regularly updated [article on cruise port closures](/news/5097).*

From the pristine beaches and ancient ruins of the Eastern Mediterranean to the artsy and flavorful countries of the Western Mediterranean, this region is easily one of the most diverse in the world. Revel at Spanish and Italian architecture, soak up some sun in Greece, explore antiquities in Istanbul and Malta or get a taste of the French countryside on the outskirts of Nice, Monte Carlo or Cannes. Some Med itineraries dip down into northern Africa; the Canary Islands are also a popular stop for repositioning cruises. *A message from Cruise Critic: During this unprecedented time throughout the world and across the cruise industry, it is important to note that article information might be impacted by cruise line hiatuses and port closures due to COVID-19. For the latest information, please visit our regularly updated [article on cruise port closures](/news/5097).*

Your biggest difficulty planning a European cruise is narrowing down where you want to go. A Western Mediterranean itinerary usually includes stops in Barcelona and Monaco, as well as ports in Italy. Eastern Mediterranean cruises encompass eastern Italy, Croatia and Greece, and sometimes even Turkey and Israel. A Baltic Sea voyage brings you to Scandinavia and Russia; the Norwegian Fjords carry their own beauty. Don't forget about British Isles cruises, which allow you to visit castles in England, Scotland and London. For sun lovers, it's hard to beat the Canary Islands. *A message from Cruise Critic: During this unprecedented time throughout the world and across the cruise industry, it is important to note that article information might be impacted by cruise line hiatuses and port closures due to COVID-19. For the latest information, please visit our regularly updated [article on cruise port closures](/news/5097).*

Canada & New England

New England and Canada cruises offer sophisticated, eye-catching ports of call. Take in the sights of the Atlantic Ocean coast, enjoy whale watching, and see the beautiful fall foliage. Newport, Portland and Bar Harbor are quaint towns with lighthouses and crab shacks. Explore Canada's Maritime provinces, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Finally, immerse yourself in French Canada with stops in Quebec's cities and countryside. *A message from Cruise Critic: During this unprecedented time throughout the world and across the cruise industry, it is important to note that article information might be impacted by cruise line hiatuses and port closures due to COVID-19. For the latest information, please visit our regularly updated [article on cruise port closures](/news/5097).*

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Featured Ships

Celebrity Edge is Celebrity's edgiest ships featuring the revolutionary Magic Carpet, a tennis-court sized moveable deck, and rooms that convert from inside to outside with the touch of a button.

Celebrity Reflection

Sophisticated vibe; attractions include the country club-style Lawn Club, the Martini Bar, suites only restaurants and multimillion dollar art collection.

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

Mega-ship holding upwards of 6,400 passengers; features zip lining, surf simulators, rock climbing and an open-air Central Park with shops and restaurants.

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

World's largest cruise ship featuring high-energy attractions including zip lining, water slides, surf simulators, rock climbing and 18 dining venues.

Holds a bit more than 4,000 passengers; offers a waterpark, suspended-in-midair recumbent bike thrill ride, ropes course and the first IMAX cinema at sea.

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Cruise News

Cruise Lines Roll Out Virtual Content During Coronavirus Shutdown

(Updated 9:02 a.m. EST) -- As the world continues to find unique ways to work around the restrictions imposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cruise lines are providing a break from the stress and worry that many people might be feeling by introducing their own virtual cruise content, accessible

When Are Cruise Lines Around the World Expected To Resume Service?

(Updated 6:22 p.m. EDT) -- With ocean and river cruise lines temporarily suspending service around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping track of the seemingly minute-by-minute changes to the cruise industry can be challenging. Most cruise lines have voluntarily paused sailings

Our Favorite Cruise Travel Memories

(12 p.m. EDT) -- What do cruise fans do when they can't cruise? Daydream about cruising, of course! This week, Cruise Critic editors and their colleagues have been reminiscing about some of the best cruises they've taken over the years, from the wonder of that first time onboard to some of the more

Cruise Lines Modify Cancellation Policies For Better Flexibility

(Updated 8:14 a.m. EDT) – Cruise lines are modifying their payment and cancellation policies in an attempt to provide reassurance and flexibility for passengers in the wake of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus outbreaks around the world. While also protecting those with previously-booked voyages,

Cruise Lines Donate Food to Local Charities

(12:10 p.m. EDT) – With empty ships in ports and no passengers to serve food to, a number of cruise lines have donated their excess food to local charities. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Hurtigruten and Windstar have all donated food to a variety of different charities after the lines suspended

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