My buddy Don Terris and I just spent the day in Juneau, Alaska and we did something we have never done before: an evening whale watch. Also as we made our way off the cruise ship we learned ham is not allowed to be brought off the ship in to Juneau. We also ran in to Jordan and Jared and Robert the Naturalist was with us on the whale watching cruise.
Guests in today’s episode: @Donsfamilyvacations @JJCruise @TheShipNaturalist
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55 cruise passenger were involved in a bus fire returning from a cruise. The mayor of a city attempting to restrict cruise passengers confronts a cruise captain. A disgruntled Carnival cruise passenger feels like Carnival should have warned him about a potential danger. All this and more on today’s episode of The Cruise Show! Let’s go!
Gunbae is a fun Korean barbecue experience. Servers prepare your main dishes on a heating dish in the middle of a table that seats up to six people.
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Virgin Voyages’ new ship creates such a dilemma.
Or maybe ia brilliant plan cooked up to perfection.
Virgin Voyages’ new cruise ship Valiant Lady — the second in the new cruise line’s fleet — offers so many restaurants and fantastic dining options that you would need to cruise again and again on the ship to properly indulge in all the creative cuisine.
The ship offers more than 20 options for dining. You’ll find all sorts of international flavors but no big buffets or main dining rooms. Virgin Voyages really stands apart from the regular cruise concept when it comes to feeding its guests.
Plus, all of these eateries are included in your cruise fare. That’s right: no added fees for any of the specialty restaurants onboard Valiant Lady.
This is a beautiful space at the aft of the ship, and the entrance descends a gorgeous winding staircase below a huge bank of decorative hanging chandelier lights. It makes for a dramatic way to start your meal, entering the restaurant from Deck 7 down to Deck 6.
Passengers can indulge in the raw bar or traditional steak and seafood classics.
You can get a nice brunch here that features a small menu with eggs benedict specialties. We were disappointed that you can’t get eggs to order here during the brunches, so no scrambled or simple omelets even for those who don’t prefer eggs Benedict.
The lovely charcuteries board from Extra Virgin
Extra Virgin
This is the Italian restaurant on Valiant Lady. We enjoyed a great meal here that started with a basket of delicious fresh bread and a charcuteries board with a range of savory salamis, cheeses and chutney.
We arrived early for our reservation and had a drink at the bar before being escorted to our table.
After our delicious apps (which also included braised mini meatballs), we still had room to indulge in main courses of pasta (I had a pappardelle bolognese), a brussels sprouts and polenta dish and a porcini-rubbed New York strip steak.
The reveal!
The Test Kitchen
This one might not be for everyone, but it’s worth a try. The Test Kitchen is operated in a huge space that looks like a laboratory, complete with staffers in lab coats. The dining experience takes diners on a journey into molecular gastronomy, with the chefs creating a set six-course menu offering an array of flavors.
Our dinner included courses of mushroom mousse, a smoky egg and peas, scallop, venison fillet and a chilled semifreddo blue cheese preparation that was a creamy delight. We also eagerly plunged our spoons into the mouthwatering chocolate layer-cake dessert.
Gunbae
This restaurant is universally loved among all the passengers I met. Gunbae is a fun Korean barbecue experience. Servers prepare your main dishes on a heating dish in the middle of a table that seats up to six people. This is a lively evening of eating, and you also choose small bites like seaweed salad and crispy chicken. You also can pick from rice, noodles and stew to accompany your main course. We had bibimbap, kimchi stew and stir-fried vegetables, egg and vermicelli noodles.
I chose the chef’s combo of pork belly, short ribs and shrimp, and our server deftly flipped the meats, onions and peppers into the sizzling flameless grill.
We also had a blast with interactive games and shots of soju while we dined. The staff does a wonderful job of making this a festive and memorable experience.
This is the Mexican restaurant on Valiant Lady. Pink Agave is an inviting space with a variety of seating styles, including larger tables in more intimate nooks. The décor exudes the colorful and vibrant street scenes found in Mexico City.
The eatery features the largest variety of mezcals and tequilas found at sea, and they are used to help create a wide range of craft cocktails to be paired with authentic Mexican specialties. The menu offers small and medium plates good for sharing, such as guacamole, spicy grilled corn and ship and potatoes, as well as main course like a juicy pork pibil, pescado (fish) and chicken enchiladas.
The large menu of options is sure to please at Razzle Dazzle
Breakfasts are spectacular with menu items like avocado toast, coconut milk brioche french toast, smoked cheddar jalapeno croissant, acai bowls and malted buckwheat waffles. Plus, the variety of healthy smoothies (for a fee) are great choices for fitness-focuses cruisers.
The menu also offers Impossible burgers, black garlic bowtie pasta, ginger beer chicken, and fish and chips, as well as whole roasted heirloom cauliflower. Loaded tots and shishito peppers are popular sides.
While veg-focused, the menu also has a “Naughty” section with a salmon bowl, cobb salad with chicken and fried chicken sandwich.
Razzle Dazzle also has a wonderful array of desserts, especially the cookies, cheesecake and rainbow churros.
The Dock House/The Dock
Located at the aft of the ship on Deck 7, The Dockhouse is a bar and lounge area inside the ship, and The Dock is the cozy outer deck. These spaces have a relaxing resort feel, and the food options are delicious mezze (small plates) that are great for sharing. The dishes are Mediterranean-inspired creations like grilled octopus, goat cheese polenta and fire-roasted chicken thighs. Mezze carts offer ready-to-grab items like watermelon and feta, cauliflower couscous, beet hummus and black babaganoush.
This café features Hawaiian poke bowls served over greens or rice.
The Social Club Diner
Hot dogs of all kinds are featured here. The menu features the reuben, which is layered with pastrami, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. You can also try the Philly, Chicago or a vegan hot dog. We also ordered up some wings. Popcorn is available to munch on while you play board or bar games or watch sports on the two big TVs.
A sweets case features chocolates, cake pops and other sugary treats, too.
A sampling of Tacos and Ramen Bowl from The Galley
The Galley
This is a hip food hall with a dizzying array of tasty options. Each of these venues has fresh-made goodies. You can stroll through here and find something to satisfy any craving. The venue is filled with a variety of seating, in a bright space with nice views outside. You can also sit outside at the very aft of the ship. The Galley also features charging outlets at some of the seats and counters. So, you can charge your phone or device while dining.
It has the feel of a vibrant diner.
Check out the variety of food stations in this large space on Deck 15.
Noodle Around is a noodle bar features pho and ramen bowls.
Bento Baby offers grab-and-go sushi and other pre-prepped meals for breakfast (mixed berries), lunch and dinner.
Let’s Taco Bout It is the taco stand, and I always grabbed the tacos al pastor from here when enjoying lunch in The Galley. It has avocado burritos or chorizo burritos for breakfast, too.
Diner & Dash has all-day breakfasts hot off the grill, with all kinds of omelets available. There is a hot roast beef sandwich for dinner, as well.
Burger Bar is just what it says. You can get burgers and fries, including an Impossible Burger.
The Sweet Side is the station for tasty desserts. Cookies, cakes, pies and muffins — in addition to fresh fruits.
Well Bread features all kinds of freshly baked breads, rolls and bagels.
Hot Off the Press specializes in paninis, with standards like the turkey and Swiss or pastrami on rye and creative sandwiches like a crunchy PB&J on brioche or buffalo mozzarella.
The Daily Mix is a salad station, where you can create your own or ask for special concoctions. The menu includes chicken Caesar, Greek, spinach and quinoa and mixed green salads, and you can add proteins like chicken, tuna and eggs.
The Pizza Place is located on Deck 7 offers a simple menu of pizzas. Don’t forget you can ask for it to go also!
The Pizza Place
This pizza joint is located on Deck 7 and features a simple menu of pizzas (white truffle and egg, pepperoni, chicken pesto, white pie and classic cheese). They are small enough for one person to finish on their own if you have a decent appetite. Plus, the pizzas are all made fresh to order, to be enjoyed around the ship (ask for it to go) or at the cozy little eatery that has indoors seating and wonderful outdoors tables and seating on the promenade.
This place will having you coming back for more of for these amazing ice cream
Lick Me Till Ice Cream
Located close to the Pizza Place, this ice cream kiosk offers decadent and creamy flavors served in a dish or cones (try the red velvet cone).
Grounds Club
This is the ship’s coffee shop on Deck 7, and it’s worth a mention in our food guide for the fresh-made cookies, brownies and muffins you will be tempted to grab anytime you walk past.
This is a quite an array of food choices, huh?
We hope you can sail onboard Valiant Lady soon and try them all.
In this episode of the Cruise Addicts Talk Show, John Shallo interviews Lee Mason, the cruise director aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the Carnival Celebration.
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The more we do something, the more we learn. Each experience allows us to be a little bit more savvy and able to avoid the mistakes of the past.
The same goes for cruising. The more you go, the more equipped you are with the details and experiences to know your likes and dislikes. You can better refine your preparation, packing and onboard practices so that you have an even more amazing cruise each time out.
With that in mind, here are the 10 things that I wish I knew before I took my first cruise.
Before My First Cruise
Photo by Vlada Karpovich
You Don’t Need to Pack So Much
We were genuine excited for my first cruise – sailing on Carnival Inspiration out of New Orleans almost two decades ago – so we packed a lot. Much more than we needed, really, for a weeklong trip to the Caribbean.
The main culprits were the extra casual clothes and shoes. Sure, we needed some fancy items for dinners, but we found that we spent most of our time during the days in our swimsuits and sandals. So, we had too much casual wear. Also, a lot of the extras, like books and magazines, went untouched as we had so much else to do during the week. We now pack much lighter, and if we have to wear the same shirt or shorts a couple times, that works just fine and greatly lightens our load.
We now can typically do carry-on only for our flights.
Cruise lines offer all-you-can-drink plans. Note: Carnival Cruise Line’s Cheers! Beverage program allows a maximum of 15 alcoholic drinks per day (that should be enough, I would think).
If you plan to have plenty of cocktails, beers, sodas, premium coffees and fresh-squeezed juices daily, your cruise line’s beverage plan is a great option. It also is a hassle-free way to go without worrying about signing for a drink each time you place an order. Plus, with alcoholic drinks typically priced from $6 to $11 each, the program price of about $55 to $60 daily might work out to be a bargain for you.
Most passengers board during the same window of time on the first day of the cruise, and this tends to be right around lunch time. This means that most people head straight to the buffet area on the upper decks.
It can be incredibly frustrating to deal with the crowds. Food lines are long, people are wandering and weaving throughout the facility, and it’s often difficult to find a table. Ask a crew member whether the ship has any other venues open that are serving lunch. Sometimes the main dining room could be open, or a smaller specialty restaurant might be serving food.
The Dining Room – Deck 2 & 3 Aft
Koningsdam – Holland America Line
However, I occasionally enjoy a slower paced meal, with table service, and the main dining room is a nice option. I usually choose this venue on sea days when I have more time to relax and enjoy a meal ordered from a menu and while joining others at a table. This is a great way to meet people who might very well become your new friends.
Photo by RODNAE Productions
Use a Travel Agent
Perhaps the best advice for first-time cruisers: Get a good travel professional who specializes in cruises to help you with you booking. A travel agent won’t cost you anything but can offer great services such as monitoring your reservation for price drops ensuring that you will pay the best price possible for your voyage. They often will include a few added goodies for you, too, as a way to show their appreciation for your business.
This could mean a welcome-aboard gift like a bottle of wine and chocolate-covered strawberries, specialty dining vouchers or onboard credit. They also can help you book shore excursions, and travel agents have intimate knowledge of the ships to help you pick out just the right, ship, itinerary and cabin so you have the best experience possible.
MSC Seashore, Infinity Pool
Book Excursions on Your Own
Cruise ships offer an array of shore excursions for each port they visit. These are typically fun or culturally enriching activities. But they often cost up to twice as much as the same experience you can get by booking the experience on your own after doing a little bit of online research. These cruise ship tours often are larger groups of people, so you only move as quickly as the slowest member of the group.
If you prefer a more intimate and customized tour experience, like a relaxing Cruise on the Seine in France, you could be better off booking on your own. Read reviews to learn about the experience, and you can find reputable tours through sites such as TripAdvisor or Viator.
You can also often find tours offered once you arrive in port if you want to keep your schedule open and flexible. You can check at the kiosks with vendors at the pier area and negotiate a price on many of the tours.
If you get on the ship around noon for lunch and to enjoy the amenities – and you should make the most of your cruise by getting on to start your vacation ASAP – you will need things like phone chargers, a magazine or book, sunscreen and your swim trunks so you can get the fun started. Plus, if you drop off a large suitcase with the porters before you board, it might not arrive to your room for several hours.
Guests aboard Carnival Vista can enjoy burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint with cooked-to-order hamburgers and French fries inspired by Food Network star Guy Fieri. The largest and most innovative cruise vessel in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet, Carnival Vista measures 133,500 tons, 1,055 feet long and has a guest capacity of almost 4,000 passengers. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line
Food, Food and More Food
I knew that there would be a lot of food to choose from. I just hadn’t realized how much and how often I would be enticed to indulge. The buffet, multi-course dinners, ice cream stations, poolside grills and pizza eateries are always beckoning.
Late-night snacking will be part of your cruise, even if it’s not your habit back home. Go ahead, and enjoy it. I always do. But I also do a little pre-cruise dieting to prep myself and also make sure to stay active and hit the gym regularly while onboard.
You Can’t Do It All
That daily cruise program is filled with all kinds of things to take part in, from trivia contests to dance lessons, karaoke events and late-night themes parties. Plus, your ship might offer features like water slides, rock-climbing walls, skating rinks, ziplines, ropes courses and basketball courts. Don’t forget the pool time, beach visits and other shore excursions, time at the bar, watching shows in the main theater, getting a massage and … (deep breath).
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The Port Canaveral cruise port parking facility ranks as the world’s second-busiest port for leisure cruise embarkations. For 2019, Port Canaveral saw more than 4.6 million passengers embarking on their cruise vacations, trailing only Port Miami’s 6.8 million.
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Port Canaveral Cruise Parking
The facility is adding more terminals and cruise ships, and Cape Canaveral and the surrounding region have been developing new attractions in a bid to become a more well-rounded destination in its own right.
Port Canaveral attractions include restaurants that offer live music and outdoor seating, Jetty Park (with almost five acres of sandy beaches and fishing spots) and the Exploration Tower, which is a seven-story landmark for the area that serves as a fun and interactive that pays tribute to the heritage of the Space Coast.
For cruisers who will be driving to the port in their own vehicles, we offer you the complete guide to parking at Port Canaveral cruise ship parking.
Parking at the Port – Terminal Parking Garages
Port Canaveral cruise parking features official parking facilities directly adjacent to each passenger cruise terminal. These lots are quite pricey, with a parking fee of $17 a day (for cars, trucks and RVs). They also offer accessible parking spaces. Reservations are not required, and spaces are located close to the terminal, so there is no shuttle service.
You park and walk your bags to the terminal or drop off your luggage and cruise companions at the terminal entrance before you go park.
* Note: Rates are subject to change without notice. You can contact the Canaveral Port Authority at 321-783-7831 for the latest information.
Cruisers also can find plenty of options for parking through private companies that offer convenient off-site parking facilities, as well as providing shuttle buses to and from your terminal. If you your looking for cheap parking at Port Canaveral this might be your best option. You have plenty of options to find a place to park for your cruise, so take some time to do some research into what will be the best solution for you.
Port Canaveral Parking
Port Canaveral Parking is the highest rated Port Canaveral cruise parking providers featuring over 2700+ Google reviews with 4.9 rating this team of experienced parking providers stand out from the crowd. Their off-site parking lot features FREE shuttles, friendly staff, and security. Their paved lot features 600 spaces with over 20 shuttles to get you to and from your ship in no time. Their current per day rate is $8.95/day.
Port Parking Space at Port Canaveral is one of the newest port canaveral cruise parking providers and is the closest Port Canaveral parking facilities to the port. It actually borders the port property. Customers are raving about our their service and proximity to Port Canaveral cruise terminals. Rates per day are listed at $11.95 per day but, they check the website for ongoing promos and specials including 15% for active and retired service members.
Park Port Canaveral has the closest lot to the cruise terminals. Its air-conditioned shuttles can pick you at your car and drop you and your luggage off after a five-minute drive (1.5 miles away). Park Port Canaveral takes online reservations and charges about $10 a day for parking. Parking is in an outdoor lot with 24-hour security.
Park N Cruise offers parking services for Port Canaveral for $8.95 a day when you book online to reserve your spot. This cruise parking facility (located two miles from the port) runs complimentary shuttles to the cruise terminals every hour on the hour beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m. on embarkation day.
This is a gated parking lot with 24-hour video surveillance. Park N Cruise offers a 10 percent discount for military members and veterans, as well as 5 percent discounts for AARP, AAA and other members.
GoPort, which features a list of hotel options that include parking (see section at bottom of this article), also offers its own cruise parking package that includes the parking when you pay for shuttle service to and from the terminal. For $60 and $10 for each additional rider (up to six total travelers), you can one of the best deals out there for parking, especially if your cruise lasts a week or longer.
The parking facility is paved, lighted and gated. You get to keep your keys, and the air-conditioned shuttle ride takes about five minutes to get you to your ship.
CruiseTime Parking and Shuttle is located about 10 miles from Port Canaveral, and the company offers parking spaces for $8 a day. There is shuttle service from the 24-hour secured lot to and from your ship, dropping you off and picking you up right at the boarding area. Up to four passengers per vehicle can join the shuttle for no added fee. Additional travelers beyond four people pay $5 each.
Dozens of regional hotels offer a “Snooze, Park and Cruise” package for Port Canaveral.
The program works like this: For example, you might book a one-night stay at Holiday Inn Orlando Airport (about 45 minutes from the port) or Best Western Space Shuttle Inn in Titusville (about 27 minutes from the port). With your park and cruise package, you get your hotel stay for one night, a parking place for one vehicle and transportation to and from the cruise port.
A complete list of the Port Canaveral area hotels offering cruise parking hotel packages is available at GoPort.com.
Hotel cruise parking can be a fantastic deal if you are planning to come in to the region a day early to take advantage of all the attractions and activities available in Orlando and the surrounding area. The packages start around $130 and average about $160. Not bad for a place to rest and refresh after your drive to town, as well as getting transfers to and from the port.
Port Canaveral currently has 13 cruise ships calling the port home (through April 2023).
How much is parking at the Cape Canaveral cruise port?
$17 a day (for cars, trucks and RVs) in the terminal parking at the port.
What is the acceptable payment methods for parking at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal?
• No cash accepted • Major credit cards (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover) • Presently, EPASS and SunPass accepted ONLYat the Cruise Terminal 3 parking garage
Can you pre pay parking at Port Canaveral?
You can’t prepay for parking for the Port Canaveral cruise terminals. However, You can pre-pay and reserve space in the many secure off-site parking options listed in the article.
When is Port Canaveral Parking open?
The hours of operation at the cruise terminal and parking garage in Port Canaveral begin at 10:30 am. This is why many shuttle providers cannot begin bringing you to the terminal until this time.
Do I need a reservation to park at Port Canaveral cruise terminal?
No, You can simply arrive and park. Be sure to drop your bags off first curbside with a porter before parking. As shuttles are not provided.
Where to park for a cruise from Port Canaveral?
You have many choices. You can park at the actual cruise terminal in parking garages at the Port Canaveral cruise terminal where your ship will be docked.
This is normally the more expensive option priced at $17 a day.
Your other option is to park in secured off-site parking where you park your cruise and you and your luggage take shuttle the port and they drop your off curbside.
Can I find covered parking at Port Canaveral?
Covered parking is available at Port Canaveral for cruise passengers.
Where can I find parking for disabled passengers at Port Canaveral?
Port Canaveral provides parking for disabled passengers in designated areas.
Can I start my cruise directly from Port Canaveral?
Yes, you can start your cruise from Port Canaveral and enjoy the convenience of onsite parking.
What cruise lines sail from Port Canaveral?
Port Canaveral hosts various cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean Cruise and MSC Cruises.
Are any parking packages available for cruise passengers at Port Canaveral?
Yes, you can find parking packages that include shuttle services and parking for the duration of your cruise.
What are some cruise tips for parking at Port Canaveral?
When parking at Port Canaveral, arriving early to secure parking is recommended, especially during peak cruise seasons.
What should I know about Port Canaveral before starting my cruise?
Before you start your cruise, please be sure to familiarize yourself with the official Port Canaveral cruise parking area, shuttle services, and the location of off-site cruise parking options.
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ABOUT ME Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
New Viking Itineraries & Specials Expert Advice with Michael Consoli
Join us LIVE with Viking cruise expert Michael Consoli, who will share Viking’s brand new itineraries and special offers. We will also answer your questions during our live Q&A. Please join us live and check in with us. Set your clocks and tune in Sunday at 3:30 pm ET. – Watch Event
Body of missing UK doctor found in Alaska mountains after leaving cruise ship to hike (Alaska State Patrol)
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An Alaska Army National Guard helicopter unit located the remains of a cruise ship passenger Thursday night after she embarked on a hike close to Juneau.
Marites Buenafe, a 62-year old woman from Kentucky, was aboard the Norwegian Bliss cruise when she informed her family that she was disembarking to hike, as per the Alaska Department of Public Safety. She failed to return by the ship’s scheduled departure on Tuesday evening.
Authorities and Juneau Mountain Rescue located her remains near Gold Ridge, situated above Juneau, with assistance from Temsco Helicopters and the National Guard.
The medical examiner is presently investigating the cause of death.
Cruise vacations are meant to be relaxing, but navigating onboard charges—especially automatic gratuities—can leave some travelers feeling confused or frustrated. If you’re wondering how to remove or adjust these gratuities, you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll walk you through what automatic gratuities are, why they exist, and how you can modify or remove them if you choose to.
What Are Automatic Gratuities?
Most major cruise lines (like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and others) charge daily service fees—typically $16 to $20 per person per day. These automatic gratuities are meant to compensate the entire crew, from your room steward and dining servers to behind-the-scenes workers like the kitchen crew and laundry staff. Rather than tipping individually, cruise lines pool these gratuities and distribute them among staff.
