Why a balcony cabin? With the ease of stepping outside and enjoying private ocean views from morning until night, it is hard to pass up while cruising.
If you are concerned a balcony cabin will break the budget, think again. Many new ships have over 80% of their rooms facing outside, making balcony cabins much more affordable than in the past.
I hope you enjoyed finding these special balcony cruise prices for Virgin Voyages. Be sure to share this page with a friend and come back again to see more great cruise deals.
Plan Your Trip?
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It’s true! Once you have had a balcony stateroom, it’s difficult not to have one repeatedly when cruising. The ease of stepping outside and enjoying private ocean views from morning until night is hard to pass up while cruising. If you are concerned a balcony cabin will break the budget, think again.
I hope you enjoyed finding these special balcony cruise prices for Celebrity Cruises. Be sure to share this page with a friend and come back again to see more great cruise deals.
Plan Your Trip?
Need help planning a trip? Check out these helpful links:
A balcony cabin is like having your private patio with some of the best views in the World. Open the doors and let in an ocean breeze as you travel under a moonlit sky. Does it get any better than this? Many Cruise Addicts would say it’s hard to beat such wonderful moments at sea.
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Inside the Nordic Balcony stateroom on board the Viking Octantis. (Credit: Viking)
I hope you enjoyed finding these special balcony cruise prices. Be sure to share this page with a friend and come back again to see more great cruise deals.
Plan Your Trip?
Need help planning a trip? Check out these helpful links:
Once you have had a balcony stateroom, it’s difficult not to have one repeatedly when cruising. The ease of stepping outside and enjoying private ocean views from morning until night is hard to pass up while cruising. If you are concerned a balcony cabin will break the budget, think again.
Stay in the Loop with Our Free Cruise Newsletter: Uncover the Latest News and Exclusive Deals. Sign Up
I hope you enjoyed finding these special cruise prices. Be sure to share this page with a friend and come back again to see more great prices on MSC Cruises.
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Need help planning a trip? Check out these helpful links:
These deals are constantly updating, so if you find a great deal you love, be ready to book it immediately! Still looking for the right cruise? Bookmark the page and check back often.
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I hope you enjoyed finding these special balcony cruise prices for Disney Cruise Line. Be sure to share this page with a friend and come back again to see more great cruise deals.
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When I started the Cruise Addicts website in 1999, our cruise forums were a vital part of our community and continue to be today. I keep seeing articles about other cruise forums created besides ours. Could this be true? So, I searched the interwebs and found some I’d like to share with you.
Best Cruise Forums
10 Best Cruise Forums & Message Boards 23
With my hypercritical eye, I created what I feel is the best list of the top cruise forums today.
Cruise Forums are a great way to connect with fellow cruisers and learn the latest tips and tricks. Whether you’re a new or seasoned cruiser, a cruise forum is a great way to meet new people. You can ask specific questions related to a particular cruise brand on a sub-forum or general questions in a general topic forum.
Why Use Cruise Forums?
Some forums have sub-forums for roll calls, allowing cruisers to meet fellow cruisers on a specific cruise line’s sailing. For example, if you cruise aboard the Carnival Vista on a particular date in July, you can find this roll-call post, meet new fellow passengers online, and maybe meet up for a drink or get-together.
Cruise Addicts and its popular cruise forum were established in 1999 and are celebrating their 25th year as one of the original online communities on the Internet. The forums contain different categories of the major cruise lines and relevant topics. They have an incredible amount of information—over 1.7 million posts.
The Cruise Addicts site is also unique in that it asks if you would like to use the APP version of the site, making it easier to connect from your smartphone.
Cruise Critic started in 1995 on AOL and later moved to its current web-based home. The online community has become the largest and most popular cruise forum and one of the originators of the ‘roll-call’ forum and onboard meetups.
Royal Caribbean Blog and its forums are an unofficial site created to discuss everything about Royal Caribbean. The forums and site as a whole are trusted sources of information for fans of Royal Caribbean International cruises.
In recent years, Reddit.com’s cruise-focused subreddit, r/Cruise, has grown to 595K plus members. So, we can’t ignore this incredible collection of cruisers sharing information via this forum-like platform.
The Cruise Hive Boards is a great forum focused on the major cruise lines and another great option for meeting new cruises and learning from them. The site is also an excellent resource for cruise news and information.
DIS Boards is an incredible message board focused on all things Disney. Of course, it has a section dedicated to Disney Cruise Line. You can find meet-ups, trip reports, and more. The forum has well over 63M messages and 601K members.
TripAdvisor.com has its cruise forums with many posts and active users. The page’s right sidebar also has a nice collection of “Top Questions about Cruises” that some users might find helpful.
The Cruise Community Forum is heavily focused on UK cruising topics. The forum has become a leading resource for UK cruisers to share information and learn from fellow cruisers.
Cruising is a remarkably social travel experience and a great way to meet new friends and socialize with friends and family. Cruise forums are an extension of this and have allowed fellow cruise travelers to continue their friendships and conversations once the cruise has ended and the planning for the next one begins. They also allow you to learn more about cruise travel from members of the forum and make great friends. I’ve seen it firsthand on the Cruise Addicts forums.
Forums have allowed members to share daily updates, breaking news, and trip reports directly from the ship years before social media existed. Forums have stood the test of time and are now well over 25 years old, with no end in sight. Forums and groups continue to be popular as people want to connect.
A valid U.S. Passport is essential to travel to the Bahamas when not on a closed-loop cruise.
Losing your passport can be a traveler’s worst nightmare. Whether it’s stolen, misplaced, or damaged, a missing passport can quickly turn a dream vacation into a stressful ordeal. However, knowing what steps to take can help alleviate some of the anxiety and streamline the process of getting back on track.
When Your Passport Goes Missing
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.com
Here are the essential steps to take when your passport goes missing:
1. Remain Calm and Assess the Situation
The first and most crucial step is to stay calm and composed. Panicking will cloud your judgment and hinder your ability to handle the situation effectively. Take a deep breath and assess the events surrounding the loss of your passport. Try to recall when you last had it and where you might have misplaced it. If you suspect theft, inform the authorities immediately.
2. Retrace Your Steps
Once you’ve collected yourself, begin retracing your steps to locate your passport. Check your bags, pockets, and any other places where it could potentially be hiding. If you were in a public place when you noticed it was missing, inquire with nearby establishments or lost and found offices. Sometimes, passports are turned in by Good Samaritans, who find them lying around.
3. Report the Loss or Theft
If you are unable to locate your passport after thorough searching, it’s essential to report the loss or theft to the appropriate authorities. Contact your country’s nearest embassy or consulate immediately and inform them of the situation. Provide them with details such as the location and circumstances of the loss and any identifying information about the missing passport.
4. File a Police Report
In cases of theft, filing a police report is crucial for documentation purposes and to assist in the investigation. Contact the local police station where the incident occurred and provide them with all relevant information about the missing passport. A police report will also be required when applying for a new passport or travel documents.
5. Apply for a Replacement Passport
Once you’ve reported the loss or theft of your passport, you can begin the process of applying for a replacement. Head to the closest embassy or consulate representing your country and adhere to their unique protocol for passport replacement.
This usually entails filling out an application form, presenting evidence of identity and citizenship, and covering any associated fees. If you’re in need of an expedited passport replacement, expedite passports with UrgentPassport.com can be a lifesaver.
With their efficient processes and dedicated support, they specialize in expediting passport applications, ensuring you get your replacement passport in a timely manner. Simply reach out to them to fast-track your passport replacement process, especially if you’re facing urgent travel plans.
Their expertise can help alleviate the stress of dealing with a missing passport, allowing you to focus on getting back on your journey with minimal disruption.
6. Obtain Emergency Travel Documents
While waiting for your replacement passport to be processed, you may need to obtain emergency travel documents to facilitate your return journey or ongoing travels. Embassy or consulate staff mightbe able to assist you in obtaining temporary travel documents, such as an emergency passport or a travel permit, depending on your destination and circumstances.
7. Take Preventive Measures
Once you’ve resolved the immediate crisis, take proactive steps to prevent future passport mishaps. Make photocopies or digital scans of your passport and store them securely. Consider investing in a passport holder with RFID blocking technology to protect against theft or electronic skimming.
8. Stay Informed and Follow Up
While replacing your passport and obtaining emergency travel documents, communicate with the embassy or consulate staff. Follow up on the status of your application and provide any additional information or documentation as requested. Stay informed about any travel advisories or updates that may affect your situation.
While losing your passport can be a stressful experience, knowing the proper steps to take can help minimize the disruption to your travel plans. You can confidently and easily navigate this challenging situation by remaining calm, reporting the loss or theft, and following the necessary passport replacement procedures.
Regardless of the cruise line sailed, the places visited along the way or who is sailing with us, we want to capture the moment in photos. We might do that with the camera in our smartphone, use an easy point-and-shoot camera or invest in professional-quality equipment.
Improve Your Cruise Photos
However we go about it, what counts are the images we end up with and will share with friends and family or just keep for our own amusement. Focusing our attention first on some basic image-capturing guidelines then on the subject can make all the difference in the world.
Photo by George Milton
Shoot Wide
Adding more border around a shot than is necessary is a good idea that gives us more to work with later. While we may be focusing on a person, place or thing, the camera sees it all and might see something we missed at the time but are happy to have later.
Photo by Nicole Michalou
Take Two Shots
Take two shots of everything to be sure you have captured what you intended. Holding down the shutter just a little longer gets the second photo which can also be sharper because your finger is not moving.
Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative
Back It Up
Have a way to back up photos, either by syncing a smartphone with a laptop, copying them on to an external drive or, if the at-sea Internet situation allows; sending up to a cloud-sourced backup supply. Using multiple memory cards can also be helpful here.
Photo by Garon Piceli
Be Aware Of The Sun and where it is located
In most cases, your best bet is to have the sun at your back, shining on the subject. Still, don’t be afraid of the sun either. Some of the most amazing photos can be had at sunrise and sunset, a golden time at sea as on land.
Photo by Michael Burrows
Learn How To Edit
Learn how to edit your photos using built-in programs and downloadable apps for your smartphone and software for your camera. This type of software will allow you to crop or resize image as well as other enhancements. Practice this before going to sea so you get past the learning curve and have a working knowledge of how to manipulate/fix images while sailing.
The Rule of Thirds in 5 minutes | Creating More Dynamic Framing
The Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a basic composition rule that photographers use, dividing a picture into thirds, horizontally and vertically. Placing important parts of the picture on the lines or at the intersections will make your photo more interesting than a catalog view, centered photo.
Photo by Anton Gofman
Consult An Expert, On Board
Applying all of the above can improve your photo skills in a hurry. To go further, consider onboard programs that might help teach passengers how to get the most out of their camera, hosted by the ship’s photographers. Consider the source: those people are at sea all the time; its their job to take good photos. Why not take advantage of their knowledge?
Sun Princess Naming Ceremony Photo Credit: James Morgan for Getty Images
In a spectacular celebration at the Port of Barcelona, award-winning actress and performer Hannah Waddingham officially welcomed the newest and most innovative Princess Cruises ship – Sun Princess – serving as godmother during a star-studded naming ceremony.
Hannah Waddingham Officially Christens Sun Princess
Godmother Hannah Waddingham Officially Names Sun Princess!
The time-honored maritime tradition took place onboard Sun Princess in the all-new Princess Arena and Waddingham, alongside the ship’s Captain Craig Street, joyously pronounced, “I name this ship Sun Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her.” She then released the celebratory bottle of Champagne to smash against the ship wishing good fortune to all of the ship’s guests and crew sailing to incredible destinations all over the world.
“Hannah is globally admired and adored for her immense talent and determination. Those qualities coupled with her family’s deep connection and love for the sea make her the perfect godmother for our sensational new Sun Princess,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “We are honored that she has joined us for this pinnacle moment, and that she will remain a treasured part of the ship’s legacy forever.”
Known for her adored role as Rebecca Welton in “Ted Lasso,” Waddingham said being named Sun Princess godmother is a “pinch me” moment as she joins an esteemed group of women, including members of the Royal Family, who have also served as godmothers to Princess ships: Diana, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess, 1984); Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales (Royal Princess 2013); Audrey Hepburn (Star Princess, 1989); Sophia Loren (Crown Princess, 1990); Martha Stewart (Crown Princess, 2006); among many notable celebrities and dignitaries.
Waddingham grew up boating and has fond memories of weekends in Dunkirk. In addition, her grandfather served in the Royal Navy during World War II.
“As much as theatre has always rippled through my bloodstream so too has a strong, historic familial connection with the Royal Navy and all things nautical,” said Waddingham. “I have of course seen over the years the iconic godmothers who have been asked to represent these magnificent ships and looked on in awe. It is therefore such a great privilege to have been asked to act as Godmother to the Sun Princess, first of her class. I can’t quite believe it.”
Actor and magician Michael Carbonaro served as master of ceremonies for the event, and joined by a host of celebrities and TV personalities including Tyra Banks, Romero Britto, Randy Fenoli, Jeff Corwin, Rob Floyd, along with celebrated chefs Dario Cecchini, Makoto Okuwa, and beloved original “Love Boat” cast members Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), Ted Lange (Isaac) and Bernie Kopell (Doc).
In addition, Natasha Bedingfield was on hand to fittingly perform her smash hit “Pocket Full of Sunshine,” along with other award-winning hits including “Unwritten.”
What’s New, What’s Next
Princess to Add Ship-within-a-Ship Concept to Sun Princess, Star Princess
Sanctuary Collection Debuts in September
Prior to the Sun Princess naming ceremony, Princess President John Padgett shared a few details on what’s ahead for the world’s most iconic cruise brand. Notable news included introducing the exclusive, next-level Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess, as the ship prepares to debut this select, all-inclusive oasis in October 2024. Guests reserving in the Sanctuary Collection will enjoy exclusive access to the ship’s top-deck retreat area, along with many additional bespoke events and high-end amenities designed to enhance their voyage.
Star Princess to Sail Alaska Voyages in Summer 2026
Also announced, the next Sphere-Class ship, Star Princess, will sail her first full summer in 2026 in Alaska, making it the first of its class to ever sail to the Great Land. Star Princess is currently under construction and scheduled to debut in the Mediterranean in September 2025.
Princess Collaborates with Celebrities to Launch Love Line Premium Liquors
Princess also revealed its newest indulgence – the “Love Line Premium Liquors” collection. Crafted in collaboration with renowned celebrities Pitbull, Jason Aldean and Romero Britto, this exclusive line of wines and spirits promises an unparalleled experience for guests sailing aboard ships from the Love Boat. The new premium collection features meticulously selected wines and spirits, each bearing the unique touch of its celebrity partner including Voli Vodka by Pitbull, Love Prosecco by Britto, and Melorosa Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Jason Aldean. The Love Line collection is currently available aboard Sun Princess, and will roll out to all the ships in the Princess fleets throughout the summer.
Love by Britto Officially Debuts Aboard Sun Princess
During the day’s festivities, Love by Britto, an artistic-inspired dining experience from world-renowned artist Romero Britto, made its debut. Known for his bold, colorful, and joyful style, and a global advocate for happiness, Britto has created a dining concept that serves as an exquisite showcase of the artist’s iconic and joyful designs against the backdrop of a boutique restaurant designed to immerse couples in a world of vivid colors, bold patterns, and heartfelt emotions. Unlike anything else in cruising, the venue also highlights the talents of Princess Cruises’ Head of Culinary Arts Rudi Sodamin who has created an array of tantalizing choices that embody profound passion, exquisite flavor, and boundless creativity with a seven-course, prix fixe menu ($149 per person) that begins with a flute of Champagne upon arrival and features luxury ingredients including lobster, caviar and truffles, and dessert options that always include chocolate fondue.
More About Sun Princess Godmother Hannah Waddingham
British actress and singer, Waddingham is beloved for her role as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso,” in which her performance garnered a Primetime Emmy, Critics Choice Television Award and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as two individual Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. She will next be seen in the highly anticipated Universal film “The Fall Guy” opposite Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in theaters on May 3, 2024. Earlier this year, Waddingham earned a BAFTA TV Award nomination for her own Apple TV+ holiday special “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas.” Waddingham made her worldwide hosting debut in April 2023 at The Olivier Awards (she returned as host for the 2024 ceremony) followed swiftly by the BBC Eurovision Song Contest 2023, for which she has gained her second BAFTA TV nomination and won The Royal Television Society award for “Best Entertainment Performance” in 2024. Her upcoming films include Sony Animation film “Garfield” out May 24, 2024 and in 2025 “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.”
The new 177,882-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess introduces an innovative new ship platform designed exclusively for the world’s most iconic cruise brand. A true engineering marvel, Sun Princess officially started its inaugural cruise season on February 28, 2024, and currently is sailing a series of Mediterranean voyages before debuting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in October for the ship’s first Caribbean season.
Princess ships are renowned for offering spacious venues and Sun Princess takes that to the next level. Sun Princess debuts new eye-catching experience venues including The Dome, a groundbreaking geodesic, glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship inspired by the terraces of Santorini. The outward and suspended Sphere Atrium, the namesake of this new class of ship, takes the central Piazza hub of the ship into a new dimension. Here guests are enveloped with expansive ocean views and an open concept, inspired to deliver the desired lifestyle of relaxed indoor and outdoor living.
Sun Princess offers an extraordinary cruise experience with not-to-be-missed culinary, entertainment and luxury accommodations, including:
The Greatest Foodie Destination at Sea
Sun Princess serves up 30 inviting restaurant and bar venues with an unprecedented collection of celebrity collaborators, high-end ingredients and culinary experiences from:
Spellbound by Magic Castle: Blending the captivating world of magic with the art of culinary and mixology to create an extraordinary, innovative and immersive dining experience, steeped in magic and adventure.
Makoto Ocean: Reshaping traditional sushi with a creative approach, the Master of Edomae-style sushi, Chef Makoto Okuwa brings his 25 years of experience with a new concept crafting playful, exquisitely presented dishes paying tribute to Japanese traditions.
Love by Britto: A high-end boutique restaurant with the most romantic view from the ship celebrating love and art from world-renowned artist Romero Britto.
The Butcher’s Block by Dario: A new specialty pop-up restaurant from the world’s most famous butcher Dario Cecchini, guests enjoy perfectly prepared beef and steak, including Cecchini’s signature cuts.
The Catch by Rudi: An exceptional dinner concept from renowned Chef Rudi Sodamin showcasing delectable treasures from the sea.
Good Spirits at Sea with Rob Floyd: Destination-inspired, one-of-a-kind cocktail creations from celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd.
Debuting a three-story dining room with endless aft views, inaugural menus have been created in collaboration with the Culinary Institute of America. While retaining what guests love about Princess, the ship also features favorites like Crown Grill, Sabatini’s and Crooners with new design elements to impress.
Showstopping Entertainment in Technically Advanced Spaces
The Princess Arena is the most technologically advanced theater at sea, offering showstopping and original productions including performances in the round. At night, The Dome astonishes audiences with acrobatic Cirque Éloize performances while the Piazza dazzles with a retractable stage and immersive Champagne Waterfall.
Elevated & Welcoming Areas & Accommodations
Sun Princess also features the cruise line’s largest casino, two-story Lotus Spa, and an expanded retail environment with more than 200 premium brands. The retail space also includes several firsts a sea including an upscale showroom dedicated to luxury horology showcasing TAG Heuer and Breitling and more than 25 new brands available to cruise guests like Italian handbag brand, Pinko and athleisure favorites Beyond Yoga and Varley.
With diverse accommodations to suit every preference and more than 1,500 cabins with balcony views, Sun Princess’ re-imagined staterooms include exceptional suites and new Cabana Mini-Suites with extra space for secluded outdoor relaxation.
Rooted in sustainability, Sun Princess is the first LNG (liquefied natural gas) vessel for the cruise line, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and features ingenious energy recovery systems for eco-conscious cruising.
Sun Princess cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are on sale now. More ship details can be found at www.princess.com/sunprincess.
More information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.
Carnival Firenze is officially named in Long Beach
Carnival Cruise Line solidified its position as the leading cruise line in California on Wednesday as it christened its newest ship, Carnival Firenze, at its new home, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal.
Hollywood actor Jonathan Bennett served as the ship’s godfather, and he and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy celebrated all things Italian with the help of a Broadway star, a Puccini aria, and even a Catholic priest making a running jump onto the stage to deliver a blessing.
The 5,000-guest Carnival Fun Italian Style ship is sailing year-round from the Port of Long Beach, building on the popularity of Carnival cruises by adding significant capacity and joining two Carnival ships currently sailing year-round — the 5,100-passenger Carnival Panorama and the nearly 4,000-passenger Carnival Radiance. Launching just ahead of the busy summer travel season, and amid continued growth of cruise vacations’ popularity, Carnival Firenze is part of a significant expansion that added five ships to the Carnival fleet in the past 18 months. By next year, Carnival will embark more than 750,000 guests from Long Beach on more than 200 sailings, an increase of 100,000 more guests compared to 2019.
“We carry more guests than any other cruise line from California, and now this ship is giving us the opportunity to offer more fun to more people sailing from Long Beach,” said Duffy. “The recipe combining this ship’s beautiful Italian theming with the familiarity of our friendly team’s hospitality is, in a word, perfecto!”
Bennett was made an honorary Italian during the fun-filled evening, which included a performance of Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” by Carnival’s Playlist Productions cast, an Italian blessing by Father Charbel Grbavac of the Mary Star of the Sea Catholic church in nearby San Pedro, and was capped off by a show-stopping performance by Leslie Kritzer, Bennett’s co-star from the recent Broadway revival of “Spamalot.”
Like sister Carnival Venezia, the ship features new concepts and experiences that put an Italian Style twist on Carnival staples for guests to enjoy. Carnival Firenze, however, is the first ship in the fleet to usher in new technology and harnesses artificial intelligence that creates guides for optimal, energy-saving routes on each sailing. The ship’s captain and officers will be the first to utilize this significant update to Carnival’s voyage efficiency system, ahead of a fleetwide rollout the cruise line expects to begin later this year. The ship is also the latest Carnival vessel to utilize shore power and joins Carnival Panorama and Carnival Radiance in connecting to the electric grid while docked in Long Beach instead of running its engines.
The 2020-built Carnival Firenze just finished a 49-day dry dock in Cadiz, Spain that integrated Carnival Fun Italian Style features into the ship’s beautiful design. Notable additions to the ship include the specialty restaurant Il Viaggio – Italian for “The Voyage;” it’s aptly named as its menu promises a journey across Italy through the country’s rich and diverse cuisine. Special programming, like Festa Italiana, a top-deck “street party,” enhances the Italian theming. The ship will sail a variety of itinerary lengths, with three- to seven-day Baja Mexico and Mexican Riviera cruises open for sale now through the spring of 2026.
The ship is setting sail on a seven-day cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas on Thursday afternoon.
