Cruise week report: Carnival Jubilee review, pre-cruise hotels in Miami with shuttle, a canceled Carnival reservation, and more! (2024)

We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.

If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at the recent articles and updates we've shared

1. Why cruise prices are about to get a little clearer

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Have you ever gone to book a cruise, only to be shocked by the final price when you get to the end of the booking process?

Well, luckily for cruisers, the next time you price out a cruise vacation, the final price will be easier to determine. Beginning on July 1st, major cruise lines will begin including the cost of port expenses, taxes, and other fees in the price that potential passengers see. This includes Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises. While there will still be certain fees, such as gratuities and add-ons that won’t be included in the total price, this is a great step in the right direction.

Find out about why this is happening and what you can expect moving forward.

Read more: Why cruise prices are about to get a little clearer

2. TikToker shared a video tour of a cruise ship Captain's room. It's tiny but has a big bathroom.

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Have you ever wondered what your cruise Captain’s living quarters look like onboard a cruise ship?

Well, look no further! TikTok user Kookie (@cruisingwithkay) had the opportunity while onboard Radiance of the Seas! Captain Rumen Yovchev, who has been with Royal Caribbean Group for seven years working as a Captain and Staff Captain, gave viewers a glimpse into his cabin. He even has added personal touches such as plants and comfortable seating.

Here is a look around his cabin on Radiance of the Seas.

Read more: TikToker shared a video tour of a cruise ship Captain's room. It's tiny but has a big bathroom.

3. Watch out for these 8 fees and 1 smart hack that could make your cruise vacation more expensive

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Cruising is a wonderful value vacation, as it includes a range of expenses from dining to transportation, entertainment, accommodations, and more!

However, they are rarely an all-inclusive vacation. If not careful, your cruise vacation total can easily double or even triple by the time you add in extras. If cruisers aren’t aware of the add-ons available, such as internet or drink packages, they can end up having to shell out extra money.

Before jumping on a cheap cruise fare, here are 8 fees, as well as one sneaky hack employed by the cruise lines, that will make your vacation more expensive.

Read more: Watch out for these 8 fees and 1 smart hack that could make your cruise vacation more expensive

4. 10 things that I wish I knew before setting foot on Carnival Jubilee, the newest ship in Carnival's fleet that is perfect for first-time cruisers

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She shares the 10 things to know before sailing on Carnival Jubilee.

Read more: 10 things that I wish I knew before setting foot on Carnival Jubilee, the newest ship in Carnival's fleet that is perfect for first-time cruisers

5. 9 mistakes to avoid while planning a cruise and sharing a cabin with a friend

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Cruises are known to be a great vacation type when it comes to convenience and affordability.

However, they are also known to have small cabins, oftentimes coming in at around (or less than) 200 square feet. This can prove to be awkward when sailing with friends, especially if you aren’t super close to each other. If your travel preferences don’t align, there is a possibility of running into conflict.

To try and alleviate these conflicts before they arise, here are 9 mistakes to avoid while planning a cruise and sharing a stateroom with a friend or loved one.

Read more: 9 mistakes to avoid while planning a cruise and sharing a cabin with a friend

6. Woman lost her Carnival cruise because she posted her reservation number on social media

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The last thing you want to happen when awaiting your cruise vacation is to run into something that will deter your plans, such as an illness or injury.

Tiffany Banks, a naturopathic doctor and mother of four from Lexington, Kentucky, ran into an even trickier issue - she found out days before her sailing that her reservation was canceled without her knowledge. She shared a video on TikTok explaining that she discovered the booking had been canceled when she received an email stating that a few of her shore excursions had been canceled.

Here is her story of why her room was canceled, and what happened after.

Read more: Woman lost her Carnival cruise because she posted her reservation number on social media

7. I went on a 2-week Transatlantic cruise by myself and only packed a carry-on: Here are 13 products that made it easy

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When it comes time to pack for your cruise vacation, it can be overwhelming to decide what to bring with you.

Cruise.Blog writer Hayley recently experienced this when preparing for her first Transatlantic sailing. This 14-day sailing onboard Norwegian Epic departed from Orlando, Florida and arrived in Civitavecchia, Italy. She was able to pack for this vacation in only a carry-on suitcase. This meant that she needed to be strategic in her packing.

She shares with us her list of favorite things to pack for a longer cruise, as well as how to travel minimally - even on a long cruise!

Read more: I went on a 2-week Transatlantic cruise by myself and only packed a carry-on: Here are 13 products that made it easy

8. Where to stay in Miami before a cruise (with a shuttle)

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One of our top pieces of advice for cruisers is to arrive at your embarkation port at least a day before sailing.

Of course, with that advice comes the logistics of finding accommodations for your time before embarkation. If you aren’t careful, you could end up booking a hotel that won't be able to assist you with your transfers to the port. If you can stay at a hotel with shuttle service, you'll have peace of mind as you won't have to worry about anything on embarkation day other than arriving at the specified pick-up spot on time.

Here's a list of where to stay in Miami before your cruise that offers shuttle service for free and for an extra charge.

Read more: Where to stay in Miami before a cruise (with a shuttle)

9. Man was sick on a cruise and was hit with a big bill before being sent home

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Veteran cruisers often advise first-time cruisers to invest in travel insurance - and for good reason!

Travel insurance helps provide financial protection, covering expenses incurred due to medical emergencies, lost luggage, and other unforeseen (and covered) circ*mstances. Vincent Wasney and his fiancée, Sarah Eberlein, had to pay over $2,500 in medical bills for services that Wasney received onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas as a result of a series of seizures.

Here is what happened in their circ*mstance, and why you should invest in travel insurance for your upcoming cruise.

Read more: Man was sick on a cruise and was hit with a big bill before being sent home

10. I cruised on Carnival Jubilee, here’s my review of the voyage

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Carnival Cruise Line is known for having the most fun ships at sea.

With that reputation also comes the notion of the cruise line being full of a wild, party crowd. Cruise.Blog writer Allie had previously avoided Carnival like the plague due to this reputation. However, after finding a dirt-cheap sailing on Carnival Ecstasy in 2022, she decided to test the waters of this cruise line for herself. After having a great experience, she went on to book more Carnival cruises, including their newest Excel class of ships.

She shares her in-depth review of her experience on the new Carnival Jubilee, who it is a good fit for, and what to expect when onboard.

Read more: I cruised on Carnival Jubilee, here’s my review of the voyage