A TikTok video from a creator showcasing how much food her 17-year-old brother ate on a Royal Caribbean cruise has gone viral, with many guests impressed by his metabolism.
TikTok user kyleigh.pate shared the video of their cruise from Galveston, highlighting her brother Ryan’s daily diet.
It rapidly gathered a huge amount of attention, with almost 5 million views and 500,000 likes at the time of writing, along with over 9,000 comments.
Many of those comments are from impressed guests who praised the teen for enjoying himself and getting his money’s worth – and rightly so!
A lot of viewers said that they wished they still had the metabolism of a teenager, and that they would love to be able to enjoy themselves without the consequences.
In the day, Ryan ate a breakfast of:
6 slices of French toast
3 donuts
A plate of bacon
Hash browns
2 sausages
A chocolate croissant
2 glasses of apple juice
Mid-morning he had his first ice cream cone, before lunch at Sorrentos with six slices of pizza. Then two more ice cream cones followed before dinner, which was:
3 cheddar bread rolls (with butter)
Arancini for starters
Two steaks (turf-and-turf) with a baked potato and broccoli
A chocolate dessert with ice cream
A lemon tart
And then to end the day, Ryan returned to Sorrentos for three more slices of pizza.
All of this food was included in the cruise fare, with many more complimentary options Ryan could’ve enjoyed, along with several speciality restaurants that have an additional charge, too.
If you’ve never cruised before, they really do let you enjoy plenty of variety in your food, and plenty of food while you’re at it too! If you want double steaks with your dinner, you just need to ask.
Fair play to Ryan! How does your typical cruise diet compare?
And it just goes to show that you can go viral on TikTok for just about anything!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
One of the most popular theme cruises will be embarking for one last voyage in March 2025, as guests get the last chance to enjoy a Golden Girls sailing.
Image credit: Golden Fans at Sea
Themed for the extremely popular US TV show, the ‘Golden Fans at Sea’ cruise is a loving tribute to everyone involved in the show. While the original actors have all passed away, there will be other guests onboard including the show’s original writer.
Guests will be able to take part in panel discussions, dancing competitions, trivia games and more, as well as the popular costume competitions where many fans love to dress up as their favourite characters.
The cruise is the sixth Golden Girls-themed cruise and will be taking place on the Celebrity Reflection, on 9th March 2025.
It will depart from Port Everglades and will visit Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Bimini. Fares start at $1,694 per person for the cruise and include drinks, WiFi and tips.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
With their billowing sails and graceful design, Star Clippers ships look nothing like traditional cruise ships.
But are the sails the only difference? Far from it!
Let’s take a look at what you can expect from a Star Clippers cruise compared to a regular cruise.
1. The ships look totally different
Star Clippers operate tall ships modelled after the classic 19th-century clipper ships.
Star Flyer and Royal Clipper
These vessels are smaller and more intimate, featuring sails and masts that evoke the romance of traditional sailing. With a capacity ranging from 170 to 227 passengers, these ships offer a unique and cosy atmosphere.
Me onboard Royal Clipper
In contrast, regular cruise ships are modern, large-scale vessels that can accommodate anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand passengers. These ships are designed for stability and comfort, boasting as many as 20 decks and lots of amenities.
2. Star Clippers cruises are about the sailing experience
A cruise with Star Clippers emphasises the traditional sailing experience. Guests have the opportunity to participate in sailing activities, such as helping to raise the sails and climbing the mast.
Climbing the mast
The ships use wind power wherever possible, providing a quieter and more eco-friendly voyage.
Regular cruise ships are powered by oil, diesel or liquefied natural gas engines, ensuring a smoother and faster travel experience. These ships focus on stability and comfort, minimising the impact of weather conditions on travel.
3. Star Clippers cruises have a chilled vibe
Star Clippers offer a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The smaller number of passengers fosters a sense of community and personalised service.
The dress code is elegant yet casual, reflecting a laid-back vibe that encourages relaxation and social interaction. Star Clippers has no ‘formal nights’, but it does offer a White Night for those that like to dress up.
White Night on a Star Clippers Cruise
Regular cruise ships offer a wide range of atmospheres, from casual to formal, depending on the cruise line.
The larger number of passengers creates a bustling and varied social scene. Formal nights and dress codes are common, adding an element of sophistication to the experience.
4. Star Clippers cruises are best for people who love being active
On board a Star Clippers ship, the focus is on sailing-related activities and exploring nature.
While the entertainment options are more limited compared to larger ships, activities like snorkelling, kayaking, and shore excursions take centre stage, providing immersive experiences in each destination.
Enjoying watersports on a Star Clippers cruise
Regular cruise ships boast an extensive range of entertainment options, including theatres, casinos, nightclubs, and more.
With multiple dining options, pools, fitness centres, and shopping areas, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy throughout the day and evening.
5. Big ships are best for people with limited mobility
If you use any kind of mobility aid like a wheelchair, scooter or walking stick, or if you struggle with stairs, than a Star Clippers cruise isn’t for you.
These small ships have no elevators, so stairs are impossible to avoid. The gangplank is also very steep and narrow.
Instead, cruisers with limited mobility should choose a big, new ship. These offer wheelchair-accessible cabins, step-free access, braille signage, and some even have cabins for the deaf and hard of hearing.
6. Star Clippers ships head off the beaten track
Star Clippers’ smaller size allows access to smaller, less-visited ports and more remote destinations. Their unique itineraries often focus on off-the-beaten-path locations, offering a truly adventurous experience.
Regular cruise ships operate on fixed schedules with popular, well-known ports of call. Their larger fleet and higher capacity provide a wider range of destinations, catering to diverse travel interests.
7. Star Clippers ships are better for the environment
Star Clippers ships have a reduced environmental footprint due to their use of wind power. Their smaller size also means less impact on local ecosystems, aligning with a more sustainable approach to cruising.
While regular cruise ships have a larger environmental footprint due to engine power and higher passenger capacity, there is an increasing focus on sustainability within the industry.
Many cruise lines are implementing eco-friendly practices, but the overall impact remains greater compared to sailing ships.
8. Star Clippers is a luxury cruise line
Star Clippers generally have a higher cost per passenger due to the unique experience and smaller size. However, the value lies in the personalised service and the distinct sailing adventure they offer.
Regular cruise ships offer a wide range of price options, from budget to luxury. They provide more amenities and entertainment for the price, appealing to a broad spectrum of travellers.
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9. Regular cruise ships have a wider variety of food on offer
Dining on a Star Clippers ship is an intimate affair, with fewer dining venues but a focus on high-quality, gourmet cuisine featuring regional specialties. The smaller setting allows for a more personalised dining experience.
Regular cruise ships boast multiple dining options, including speciality restaurants, buffets, and casual eateries. This variety caters to diverse tastes and offers a broader culinary experience.
Which to choose?
Choosing between Star Clippers and regular cruise ships depends on what kind of cruise experience you seek.
If you long for a traditional sailing adventure with personalized service and unique destinations, Star Clippers might be your perfect match.
On the other hand, if you prefer a modern cruising experience with extensive amenities and entertainment options, regular cruise ships offer a wide range of choices.
Both options provide memorable experiences, so weigh your preferences and set sail on the voyage that best fits your travel dreams.
Be sure to check out my Star Clippers cruise review to see what I loved and didn’t love about this cruise line.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Even loyal cruise fans know that not every sailing goes to plan.
In fact, the most loyal cruise guests have often cruises so many times with a cruise line that they’re bound to have had the occasional bad experience.
So it’s no surprise that a group of Carnival cruise fans who are members of the VIFP loyalty program have some crazy stories to tell about their worst cruises.
Remember though that these are the loyal Carnival fans – so the cruise line must be doing enough right that these stories don’t put them off!
1. Racism from other passengers
One passenger explained how they’d experienced racism on their Carnival cruise – and that’s no doubt one of the worst experiences anyone could have onboard.
They clarified that it was racism from other passengers that spoiled their cruise, not from the crew or anything like that – which is still bad enough. To have other cruise passengers mistreating you because of your race must be horrendous.
Just to make it even worse, the person who claimed to be a victim of racism then had to argue with someone on Facebook who claimed it wasn’t racism after all – and that claims of racism are thrown around too often!
Carnival is a diverse cruise line that welcomes passengers from a lot of backgrounds and I believe that most have a great time without being the victim of racism, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen for this passenger.
2. Being exposed by automatic toilet doors!
Something completely different now, and a recurring complaint related to the public bathrooms on the newest ships in the fleet (Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Jubilee).
The problem with the public bathrooms on these ships is that the doors use automatic locks… and not everyone can figure out exactly how they work!
The result is a number of people who’ve ended up getting ‘exposed’ as someone else opens the door, leading to some embarrassing situations!
A lot of people who’ve been caught have now decided they’d rather trek all the way back to their cabin even when they’re enjoying the entertainment, just to avoid the risk of having the door open on them.
Surely bathroom doors shouldn’t be this complicated?
3. Injuries
Some of the worst stories are related to injuries suffered onboard.
There are lots of different stories that people have shared, including being injured by a waiter dropping a tray onto their hand, or falling down the stairs when wearing high heels (even when not drunk).
Accidents do happen on cruises, especially when you’re around a lot of guests who might be enjoying a drink or two. Make sure you’re careful, because the medical costs onboard can be quite high!
4. Hookups gone wrong!
A couple of passengers have talked about how their cruise took a wrong turn when ‘interacting’ with other guests.
This passenger spoke about how they thought they were having a successful cruise romance until they discovered that the guy was married and that they were not swingers – the wife was less than pleased to discover what had been going on!
Carnival is a great cruise line for singles who want to meet new people either for short-term fun or long-term romance, but try to make sure you’re flirting with someone who is definitely unattached!
5. Passenger complaints about a disabled child
Carnival has a great reputation for welcoming all guests and accommodating those who have particular needs or disabilities.
It’s a shame that not all Carnival guests are quite as welcoming…
Imagine feeling so offended by a child being overwhelmed that you moan to other passengers and try to say they shouldn’t be allowed onboard!
Are cruises only for those without disabilities now? An awful experience for this passenger and I’m glad they stood up to the person complaining.
6. Hitting the drink package limit too early
If you buy the drinks package on a Carnival cruise, you can enjoy as many drinks as you like without paying for them individually.
Well, maybe not as many as you like…
There’s a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day, which for most people is not going to cause them any problems. 15 is quite a lot! But this passenger claimed that it spoiled their cruise because they were getting cut off by 7 pm on every day of their cruise.
It’s over 10 years since the Carnival Triumph’s famed ‘Poop cruise‘ and yet it’s still one of the most talked about topics when someone asks about the worst cruise ever.
It’s understandable though – it was hardly a pleasant experience.
If you don’t know about the poop cruise, what happened was the Carnival Triumph suffered an engine room fire in 2013 which took out the power, including the air conditioning. It also affected the plumbing.
This meant that the ship was stranded without propulsion, and with no working toilet system. As you can imagine, the conditions soon became unsanitary for everyone onboard.
Carnival made good by refunding everyone, paying $500 in compensation as well as offering another free cruise, but those who were onboard describe it as hell. Still, many people knew it was a one-off and have since sailed with Carnival again!
8. Hurricanes and storms
Lots of people blame hurricanes and storms for their worse cruises.
It’s understandable – you can’t control the weather, but it can completely spoil all the plans you had for a nice relaxing sailing.
Even if you don’t get rough waters, it can mean that your itinerary is completely changed at the last minute, and you might not even get to visit any ports – it could be a cruise that just has to dodge storms at sea.
One of the best bits of advice I always give when choosing a cabin is to make sure you’ve got other cabins directly above and below you, and on either side.
That’s because normally that will mean less noise – but not always…
There are noisy parts of the ship such as crew work areas, the pool deck or the bars, and that sound can carry through the walls or floor. But you really shouldn’t be dealing with neighbouring passengers causing a disturbance too.
If you’re having to call security every night, then security aren’t doing their job properly. Thankfully these types of story are rare!
A few people have mentioned their worst cruise experiences being when ship stabilizers failed – and it’s happened more than once.
Notable incidents have occured on several ships including Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Liberty, with the video above apparently on Carnival Legend.
It can be scary – so I can totally understand why some people would rank this as their worst experience. But it’s not like a ship is suddenly going to tip over.
I do love that the people in the restaurant thought that moving from one side of the ship to the other would help. Trust me, the weight of the people onboard a cruise ship is pretty negligible compared to the weight of the ship itself!
11. Sickness!
There’s nothing worse than getting so excited for a cruise (or indeed any type of holiday) only to lose some of it to sickness.
Lots of people have blamed the issues in 2020 for their worst cruises, but there are plenty of people who get sick on cruises at regular times too.
It’s not helped by unhygienic passengers who can’t even be bothered to wash their hands properly, or sneeze into their elbow. Basic rules!
Again, you might be able to get some money back if you’re sick on a cruise and quarantined in your cabin. Hopefully, it never happens for you but there’s always the possibility.
A breakup on holiday is awful. But it’s even worse on a cruise because you’ve no way of easily escaping each other!
Cruise breakups can happen, and there were a few people in the Carnival group who told similar stories.
Whether that’s because arguments can become fueled by booze, or just the nature of being on a ship and feeling like you can’t escape each other. Or maybe someone had a wandering eye, seeing all the people by the pool…
If you’re lucky, you might be able to pay for an additional cabin if you’re already onboard and explain your situation, but many cruises will sail sold out so if you do break up, you might be stuck together. Try to stay on each other’s good side!
13. Random food sharer
Whether or not this is worthy of being the “worst cruise ever”, I don’t know. But it’s definitely weird and a bit gross.
Having random people steal food from your plate is NOT common on cruises, don’t worry!
It’s not clear whether it was a child stealing food, or a grown woman, but either way it’s something that you should nip in the bud. Tell them no, and then feel free to go grab a new plate.
Chalk it up to a weird random experience, and try not to let it spoil your mood!
14. Accidentally flashing the crew
Are you the kind of person who lets embarrassing moments live on long in your memory?
The fact that this cruise passenger still tells the story as their worst cruise experience ever shows that it’s stuck with them – and maybe it has stuck with the crew member too!
Embarrassing moments can happen anywhere but don’t worry – you won’t typically find the crew in your cabin doing cleaning so the chances of you experiencing something like this are slim to none.
15. When EVERYTHING goes wrong!
This poor passenger!
When something goes wrong on any type of holiday, it can then feel like everything is going wrong. But I think for this passenger it really was. This isn’t a negative attitude – that’s a seriously long list of unfortunate occurrences.
It seems like they still were able to enjoy their honeymoon cruise thanks to their friends, but trust me – most cruises aren’t the catalogue of horrors that this person experienced!
16. When the cruise ends
The most common comment on that Facebook group about the worst cruise experience was that the cruise ended – and I think that shows that even bad moments can’t put off loyal cruise fans.
Plenty of people joked about how they were forced to get off the ship at the end of their itinerary and how it was unfair that they were surprised by this ‘debarkation day’ that crew were talking about.
But the fact that so many people made similar comments show that people really do enjoy being loyal to Carnival because of the great times they have onboard.
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Final word
Carnival is not a cruise line for everyone. It has a lively party atmosphere, it’s very bold and loud at times (especially during deck parties), and it’s very much aimed at the American market.
But if you’re the kind of person who would fit in on a Carnival ship, there’s a good chance you may want to stay loyal – even though it’s clear that bad things do sometimes happen.
That’s the same on any cruise line though. In fact, I know there are some cruise lines where bad experiences might be more common!
Just know that most people on a Carnival cruise – or any cruise – have an amazing time, and roll with the punches if something does go wrong. It shouldn’t spoil your cruise, and if it does, there’s always the next one!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
One of the best features of a cruise ship’s pool deck can often be one of the more controversial – the hot tubs!
Cruise ship jacuzzis offer a great spot to relax and unwind as you soak up the view, but of course, there aren’t enough hot tubs for everyone to enjoy at once. While some new cruise ships like Arvia and Iona have 16 hot tubs, many ships have just one or two.
And so one of the more divisive subjects around hot tubs, especially with how cruise holidays have changed, is whether kids should be banned from using them.
I asked my Facebook audience this exact question – Let’s delve into the results!
It’s a fairly strong “yes, ban them”…
There’s a clear majority of cruise guests who feel that kids shouldn’t be allowed to use the hot tubs on cruise ships.
66% of people I asked said that kids should be banned, and they gave lots of reasons to back that up…
1. “It’s not safe”
Some people are concerned from a safety perspective, especially with younger children. Some hot tubs may not be safe for younger kids to use. One cruiser argued that “their bodies are not mature enough to regulate heat”.
This will depend on the ship and the hot tub – some might have rules about certain ages being banned already for this reason. However, in my experience, I’ve never known a cruise ship hot tub to be actually ‘hot’. Most are just warm whirlpools.
According to the Institue of Health Visiting, a baby’s bath should be 37°C to 38°C, which is actually a lot warmer than a cruise ship jacuzzi.
When we’ve stayed in holiday cottages that have hot jacuzzis that go as high as 40°C, the kids will sit on the side with their feet in. They just don’t like to go in water that’s too hot for them.
2. “Kids don’t know how to behave”
Behaviour is another biggie. One cruiser said “It’s the behaviour of some kids that is the problem”
Another pointed out that they avoid the main pool deck because there are “way too many kids playing in the hot tubs, jumping and splashing – not what hot tubs are for”.
Of course, nobody should ever be splashing anyone with water without their consent, it’s just rude.
And then there’s the issue of overcrowding, with one person saying “I have been on many cruises in school holidays and can’t get near a hot tub because there are 25 kids in there almost constantly!”
I sympathise with this. I’ve also been on adult-only cruises and not been able to go in the hot tub because it’s constantly full to capacity. So perhaps this isn’t to do with the age of the hot tub users? Just a problem with supply and demand?
4. “Kids spread germs”
One person spoke about how kids made the hot tubs unhealthy for other guests, and also put themselves at risk due to the germs from other people, especially as they had seen “lots of kids put their faces underwater” in the hot tubs.
5. “Kids should be supervised”
You should always be careful with kids around the pool area because, while most cruise guests are fine, you can’t trust everyone. As one cruiser pointed out,” “there was once a guy caught on a Carnival ship around the pool area with no bathing suit on – just a towel.”
He didn’t get into the hot tub (as the cruiser originally thought) but he was hanging around near kids. So just make sure you’re always supervising and looking out for creepy folk! You never know when there might be one.
Not everyone feels the same…
There were still plenty of cruisers who felt that kids shouldn’t be automatically banned from hot tubs – while a minority, it wasn’t just a handful of voices.
“Kids are people too and should be able to have fun and be respectful at the same time” was the response of one cruiser, who felt that banning kids from hot tubs wouldn’t be fair, as long as they were using them appropriately.
Another said, “My daughter is not childish when in public, she behaves and chats with other cruisers and I don’t believe she should miss out just because of her age”.
Adult supervision was mentioned often – “don’t ban them but they should have an adult with them” being just one example.
While several cruisers felt kids should be allowed to enjoy the hot tubs, it was unsupervised children that caused the most concern.
There were some unique cases too, such as one person who said “My daughter has a disability and can’t tolerate the child water in the main pool, she usually uses hydrotherapy pools so the hot tub is lovely for her.”
Adults-only limits must be enforced
It’s clear from the responses that one of the biggest problems with hot tubs is when kids are allowed to use those that are designated for adults only.
Cruise lines set aside some areas of a ship for adults to enjoy away from the kids and they should be enforcing those rules, but it seems like they aren’t, with entitled parents ignoring any signs or warnings.
One person even said “It’s why I won’t cruise again. Awful experience – brats all of them. P&O fault for not enforcing the rules.”
Best of the rest of the comments…
There were several other responses that maybe didn’t directly answer the question but I didn’t want you to miss out!
Several said that the problem with hot tubs wasn’t anything to do with kids but was instead all about the adults.
Some of the comments were things like “adults, please don’t have sex in the hot tub” or how irritating the “hogs that mark the hot tubs all day” are.
A few people also touched on people who drink in the hot tubs, risking spillages or perhaps even worse, as one person put it – “I watched a guy drink a bucket of beers once and not once did he get out of the tub. Iron bladder or…”
One cruiser commented on watching a woman have an actual bath in a hot tub, full-on washing herself!
And some people said that hot tubs should just be banned outright due to being an absolute germ-fest, with one person describing them as “vile and often like a human soup”. A nice thought to end on!
Here’s what I think!
My own view (as a ‘cruise mummy’!) is that kids should be allowed in the hot tubs, as long as they’re behaving properly and are supervised by adults. However, there should also be an option for adults to enjoy the hot tubs without kids, when they want to.
These could be the hot tubs in the adults-only areas of the ship (which could then be hotter, since there isn’t the concern about the safety of the temperature for kids) or it might just be certain times of the day that hot tubs are reserved for adults, maybe before 9 am and after 7 pm?
Of course, this would rely on cruise lines enforcing it, which they aren’t always the most reliable at. They set the rules but then will sometimes let things slide to avoid confronting guests, if they feel like nobody else is concerned and it’s not a safety risk
So, if you see someone breaking the rules and having kids in an adults-only hot tub, don’t be ashamed of having a quiet word with the crew and ask them to resolve it. If you are polite then they’ll definitely handle it for you.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Cruises are proving especially popular this year. More travelers looking for relaxing and all-inclusive vacations are booking suites in 2024, a 70% increase compared to 2019. If you’re one of them, your preparations probably include picking a cruise line, determining the kind of room you want, and looking at any additional services you’re willing to pay for. You’re likely also thinking about cruise attire.
Our post notes you’ll need certain pieces to suit various activities, with many ships carrying dress codes for you to follow. Key essentials include swimwear, casual shirts, shorts, and sundresses, and more formal button-down tops and slacks. Meanwhile, sunglasses top the list of vital accessories. Aside from elevating any outfit, this eyewear is crucial for protecting you from UV overexposure that can cause cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Want to use sunnies to look classy on your next cruise? Go beyond your usual pair and get yours from designer brands for added elegance and charm. Here are the best ones you can try.
If you want fine craftsmanship, look no further than Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses. As exemplified by its recent campaigns with high-profile individuals like Miley Cyrus and Matthew Noszka, this luxury Italian fashion house is renowned for creating exceptionally refined, durable, and versatile eyewear that can make anyone look more elegant. That’s primarily thanks to its penchant for using quality materials and maintaining superior attention to detail. All these things shine through in the DG6189U. Its classic, round lenses, tasteful tortoiseshell frames, and delicate gold detailing on the temples can add sophistication to formal cruise attire. Since it’s made of robust materials like polycarbonate, it’ll also withstand all the activities you try on board.
Ray-Ban is your go-to if you want practical, timeless, yet innovative designer specs. You can’t expect anything less from the brand that pioneered the iconic Aviators Tom Cruise wore in Top Gun! Ray-Ban sunglasses always bring new twists to the world of eyewear. Its Reverse collection in particular hits a whopping three birds with one stone, boasting lenses that curve inward and are made of 67% bio-based carbon content while providing 100% UV protection. With the range including classic Ray-Ban designs like the Aviator, Wayfarer, Caravan, and Boyfriend, you can make a subtle yet unique fashion statement that draws compliments whether you’re lounging by the pool or exploring ports of call—because they look good with everything.
Opting for designer sunglasses during your cruise means more opportunities to sport eccentric styles you rarely find in everyday eyewear. So if you want something brighter, bolder, and more suited for tropical getaways, Burberry’s got your back. Though the brand is best known for its iconic Burberry check pattern, it’s also famous for creating bold, luxurious sunglasses with quirky designs you’ll find nowhere else. All you need to do is look at its BE 4284 379287 model. Its large, square frames boast vibrant swirls of color that pop and sizzle, perfect if you want to stand out in a crowd of cruise-goers. Get them in the striped check/gray colorway for the best effect!
Bvlgari sunglasses uniquely combine historical inspirations with modern aesthetics, resulting in a fashionable contemporary edge. Their designs are so luxurious that they’ll carry over that sumptuous vibe to the rest of your cruise outfits—even if you’re just wearing casual clothes. That’s especially true of the BV8241KB, which delivers stylish gradient lenses and thin wire-rimmed frames that gently lift into a subtle cat-eye shape. The best part? You can add polarized coatings to the lenses! You’ll find this feature especially useful while you’re on the water: the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains these use vertical filters to block out horizontal sunlight that bounces off the sea into your eyes, which can mar your cruise experience by causing eye strain and even temporary vision loss.
Ever wondered what happens on a nude cruise? Even if you’ve no interest in trying one yourself, most of us are at least curious as to what they involve.
According to one nudism cruise guest, there are actually several rules that must be followed to make sure that everyone onboard has a safe and happy experience.
Here’s a look at the rules for nude cruises – how many of these surprise you?
1. No Taking Photos Of Others (But Phones Are Allowed)
Nudism is not the same as exhibitionism, and many people on a nude cruise aren’t trying to show off – instead they are just enjoying the feeling of being free, and not having to wear clothes when they don’t want to.
This means that you have to be very respectful, and make sure you don’t take photos of anyone else without their knowledge or permission – not just as the main subject, but in the background of your photos as well.
You’re fine to have your phone with you (though most people tend to leave their phone in their cabin). You just can’t be snapping pics of other nude passengers.
2. Towels On Every Surface
Hygiene is very important on a nudism cruise, and pretty much everyone onboard respects these rules. After all, health and safety is crucial when you don’t have the protective layers of clothing to stop you from spreading germs.
So, according to the passenger on the recent nudism cruise, most people have very high standards of hygiene and there aren’t any ‘smells’ to worry about.
But more importantly, everyone always abides by the rule that towels have to be placed on any surface where you’re going to sit. Nobody on a nudism cruise wants to sit on an unprotected chair or sun lounger, and so there is an abundance of towels around every public area.
Everyone is bought in, too. It’s not like guests have to be asked to follow the rules – they are all willing, not just to prevent them from leaving any germs behind but also to stop germs on the surfaces from being picked up too.
3. Shoes Around The Ship
While nudism cruises are clothing-optional, one item of clothing that must be worn at almost any time are shoes or sandals. You can’t wander around the ship bare-foot at all.
This is another safety requirement. There could be broken glass on the floors if someone has accidentally dropped a drink, or there might be some other rough materials which could damage your feet.
And if you’ve ever tried to walk on the sun deck of a cruise ship barefoot on a hot day, you’ll appreciate just how necessary shoes are to protect your feet from the heat of the floor!
You’re welcome to take your shoes or sandals off while sitting down or lounging in the pool, but just as with a regular cruise, as soon as you move, you need to put them back on.
4. Clothing Required In Restaurants
Nudism cruises are not complete free-for-alls and there are certain parts of the ship where you’ll be asked to wear clothes, including most of the sit-down restaurants.
For that reason, nude cruises tend to be more nude during the day, and then at night there’s more of a mix of people who are fully clothed, partially clothed, or nude.
There are plenty of evening venues where clothing is still optional, including the buffet restaurants and the bars and nightclubs.
But if you want to enjoy a more formal dining experience, you’ll need to get dressed, even if you then remove your clothing again as soon as the meal is over.
5. No Nudity In Port
While a nude cruise is all about being free to enjoy yourself without wearing clothing, that only applies when you’re out at sea – you can’t board the ship or step off at port while naked.
That wouldn’t be fair for the people working at the port, for reasons of decency – you don’t know who will be there and whether they are OK with seeing people undressed.
So, you’ll board the cruise fully dressed and then once you reach a safe distance from the shore – typically around 30 minutes after you’ve set sail – you’ll hear an announcement from the captain asking you to get dressed. And it’ll be the same when sailing into port as well.
The good news is that, when you’re on an organised nude cruise, you will be able to enjoy some nudist shore excursions as well. But you’ll need to be dressed when disembarking and while you take your coach to reach the resort or nudist beach where the excursion is taking place.
A nudism cruise is all about allowing guests to be naked if they want to be – but there’s no rule that says you have to be. If you don’t feel comfortable at any time, you’re perfectly welcome to get dressed and enjoy every aspect of the cruise.
It’s not super-common, because nude cruises aren’t cheap. They are specially chartered sailings, and so the fares are higher than a regular cruise. The only reason to book one is if you want to enjoy the nudist side of cruising.
Still, be aware that people are allowed to wear clothes if they want to.
7. Hiding Excitement
Not so much a rule, but good advice for anyone who’s considering a nude cruise.
Nudism cruises are not sex cruises, which are completely different. As such, it would be frowned upon for anyone to get visibly ‘excited’ while on a nudism cruise – speaking about the men in particular.
You would be expected to make efforts to hide anything like that, just like you would if you were clothed. Nudism is not about looking at other people, but about feeling comfortable in your own skin.
The nudist passenger did say that this isn’t something nudists think about a lot. It doesn’t come up very often, shall I say! But it is one of the more common questions non-nudists ask.
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Final Word
A nudism cruise is all about people who want to try the nudist lifestyle and be comfortable among others – so having a set of clear rules is important to make sure that everyone is respectful of each other, and understands the boundaries that are expected.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
If you’re looking for a luxury cruise, you’ve almost certainly considered Oceania Cruises.
For good reason too – Oceania Cruises is known for providing a fantastic, premium experience, and whichever ship you end up on, you can be sure of a refined and relaxed atmosphere. With hundreds of destinations available, you’re able to explore most of the globe on board an Oceania ship.
While each cruise will differ, and we’d encourage you to check the specifics of any cruise you’re currently considering, as a rule of thumb, here’s what you can expect to be included in your Oceania Cruises price:
Gourmet dining at several onboard restaurants
Soft drinks, bottled water, speciality coffees, teas, and juices
Free fitness classes and fitness centre access
24-hour room service
In-room minibar with soft drinks (replenished on a daily basis)
Complimentary shuttle service from the ship to many city centres
Enrichment programs, including lectures, classes, and workshops
Unlimited WiFi
simplyMORE™ package
That simplyMORE package is the real game-changer for Oceania. While technically described as a ‘special offer’ by the cruise line, it’s currently included on all cruises – though this might change in future.
With the simplyMORE package, you get everything above PLUS the following:
Free airfare
Free gratuities
Free transfers from the airport to the ship
Shore excursion credit – up to $1,600 per stateroom (depending on how long your cruise is)
Free Champagnes, wines and beers during lunch and dinner
It’s a little confusing, because Oceania claims that the simplyMORE package also includes unlimited WiFi and unlimited speciality restaurant dining, but those were already included anyway.
Now, let’s take a closer look at exactly what you get for your money…
1. Food
Oceania Cruises includes a variety of gourmet dining options in its onboard restaurants as standard, so whichever cruise you’re on, you’ll have a great choice of where to eat, and the cuisine that suits you.
One of the hallmarks of Oceania Cruises is its exceptional culinary offerings, curated by renowned chefs.
Guests can dine at multiple onboard restaurants without any additional charge, enjoying a diverse array of international cuisines, from Italian delicacies at Toscana to French-inspired dishes at Jacques. The Grand Dining Room also offers exquisite meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Oceania Cruises prides itself on offering an unparalleled dining experience that rivals the finest restaurants on land.
The emphasis is on freshness and quality, with menus designed by acclaimed chefs like Jacques Pépin. Each dish is carefully crafted to provide an unforgettable dining experience, making every meal a highlight of the cruise.
There is one exception, which is La Reserve – a private dining experience for groups of up to 10 guests. This one does have a charge, which varies, but expect to pay between $250 and $400 per person (before gratuity).
Yes – all speciality restaurants are included!
One of the things that makes Oceania Cruises stand out is that their speciality restaurants are included, so you don’t need to worry about being charged an additional fee to eat at speciality restaurants on board.
Reservations may be required, especially for popular venues, but the meals themselves are part of the cruise package.
The inclusion of speciality restaurants in the cruise fare means you’re able to enjoy diverse culinary delights, from Asian fusion at Red Ginger to the classic American steakhouse experience at Polo Grill. This inclusive approach ensures that dining remains a central, worry-free pleasure of your experience.
2. Drinks
Oceania Cruises includes a range of non-alcoholic beverages in your cruise fare, including soft drinks, bottled water, speciality coffees, teas, and juices.
Plus as part of the simplyMORE package, you’ll also get a House Select beverage package included, which means you can enjoy a wide selection of beers, wines and Champagnes – but only during lunch and dinner.
If you want to enjoy these drinks when relaxing by the pool, or you’re interested in cocktails or spirits, you’ll need to pay for them individually or upgrade to the Prestige Select beverage package for $30 per person, per day.
3. Tips / Gratuities
You don’t have to worry about paying daily gratuities on your Oceania cruise – with the simplyMORE package, they’re included. Normally they would cost between $18 and $23 per person, per day depending on your accommodation choice, but now they’re included.
There is a 20% gratuity that’s added to any drinks you buy, any spa treatments, or to La Reserve dining reservations.
It only applies to anything you need to pay for – so the drinks that are included in the House Select beverage package don’t incur the fee, those gratuities are covered.
And if you upgrade to the Prestige Select drinks package, then you won’t pay the gratuity on any of those drinks.
But whenever you’re paying a fee onboard – for an individual drink outside your package, or for spa treatments, then 20% extra will be added on top of the advertised price.
4. WiFi
Oceania Cruises offers complimentary unlimited internet access, so you can stay connected with family and friends, keep up with work and browse the web during your voyage.
The WiFi service is accessible throughout the ship, including in staterooms and public areas, so you’re able to use your devices whenever and wherever you need to.
5. Airfare
Oceania Cruises offers deals that include round-trip airfare from select gateway cities, ensuring that you can easily and affordably travel from your home to the destination where you get on board.
These airfare-included packages simplify the travel planning process, so you’re able to book your entire journey with one provider.
6. Transfers
Many cruise lines offer transfers at an additional cost, but with their simplyMORE™ package, Oceania Cruises offer transfers from the airport to the ship at no extra cost.
Inclusion of transfers will help ensure you have a smooth start and end to the cruise, and eliminate the stress and hassle of arranging separate transportation.
7. Shore Excursions
With Oceania Cruises’ simply MORE™ package, you’ll receive up to $1,400 shore excursion credit per stateroom. This gives you the flexibility to choose whichever shore excursions you’d like. The amount you get depends on the length of your cruise:
7-9 days = $400
10-13 days = $600
14-18 days = $800
19-24 days = $1,000
25-30 days = $1,200
31+ days = $1,400
Oceania Cruises offers a range of fantastic shore excursions, so guests are free to use their shore excursion credit on whichever tours and activities they would like. One thing is for certain — Oceania Cruises offer an immersive destination experience on every itinerary!
Not everything is included though…
Some items and services are not included in the standard fare on Oceania Cruises, such as spa treatments, wellness services, some shore excursions, travel insurance, and some speciality activities and classes.
By offering all of the above as extras, Oceania Cruises provides total transparency and value for money, allowing you to choose the things that are important to you.
In addition, there may also be high-end experiences for an extra cost, such as premium dining events, premium wines and spirits, and personalised excursions.
The best way to book an Oceania cruise…
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Final word
When you’re sailing with Oceania Cruises, it’s clear that there’s definitely more included than not. You could easily cruise without paying a penny extra, provided you’re happy sticking to non-alcoholic drinks in between meals and you don’t need extras like spa treatments.
And if you do want those extras or that drinks package upgrade, you know that there’s not a huge amount extra to budget for on the run-up to your cruise.
Oceania manages to offer a luxury cruise experience that is still good value – and so is definitely worth considering for your next cruise getaway.
If you are interested in cruising with Oceania, I recommend speaking to the luxury cruise experts at Panache Cruises who will be happy to help you plan your trip.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
With consumer demand for cruise vacations at historic levels, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, has announced an order for three new ships for its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand for a new class of vessel, at nearly 230,000 gross registered tonnes. The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri provides for the design, engineering, and construction of these liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships, which will be delivered in the summers of 2029, 2031, and 2033, respectively.
Carnival Goes Big With New Class of 230,000 Ships
Mardi Gras in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic during her first-ever call during her maiden voyage.
“We are proud to be known as America’s cruise line with tremendous guest loyalty and an outstanding team that has enabled us to deliver memorable vacations to over 100 million guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “For this next-generation ship, we are focused on creating innovative guest experiences that will take Carnival Cruise Line into the future with new FUN features and excitement that we know our guests will LOVE.”
With this order, there have been five new ship orders for Carnival Cruise Line announced in 2024. Earlier this year, Carnival Corporation placed its first newbuild orders in five years for two more Excel-class ships that will join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in 2027 and 2028. The company also recently announced a series of strategic shifts to further optimize the composition of its global brand portfolio and to increase guest capacity for Carnival Cruise Line, transferring a total of five vessels from sister brands to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet between 2023 and March 2025.
Doubling Down On The Growth
“We are doubling down on the growth of Carnival Cruise Line – our highest-returning brand – to keep up with the incredibly strong demand we continue to see for the world’s most popular cruise line,” said Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc. “At this point, our newbuild pipeline is just one delivery in each of 2025, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2031 and 2033. We continue to take a disciplined approach to growth, strategically directing new capacity to the areas of highest demand at a rate of one to two new ships per year.”
According to Weinstein, this order will take the company’s overall measured capacity growth between 2025 and 2033 to an average of approximately 1.5% per year. “This gives us the headroom to strategically provide new capacity to the brands in our portfolio like Carnival Cruise Line, which provide outsized returns while continuing to execute against our responsible capital strategy, using our strong free cash flow over the next several years to improve our balance sheet, significantly reduce our debt, and continue to transfer value from debt holders to shareholders,” he said.
New Class To Hold Up To 8,000 Guests
With over 3,000 guest staterooms, the new ships will be the largest in the Carnival Corporation global fleet and will be able to deliver fun to more guests than any ship in the world when carrying almost 8,000 guests at full capacity. Once delivered in 2033, Carnival Corporation will have a total of 16 LNG-powered ships – including eight Carnival Cruise Line ships – making up almost 30% of Carnival Corporation’s global capacity and delivering immediate greenhouse gas emission reductions. The new ships will also feature advanced energy efficiency, waste management, and emission reduction technologies to further reduce the company’s environmental footprint.
“We are excited to join forces with Carnival Cruise Line to debut a new class of ship, which will be the largest cruise ship ever constructed by Fincantieri and the largest ship ever built in Italy. We are proud of the role Fincantieri has played in helping Carnival Corporation secure its position as the world’s largest cruise company and look forward to continuing this success story together,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO, Fincantieri.
Design details and itinerary information for the new Carnival Cruise Line ships will be announced in the future.
This order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year.
If you’re looking for a unique and luxurious way to travel the seas, Star Clippers’ ships might be just what you’re looking for.
These stunning vessels are modelled after the classic clipper ships of the 19th century, complete with towering masts and billowing sails.
But don’t be fooled by their old-world charm – these ships are equipped with modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology to ensure a comfortable and safe voyage.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at each of the Star Clippers ships, so you can see how they differ, and decide which one you’d like to sail on…
Me onboard Royal Clipper
The Three Ships To Choose From
Star Clippers currently operates three ships:
Royal Clipper
Star Clipper
Stay Flyer
The flagship is Royal Clipper – the largest fully-rigged sailing ship in the world.
Royal Clipper
Star Clipper and the Star Flyer are smaller, with some differences in the facilities you can expect on board.
Star Clipper & Star Flyer
Here’s an overview of how the ships compare…
Here is a table summarizing the differences and similarities between the three ships in the Star Clippers fleet:
Feature
Royal Clipper
Star Clipper
Star Flyer
Type
Five-masted fully rigged ship
Four-masted barquentine
Four-masted barquentine
Construction Date
2000
1992
1991
Length
134m
115.5m
115.5m
Mast Height
54m
63m
63m
Decks
5
4
4
Guest Capacity
227
166
166
Number of Sails
42
16
16
Crew Capacity
106
74
74
Star Clipper and Star Flyer are considered twins. The differences between them are very minor.
However, the flagship, Royal Clipper is quite unique. The extra features you can enjoy on this ship include…
Marina
While all three ships offer watersports, only Royal Clipper features a platform that lowers into place to create a floating jetty. This means that you can enjoy kayaking, diving or windsurfing straight from the ship.
Observation Lounge
Royal Clipper’s observation lounge is located at the front of the main deck, just below the bridge. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
An Extra Pool
Star Clipper and Star Flyer each have two pools on the top deck, whereas Royal Clipper has three. That’s an extra place to cool of when the sunshine of the Mediterranean or Caribbean gets too hot.
Commonalities Across The Fleet
All three ships are powered by a combination of sails and engines, and are equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and spacious cabins.
Star Clippers’ ships have won numerous awards for their unique blend of traditional sailing and modern luxury. The company has been praised for its commitment to sustainability, with all three ships using eco-friendly technologies and wastewater treatment systems.
Now, let’s look at how this fascinating cruise line and its fleet of sailing ships came about…
The History of Star Clippers
Star Clippers was founded in 1991 by Swedish entrepreneur Mikael Krafft. He had a lifelong dream to revive the golden age of tall ships for new generations of adventurers.
In 1987, Krafft conceived the idea of creating a cruise line featuring clipper ships. After three years of meticulous research and design, aided by the White Star Group and a team of naval architects and engineers, Star Clippers was born.
The Star Clipper and Star Flyer were built in 1991 and 1992, respectively. In 2000, Krafft’s fleet expanded with the introduction of Royal Clipper, the world’s largest square-rigger in service today, cementing Star Clippers’ reputation for offering a unique and nostalgic sailing experience.
Design and Features
Sailing Heritage
When you step aboard a Star Clippers ship, you’ll be transported back in time to the golden age of sailing. These magnificent vessels are designed to replicate the classic sailing ships of the 19th century, with tall masts, billowing sails, and a sense of adventure that can only be found on the open sea.
The ships are built with traditional materials and techniques, and are manned by a crew of experienced sailors who know how to navigate the waters with skill and precision.
Modern Amenities
Despite their historic design, Star Clippers ships are equipped with all the modern amenities you need to enjoy a comfortable and luxurious voyage.
Each ship features swimming pools, a spa, and plenty of places to relax. You can chill with a book, take part in a range of watersports, or simply soak up the sun and enjoy the stunning views of the ocean.
Accommodation
The cabins on board Star Clippers ships are designed to offer you the perfect blend of comfort and style. Each cabin is tastefully decorated with a nautical theme, and features all the amenities you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay.
From the cosy outside cabins to the spacious suites, you can find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs.
Destinations and Itineraries
Star Clippers offers a variety of destinations and itineraries to choose from, each providing a unique sailing experience. Rather than making your decision based on your favourite ship, I would recommend instead choosing your favourite itinerary.
Here are some of the destinations and itineraries you can explore:
Caribbean
Between December and March, you can sail through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, visiting idyllic islands and pristine beaches. Enjoy snorkelling, diving, and other water activities while taking in the stunning scenery of the Caribbean.
St Lucia
Mediterranean
Between April and November, it’s time to explore the Mediterranean’s stunning coastline, from the picturesque villages of Greece to the glamorous French Riviera. Discover hidden coves, historic sites, and bustling cities on a Mediterranean cruise.
Calvi, Capri
Central America
Between December and March you can explore Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. These tropical destinations provide a unique blend of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and adventurous activities. Guests can traverse the Panama Canal, marvel at the lush rainforests and abundant wildlife of Costa Rica, and discover the pristine beaches and colonial architecture of Nicaragua.
Panama Island
Transatlantic
You can cross the Atlantic Ocean on a Star Clippers ship, following in the footsteps of legendary explorers. Enjoy the thrill of sailing on the open sea, with no land in sight for days at a time.
Onboard Experience
When you step onboard one of the Star Clippers ships, you’re in for a unique and unforgettable experience. From the moment you board, you’ll be transported back in time to the golden age of sailing.
Dining Options
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining onboard. Each ship has a main dining room where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menus change daily, and the chefs use fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create delicious dishes.
On all three ships, you are free to dine when and with whomever you wish – including with theofficers, who join guests in the dining room most nights.
Entertainment and Activities
There’s never a dull moment onboard a Star Clippers ship. You can choose to do as much or as little as you like. Take part in the ship’s daily activities, such as yoga classes, mast climbing and helping to raise the sails.
Or, simply relax on deck and soak up the sun. In the evenings, enjoy live music, dancing, and entertainment.
Watersports
Star Clippers offers an included watersports program so you can learn a variety of nautical activities, supervised by the crew. You can enjoy kayaks, paddle boards and dinghies as well as water skiing and windsurfing.
Star Clippers also hands out snorkelling equipment to all guests, so all you have to do is dive in and explore.
Wellness and Relaxation
If you’re looking for some relaxation and pampering, the ships have a range of wellness facilities. There’s a spa where you can indulge in a massage or beauty treatment and a library where you can curl up with a good book and escape from the hustle and bustle of the ship
Royal Clipper also has a fitness centre where you can work out and a steam room where you can unwind.
Booking and Travel Information
When it comes to booking your Star Clippers cruise, you have a few options. You can book directly through the Star Clippers website, or you can use a travel agent to help you with the process.
Once you have booked your cruise, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all of the necessary information, including your itinerary, cabin details, and any additional services or excursions you may have booked. You will also receive information about the embarkation process and what to expect on board.
To learn more about what it’s like to cruise with Star Clippers, take a look at my Star Clippers Review to see what I loved and didn’t love about cruising on Royal Clipper.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
