Boarding a cruise ship as a first-timer can be quite overwhelming. You have to confirm your booking, shop for essentials, and pack your bags ahead, just so you don’t forget important clothing and accessories like your leopard slides and swimsuit.
There are also so many new activities to partake in, so many sights to see, and a lot to eat and drink, which could get confusing. So, to get the most out of your embarkation and have the best experience, we have curated a list of dos and don’ts for your first day onboard.
Dos for Your First Day on a Cruise Ship
Here are some important things to do on your first day if you want to create a positive, memorable experience:
Do have the required documents
Most cruise ships have a list of documents that you need to come along with during check-in if you want to be accepted on board. This usually includes essentials like your passport, boarding pass, and vaccine cards. Without them, you won’t be granted access, and having to go all the way back home to get them could ruin your mood.
Do take a tour around your ship
If you are going to be on the ship for a couple of days or weeks, then it’s important that you get yourself familiar with the different spots you’ll be visiting. The more places you know, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Get to know where the dining area is, the spa, club, bar, gym, and pool area. Start from the top, all the way down, so you don’t have to deal with the numerous flights of stairs.
Do make dining reservations
Dining venues can get packed really quickly. Almost everyone is looking forward to enjoying the culinary experience on the cruise ship. So, if you don’t want to spend all day without a proper meal, make reservations as early as possible.
Do reserve entertainment
You are on the cruise to have as much fun as you can. One way to do that is by making reservations for entertainment. Whether it is a mini-concert or a comedy show, ensure that you make reservations for it early enough and fit it into your schedule.
Don’ts for Your First Day on a Cruise Ship
Now that you know what to do, here’s what not to do on your first day onboard:
Don’t skip the muster drill
As soon as you get onboard, complete the muster drill. It contains all the safety procedures you need in case there’s an emergency. The ship won’t depart until everyone has completed it. So, if you don’t want them announcing your name or singling you out for ignoring the muster, then complete it as soon as possible.
Don’t head straight to the buffet
The buffet is usually one of the busiest and most crowded spaces on the ship. Skip going there for lunch and try out other venues where it’s more serene.
Don’t forget to put your phone on airplane mode
One thing you want to avoid while onboard is high phone bills. You’re going to lose cell signal when you’re at sea. You will only end up paying premium roaming fees if you try to make a phone call, text, or go on social media.
Conclusion
Most importantly, remember to have fun. Engage in as many activities as you can, take pictures, and meet new people. This way, you can create positive memories.
I was invited on this cruise as a guest of the cruise line. The cruise line has no influence over the content of this review. This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one, I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Star Clippers has a fleet of three tall sailing ships. These offer the traditions of an old-fashioned clipper, with all the modern comfort and luxuries of a cruise.
I could see that the ships looked completely different to any other ship I had ever experienced. So I was keen to see what a Star Clippers cruise was actually like.
First Impressions
I sailed on Royal Clipper. She’s the flagship of the Star Clippers fleet and the largest square-rigged sailing ship in the world.
The cruise departed from Civitavecchia, Italy. Check-in started at 4 pm, which meant that I was able to fly from the UK on the morning of the cruise, drop off my bag at the ship and then spend the afternoon exploring the city.
Here’s my first glimpse of the ship…
Royal Clipper in Civitavecchia
With just 227 guests on board, embarkation was very quick. I noticed that the gangplank was much steeper and narrower than on a large cruise ship, but that wasn’t the only difference…
Stepping on board, guests were welcomed by the captain and senior officers. We were immediately handed cold towels and cocktails – incredibly refreshing given the heat of the Italian summer!
Check-in was finalised in the Piano Bar and then each guest was personally escorted to their cabin by one of the crew members.
I loved the crew members’ uniforms. Some of them had navy and white stripey t-shirts and some had traditional white tunics. Both were very cool (and I later bought myself one of the t-shirts in the onboard shop!)
Accommodation
Most of the cabins on Royal Clipper are outside cabins with portholes (on Decks 1 and 2), and there are also a handful of luxury suites with balconies on Deck 3.
My outside cabin was very spacious and I loved the traditional look with the dark wood and wood-panelled walls. Stepping inside the cabin felt like stepping back to a different era.
The room had more storage than possibly any other cruise ship cabin I’ve stayed in, so you really don’t need to worry about packing light.
It didn’t affect me as a solo traveller, but another passenger commented about how the bed being against the wall meant that one person had to climb over the other, should they want to use the bathroom in the night. If that’s an issue for you, you can request your beds be set up as twins rather than a double.
In the bathroom, the bath mat was arranged in the shape of a boat. There was a lovely basket of toiletries that was refilled twice per day by my cabin steward.
My cabin was located by the stairwell which meant that I did hear people chatting on their way to and from their cabin in the morning and evening. If you’re a light sleeper, I would suggest booking a room towards the front or the back.
Dining
Being a small ship, Royal Clipper has just one restaurant, but it does have enough seats for every guest to be seated at the same time.
Being vegan, I was a little concerned about what food would be available to me. But I needn’t have worried. I submitted my dietary requirements ahead of time and was catered for very well, with lots of dishes made just for me. All of the food was fresh, healthy and delicious.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served buffet style. There’s a good selection of hot and cold items which varies each day, as well as an omelette station.
There were people of various nationalities on board our cruise and the breakfast offerings reflected that with crispy bacon and pancakes (for the Americans) sliced meats, cheese and salad (for the Germans) as well as lots of different cereals, bread and fruit.
If you prefer to eat earlier or later than the two-hour opening, there are also pastries available in the Piano Bar.
Lunch
Lunch is also served buffet style and each day has a theme such as seafood, Italian or Asian. I was always greeted by a waiter who would show me which items were suitable for my dietary needs.
There was a live cooking station offering made-to-order specialities like noodles, pasta or soup with your choice of ingredients. On Italian day, the pasta choices were bolognese or carbonara, but the chef offered to make me pasta with tomato sauce which was much appreciated and tasted incredible.
Afternoon Snack
Afternoon snacks were served between 5 pm and 6 pm in the Tropical Bar and this was my favourite time of day! Each day there was a different selection of sandwiches, fresh fruit, cookies, cake and a special like tacos or spring rolls.
Dinner
Dinner was served at 7.30 pm, but there was no requirement to arrive on time. You can sit with whoever you like, or opt to be seated with people. Most tables are for 6 or 8, with just two tables for two.
The menu had a good selection of options and the food was always incredible. Being vegan, I didn’t get a menu, but instead, each course was a ‘chef’s surprise’, which was just fine by me.
Oftentimes, vegan food on cruises is distinctly lacking in protein, but this wasn’t the case on Royal Clipper. Each meal included some sort of beans, legumes, tofu or nuts.
The other guests all commented on how delicious the food was. We noticed that the ladies were always served before the men, which is a little old-fashioned in my opinion, but that’s all part of the ethos of Star Clippers.
Dress Code
Star Clippers has a relaxed informal atmosphere and there are no strict dress codes. You can wear whatever you want for breakfast and lunch and a swimsuit with a cover-up is just fine as long as you’re dry.
In the evenings, men are requested to wear long trousers. There’s no need to wear a tie or jacket and there are no formal evenings.
There is usually one ‘White Night’ on each cruise. Most guests dressed in white for this, but you certainly don’t need to.
Drinks
I was absolutely astounded by the prices of the drinks on Star Clippers – in a good way! A glass of wine cost just €3.50, while a fancy cocktail was only €7, inclusive of any service charge.
The drinks were fantastic and everyone was amazed at how they were less than half the price they expected. You can’t get a drinks package, but you can expect to enjoy plenty of drinks without having a large bill to pay.
There’s also a water refill station so I would advise packing a reusable water bottle that you can fill up to take ashore with you to save buying plastic bottles of water.
Onboard Activities
There’s always lots to do on a Star Clippers cruise, but not so much that you feel exhausted – there’s time to relax as well.
My favourite feature on Royal Clipper is the watersports platform at the back of the ship. The aft opens up and the platform extends out at sea level so you can easily access the water for swimming and watersports right from the ship.
There’s water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kayaks, snorkels and paddleboards. Less-adventurous types like me can just relax on the floating bed or bob around with a pool noodle.
I did try snorkelling, but the water was too deep to see any fish. I did enjoy seeing the rudder and propeller though!
At certain times during your cruise, you can climb the mast and also help the crew members with the sails. I’d definitely recommend this as it’s so much fun.
At the front of the ship there’s a net that you can lie on and look down at the ocean. It’s a wonderful place to relax and when the ship is moving you may even see dolphins!
There are three pools and always plenty of sunloungers available both in the sun and the shade. One of the pools has a glass floor, with the restaurant beneath!
Royal Clipper also has an underwater gym and spa (with portholes!) There are also morning gym classes on deck for those who like to keep fit.
The ship also has an extensive library with lots of books that you can borrow.
Entertainment
During the cruise, we often enjoyed live music from the pianist and from the music duo who were very good.
Each evening there was entertainment after dinner in the tropical bar. Entertaining the guests is very much a team event with lots of crew members getting involved, as well as guest involvement too.
On one evening we enjoyed a fashion show, on another we watched the guest and crew talent show, which was very funny.
On the final night of the cruise, we experienced the traditional Baked Alaska Parade, complete with real flames!
Sailaways are always a special event with Star Clippers and it’s wonderful to be up on deck after dark as the sails light up different colours. There are also organised star gazing sessions on offer.
Excursions
A highlight of any Star Clippers cruise is the excursions. As the ships are small, they can navigate to small posts that larger cruise ships can’t reach. Instead of docking at the edge of a city and having to take a bus, you can expect to sail into the heart of smaller, more interesting destinations.
Calvi, Capri
On the island of Capri, we took a tender to the beach and the tender boat took us right to the shore and we stepped off onto the sand.
There are a choice of bookable excursions in each port and I found them to be very reasonably priced compared to other cruise lines. For example, a 3-hour walking tour cost me just €35 and a 4-hour excursion that included a coach ride and cable car experience was €72.
Service
The service on board Star Clippers was second to none. Every crew member was very friendly and went above and beyond to help. With fewer guests, they have the time to chat and bond with guests. In my opinion, the service was absolutely spot on.
Is A Star Clippers Cruise Worth It?
A Star Clippers cruise offers a really special experience. Whether you choose to explore the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or somewhere even more exotic, you can enjoy fantastic off-the-beaten-path itineraries to some of the world’s most stunning destinations.
Sailing on an authentic tall ship is a thrilling experience that makes you feel connected to the ocean in ways not possible on a big cruise ship. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and friendly, making it perfect for solo travellers as well as couples who enjoy spending time in the company of new friends.
Many of the guests I spoke to had sailed with Star Clippers before, which is a testament to how much they enjoyed it. And many were also discussing their plans to cruise again with the line, on a different ship or with a different itinerary.
If you enjoy laid-back luxury on a small ship with the very best food, drinks and service and opportunities for adventure, Star Clippers is for you.
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.
Large crowds of guests refused to disembark a Costa cruise ship, after having their itinerary disrupted and shortened by a typhoon.
The Costa Serena, sailing out of Taiwan, departed on a 5-night cruise from Keelung Port on Sunday 21st July. The itinerary was supposed to include visits to Ishigaki and Naha on the Okinawa island of Japan.
The day before the cruise started, the cruise line announced that Typhoon Gaemi would impact the itinerary, and that Ishigaki could no longer be visited. Instead, Naha would be brought forward and then the cruise would call at Miyako Island.
However, once the cruise got underway, that became impossible. The Miyako Island port call was cancelled without a replacement destination, and the stay at Naha was drastically shortened. At this stage, guests were offered a $100 credit.
But then as the typhoon got stronger, the ship cut short the cruise, returning to Taiwan on 24th July. But not only did the cruise end early, it docked at a different port – Kaohsiung, on the opposite side of Taiwan and 232 miles from Keelung.
The charter company running the cruises did arrange rail travel for guests, and offered compensation for travel expenses, but guests weren’t happy with the offer.
Instead of leaving the ship, many gathered in public areas, chanting things such as “Refund the money” in protest.
Authorities convinced passengers to leave the ship to return home safely, and then continue their dispute with the charter company and cruise line later.
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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.
Booking a Princess cruise holiday isn’t as simple as picking a date, picking a room and then paying. There’s an added layer of complexity thanks to the different cruise fare options available, and choosing the right one for you is important.
They each impact what’s covered by your fare, and you need to make sure that you understand exactly what the price of the cruise is paying for, and how much extra you’re going to need to budget to pay for everything.
So, in this guide, I’ll take you through what you get with your Princess Cruises fare, what you need to pay extra for, and make it as easy as possible for you to work out how expensive your cruise will actually be.
Standard Vs Plus Vs Premier – An Overview
Exactly what you get included in your cruise depends on whether you choose a standard fare, or you upgrade to Plus or Premier.
Plus and Premier are packages that offer a wide range of extras for a set fee. Plus costs £50 ($60) per person, per day, while Premier costs £65 ($80) per person, per day.
Each cover your tips, a drinks package, WiFi internet access and more, with potential savings of up to 69% compared to buying everything separately.
However, you might not use everything within a package. If you’re not someone who drinks alcohol, or you don’t plan to use the WiFi, it’s important to price up what each element costs and decide whether it’s cheaper for you to upgrade to one of those fares, or stay with Standard and then add on the extras individually.
What’s Included in a Princess Cruise and What Costs Extra..?
1. Accommodation
Regardless of which cruise fare you choose to pay for, your accommodation is always included. Whether you choose Standard, Plus or Premier has no impact on the stateroom or suite you book.
You’ve got five main options when you book a room with Princess Cruises:
Interior – rooms without a window, always the cheapest option
Oceanview – rooms with a window
Balcony – rooms that have their own private balcony
Mini Suite – larger than a Balcony with a small number of extra perks
Suite – the biggest rooms, with a longer list of extras
You also have the option of choosing a guarantee cabin, where Princess Cruises will pick your cabin for you, or you can pay a little extra to choose the exact cabin you want.
Picking a guarantee cabin can save money, but risks you getting the worst cabins in your chosen class – an Interior room that’s a long walk from anything, or a Balcony stateroom with an obstructed view, for example.
If you pay extra for a Mini Suite, you’ll get a few extra benefits:
A separate sitting area with sofa bed and coffee table
A curtain to separate the sofa bed sitting area from the main bed
An extra TV
An enhanced bathroom with bathtub and massage shower
A luxury mattress topper and better pillows
Up to four chairs on the balcony (compared to the standard two)
A glass of sparkling wine when you board
If you pay for a Suite, you get a much longer list of perks. The best features include priority boarding and disembarkation, welcome Champagne, an upgraded room service menu and reserved dining areas.
On a Princess cruise, you’ll always be able to eat for free. You get to enjoy all your meals in the Main Dining Room, or you can eat casually at the buffet restaurant whenever it’s open.
There’s also an International Cafe serving lighter bites, and you can enjoy snack items from a poolside venue too, and none of these cost any extra.
There are some Premium Dessert options served in the Main Dining Room which cost extra – these are extra to the regular desserts.
If you’re a Plus guest you can enjoy two of these every day (surely that’s enough?) while Premier guests get as many as they want.
Then there are paid-for dining venues available too. These are split into two categories – Casual Dining, and Speciality Dining.
Casual Dining includes a range of different relaxed venues, such as Alfredo’s pizza, the Salty Dog Pub and more. These all have either a la carte pricing or a fixed fee, but they aren’t super-expensive – fixed-fee dining is $14.99 per person.
If you choose the Standard package, you’ll always have to pay for these. On the Plus package, you get two Casual Dining meals included in your cruise. On the Premier package, they’re completely unlimited.
Speciality Dining venues are more formal restaurants onboard, serving a range of cuisine. These cost more – typically around $29 per person for dinner.
Standard and Plus guests always have to pay for these, whereas Premier fare guests can enjoy two speciality meals during their cruise at no extra charge – the only exception is at the Chef’s Table Lumiere which is considered fine dining, and so will always cost extra.
Cruise Fare
Main Dining Room, Buffet, International Cafe
Casual Dining
Speciality Dining
Standard
Always included
Charged
Charged
Plus
Always included
2 included, then charged
Charged
Premier
Always included
Always included
2 included, then charged
3. Drinks
On a Princess cruise, you get eight different types of drink included as standard – tap water, lemonade, ice tea, hot tea, standard coffee, hot chocolate, milk, and fruit juice.
But you can’t get all of those from the bars – some are only available for free in the buffet, and some only at breakfast.
The rest of the day, you’re going to have to pay for your drinks. Expect to pay in the region of $7 for a beer, $10+ for a glass of wine or a cocktail, and $2.50 for a fountain soft drink, to give you an idea of how much you’re likely to spend onboard.
Like most cruise lines, you can also choose to pay for a drinks package. There are four you can choose from:
Drinks Package
Daily Cost
What It Includes
Premier Beverage Package
$84.99 per day + 18% service charge = $100.29 per day
All drinks up to a value of $20
Plus Beverage Package
$64.99 per day + 18% service charge = $76.69 per day
All drinks up to a value of $15
Zero-Alcohol Beverage Package
$29.99 per day + 18% service charge = $35.39 per day
Wide range of non-alcoholic drinks
Classic Soda Package
$14.99 per day + 18% service charge = $17.69 per day
Limited range of non-alcoholic drinks
If you choose the Standard fare, you can pick any drinks package if you want one – but you don’t have to. Remember that you can’t have a drinks package for just a few days, you need to pay for it for the duration of your cruise.
If you book your cruise with the Plus package, you get the Plus Beverage Package included. And the same with the Premier cruise fare – you get the Premier Beverage Package included.
Here’s what’s weird – the Plus and Premier packages are cheaper than buying the drinks packages separately!
There’s no catch – it literally makes zero sense to buy a Plus or Premier Beverage Package. If you want them, then buy the Plus or Premier cruise fare.
There are only two reasons that the prices could be weird in this way:
It’s an oversight by Princess Cruises (unlikely, as it’s been like this for a while)
Having the drinks package prices this much higher means they can claim bigger percentage savings for the Plus and Premier cruise fares
The Plus fare is advertised as saving you 57% instead of buying each bit separately.
The Premier fare apparently saves you 69%. But those percentages would be a little bit lower if the drinks packages cost less than the cruise fare packages.
A bit sneaky? Maybe.
Regardless – you need to work out whether a drinks package is right for you, and then budget for the package you want or for the drinks you’ll buy individually. My drinks package calculator can help you work it out.
4. Room Service & Ocean Now
Princess Cruises offer a room service menu with a wide range of food items you can enjoy. There’s a great breakfast selection, and plenty of snacks and simple food items served throughout the rest of the day.
There’s a $5 delivery fee every time you use room service, although this is waived if you’ve paid for the Plus or Premier cruise fares.
Princess also does something cool called OceanNow, which is essentially room service but for almost anywhere on the ship.
You might be sat by the pool, or in a bar, or in the theatre and decide you’re feeling peckish – just use the app on your phone and you can order food to be delivered to you.
If you want to use this, you’ll need to pay a one-off activation fee of $15 for your cruise but this is again waived if you’ve gone for the Plus or Premier cruise fare.
5. Entertainment
Princess Cruises offers a range of entertainment during your cruise, from Movies under the Stars on the pool deck to immersive theatre shows, live comedy, bar singers and so much more.
And it’s all included at no extra cost – you’re welcome to enjoy the entertainment in any of the venues no matter which fare you’ve chosen for your cruise.
However, there is one little catch. If you’ve paid for the Premier cruise fare, you get to enjoy reserved seating in the theatre for any production shows, meaning you’re guaranteed to get one of the best seats. Otherwise, you’ll need to queue up and hope you get a good seat.
6. Activities
There are a lot of activities available during your cruise with Princess, including organised sports games, leisurely swimming in the pool, fitness classes, cookery classes, casino gaming, shopping and more.
Some of these – the sports, the pool etc. are free and can be enjoyed as much as you want to, but most of the activities require you to spend your own money. You don’t get a casino budget as part of your cruise fare, unfortunately!
The only impact on activities from the cruise fares comes with the fitness classes. Plus fare guests get two free classes per cruise, while Premier fare guests can enjoy unlimited fitness classes.
7. Kids’ Clubs
Princess Cruises has a range of kids’ clubs that offer exciting activities throughout the day, and guests are welcome to use these at no additional charge.
Infants and toddlers under 3 must be accompanied by parents, but children aged 3 to 7 can stay in The Treehouse, while those aged 8 to 12 can enjoy The Lodge. There are also dedicated teen lounges too.
These are open into the evening, but then at night from 10 pm there is a charge for babysitting, and only for kids aged 3 to 12. It costs $5 per hour, per child.
8. Service Charges
There are two types of service charge that you’ll need to pay on your Princess cruise. The first are the daily gratuities, which cost between $16 and $18 per person, per day depending on which class of stateroom you have booked.
They’re included in the fare if you’ve chosen Plus or Premier fare packages, but anyone with a Standard cruise fare has to pay the gratuities separately.
The other charges are a set rate of 18% applied to any purchases of speciality dining, drinks, drinks packages, spa services and a couple of other features onboard.
If you get the Plus or Premier packages then the service charge is covered for anything included, but you’d need to pay it for anything you buy on top of that – so if you booked Premier, you wouldn’t pay the 18% service charge on the two included speciality dining meals, but you would pay it on any further speciality dining meals you paid for.
9. WiFi
WiFi is another feature which isn’t included on a Standard cruise fare, but that you do get if you pay for the Plus or Premier fare.
It costs from $24.99 per day for one device, but you can also get a four-device plan for $44.99 per day. The speeds are the same, it just affects how many devices you can connect.
The Plus cruise fare gets you the one device package included, while the Premier cruise fare includes a four-device WiFi package for your cruise.
10. Laundry
If you’re on a longer cruise, you might want to use the laundry services instead of packing enough outfits for every single day. Princess gives you two options, and neither are included in the fare – so make sure you budget for laundry if you plan on using it.
The self-serve laundry facilities are the cheapest option, but they take more effort. It costs $3 for a washload, $3 for drying, and you can buy detergent for $1.50.
If you’d rather have your laundry done for you, you can pay for the service instead. You’ll pay by the item, with the option for laundering or for dry cleaning. Expect to pay between $1 and $4.50 per item for washing and pressing, and between $2.75 and $11.50 for dry cleaning.
11. Flights and Transfers
The advertised cruise fares for Princess on their website won’t include your flights by default, but you can add them on through the cruise line if you prefer. If you do, you’ll also get your overseas transfers included too.
You don’t have to use the cruise line’s flights though. If you book via a travel agent, they’ll typically price flights separately and get you a better deal, or you can always book your own.
Just make sure you don’t forget to budget for (or book) your transfers from the airport to the cruise port, and leave plenty of time too. If your cruise port is more than half a day away, travel the night before and pay extra for a hotel so that you definitely don’t miss the ship.
Cruising from a port in your own country, like Southampton for UK guests?
Factor in cruise parking costs, or the cost of your coach or train to get to the port as well when putting together your cruise budget, as that won’t be included in the fare.
12. Shore Excursions
One last thing that you won’t get included in your fare – even if you book a Premier fare – is shore excursions.
If you want to go on tours when you’re in port, you’ll need to pay for them – either via the cruise line, or with a third party if you want to save money.
You don’t always have to. Some ports are walkable or there may be free shuttle buses to get you into the main town. Just be careful if you aren’t on a cruise line excursion – you have to make it back to the ship in time or you will be left behind.
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To Conclude
There you have it – everything you get included with your cruise fare with Princess, whether you choose Standard, Plus, or Premier, and all the extras you’ll need to pay for.
It can be tough working out what the best deal is for you, so try to work out what you would want to pay extra for, and then see if either the Plus or Premier fare offers better value. They definitely do if you want one of the drinks packages, but not everyone drinks enough to justify that cost.
At least now you know everything that will cost more, and it should be much easier to work out how much a Princess cruise will actually cost 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.
Cruising and music have long gone hand-in-hand. Even back in the days of formal cruising, an orchestra would often play to entertain guests during dinner and for the evening.
Now, there are some amazing musicians playing on regular cruises, but also a number of incredible themed cruises where music plays an even bigger part. Sounds fun, right?
Here’s a look at the best music cruises you can book a place on…
Flower Power Cruise
Photo Credit: Flower Power Cruise
Sail away to the swinging sounds of the 60s, with a cruise headling by The Rascals, Tommy James & The Shondells, and John Kay of Steppenwolf. There are artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions, game shows and even wine tasting events you can take part in around the various live performances.
Genre: 60s music
Date: March 22-29, 2025
Destination: Fort Lauderdale – Labadee – Montego Bay
For a cruise with a little bit of boogie thrown in, this themed voyage has a number of famous acts performing including The Hits at Sea, Randy Bachman, Don McLean, Melissa Manchester and loads more. And if you think you can do better (or at least an OK job) then there’s special themed karaoke, alongside trivia contests and panel discussions.
Genre: Rock
Date: March 15-22, 2025
Destination: Fort Lauderdale – Cozumel – Costa Maya
Celebrate everything that’s great about country rock, with a cruise featuring multiple performances by Old Crow Medicine Show, John Hiatt, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and more – ideal if you want to enjoy the acts around your own schedule, or even see them more than once. And budding songwriters have a special event to get up and perform themselves too.
Prove that emo music wasn’t just a phase with this rocking cruise that is headlined by The Used, as well as featuring Boys Like Girls, Chiodos and more.
The Groove Cruise 2025 is the 21st anniversary of the Groove Cruise and takes place on the biggest ship for the cruise yet, the Allure of the Seas. Eric Prydz (Call on Me) headlines!
You know a themed music cruise is successful when it makes it to its 24th birthday. The Rock Cruise returns again with five days and nights of epic music including unique collaborations, all with a friendly and party-themed atmosphere. Soak up the relaxing beach sun during the day, and rock out all night long.
If you love classic rock then you’ll have an amazing time on this cruise. Details are TBC but the last cruise was hosted by Justin Hayward, the voice of the Moody Blues. A number of renowned acts performed including The Zombies, Alan Parsons and Starship, so expect similar.
Genre: Classic Rock
Date: August 22-29, 2025
Destination: Boston – Halifax – Sydney – Saint John – Portland
With a blend of soul acts you know and love, and those you haven’t yet heard but will soon adore, this relaxing cruise will be a truly amazing experience for fans of the genre. Jeff Tweedy, Emmylou Harris and more will play immersive sets, take part in unique collaborations and more.
Genre: Soul music
Date: February 28 to March 7, 2025
Destination: Miami – St Croix, US Virgin Islands – St. John’s, Antigua
Train fans will love this eclectic cruise headlined by the band, but featuring a host of other artists too. There’s a great mix of music, but you’ll also be able to take part in various activities alongside the band, including karaoke with Train, a Kids’ cooking class with the band, and wine tastings with James and Pat.
Enjoy the best of modern blues music on this smooth cruise to the Dominican Republic, headlined by Joe Bonamassa. He’ll be playing multiple performances as well as taking part in other activities too, while on stage you’ll enjoy rare collaborations and unusual sets that will leave you with unique memories to take home.
The sights and sounds of Broadway make their way to the seas on this vibrant, thrilling cruise featuring Laura Benanti, Wayne Brady and Solea Pfeiffer among others. Activities and panels take you behind the scenes of the magic of some of the biggest musicals in the world.
Experience an epic summer party cruise with this fantastic Caribbean getaway featuring top DJs and hip-hop acts, all hosted by DJ Khaled. There are special themed nights including a PJ/lingerie party and an all-white night, so bring your best white outfits on-board and dance the night away.
The Soulshine at Sea cruises are about more than just good music – it’s about living your best healthy life with good vibes. Expect some great live performances, but also group wellness sessions and a host of other activities designed to get you into a happy mindset as part of one of the most welcoming themed cruises at sea.
Don’t forget your cowboy boots for this exciting country cruise that features a host of top acts performing live daily, and taking part in panels and other special hosted events. There are also professional dance teachers on-hand if you need a little help with your line dancing, Texas Swing or 2-stepping.
Genre: Country music
Date: January 19-26, 2024
Destination: Ft. Lauderdale – Key West – Cozumel – Costa Maya
Let your hair down and spend a week partying with some of the top acts the 80s had to offer. With over 50 live performances to attend from the likes of Squeeze, Adam Ant, Men at Work and more, you’ll love this epic throwback voyage. All guests get Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package included in their fare too.
Who better for a stunning cruise to Belize and Mexico than the Beach Boys? Their own cruise will feature a number of acts performing live, while every single cabin on-board will have the chance to get their photo taken with the original Beach Boys – the perfect memento for any fan.
The last cruise took place in 2023 and a future cruise is still being worked on.
Genre: 60s music
Date: TBC
Destination: Miami – Harvest Caye, Belize – Costa Maya, Mexico
Mosh out to some rock and metal classics on this cruise which includes a day spent at NCL’s private destination Great Stirrup Cay. During your cruise, you can experience some true rock heavyweights as they play thrilling sets that will have you headbanging long into the night.
If you enjoy a mix of music styles, then the Jam Cruise may be right up your street. Acts such as STS9, Snarky Puppy, Thievery Corporation plus many more will perform across five nights, with several acts playing twice to give you the best chance of seeing everyone you want to without burning out.
Genre: Mix of rock, funk, blues, bluegrass, and electronic
While the star of the show on this cruise is the excellent reggae artists performing various shows across the ship’s venues, it’s also one of the best themed cruises for extra activities. From special football tournaments to door decorating contests, this cruise is non-stop fun – with a free pre-cruise and post-cruise party to attend too.
Genre: Reggae
Date: December 9-14, 2024
Destination: Miami – Montego Bay – Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Branded as the ‘hippest trip at sea’, the Soul Train cruise features a stacked lineup of top-tier soul musicians, as well as dozens of celebrity-attended events. Learn to dance with the original Soul Train dancers, enjoy special tribute events and even renew your wedding vows in a unique soul experience.
Genre: Soul music
Date: November 9-16, 2025
Destination: Ft. Lauderdale – San Juan – St. Thomas – Half Moon Cay
‘Rock Hard and Vacation Harder’ as you enjoy some rocking tunes on the ocean waves with this entertainment-packed cruise. You’re invited to rise up as an army of rockers and conquer the Bahamas while you enjoy live performances day and (all) night, along with special themed nights.
If you love Taylor Swift, and you want to spend four days partying with other Swifties, then this is the cruise for you. Departing from Miami, it’ll sail to Perfect Day at CocoCay and then onto Nassau, with events including karaoke and dance parties.
Advertising itself as the only “straight-jazz” cruise, enthusiasts will meet thousands of other passionate jazz fans and cruise along with over 100 musicians performing around 225 hours of sensational jazz. This is definitely one for the discerning fan – after all, the cruise states that its standards are extraordinary.
Genre: Jazz
Date: January 28 to February 2, 2025
Destination: Fort Lauderdale – Cozumel – Grand Cayman
If you love your cruise holidays to be laid back and relaxed, then the Smooth Jazz cruise could be ideal. Yes, you’ll have the chance to dance along with hundreds of other jazz fans, but you can also lay back on your lounger and let the soulful music wash over you as you enjoy total cruising bliss. Two itineraries are available!
Dedicated to some of the best music of the 50s and 60s, the Malt Shop Memories cruise is all about rekindling your love for the artists you grew up listening to. Dion, Frankie Avalon, The Righteous Brothers and Chubby Checker are just some of the acts performing live on this rock and roll party at sea.
Genre: 50s and 60s music
Date: October 27 to November 3, 2024
Destination: Ft. Lauderdale – St Maarten – Tortola
Enjoy your own classic rock festival at sea with this Bahamas voyage headlined by top acts such as Alice Cooper and Styx. As well as live performances, enjoy photo opportunities with the bands as well as memorabilia auctions, giving you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own something special from your favourite musicians.
Rather than being themed to one type of music, this cruise instead brings together the best Irish and Irish-American musicians for an eclectic voyage which features ballads, country, pop-rock and more, as well as stand-up comedy. No matter your music tastes, if you love Irish music then this voyage is perfect.
With 7 nights of great music and 4 ports of call, it’s a non-stop blues rock adventure with the Sandy Beaches cruise. Top acts include The Mavericks, Los Lobos, Jimmie Vaughan, and The Band of Heathens, with various Q&As, jam sessions and autograph signings that guests can attend.
Genre: Blues Rock
Date: January 12-19, 2024
Destination: Ft. Lauderdale – San Juan – Grand Turk
Embrace that rebellious party streak with a voyage on this punk rock-themed cruise where you’ll enjoy a wide range of live performances as well as interactive experiences. The lineup is yet to be confirmed but past lineups have featured some top punk bands from both sides of the Atlantic.
Few genres of music are as fun as polka, while cruise holidays are inherently fun, making this a match made in heaven. Dance along to some award-winning polka acts including the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra, and get your steps in line with polka dancing instructors on hand to teach you.
Genre: Polka
Date: January 12-19, 2025
Destination: Ft. Lauderdale – Princess Cays – Ocho Rios – Grand Cayman – Cozumel
Texas is a state that’s synonymous with some of America’s best country music, so why not sail on this 7-night voyage (out of Galveston, Texas of course) and enjoy live music from top names such as Josh Ward & Jon Wolfe. A mix of pool deck parties and acoustic sing-a-longs will keep your toes tapping all week long.
Enjoy a themed voyage on one of the largest ships at sea with the Chicago Music Cruise. There are even three different cruises to choose from, all featuring 7th Heaven and other names! Cruise with fans of the Chicago and Midwest music scenes, and in your downtime take advantage of the wealth of features that these amazing ships have to offer.
Cruise with 311 and a number of other top alternative and rock bands including Souls of Mischief and The Movement on this fun-packed voyage. Join other brodels and slinkies as you set sail for Belize and Honduras, enjoying live music and a number of themed activities on-board with the 311 members.
Where better to dance along to some of the world’s top reggae musicians than a cruise to the Caribbean? With live performances by Beres Hammond, Sanchez and more, this is a welcoming themed cruise that’s aimed at guests of all ages who just want to enjoy quality, harmonious music.
KISS have long held incredible rock cruises at sea and these voyages are packed with exciting talent offering music shows, headlined of course by the band themselves. See KISS both masked and unmasked, and enjoy the tropical escapes of your itinerary.
Genre: Rock
Date: 2025 (Exact dates TBC)
Destination: Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas & Ensenada, Mexico
There really is a themed music cruise for every taste and genre, so no matter what you’re into, you’ll find one that fits you. Why not book a place on one of these music cruises and sail with fans of your favourite bands, enjoying not just great live music but all the benefits of a regular cruise as well.
If you know of any other music cruises then leave a comment below, or let me know by email at [email protected] and I’ll add them to the list.
Like the idea of a specialist cruise? Check out these other Themed Cruises that you could book.
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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.
A large group of cruise guests were left behind in port due to a landslide blocking their private tour, and so instead boarded a different cruise ship in order to catch up, according to claims on Reddit.
Apparently, the group of 20 guests were enjoying a private tour in Skagway on their cruise onboard Discovery Princess, but the landslide meant that they were blocked and couldn’t get back to the ship before she was due to depart.
However, after presumably contacting the cruise line, they were able to speak to their counterparts at Holland America Line, who had the MS Koningsdam in the same port and following the same itinerary.
As the MS Koningsdam was departing after Discovery Princess, the guests were invited to board that ship for two nights until both ships reached Ketchikan, where they could be reunited with their original ship.
If true, it’s an amazing show of teamwork between two cruise lines – albeit two that are part of the same parent company, the Carnival Group.
It’s a much better option for the guests who can catch up with their ship without missing the beautiful views of Glacier Bay, and without having to pay for flights to reach the ship.
Well done to the staff and crew of the cruise lines and ships for sorting this out for the group – some quick-thinking saved a lot of hassle for those guests who otherwise would’ve been left with some serious headaches through no fault of their own.
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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.
Booking a suite on any cruise ship isn’t just about the extra space you get. You also tend to get a few extra perks for being a suite-class guest – ranging from those little touches that just make your cruise feel a tiny bit more special, to some serious benefits that justify the cost.
Pride of America – Deluxe Owner’s Suite with Large Balcony
With Norwegian Cruise Line, there are a lot of different suites and a lot of different perks, depending on the suite that you’ve booked.
In this guide, I’ll take you through all the extras you can enjoy whether you book a standard suite or one of the speciality options that NCL offers.
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Three main categories of perk
The NCL suite perks you can enjoy are split into three main categories – ‘Special Services’, ‘Delicious Extras’ and ‘Thoughtful Touches’. These are all offered for all suites, although some have slight variances.
There are then extra benefits if you book a Haven suite. And it’s also worth explaining that Club Balcony Suites are not considered full suites – they are what used to be called Mini-Suites, and so they have some of the suite perks, but not all.
Let’s break it down, starting with the perks you get for booking any suite or penthouse on any of the Norwegian Cruise Line ships.
NCL Suite and Penthouse perks
The benefits you enjoy when booking a suite (including a Penthouse) on an NCL ship are broken down into three main categories.
1. Special Services
The Special Services you receive include:
Priority embarkation when you cruise, with a personal escort onto the ship
Priority boarding with a personal escort at every port of call*
A distinctive keycard to show that you are a suite guest
Concierge Service to help you book dining, entertainment, shore excursions and more
Priority access to restaurant and entertainment reservations
Delicious Extras, as the name implies, refers to the extra touches you’ll enjoy from a food and drink perspective:
1 bottle of sparkling wine and 1 bottle of spring water on embarkation day for regular suites
1 bottle of Moet Champagne and a custom liquor selection upon embarkation, 4 bottles of water (2 spring, 2 still) and 6 canned drinks replenished daily for Owner’s Suites and Garden Villas
A Nespresso coffee machine and Tea Forte tea bags provided for your use throughout the cruise
24-hour room service included*
Invitations to exclusive breakfast and lunch events with other suite guests*
A cocktail party with the ship’s officers
The option to have speciality dining meals delivered to your room from any restaurant on the ship (though you still have to pay for the food)
Complimentary treats delivered to your door each night, such as chocolate-covered strawberries
3. Thoughtful Touches
The little added extras that make your room a little more special include:
A special Bliss Collection by Norwegian mattress topper for an even more comfortable sleep
Luxury bed linens including a feather duvet and a pillow menu, so you can choose the pillow(s) that suits you best
Plush bathrobes and slippers to use during the cruise along with oversized bath towels
A selection of luxury bath products
Complimentary movies to enjoy in your suite
An evening turndown service
1 free laundry pressing for Owner’s Suites and Garden Villas
Unless stated, all of these perks apply to suites across the fleet. The only other difference is Norwegian Joy, which is missing a few of the perks – I’ve marked those with an asterisk (*).
NCL Haven Suite Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
The Haven perks
The Haven is a luxury area situated at the top of some of the ships, which is where you’ll find the most luxurious of accommodations. It’s not available on every NCL ship, but you will find it on the Prima, Breakaway Plus, Breakaway, Epic and Jewel Class ships, as well as the upcoming Prima Plus class, including:
Norwegian Aqua (Prima Plus)
Norwegian Viva (Prima)
Norwegian Prima (Prima)
Norwegian Encore (Breakaway Plus)
Norwegian Bliss (Breakaway Plus)
Norwegian Joy (Breakaway Plus)
Norwegian Escape (Breakaway Plus)
Norwegian Getaway (Breakaway)
Norwegian Breakaway (Breakaway)
Norwegian Epic (Epic)
Norwegian Gem (Jewel)
Norwegian Pearl (Jewel)
Norwegian Jade (Jewel)
Norwegian Jewel (Jewel)
Suites in the Haven enjoy all of the same perks as suites and penthouses elsewhere in the fleet, but they also offer a number of extra benefits as well:
A courtyard attendant in the Haven Courtyard to offer you fresh fruit, drinks and cold towels
An upgraded platinum keycard
As well as this, guests in the Epic, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Haven suites will also be given a mobile phone that they can use for the duration of their cruise – ideal for keeping in touch with other members of the travelling party without worrying about WiFi or roaming charges.
Haven guests also have access to three exclusive areas of the ship:
Haven Lounge
The Haven Lounge is an exclusive lounge area with luxurious seating and a fully stocked cocktail bar. It’s the ideal place to relax alone or to meet up with other guests of the Haven suites when you want a quieter location to unwind.
The Haven Lounge is available on Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ships.
Haven Restaurant
The Haven has its own private restaurant that has a varying menu, giving Haven guests more options alongside the regular Main Dining Room and speciality restaurants. Guests can choose to eat in the restaurant or have their butler bring their meal to the suite.
Here’s an example of the Haven Restaurant menu from my cruise on Norwegian Encore.
The Haven Restaurant is also found only on Prima, Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ships.
Haven Courtyard and Sundeck
The Haven Courtyard is the exclusive sun deck area that only Haven guests can access. Here you can relax on a lounger or in the hot tub, while attendants ensure your drinks are topped up and you’re provided with cool towels to relax in hotter areas.
The Haven Courtyard is available on all ships with a Haven area, although access to the Sun Deck is restricted to guests aged 16 or over only.
Spa Suite perks
On the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus-class ships, you’ll find Spa Suites within the Haven. Breakaway Plus ships also have Deluxe Spa Suites with even more space. These suites are extra luxurious and include their own hot tub next to the balcony, letting you relax in absolute comfort and enjoy an amazing view.
They also include complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suites onboard during normal spa hours, so you can enjoy the sumptuous and rejuvenating facilities there alongside easy access to the Mandara Spa and Fitness Centre. If you want to fully reinvigorate your mind and body, these suites are some of the best choices.
Club Balcony Perks
The Club Balcony Suites are what used to be called Mini Suites on Norwegian Cruise Line ships. These aren’t full suites, but instead offer a middle ground between the suites and the balcony staterooms.
They’re a little larger than a standard balcony stateroom, but not by much. The real benefit of choosing a Club Balcony Suite is the chance to enjoy some of the suite perks, without paying the full price of a suite on board.
NCL Club Balcony Suite benefits include:
The option to pre-book certain on-board entertainment and dining reservations up to 125 days before you set sail
Complimentary treats delivered to your stateroom twice per week
A complimentary bottle of sparkling wine on embarkation day
The choice of either one complimentary laundry service or one complimentary pressing service
The Bliss Collection by Norwegian mattress topper or memory-foam mattress, fine linens and choice of pillows
The biggest benefits are the more luxurious bedding, and the option to pre-book your reservations and make sure you get the dining venues and entertainment you want.
The sparkling wine, laundry and pressing services and the extra treats are a nice touch, but you can pay for these separately anyway and it would be cheaper than the upgrade from Balcony Stateroom to Club Balcony Suite.
There are two factors in making your decision on whether a suite on an NCL cruise is worth it – how much time you plan to spend in your room, and how much will you make use of the NCL suite benefits that you get?
Norwegian Cruise Line ships are known for being packed with things to see and do, including a wealth of speciality dining restaurants and entertainment facilities.
While the suites, especially those in the Haven, are fantastic accommodations that are beautifully appointed, if you aren’t going to spend much time in them because you’re off exploring the ship, you could argue they aren’t worth the extra cost.
And it’s important you check the perks you get for your room too – because if you don’t think you’ll use them all, then the extra cost for the suites likely doesn’t justify the one or two perks you will use. Most of the perks are things you can pay extra for anyway.
But, if you do think you’ll enjoy the perks being offered, you intend to spend some time on your cruise enjoying the space and furnishings provided by your suite, and you have the budget, then they are absolutely worth it. They are wonderfully comfortable and situated in fantastic locations on the ship, and the perks are useful.
And if you haven’t, here’s how to get the best deal on your suite…
NCL Haven Suite Deals
I recommend booking with luxury specialists Panache Cruises for the best service.
Consider NCL Priority Access instead
NCL Priority Access is a package that gives you some of the suite perks, regardless of your stateroom type. This includes priority-check-in and disembarkation, first access to tender boats and some nice extras like canapes and breakfast in bed.
Butlers are available for many requests, and will typically offer to unpack and re-pack your luggage, bring you fresh pillows from the pillow menu, serve you food and drinks in your suite, and keep your ensuite bar topped up. They can also bring entertainment into your room such as DVDs and board games.
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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.
A brand new mega cruise ship that is headed to Miami next year will have an outdoor venue for families. It will have everything from a water park to 11 story slide to a Chiffhanger thrill ride.
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Artist rendering of the Harbor on MSC World America
MSC World America will be one of the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world when it debuts in the Spring of 2025. It will homeport in Miami, Florida sailing week long cruises to the Caribbean.
MSC Cruises has revealed that the top deck of MSC World America will have an outdoor venue for families called the Harbour.
The Harbour will consist of the following eight features:
Harbour Aquapark
Jaw Drop @ The Spirla
Rock-Climbing Wall
High Trail Ropes Course
The Harbour Light House
The Harbour Bar & Bites
Family Dwelling Area
Cliffhanger
The Harbour Aquapark will have waterslides and a splash area. It will have everything from raft slides to a 90-degree vertical drop through a trapdoor. Friends will be able to race each other in dueling body slides.
The Jaw Drop @ The Spiral is an 11 story slide that will go from the Harbour to the World Promenade below.
Jaw Drop @ The Spiral on MSC World America
A rock-climbing wall will also be in this area that kids will love.
The High Trail Ropes Course will offer multiple challenges and two Sky Rail zip lines. It will be two levels in height and cover 6,210 square feet.
High Trail Ropes Course on MSC World America
The Harbour Light House is a smaller replica of the iconic lighthouse located on the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. It will have a slide and play stations for kids.
The Harbour Bar & Bites will have complimentary grab-and-go food options and drinks.
Family Dwelling Area is a place where families can sit together in comfortable seating and enjoy the ocean views.
Cliffhanger will be the next new cruise ship thrill ride. MSC Cruises previously announced this unique attraction that will swing guests over the edge of the ship.
The Harbour won’t be the only area on the ship for kids. The ship will have the cruise line’s signature Doremiland kids clubs as well as the Sportsplex.
MSC World America will sail out of MSC’s brand new terminal that is currently under construction in Miami. It will be the largest cruise terminal in North America when it is completed.
MSC World America will debut on April 12, 2025. The ship will homeport in Miami sailing week long cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas. View Prices on Cruises on MSC World America
One quirk of cruising that you may or may not have experienced before (depending on your choice of cruise line, and how sharp your eyes are) is the way that many people like to hide ducks onboard.
It’s a huge community – thousands of people love to hide ducks around public areas of ships, or hunt for them. Often, they’ll come with a tag attached mentioning a social media group where you can post about your find, and then either keep the duck, or hide it again for someone else.
I know it’s not for everyone, but I think it’s a ton of fun, and so I spoke to Kelly May, AKA “The Duck Lady” from Cruising Quackers to learn more about the hobby and her passion for it.
Not a new phenomenon
Kelly described to me how it was in the build-up to a cruise that she first discovered the rubber duck trend, rather than when she was onboard.
She joined a Facebook group for the specific sailing in 2022 and was reading through the posts of people who were going to be onboard, and found someone posting about their plans to hide ducks onboard.
While this was new to Kelly, she did some digging and found that it’s something people have been doing for over 20 years…
“After doing a bit of research, I learned that people hide rubber ducks on cruise ships simply as a random act of kindness to make strangers smile. It has been going on for decades (someone reported finding one as far back as 1999), but has gained popularity with the rise of social media. In fact, there are a multitude of FB groups dedicated to the hobby, and over half a million duck hunters and hiders worldwide.“
Kelly was hooked before she’d even cruised, and quickly found a bundle of 30 ducks to pack into her carry-on bag to put to good use when she boarded.
That first cruise…
Kelly boarded the ship and had the perfect opportunity almost immediately – the first full day was a sea day. She filled her pockets with ducks and set off to have some fun.
.”..the ducks instantly brought out the silly child within us. We giggled at how we were trying to be so stealthy. Looking nonchalant while making sure the coast was clear, and with what we thought was the deftness of a magician, we used our best sleight of hand to hide our first duck in a plant.
Then we retreated to a table nearby to see what would happen.
Within minutes, a young boy of about 4 or 5 came running across the piazza, holding a rubber treasure in his hands, running towards his mom and yelling, “DUCK!”. The look of sheer joy on his face was priceless.“
From that point on, Kelly knew that ducks were going to play a huge part in her cruising future, and she said that while Alaska itself was amazing, it was the moments of “ducky delight” that really made the trip so unforgettable.
Convincing the reluctant
While Kelly took to the hobby very quickly, her husband wasn’t quite so sure at first. Describing it as “the silliest thing he ever heard”, he was far from convinced.
Kelly, husband Dave, and Captain Heikki Laakkonen onboard Sky Princess
But Kelly got him to join in on their next cruise, taking turns hiding the ducks on the ship. They witnessed a group of ladies getting excited over one of the ducks they found, and then saw a delighted toddler playing with their own new ducky friend, looking absolutely delighted.
It wasn’t until they were chatting with some other guests later in the day that Kelly knew she’d completely won her husband over, though.
“Later that day, we were in a lounge, talking to some newfound friends when Dave mentioned hiding ducks. The group came alive! Everyone wanted a duck. My husband, who had initially thought the idea was silly, was now enthusiastically sharing the joy of duck hiding with our new friends. He had become a full-fledged ‘Quackpot,’ spreading happiness and laughter wherever he went.
Seeing him transform from a skeptic to a passionate duck hider was heartwarming. It reminded me that sometimes the simplest, silliest things can bring the most joy and connection. Now, hiding ducks has become a special adventure we share, creating unforgettable memories together.“
The power of a duck
It may seem like a trivial or silly activity, to hide ducks or to give them out. But as many cruise guests know, it’s a lot of fun and can actually be a great way to boost someone’s mood, cheering people up with a little bit of light-hearted happiness.
And Kelly told me about one of the more memorable reactions to the ducks that she could remember:
“One time we were disembarking at a port, and we saw a young woman in the elevator bay with her parents. She was lying in a padded wheelchair, mostly staring blankly into the air. My husband asked her folks if it would be okay to give her a duck, to which they happily replied, “YES.”
My husband handed her a duck, and her smile grew HUGE. In that instant, we watched as this seemingly absent young woman became animated and full of life. She held up her prize and gleefully yelled, “DUCK!” showing it to every person she passed by.
It was one of the most touching moments we’ve ever experienced. The pure joy and excitement that little duck brought to her were truly heartwarming. Her parents’ eyes welled up with tears, and we couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion too.“
Cruising Quackers – born from a passion
Kelly enjoyed two cruises of hiding ducks before deciding she wanted something to show off her love for the hobby. And while there were plenty of t-shirts she could’ve ordered, they weren’t her style. So she designed her own shirt instead.
This sparked a lot of interest onboard, with strangers asking where they could get one. So Kelly made the design available online and it sold out immediately. She designed a few more shirts, and they were equally popular.
So, Kelly realised she had a business opportunity, and Cruising Quackers was born. Her website is dedicated to selling a range of apparel and accessories that duck-hiding fans can wear during their cruises.
It includes a wide range of clothing, including blouses, Hawaiian shirts, hoodies, t-shirts and even socks, and plenty of accessory options too such as tumblers, messenger bags, door signs and duck-themed shoes.
Plus, there had to be ducks available to buy too. And there are hundreds of styles available, ideal for hiding on cruises and spreading joy to other passengers.
“I often get ideas from fellow Quackers during our duck exchanges and through feedback in our Facebook group. Seeing what brings joy to others sparks my creativity. I also stay attuned to trends and themes in the cruising world and beyond, which helps me design products that resonate with our audience.
Moreover, my own experiences and adventures play a big role… For example, our ‘Cruising Quackers Duck Detective Agency’ T-shirt was inspired by watching two brothers on a duck hunt on the Lido deck calling themselves Duck Detectives.”
Kelly has several items that are among her favourites, including the “Get Lucky, Find a Ducky” t-shirt and the “Ahoy Ducky” tumbler, but her absolute favourite design is the Ducky Royal Blue Hawaiian, which features on her own blouse, her husband’s Hawaiian shirt, and several accessories she uses every day.
Hiding ducks – tips and tales
Kelly describes how each duck-hiding mission begins with the first step, which is choosing the right ducks for the cruise. Depending on the holiday or destination, she’ll select ducks that are themed and relevant among her batch, and then add tags that are personalised.
Then, when onboard, it’s time to hide the ducks. Kelly avoids shops, pools, hot tubs and bathrooms to prevent misunderstandings or accidents, instead focussing on places like elevators, stairwells, arcades, kiosks, gyms or other public areas that are eye-catching.
“We often start our mission during quieter times, like late nights or early mornings, when there are fewer people around. This makes it easier to hide the ducks without being spotted. As we explore the ship, we carry a few ducks with us, ready to seize any opportunity to hide them.“
Duck Hiding Tips!
Kelly offers these key tips and tricks for first-time duck hiders to help them get started:
1. Start small
Begin with a manageable number of ducks, like 20 or 30. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed, and you’ll get a feel for how the process works.
2. Personalise your tags
You can buy tags and fill them out by hand, or you can use free, customizable tags from the files section of the Cruising Quackers group.
Make sure your tags include essential information like “Keep or Hide, You Decide,” “#CruisingQuackers,” and “No shops, Pools, Hot tubs or bathrooms, Public areas only.”
You can also add your name, sailing date, ship name, and hometown for a personal touch.
3. Choose Your Hiding Spots Wisely
Avoid shopping areas, pools, hot tubs, and bathrooms to prevent misunderstandings or accidents. Don’t place your ducks anywhere that would be a safety issue to retrieve.
Stick to public spaces like small ledges, visible spots, or areas that blend with the ship’s decor. Elevators, stairwells, arcades, signage, kiosks, customer service desks, open areas, and gyms are great places to consider. You don’t have to make them overly hard to find; the joy is in the discovery.
4. Enjoy the Reactions
Watching people find the ducks is the best part. Whether it’s a child’s delight or an adult’s surprise, the joy and excitement make all the planning and effort worthwhile.
5. Engage with the Community
Join the Cruising Quackers Facebook group to share your experiences, get tips, and connect with other duck enthusiasts. You’ll find a supportive and fun community ready to help and inspire you.
6. Have Fun
Remember, the main goal is to spread joy and have a great time. Enjoy the process, and don’t worry too much about being perfect.
7. Keep an Eye Out
While you’re hiding ducks, also keep an eye out for ducks hidden by others. It’s a fun way to see how creative other Quackers can be and adds to the excitement.
8. Post Your Finds
If you find a duck, decide whether to keep it or rehide it. Take a photo and share it in the Cruising Quackers group with the tag information. This helps track the ducks and adds to the communal fun.
The duck-hiding community now, and in the future
Kelly has watched the duck-hiding community grow a lot since she first became interested, with even the cruise lines getting involved.
Royal Caribbean has held its own duck hunt, Effy Jewelry stores onboard ships sometimes hide ducks that can be returned for a prize, and John Heald even got his own custom duck made.
In March 2025 there’ll be the first ever Quack-tastic Duckers Cruise that will feature many of the most renowned duck enthusiasts from the world of cruise, with events including duck exchanges, classes on blinging ducks and more.
Kelly describes how, on every cruise, she arrangers her own duck exchange on the first sea day to swap stories and ducks, where she’ll also give out a Taste of Quack gift bag to newbies containing three ducks along with tags.
A duck exchange on a cruise
She’s gained the nickname of “The Duck Lady” thanks to her iconic clothing and clogs, and the community spirit she’s helped to build. It’s a nickname that she “absolutely loves” and she has made many cruise friends thanks to the hobby.
“One memorable exchange happened on a cruise to the Caribbean. I met a lovely couple from Australia who had traveled all the way just for the ducking fun. They brought beautifully hand-painted ducks, each one a tiny work of art. We instantly clicked and spent the rest of the cruise sharing meals, exploring ports, and of course, hiding more ducks together.“
She even uses ducks to thank the medical staff who look after her father, saying how they can brighten up their day and show some personalised gratitude for their hard work.
As for the future?
Kelly predicts even more innovation and imagination in the way ducks are designed, including with 3D printing, crocheted ducks, and even more ideas for painted or blinged ducks.
Kelly is happy to be involved in the community, helping people to get more creative. And she sees the duck trend spreading beyond cruises too – we’re already seeing events like rubber duck races, or cheerleading ducks or ducks placed on Jeeps. It’s only going to get bigger and bigger!
A huge thank you to Kelly May for taking the time to be interviewed. You can visit Cruising Quackers to order clothing, accessories and rubber ducks. Most products are available for customers in the UK, US and Canada, though rubber ducks are only available in the US due to shipping costs for now.
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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.
Princess Cruises will have eight cruise ships sailing to Alaska in 2026 including a Sphere class ship for the first time.
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Discovery Princess in Ketchikan, Alaska. Photo: Cruise Fever
Princess Cruises’ 2026 Alaska season will include 180 different cruises that visit 19 destinations. Out of the eight ships the cruise line will have sailing to Alaska, one of them will be their new ship that debuts next year, Star Princess.
Star Princess will be Princess’ second Sphere class ship and the largest the cruise line will have sailing to Alaska.
Out of the 180 sailings to Alaska Princess has planned for 2026, here are a few of the highlights.
Discovery Princess, Grand Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princes will all offer Voyage of the Glacier cruises.
Princess Cruises will cruise through the Inside Passage that will range from seven to 20 days in length. The cruises include up to four glacier viewing experiences.
Longer cruises will be offered on two ships. Ruby Princess will sail a 20 cruise from San Francisco and Emerald Princess a 16 day voyage from Los Angeles.
Bookings for these newly announced cruises to Alaska will open on August 1, 2024.
John Padgett, Princess Cruises president, gave the following statement about the cruise line’s upcoming 2026 Alaska season:
“2026 will reinforce Princess’ leadership in Alaska vacations. The deployment of the magnificent Star Princess to Alaska for the first time will offer guests unprecedented views, luxurious accommodations, and the finest food, beverages and entertainment ever seen in the Great Land.”
“Our guests will experience Alaska like never before aboard our innovative Sphere Class ship. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, Princess is the ultimate choice for luxury and adventure, with awe-inspiring glaciers, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and the freshest seafood imaginable.”
Of course, Princess’ sailings to Alaska can be combined with a land tour and the chance to visit Denali National Park. The cruise line will offer more than 20 cruisetour options for 2026.
