Let’s talk about traditional dining versus “my time” dining (also known as flexible, anytime or freestyle dining). Even if you’ve cruised a few times, do you really understand your mealtime options and what to choose?
An acquaintance, who is not a new cruiser, confessed to me that she only recently learned that meals in the luxurious-looking main dining rooms on cruise ships are included in the cruise fare. She had previously thought the phrase “anytime dining” referred only to eating in the buffet area whenever she wanted.
While it’s true you can eat in the buffet anytime it’s open, flexible dining (by whatever name your cruise line calls it) specifically refers to the main dining room. It’s one of the standard complimentary dining options on every cruise ship. Whether you select to eat at the same table at the same time each night or opt to take your chances on any available table during the dining room’s open hours, you never have to pay to eat in your ship’s grand dining hall.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Don’t let the complexities of cruise ship dining plans keep you from enjoying all the great food your ship has to offer. Here, I’ll walk you through the ins and outs of “my time” versus traditional dining, as well as how these dining concepts came to be and how to choose the best meal plan for your trip.
A brief history of cruise ship dining concepts
The Manhattan Room on Norwegian Epic. SUSAN SEUBERT/NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
For a bit of history of the dining concepts used by most mainstream cruise lines, you have to go back a couple of decades. In the past, all cruise ships served dinner at two fixed times, dubbed early and late seatings. Everyone was assigned to one of the seatings, and they’d sit at the same table, with the same dinner companions and waiters, for the duration of their cruise.
That concept began to evolve in the early 2000s when Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Freestyle Dining. Rather than have everyone assigned to arrive at specific times, cruisers were allowed to show up to eat whenever they wanted during the dining room’s hours of operation. NCL’s Freestyle Dining also heralded the modern version of specialty restaurants, so not only could passengers eat at the time of their choosing, but at whichever eatery suited their fancy each evening. It was a stunning change to the long-running system previously used.
The idea took hold. After considerable fine-tuning of the dining concept over the years and plenty of variation among cruise lines, the industry standard now is that most ships allow you to choose either the traditional early or late dining options or a flexible option with open seating and no set dining time.
Traditional dining
The Festivale Restaurant on Carnival Celebration. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Traditional dining includes an assigned table and your choice of an early or late dinner time. Though what constitutes “early” and “late” varies by cruise destination, on most cruise lines, the early seating is usually set to a specific time between 5 and 6 p.m., while the late seating might be as early as 7:45 (Carnival Cruise Line) or as late as 9 p.m. (MSC Cruises, which has three traditional seatings on some ships).
Sign up for our daily newsletter
You can opt into this traditional plan when you book your cruise, and the decision-making ends there. When you arrive for your cruise, you’ll be handed a cruise card marked with your dining room name and deck number, dining time and possibly even your table number.
From that point, each evening you will show up at your table at the appropriate time. If your travel group spans several cabins and you want to dine together, you should coordinate your choices before booking, then ensure that the reservations are linked. It’s wise to have someone in the group stop by the restaurant on boarding day to make sure the group will be seated together.
Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
If you’re just a couple or a small travel party, the dining team may assign you to a table by yourself or place you at a large table with cruisers you don’t know. You can ask for dining time and table changes once on board, but the restaurant staff may or may not be able to accommodate requests.
Cruisers who prefer traditional dining say they prefer it over flexible options partly because they feel it allows them to get to know their waitstaff, which is not always a guarantee with “my time” dining. Others feel it’s better simply because once you know where your table is on the first evening, there’s no standing in line to be seated unless you arrive before the doors open.
There are reasons to think twice about set seating. An early dinner often leaves you with no time to wind down and dress for dinner, especially when the ship has a late departure from port and you want to make the most of your time ashore.
Also, if you’re cruising in a time zone just a few hours different from your norm, you might find you’re hungry at the wrong times for traditional fixed dining. Alaska is the worst for me. I’m not hungry enough for the early seating but hangry by the time the late seating rolls around. Flexible options work best for me on those itineraries.
‘My time’ dining
PUXAN BC PHOTO/PRINCESS CRUISES
On cruise lines that offer both traditional and flexible dining, you generally opt into the flexible dining program at the time of booking. Your stateroom keycard will list you as a flexible dining passenger and note your assigned dining room.
Lines that offer both a traditional and anytime dining program will usually separate the two groups into different dining rooms or different areas of a large dining room. Menus are identical for both groups, so don’t worry about missing out.
Here’s where it gets a little confusing. On most lines, prior to sailing, those who opt into flexible dining can make main dining room reservations for each night of the cruise. Do you have to make reservations? The answer is a resounding no, unless you have a large group wanting to dine together.
Think of it like dining out at a restaurant on land. You can show up at your leisure and wait in line for a table, or you can make a reservation and possibly be seated more quickly. On a cruise ship, those with reservations may be offered a priority line, sometimes even a separate section of the dining room. Those without reservations will still be seated, but during a rush you may have to wait a few minutes (or even an hour) for a table to open up.
One big plus for flexible dining is that you can make specific table requests each night. You might have to wait a bit longer for that window table for two, but if it’s important to you, it might be worth the wait.
Some cruise lines only offer flexible dining options. Norwegian’s modern version of Freestyle Dining has no fixed dining times; you can dine anytime you wish during a venue’s hours of operation. Reservations are not required but are “highly suggested.” These can be made pre-cruise online in your MyNCL planner or on board, subject to availability.
Princess Cruises recently changed its dual system to a single system called Dine My Way. You can dine at the same time, same table every night, or change it up on a daily basis, but you need to make advance reservations for your preferred mealtimes. Changes are made in the Princess MedallionClass app.
People who rave over flexible dining options often have a serious aversion to sitting with strangers or prefer to dine with different people each night. Let the maitre d’ know your preferred table size. Families with small children love the ability to eat around the schedule that works for their family on any given day.
One last advantage of flexible dining (and it might be the deciding factor for some) is the ability to book spa appointments during the traditional dining times. Especially on big ships where the spas stay open late, flexible dining allows you to dine around your spa time, not the other way around.
On the other hand, you might think twice about selecting “my time” dining if the cruise line’s shows are a priority for you. On cruise lines that offer both traditional and flexible dining, the show schedule is likely to match the traditional time frames to allow as many people as possible to attend the shows. Dining between the two traditional times would cause you to miss the early show, if there are two performances, and the entire show on nights when there’s only one performance.
Also, if you feel like you are queuing in enough lines already, you might be happier with a traditional dining time. Flexible dining always involves lines, even when you make reservations. On a good night, at a late evening arrival time, your wait might be minor, but on a megaship with 3,000-plus people wanting to be seated at 6:45, you could find yourself waiting for an extended time.
Specialty dining
Making plans to skip the main dining room in favor of a specialty restaurant or dining rooms exclusive to your stateroom category does not alter your ability to choose either a traditional or “my time” style of dining in the main dining room. You don’t even need to let the wait staff know you plan to dine elsewhere. (In most cases, the maitre d’ will have access to your specialty reservations, so they will not be expecting you, but if you have tablemates, it’s a courtesy to let them know.)
Related: 5 reasons you should splurge on a cruise ship specialty restaurant
It’s perfectly OK to choose traditional dining as your main option but make a 7:30 reservation in a specialty restaurant one night, plus try out the suites-only dining room a few nights (if you have access). You can usually see the menus in advance, either in the app, on interactive screens in your stateroom or posted near the restaurants themselves.
Cruise line offerings
Cyprus, one of the complimentary restaurants on Celebrity Beyond. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Several cruise lines offer both flexible and traditional dining in the main dining room.
Carnival offers a flexible plan called Your Time Dining that uses pagers to let you know when your table is ready. Carnival’s website states that “advance table reservations are not accepted,” but recent Carnival cruisers report being able to use the app to let the dining room know they are on their way to speed up their wait time most nights.
Royal Caribbean’s My Time Dining plan uses optional reservations with separate lines for those who reserve a seating time. Sister line Celebrity Cruises’ options are a bit confusing. Its traditional dining plan is named Celebrity Select Early or Late, and its flexible dining is dubbed Celebrity Select Anytime. This latter plan offers advance reservations and separate lines for those who walk up without reservations.
Holland America calls flexible dining As You Wish Dining, with reservations accepted but not required. MSC Cruises calls its nontraditional dining plan My Choice Dining. This option is only available to guests who book the Aurea or Yacht Club experience; passengers selecting the Bella or Fantastica packages can only access set-time dining.
In addition to Princess and Norwegian, which have dropped set-seating dining options, upscale lines like Windstar Cruises, Viking and Oceania Cruises do not utilize set dining times, tables or dining companions, nor do luxury cruise lines. Most of these accept main dining room reservations made by calling the maitre d’ or have dining rooms so spacious they can accommodate all walk-ups with no wait. Advance reservations on these lines are especially useful for group dining.
All cruise lines expect reservations for sit-down specialty restaurants.
Related: 12 dining mistakes you must fix on your next cruise
Bottom line: ‘My Time’ dining vs. traditional dining
PRINCESS CRUISES
Traditional dining, when it’s offered, is a great option for large groups traveling together. There’s no last-minute quibbling over dinner reservations and whether the group can get a table together. Everyone knows ahead of time when they’ll be eating and which dining room and table to go to for dinner.
Flexible dining — whether called My Time, Anytime, Freestyle or something else — works for those for whom the early or late traditional times aren’t ideal or those who want to eat at different times each night depending on the day’s schedule. Cruising with children is one reason some people prefer to keep all dining options flexible. The same holds true for travelers who pack their cruise days with every available activity.
The bottom line when it comes to traditional versus “my time” dining is to choose what works best for you and your travel companions on any given cruise. Some people choose traditional dining when they travel with groups of friends and family and the flexible plan when they travel with only one partner or with children. Others stick with one or the other on every cruise.
Either way, cruise lines want happy cruisers. Giving you choices of how and when your main dining room experience is scheduled is one way to keep everyone satisfied.
Yet another major new cruise ship has taken up residence in New York City — this time, a Carnival Cruise Line vessel.
The 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia, which joined the Carnival fleet in May, will kick off an 18-month series of sailings from the Big Apple late Thursday with a four-night voyage to Bermuda.
Carnival Venezia’s arrival in New York comes just two months after rival MSC Cruises began year-round sailings from the city for the first time; MSC is operating the sailings on one of its newest and biggest ships, the 4,448-passenger MSC Meraviglia.
For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Cruise giants Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have also deployed some of their top ships to the market as the battle for cruisers in the New York area heats up. New York is one of the biggest U.S. cruise ports outside of Florida.
Related: New Norwegian Prima to sail from New York, Texas and Florida
Carnival Venezia is a new ship for Carnival, but a new ship with an asterisk. The 14-deck-high, 1,061-foot-long vessel was originally built for Italy-based Costa Cruises, a sister brand to Carnival. Previously called Costa Venezia, it sailed its maiden voyage for Costa in 2019.
Carnival Venezia is just one of several vessels that Carnival Corporation has transferred from its Costa brand to its Carnival brand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The main Lido pool deck of Carnival Venezia. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Carnival Corporation is the parent company of both Costa and Carnival as well Princess Cruises, Holland America and five other cruise brands.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Related: Why the coolest new bar in North America may be on a Carnival ship
The pandemic and its aftermath hurt the Costa brand much more than the Carnival brand. This was in part because the Costa brand had big operations in China, where cruising shut down during the pandemic for far longer than it did in North America.
Carnival cruising, Italian style
Because of its origins as a Costa vessel, Carnival Venezia is a bit of an outlier in the Carnival fleet, which now numbers 25 ships. As TPG saw during a sneak peek at the vessel in late May, it retains much of the Italian theme that was a hallmark of its time at Costa. The ship also still has its original, distinctive yellow-and-blue funnel that is a trademark of Costa vessels. (There’s no signature, red-white-and-blue Carnival “whale tail” funnel.)
That said, Carnival Venezia underwent a major overhaul at a Spanish dry dock earlier this year before joining the Carnival fleet that brought it many of Carnival’s signature shipboard venues, including a Carnival Waterworks waterplay area and a Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse.
Related: The 8 types of Carnival cruise ships, explained
Other venues now on the ship that will be familiar to Carnival fans include a Guy Fieri-inspired Guy’s Burger Joint, Pizzeria del Capitano pizza outlet, Bonsai Sushi eatery, Chef’s Table, Lido Marketplace, Seafood Shack, Piano Bar 88 and Heroes Tribute Lounge.
The ship also has a new crew made up of Carnival staffers.
In short, Carnival Venezia combines both Costa and Carnival design elements.
The Carnival WaterWorks water park on Carnival Venezia. GENE SLOAN/THE POINTS GUY
Because of that, Carnival originally planned to call the ship a “Costa by Carnival” product to differentiate it from the rest of the Carnival fleet. However, Carnival eventually switched to marketing Carnival Venezia as a vessel that offers “Carnival Fun Italian Style.”
Carnival Venezia was originally purpose-built to sail out of China with Chinese travelers, but with Italian theming that played up Costa’s Italian roots. Its theming is specifically tied to Venice, Italy (Venezia is what Italians call Venice).
Carnival’s new cruises from New York
Carnival Venezia was welcomed to New York on Wednesday at a celebratory event presided over by Jay Leno. Carnival has named the late night talk show host and comedian the “godfather” of the ship — the first time the brand has named a godfather for a vessel. The line noted that Carnival Venezia already had a godmother dating to its debut as a Costa vessel. It’s a longtime tradition that all cruise ships have godmothers.
Carnival Venezia will be based in New York through December 2024. It will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Florida, for sailings to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
At 135,225 tons, Carnival Venezia is the third-largest ship in the Carnival fleet (only the recently unveiled Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras are bigger). It’s a newer and larger ship than Carnival has based in New York in the past. Notably, it offers an unusually wide array of itineraries from New York City for a single ship, with 22 different routings that range from four to 15 nights.
Related: Every Carnival ship ranked from biggest to smallest
In addition to Bermuda, destinations for the sailings from New York include the Bahamas, the Caribbean, New England and Canada. The ship sails from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on the Hudson River in the Midtown area.
As of this week, fares for Carnival Venezia cruises start at $429 for a four-night Canada and New England sailing from New York. The ship’s future sailings from Port Canaveral start at $309 for a four-night voyage to the Bahamas.
The cruise industry is enormous, bringing in billions of dollars annually. This can be seen in the wide variety of cruise lines operating worldwide, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and even Disney.
Unlike with other types of travel, cruise ships’ luggage requirements are much more lenient.
Let’s look at cruise luggage policies, the items you can bring and how much luggage you can take on a cruise.
Cruise luggage rules
Are you an overpacker? Don’t worry; a lot of us are. While airlines may nickel and dime you for every pound or bag you pack, cruise lines are more relaxed. So, how many suitcases can you take on a cruise?
The policies for cruise luggage size and weight will vary depending on with whom you’re sailing.
For example, Royal Caribbean’s baggage policy is quite flexible: There is no restriction on the number of bags you can bring or the total weight allowance. However, its website recommends limiting your total quantity of luggage for comfort and convenience because you’ll have to haul it around.
The same can’t be said for Norwegian Cruise Line, which sets a limit on the weight and number of bags you can bring. On Norwegian, guests can bring two pieces of checked luggage weighing up to 48 pounds (22 kilograms) each. This limit is similar to the one often imposed by airlines for checked bags.
In short, how many bags you can take on a cruise will depend heavily on your cruise line. Some have no limits, while others restrict the number of bags and set weight limits.
Before packing, check with whichever cruise line you’re sailing to ensure you have the latest information.
What can you bring on a cruise?
Cruises are fairly liberal when it comes to items you’re allowed to bring. Almost everything you can think of — including personal-use aerosol items, hair dryers and snacks — is permitted.
There are restrictions on certain items, including weapons, perishable food and certain kinds of beverages. All bags usually go through an X-ray machine before you board to make sure there are no restricted items.
Can you bring alcohol on a cruise?
Cruise lines tend to be a bit tetchy when it comes to bringing your own alcohol on board.
Norwegian Cruise Line prohibits you from bringing any drinks on board. In contrast, Holland America allows passengers to bring wine and Champagne but charges a $20 corkage fee per bottle.
The Disney Cruise Line lets guests 21 and older bring two bottles of wine or six beers on board for no fee, with the ability to buy more at each port of call. This is a great way to avoid the upcharges of buying alcohol on the ship.
Can you bring liquids on a cruise?
Packing luggage for cruises can be freeing, especially if you’re used to flying with limited liquids.
Happily for travelers, liquids are generally allowed on cruises if they’re to be used for grooming. This includes full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, gel, sunscreen and more.
You may also be allowed to bring some nonalcoholic beverages, though this policy will depend on your cruise line.
Do cruises check your bags?
You have choices when it comes to checking your bags on a cruise.
Usually, you can check your large luggage during boarding, and it will be delivered to your stateroom. However, that can take a few hours, so you’ll want to keep carry-on luggage that includes items such as a swimsuit and sunscreen with you.
You’ll also want to keep any important paperwork, electronics and medication in your carry-on bag rather than sending that off to be checked.
Having your luggage sent to your room is not required. If you’d rather keep it with you, that is an option.
However, your stateroom is generally unavailable for several hours after boarding, so you’ll need to carry your luggage around on the ship — and that can be highly inconvenient.
What do you do with your luggage when leaving?
Like with the boarding process, you can check your luggage or carry it with you during disembarkation.
On the final night of your cruise, you’ll be given luggage tags. You can then leave your bags outside your stateroom and have them delivered to the port for pickup in the morning.
If you choose this route, keep whatever you’ll need for the next morning in your carry-on because you won’t have access to your checked bags after they’re picked up.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Keeping your luggage with you when getting off the ship can be faster because you won’t need to wait to collect your bags after you disembark.
Cruise luggage rules recapped
By now, we’ve answered the question of how many bags you can bring on a cruise, but the short of it is this: Individual limits are set per cruise line, so you’ll want to do your research before you start packing.
This is true of the quantity and weight of your bags and the specific types of items you can bring on board.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to bring no more than two bags to check as well as luggage to keep on hand. Other than that, most items are allowed on board, though you should always double-check for items such as alcohol and nonalcoholic beverages.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Back in December 2020, my girlfriend Annie and I started taking the steps needed to become homeowners. After getting pre-approved, we started looking into single-family homes in Connecticut, but shortly after realized that we couldn’t afford it comfortably if we wanted to eat every day. After some bumps in the road, learning the ins and outs of the home buying process, and keeping our options open – we were able to close on our first home on June 1, 2021.
The Wake-Up Call
There were slim pickings on the market for single-family houses – seriously, it was bad! Small 1-2 bedrooms that were not in the best shape were the most affordable option.
I spent months disappointed in the housing market and kept asking myself, “how can anyone afford this?” and “is there a smarter way to do this?”
I’m 25 years old and make less than 50K a year. I’ve never owned a home or started a business, but I know how to research and fall down YouTube rabbit holes to get the information I needed.
I read Robert Kiyosaki‘s book, Rich Dad Poor Dad – which sparked my interest in real estate investing and the idea of building passive income to achieve financial freedom. After reading the book, I signed up for a few webinars where I learned about house hacking.
We shifted our perspective – instead of stressing to find an affordable home, we started running numbers and viewing it as a business investment.
The Search
We knew we wanted to go the investment property route – we’d purchase a multi-family property and live in one of the units while renting out the others. This was to help offset the cost of the monthly mortgage payment and start building passive income in the process.
I ran numbers on all the affordable duplexes and triplexes in my area and came down to four reasonably priced properties. I booked showings for all of them in one day – which I 10/10 don’t recommend doing. I was exhausted driving from Wilton to Naugatuck, Naugatuck to Milford, and then shooting over to Norwalk and then back to Wilton.
All but one of the properties I viewed were duplexes and there was one 4–plex. The 4-plex in Naugatuck was the only property we saw that had potential. The units were well-maintained and fully occupied for over ten years. The building itself was built in 1852 – at most, it required some updates to modernize it. We put in an offer, and it was accepted!
The Inspection
If I learned anything in my research, it was about the value of a home inspection. I hired Chris Girlamo from Revere Inspection, LLC to get a better picture of the work we would need to do on the property.
The inspector did a general property inspection, tested for lead and termites, checked the roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Overall, the property was in great condition, but it did have three sets of exterior stairs that were unsafe and out of code. Our realtor Patrick Blois negotiated with the seller to have a credit of $9,500 issued to repair the stairs.
Aside from that and a few dead trees on the property that we needed to remove, we just needed to figure out whether or not there was an oil tank underground. The seller had no knowledge of an underground oil tank, so we had to hire an oil tank inspector to scan the ground.
Our biggest fear was the inspector finding an oil tank underground because it would be costly and could even lead to environmental issues since there is a creek to the right of the property.
Thankfully, there was no oil tank found under the property, and from that point on, everything else was smooth sailing.
Closing
We closed on our home on June 1, 2021. The home closing wasn’t the end of this journey, but it was the start of something new. We spent the first two weeks caulking, painting, and redoing the flooring in our unit. The apartment is almost done, we need to finish updating the bathroom and kitchen, but we’re on track to finish everything by the end of September! Once our unit is done we’ll do some minor updates on the other 3 units.
Despite the ups and downs of stress and anxiety throughout the home buying process, I’m happy we took the route we did. Not only are my partner and I homeowners, but we’re also investors who have great tenants and are only paying $200, before increasing rent, between both of us for our mortgage.
This process showed me that buying a home as a millennial is realistic. If you don’t make a significant annual income and aren’t afraid of giving a property a little TLC love, house hacking is a great way to achieve homeowner status!
Before vs. After Gallery:
Unit #4
Living Room
Before
After
Before
After
Bathroom
Before
After
Before
After
Bedroom #1
Before
After
Before
After
After (Night Version)
After (Night Version)
Bedroom #2
Before
After
Before
After
Exterior Stairs
Stair Case #1
Before
After
**We decided to change the direction of the stairs to avoid getting hit on the gutter when going up.**
Stair Case #2
Before
After
Stair Case #3
Before
After
Still in progress:
Stairs/ Upstairs Hallway
Before
Before
Kitchen
Before
Before/ In-progress
Who we worked with:
Realtor – Patrick Blois https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/ct/stamford/agent/patrick-blois/aid_233675/
Home Inspector – Chris Girlamo – (203) 273-1167 https://www.revereinspection.com/
Electrician – John Balzano Electric (203) 910-9139
Plumber – Vinny Costello – (203) 206-8597
Carpenter – Erik Jacobson – (203) 592-4242
Windows – Jay Craig/ Anderson Renewal – (203) 243-3209
Ah, relationships. Without other people, money management would be easy! Easy-er, anyhow. But love, family, and business relationships tend to make people do things they know they really oughtn’t.
Take Patrick, for example. He fell in love, and it led him to commit a financial faux pas. Here’s Patrick’s l-o-n-g story and his questions:
A couple years back, I met a girl, fell in love, and we moved in together. A few months into our cohabitation, her car died. Since we needed to separate cars for work, we went to a dealer to see what she could find in the way of a used vehicle.
After a long time sitting in an office, test driving a car, and running her credit (which was not very good), the dealer came back with an offer sheet for a high-interest, short-term loan with a payment of $750 a month, an impossible figure to work into her budget. She asked for a different deal, and they said, “This is the best we can do without a cosigner.” Hearing my cue to play the role of the “hero,” I stepped in, which cut the interest dramatically and the payment by half.
Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for: My girlfriend decided to move away, and she ended up in a different time zone. We stayed together for a bit, but realized it wasn’t going to work long distance and broke things off.
Following the break up, the situation with the car deteriorated. After never missing a payment before, she’s now only made one payment in full and on time — and she’s been gone over a year. Several times, she’s been over thirty days late on payments, and my credit has already taken a hit (though it’s still listed in the good/fair range).
But there have been other issues with the car. She lapsed on insurance once and neglected to tell them about a change in insurance another time. Both times, they took out insurance on the car at an astronomical rate for the times it looked like the car was uninsured and that money’s been added to the principle. She also neglected to register the car after she changed states and the registration on the car in my state expired more than ten months ago. For that time, she’s been driving around in an unregistered vehicle in both of our names.
I’ve contacted her to try and see when we’re going to get back to smooth financial sailing, but I get only false promises. She tells me she’ll make a payment on time, and then I’ll get a call ten days later from the bank saying it’s past due.
It does seem like she’s trying at least, and even though the payments come late, they do eventually come. I’ve suggested she sell the car, even if it is at a loss, but she’s not taken any action. The latest plan is to have another friend refinance it with her and get my name off the car, but that friend (who is financially solvent enough to pay off the whole car if necessary) has not yet stepped up to do so. Nothing I say to her has compelled her to do anything but give more promises.
So, fellow readers, what do I do? How do I untangle myself from this financial web to which I’m legally tied? Can I do anything at all? Or am I just a cautionary tale? Feel free to call me names. You can’t think me stupider than I’ve thought myself over the past year, so I am unafraid. The frustration and stress seems to be at a point where I need to find a solution, and not just label myself as “bad with money.”
Ah, Patrick. I feel for you. I really do. While I’ve never been in this situation, I know people who have. (One member of my family loaned another $20,000 and has never been repaid.) Plus, I’ve done some stupid things myself. I once shared an apartment with my cousin for a few months, and I’m fairly certain I never paid my share of the rent for part of that time. (It was almost 20 years ago, so I’ve forgotten the details.)
It’s important to note that not every financial transaction between family and friends ends in disaster. In fact, although there aren’t any stats on the subject, it’s likely that most transactions go smoothly. But the potential for trouble is so great that you should think twice — or thrice — before lending (or borrowing) money. Or co-signing on a loan. Ask yourself what would happen if the borrower never repaid. Or, as in Patrick’s case, the co-signer left town. How would it affect your finances — and your relationship?
You’re usually better off saying “no” rather than putting yourself in a position where you have to hound a friend for money. Which would make you feel worse: the momentary pain of telling a friend “no”, or the ongoing anguish of having a languishing loan destroy a friendship?
Despite these warnings, there are times we’re tempted to lend money to people we know. When this happens, be smart about it.
First, discuss other options. Is there some other way you can help other than giving money or co-signing on a loan?
This is important: Only lend money you can afford to lose! You may never see the money again, so don’t put your own financial well-being on the loan just because your girlfriend can’t afford a new car. (Sorry, Patrick.)
Be clear about expectations. Draw up a payment schedule and discuss what happens if something goes wrong.
Get it in writing. Don’t just hand over money without some sort of record. You can find all sorts of legal templates online. Use them.
Deal with problems immediately. You may feel like a nice guy by not reminding your borrower that they’re 30 days past due, but you’re just setting yourself up for trouble. Communicate.
Having said all that, these guidelines don’t help Patrick solve his problem. These are things he should have done to avoid trouble in the first place. To be honest, now that he’s in trouble, I don’t know what his options are. Do you?
Have you ever loaned money to a friend? Co-signed on a loan? How’d that work for you? What sorts of legal protections did you take? If you’ve ever been in a situation similar to Patrick’s, how did you resolve things? Does Patrick have any legal recourse to repossess and then sell the car? How can he go about getting his ex-girlfriend to prioritize this debt?
Whether you’re jonesing for an epic Antarctic holiday or an extended weekend in the Bahamas, cruises can be a good way to let someone else take the reins for your vacation. But planning a cruise can be confusing, especially when there are several types of cruises, destinations and price points.
When planning a cruise, you’ll want to consider a variety factors, especially if you’re dealing with limited time or a tight budget.
Let’s look at how to plan a cruise, from your budget to booking, and what to expect along the way.
1. Establish a budget
The first step in planning a cruise is deciding how much money you want to spend. Costs for a cruise will vary based on a number of things, including:
Cruise line.
Destination.
Cruise length.
Room type.
Number of guests.
Onboard spending.
Offshore excursions.
If price is top-of-mind, consider a budget-friendly cruise line. These cruise lines tend to be less glamorous, and you’ll likely be paying for more optional add-ons, such as drink packages and excursions. But you’ll still find plenty of activities to keep you entertained, no matter who you’re cruising with.
You may find deals for as little as $40 per person per night, not including gratuities or any onboard spending. For example, we found a deal for a four-night cruise from Long Beach, Calif., to Ensenada, Mexico, for $169 per person on Carnival.
On the high end, you’re looking at costs as high as $90,000 per person — though these cruises tend to be much longer (nearly six months!) or feature exotic destinations and itineraries.
For example, a 168-night cruise on luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas — with dozens of stops in ports around the globe — costs more than $97,000 per person.
Of course, your budget will likely fall somewhere in between these low- and high-end examples. The bottom line is that it’s important to plan for a cruise that fits your budget. With such a wide variety of options, odds are you’ll find a price point that’s comfortable for you.
2. Decide on cruise length
Once you’ve decided how much money you’re willing to spend, you’ll need to see how much vacation time you have available.
If you live far from a port, be sure to factor in the time it takes to get to and from the departure city. Add that to the length of the cruise, and that’s how many vacation days you’ll need.
To optimize your time off, you’ll probably want to try to leave from the closest port possible. If you’re on the East Coast, for example, leaving from Miami would require far less travel time than leaving from L.A.
If you’re taking a week-long vacation, a five-night cruise would give you the time to arrive in the port city the day before departure and then return home without feeling rushed.
3. Choose a destination
How can you plan for a cruise without giving some thought to the destination? The cruise industry is worth more than 7 billion dollars and includes routes all over the world.
If the number of destinations seems a little overwhelming, remember that you’ve already narrowed down your options by establishing your budget and cruise length.
Many search engines will allow you to look for cruises using these parameters — in addition to helpful filters like departure port and desired departure date.
Your cruise dates will likely affect your destination options. For example, if you want to depart in February, you likely won’t find any cruises going to Alaska. And booking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season might result in a rerouted itinerary — or even a canceled cruise — if a hurricane forms in the Atlantic.
4. Compare cruise lines
Different cruise lines cater to different clientele. Some are geared toward those who want to travel in luxury, while others are designed for spring-breakers or families.
If you’re looking forward to a quiet getaway in the Caribbean but choose a Carnival cruise in the middle of April (i.e. prime college spring break time), you may not have much fun when the pool party gets going.
Do some research on the demographics each cruise line attracts. For a family-friendly cruise, sailing with Disney or Royal Caribbean might be a good choice. Those looking for a calm, adult-only atmosphere may want to choose an itinerary on Viking Cruises.
5. Book your cruise
There are several different ways to book a cruise, including reserving directly with the cruise line, using an online travel agency or even working with a travel agent.
Each method has its advantages. Booking through an online agency can save you money. Compared to booking directly through the cruise line, though, it may not be as easy to make changes or cancel your reservation if something comes up. If you book through a travel agent, you have the advantage of being able to arrange your cruise and airfare at the same time.
It’s a good idea to compare cruises across all available platforms, because pricing and special add-ons vary. Last-minute cruises can get you serious discounts, as can stacking cash-back opportunities with shopping portals such as Rakuten.
6. Complete your documentation
Once you’ve booked your cruise, you’ll need to submit some documentation, such as an ID, a health declaration, and a credit card to keep on file.
Most of the time, you can also choose to pre-book activities and excursions, though this may depend on the cruise line you’re sailing with.
You’ll want to find out if you need a passport or any visas for your cruise — this will depend on where your cruise is departing from and where it will stop. Be sure to verify this soon after booking your cruise, as obtaining or renewing a passport can take time.
Planning a cruise recapped
Cruises can be an exciting way to visit multiple destinations in a single trip.
When planning a cruise, you’ll want to decide how much you’re willing to spend, where you want to go and the amount of time you have available.
Aside from that, consider what types of cruises you’d like to go on and the people you want to be around. Once everything is taken care of, all that’s left to do is enjoy!
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
You don’t have to search all that hard to find the best Italy cruises — most leading cruise lines offer dozens of itineraries that visit Italian ports, often in conjunction with neighboring countries France, Greece and Croatia.
The reason? Italy has it all: coastlines on both the Mediterranean and the Adriatic, historic port cities (Rome, Venice and Naples among them) and spectacular islands (including Sicily, Sardinia, Capri and Elba).
For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Plus, with a cruise season that runs from early April through late October (and even year-round for a few cruise lines), Italy offers something for everyone. Travel here to find an alluring mix of impeccably preserved historic sites, renowned regional cuisines and natural wonders waiting to be discovered.
Here are eight of the best Italy cruises for every type of traveler.
Best Italy cruises for cultural immersion: Azamara
Azamara pioneered the concept of single-country itineraries, which allow for greater cultural immersion and even overnight stays in select ports. The cruise line’s 11-night voyage in October 2024 is one of its most comprehensive.
The sailing begins in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and ends in Rome (Civitavecchia), with visits to seven more Italian ports and Tunis, Tunisia. You’ll explore Genoa, Livorno (overnight for Florence/Pisa), Porto Santo Stefano (on the Tuscan coast), Cagliari (on Sardinia), Trapani (on Sicily), Amalfi and Sorrento.
This voyage is aboard the 684-passenger Azamara Onward, one of the cruise line’s four virtually identical ships. (All are former Renaissance R-class ships built in the early 2000s and renovated over the past several years.) The vessels’ intimate size and Azamara’s focus on cultural experiences and shore excursions emphasizing history and food (including cooking classes and market tours) make for an immersive cruise itinerary.
Other Italy-Intensive voyages in 2023 and 2024 include the following: a 10-night voyage in October 2023 aboard Azamara Quest, a 10-night voyage in April 2024 aboard Azamara Pursuit, and a seven-night voyage in May 2024 aboard Azamara Quest.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Best Italy cruises for small-ship lovers: Windstar Cruises
WINDSTAR CRUISES
It’s rare to find a cruise itinerary so fully focused on one specific region of Italy, but Windstar Cruises’ small ships — three classic sailing yachts and three all-suite motor yachts, which accommodate 148 to 342 guests — allow it to offer cruises to less-frequented ports.
Windstar’s 10-day Sicilian Splendors, aboard its 342-passenger sailing yacht Wind Surf, is available on multiple dates in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The ship will cruise round-trip from Rome and call on six Italian ports: Catania (for Mount Etna), Porto Empedocle (for the ancient ruins at Agrigento) and Trapani (for its signature colored salts and Marsala wines), all in Sicily; the island of Lipari (the largest of seven Aeolian Islands); and Sorrento and Amalfi on the stunning Amalfi Coast. The cruise also visits the neighboring islands of Malta and Gozo.
Five-masted Wind Surf is the world’s largest sailing ship. It manages to be intimate without feeling claustrophobic, although it is worth noting that none of its staterooms or suites has a balcony. There is, however, ample deck space for relaxation, with a pool and two hot tubs, as well as inviting alfresco bars and dining areas.
Related: The 2 classes of Windstar ships, explained
Indoors, the ship’s restaurants and social spaces, such as the Veranda Restaurant, Stella Bistro and the Compass Rose Bar, are light-filled, with elegant neutral decor refreshed in 2019.
Musical entertainment takes place in the Wind Surf Lounge and Compass Rose Bar, and Windstar’s excellent dining program reflects an ongoing partnership with the James Beard Foundation. In select tender ports, passengers can enjoy a watersports platform and take out sea kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Best Italy cruises for onboard pampering: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
EMILIA WRONSKI/THE POINTS GUY
If enjoying yacht-style indulgence as you explore Southern Italy is on your cruise wish list, consider the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s 10-night Rome to Valletta itinerary in May 2024. This cruise visits scenic hot spots such as Sorrento and Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast, history-rich Siracusa in Sicily and three ports (Gallipoli, Taranto and Otranto) in lesser-known Puglia, located on the heel of boot-shaped Italy, before passengers disembark in Malta.
Ritz-Carlton, which entered the cruise realm in 2021 with its 298-passenger luxury yacht, Evrima, offers an all-inclusive “yachting lifestyle” experience. This leisurely sailing features overnights in Sorrento and Taranto and two sea days with ample ways to enjoy onboard pampering. The ship’s spacious suites are designed with a contemporary residential feel and range in size from 300 square feet with an 81-square-foot terrace to 1,091 square feet with a 635-square-foot terrace.
Evrima also offers nine bars and dining venues featuring menus created to reflect the ports visited. For culinary indulgence, guests can book a table at S.E.A., a specialty dining experience designed by Chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the Michelin three-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany.
The ship also features chicly designed spaces for relaxing and socializing, such as the Pool House lounge overlooking an aft infinity pool, a second pool located next to the alfresco restaurant Mistral, a panoramic Observation Lounge and a full-service Ritz-Carlton Spa.
Related: The best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity
Best Italy cruises for foodies: Silversea Cruises
Barbara Muckermann and Adam Sachs during the event “Celebrating the Harvest” organized by Pasta Mancini in Monte San Pietrangeli, Italy. SILVERSEA CRUISES
The three newest ships in the Silversea Cruises fleet — Silver Moon, Silver Dawn and 2023’s first-in-class Silver Nova — all feature the cruise line’s immersive culinary program known as S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste). When Silversea’s next ship, the 728-passenger Silver Ray, debuts in 2024, it will also take its guests on culinary-focused journeys — among them an 11-day Rome to Venice itinerary in June 2024.
The itinerary includes calls on seven ports in Italy: Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Palermo, Siracusa, Trieste and Venice. The sailing also visits ports in Malta, Montenegro and Croatia.
Silversea’s sailings blend food-centric excursions — such as a visit to a family farm for a tasting of fresh cheese, salami and olive oil in Sorrento — with the onboard S.A.L.T. program to make sampling local cuisine a natural part of the cruise experience. The day-to-day menus at S.A.L.T. Kitchen are all inspired by the ports visited. The Terrain menu focuses on that day’s port while the Voyage menu draws from the best flavors of the entire itinerary.
Passengers aboard Silver Ray should definitely pack an appetite — in addition to S.A.L.T. Kitchen, the ship features seven other restaurants. They are La Dame for haute French cuisine, Atlantide for signature fine dining (think caviar and lobster), Kaiseki for Japanese sushi and teppanyaki (as well as pan-Asian dishes), Silver Note for tapas-style dining and live music, The Grill for casual burgers and salads, La Terrazza for handmade pasta and other Italian specialties, and Spaccanapoli for thin-crusted Naples-style pizza. With 11 nights aboard, there’s time to sample all of them.
Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
Best Italy cruises for families: Norwegian Cruise Line
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
If an Italy adventure with the entire family sounds like the perfect cruise vacation in 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Norwegian Viva, launching in August 2023 as the sister ship to 2022’s Norwegian Prima, is an ideal playground for guests of all ages.
The most Italy-focused itinerary? The 10-day Mediterranean: Italy, Greece & Croatia cruise (offered aboard 3,099-guest Viva in late June and late September 2024) calls on six ports in Italy — Rome, Livorno, Naples, Messina, Siracusa and Trieste — as well as the islands of Corfu and Malta; Koper, Slovenia; and Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia.
This itinerary is rich in history and culture, including the ancient landmarks of Rome, the archeological wonders of Pompeii and the Leaning Tower of Pisa near Livorno, plus the beauty and culinary treats (sweet cannoli and savory arancini) of Sicily, where Viva makes two port calls. Though the cruise ends in Trieste, the wonders of Venice are just 90 minutes away, so adding a few extra nights to explore its colorful, canal-laced islands is a must.
Onboard Viva, you’ll enjoy more than a dozen dining options (five of them complimentary, including the casual and family-friendly Indulge Food Hall), 16 bars and lounges and all the fun activities/entertainment (including a production of the Broadway hit “Beetlejuice: The Musical”) that the line offers.
Related: Best cruise lines for families
Top amenities include the three-deck Viva Speedway for exhilarating go-kart racing, three thrilling slides (two of them 10-story corkscrew dry slides and one tidal-wave-style waterslide), virtual-reality gaming in the Galaxy Pavilion, tech-enhanced minigolf and more. Also, Viva’s generous outside deck space — especially Deck 8’s Ocean Boulevard with its lively Indulge Outdoor Lounge and sleek Infinity Beach pools — is ideal for scenic cruising in the Mediterranean and Adriatic.
Best Italy cruises for couples: Oceania Cruises
OCEANIA VISTA. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The sophisticated onboard ambiance and a romantic itinerary are a lovely combination, and couples can enjoy both on the 12-night Mediterranean Tapestry sailing offered in June 2024 aboard Oceania Cruises’ newest vessel, Oceania Vista.
The 1,200-passenger ship, which debuted in May 2023, will visit four top ports in Italy — Venice/Trieste in Northern Italy, Taormina in Sicily, Amalfi/Positano in Southern Italy and Civitavecchia for a day in Rome.
Beyond Italy, this itinerary offers a sampling of scenic locales in six other Adriatic and Mediterranean countries with a possible pre-cruise stay in Venice. You’ll visit Korcula and Split in Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Igoumanitsa and Katakolon in Greece; Ajaccio, Corsica; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille, France; and Barcelona, Spain.
Oceania caters to couples seeking an upscale cruise experience with a culinary focus. Onboard Vista, the atmosphere is sleek and polished, with interior decor awash in elegant neutrals of varying patterns and textures, all woven together into a soothing mosaic (in some cases, literally, as tiled vignettes are used throughout the ship). Vista’s bars and lounges, especially the Martini Bar and the Grand Lounge, are so chic you’ll want to get dressed up every night to enjoy one of the craft cocktails on their newly enhanced menus.
All specialty dining is included in the cruise fare, and stand-out meals at Polo Grill (for an excellent steakhouse menu), Toscana (for authentic Italian, including recipes by Vista’s godmother Giada De Laurentiis) and Red Ginger (for flavorful pan-Asian) are just a reservation away. Two new eateries, Aquamar Kitchen and Ember, serve wellness-focused cuisine and casual American comfort food, respectively, and an expanded Culinary Arts Center lets guests who love to cook take hands-on classes.
Best of all, Vista is an all-balcony ship, so every stateroom features access to fresh air (French Veranda Staterooms don’t have an outdoor sitting area, however). Veranda Staterooms and Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms offer a spacious 290 square feet of indoor space — and some of the best standard bathrooms at sea with roomy walk-in showers and ample storage.
Related: The best cruises for couples seeking romance and together time at sea
Best Italy cruises for travelers on a budget: Royal Caribbean
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
To score a budget cruise fare in the Mediterranean, it helps to look for sailings aboard a cruise line’s older ships. If Italy is your main focus for a future cruise, it’s hard to beat the seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary in September 2024 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.
It visits five Italian ports: Venice/Ravenna, Messina in Sicily, Naples, Rome and Livorno (for Florence and Pisa). The ship also calls on Marseille and Barcelona. Voyager’s Italy-focused cruise is a jam-packed itinerary with just one sea day.
Ideal for both couples and multi-generational families, the 3,600-passenger Voyager of the Seas (which debuted in 1999 and was last refurbished in 2019) features seven restaurants (including three complimentary dining venues and specialty restaurant favorites Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table) and eight bars/lounges.
The ship has been “amped-up” so guests can enjoy features found on Royal Caribbean’s newer ships: Perfect Storm waterslides, FlowRider simulated surfing, Battle for Planet Z laser tag, Voyager Dunes minigolf, Studio B ice-skating shows and reimagined spaces for kids and teens.
Nights aboard Voyager of the Seas will be filled with complimentary entertainment options: production shows in the Royal Theater, pub performances by guest entertainers and bands, game-show competitions, pool parties, outdoor movie nights and a ‘70s disco party.
Best Italy cruises for adults-only ambiance: Viking
Aerial view of the Viking Sea leaving Dubrovnik, Croatia. WHITE RAIN/VIKING CRUISE LINE
Is Venice at the top of your wish list? Does an adults-only cruise on a ship with serene, Scandinavian-inspired interior decor and complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner sound ideal?
If so, check out Viking’s 15-night Italy, the Adriatic and Greece itinerary, which sails from Athens to Rome and visits six Italian ports — Venice/Chioggia, Bari, Crotone, Messina, Naples and Rome — with three days spent in Venice. As a bonus, you’ll also visit ports in Greece (Katakolon and Corfu), Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split and Sibenik) and Montenegro (Kotor).
Offered on multiple dates in fall 2023, 2024 and 2025, this itinerary is chock full of port experiences; there are no sea days, and a total of 13 cities are visited. Viking includes one free guided shore excursion in each port, usually a panoramic bus tour or historic walking tour. Use that as an overview and then explore on your own or book one of the cruise line’s longer or more specialized excursions. Onboard guest speakers also offer insight into the ports visited and the cultural landscape.
The cruise line’s nine ocean ships are all identical and accommodate 930 passengers, most of whom are couples over age 55. Onboard dining is available in eight restaurants, including the main venue, The Restaurant and the buffet-style World Cafe, the casual Pool Grill and the Norwegian-focused Mamsen’s. Guests can also reserve dinner at two specialty restaurants (at no extra charge): Manfredi’s for Italian cuisine and The Chef’s Table for multi-course, wine-paired menus that rotate throughout the cruise.
Afternoon tea is served in the elegant Wintergarden. The Aquavit Terrace overlooking the aft infinity pool is a sunny spot to enjoy alfresco dining.
If you’re willing to come back early from port, Viking’s ocean ships offer plenty of ways to relax on board. All passengers enjoy complimentary access to the ship’s thermal suite in the LivNordic Spa. It features a thalassotherapy pool, steam room, sauna and snow room. The Main Pool has a retractable roof and can be enjoyed no matter what the weather. However, if you want to live it up at night, note that the ship does not have an onboard casino.
Bottom line
The best Italy cruises offer access to some of the country’s most-loved cities, as well as a chance to explore some of its sunny islands and lesser-known coastal ports. No matter the itinerary, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the splendid landscapes, treasured antiquities and, of course, the incredible gelato.
Picture it: You’ve planned your upcoming cruise for months. You chose the perfect ship and itinerary, rounded out your vacation wardrobe and weeded through endless lists of dining options and spa treatments. Then you board the ship and head to the excursions desk only to discover there’s no more room on that once-in-a-lifetime adventure that was to be the crowning moment of your voyage.
Don’t let this happen to you. If you’re booked on a sailing and don’t want to miss out, you can reserve many activities, experiences and restaurant meals ahead of time, either online or via the cruise line’s mobile apps.
Whether you’re a planner or someone who likes to play your vacation by ear, you should absolutely consider booking certain cruise activities in advance. Discover what’s available pre-cruise so you can better prepare for your next voyage.
For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Dining reservations
An order of dan dan noodles from Tamarind, the Asian restaurant on Holland America’s Rotterdam. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
One of the biggest components of any sailing is dining. Sure, you can opt for the main dining room or buffet each night. However, if you’d like to branch out and try one or two of your ship’s alternative eateries, you can reserve a spot ahead of time, before you even step on board.
If you wait until after you embark to book, you run the risk of being stuck with the earliest or latest dining times or — worse — being completely out of luck. This is especially true if you’re sailing on a newer ship with eateries that aren’t widely available elsewhere.
Shore excursions
Got your eye on specific shore tours? Lock them in early, especially if you’re setting off on a bucket-list journey to a place that you might not have a chance to visit again. Take it from me: There are few feelings worse than having the person at the shore excursions desk tell you “Sorry, but that tour is full.”
Looking at something that’s pricey, and aren’t sure you want to pay that much? Here’s a tip: Book it anyway. If you change your mind, you can usually cancel 24 to 48 hours in advance (depending on your cruise line’s policy) and receive a full refund.
Spa treatments
The thermal suite in the Lotus Spa on Majestic Princess. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
You can wait to reserve spa treatments until you’re on the ship — unless you’re aiming for something particularly special. Do you need to reserve a large number of manicures for a bachelorette party? Do you want your hair done on a certain day so it’s perfectly coiffed for formal night? Are you yearning for a couple’s massage to celebrate your anniversary? Book pre-cruise to make sure there’s enough availability.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Otherwise, it could benefit you to wait until you’ve crossed the gangway. On port days, when everyone is ashore, spas often try to draw people in by discounting treatments received on those days. They might also offer specials or discounts if you book multiple treatments. These offers aren’t available in advance.
Theater shows
The 735-seat, outdoor AquaTheater on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas is home to aerial and water shows. ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Although only a few cruise lines — Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages — require passengers to make free reservations for nightly entertainment, only Royal Caribbean, NCL and Virgin allow reservations in advance of boarding.
For certain shows like Royal Caribbean’s comedy shows and AquaTheater productions, as well as Norwegian’s Broadway performances and Virgin Voyages’ dinner theater, it’s crucial to reserve seats. Otherwise, there is a very real possibility you’ll end up not being able to see them. Despite multiple performances per sailing, seating can be limited.
(Tip: If you forget to reserve, show up 15 minutes ahead of time, when ships often release any reserved seats that haven’t been claimed, meaning there could be room for you at the last minute.)
Special occasion arrangements
Are you celebrating something special on board? If you’re in need of anniversary flowers, a graduation cake or birthday decorations for your travel companion, it’s best to order them in advance.
If arrangements can’t be made online or via your cruise line’s app, contact your travel agent or the line directly to make sure they know what you’re expecting and that what you need is available.
Packages
Six drinks from Royal Caribbean’s cocktail menu. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
All major cruise lines sell packages that can help you to save money, alleviate the stress of planning or both. Some of the most common are dining and alcohol packages, as well as internet packages.
The former two are generally a good value for people who drink a lot of soda, fancy coffee or alcohol, or who like to switch up their dining experiences. The last one is essential for anyone looking to stay connected while at sea. Booking any of these in advance could score you some savings versus purchasing the same packages once on your ship.
Less common but still offered are photo packages and wedding packages. It’s almost always unnecessary to pre-book photos, but wedding packages are only available with advance notice. What they include varies by cruise line, but example offerings might be flowers, a photo package, a ceremony for a set number of people and a few romantic in-cabin amenities like chocolate-covered strawberries and Champagne.
Bottom line
Cruise lines offer lots of add-ons you can book prior to your sailing. In most cases, though, it only pays to do so if you’re sure you’d save money by booking early or if your trip would be adversely affected should something not be available to you once you board.
Generally, it’s a good idea to make restaurant and shore excursion reservations ahead of time, as well as any special arrangements you might need. Spa treatments and entertainment can often be left until you’re on the ship and have a chance to see the daily schedule.
Whether you’re in the process of creating your bucket list or you’ve already checked off most experiences, we have another one you’ll likely want to add: watching the total solar eclipse from a cruise ship deck in 2024.
Trust me on this. A total solar eclipse trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — even if you’re not an astronomy geek.
On Aug. 21, 2017, I climbed to the top of the Green Ridge Lookout in Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest in the early morning hours to wait for the moon to pass between the sun and Earth. At approximately 10:19 a.m. PDT, I witnessed one of the most amazing events of my life while donning solar eclipse glasses and sipping Champagne on a mountaintop as the sky darkened around us.
For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
This awe-inspiring experience is even better at sea. Discover the best solar eclipse cruises setting sail in 2024 and why they are the places to be when the moon blocks out the sun’s light.
When and where is the total eclipse in 2024?
A total solar eclipse over water and mountains. LG0RZH/GETTY IMAGES
The total eclipse on April 8, 2024, will occur in North America, beginning in the South Pacific Ocean. It will pass over Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, with Mexico’s Pacific Coast predicted to be the first locale to experience totality at 11:07 a.m. PDT. The eclipse path will extend from Texas to Maine and then exit off the Atlantic coast at Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.
Why book a cruise to watch the eclipse?
Approximately 31 million U.S. residents live inside the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse, 2.5 times more than the 12 million residents that lived within the path of totality in 2017, according to GreatAmericanEclipse.com. So, if you can witness the eclipse from land, why would you want to head out to sea to watch it?
First, you’ll sail with a small group of like-minded eclipse enthusiasts and have access to astronomy and space exploration experts. You can also avoid the crowds and traffic on land with people driving to the viewing spots and jockeying for the best places to park and watch the show.
Additionally, a cruise ship positioned off the coast of Mazatlan, Mexico, will provide four minutes and 26 seconds of totality, close to the maximum viewing anywhere along the eclipse path.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Related: Travel to these places to see the total solar eclipse in April 2024
“Many people think that a large ship rocks too much to view a solar eclipse. But they’re actually steady enough to do high-quality photography,” said J. Kelly Beatty, senior editor of Sky & Telescope, a print and online magazine for avid sky and stargazers.
Beatty explains that a ship’s maneuverability and weather instrumentation are essential since they provide the flexibility to sail to another location for optimal visibility. Also, if you’re sailing with astronomy experts, they can help guide the crew on the bridge to reposition the ship so all passengers have the best views of the eclipse.
Only a few cruise lines and professional groups are planning festivities for the big event. So, book your spot soon for the ultimate total solar eclipse viewing party in North America. Below are the best solar eclipse cruises for 2024.
Holland America Line
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America Line offers two sailings where the ships will be positioned in Mexico for the total eclipse. A representative for the line says they will host special events for the sailings, although the line hasn’t released specific details yet.
The line’s 14-day Solar Eclipse & Mexican Riviera itinerary on the 1,432-guest Zaandam sails round trip from San Diego on March 30, 2024. The ship will call on eight ports in Mexico, including Mazatlan, where it will be positioned the day before for optimal viewing of the eclipse from the ship’s wraparound deck.
Konigsdam’s 22-day Solar Eclipse & Hawaii Circle voyage departs from San Diego on April 5, 2023, for Mexico, where the ship will also be positioned off the coast of Mazatlan for the eclipse. Following a stop in Puerto Vallarta, the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam will sail across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, disembarking in Hilo on April 20.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America ship
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises’ 10-day Mexican Riviera with Total Solar Eclipse cruise is already sold out for the rare event aboard the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess.
Due to the popularity of the solar eclipse-themed cruise, the line added another sailing with a different itinerary — a 15-day Panama Canal cruise aboard the 3,080-guest Emerald Princess. This ocean-to-ocean extended voyage from April 5 to 20 will depart from Los Angeles and end in Fort Lauderdale.
Highlights of the voyage include six ports of call, six days at sea and total solar eclipse viewing between Cabo San Lucas and Huatulco, Mexico, on April 8. An astronomy and space exploration enthusiast, Fred Cink, will be on board to answer questions. Guests will also enjoy eclipse-themed drinks and bites while watching the rare phenomenon.
Prices start at $1,999 per person for an inside stateroom with Princess’ “no frills” cruise fare, which includes core experiences — accommodations, dining and entertainment.
Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries
Sky & Telescope and Insight Cruises
If you want to go all in on the eclipse theme, consider booking with a special interest group. Sky & Telescope and Insight Cruises have partnered to offer S&T’s 2024 Total-Eclipse Cruise aboard Holland America’s Zaandam, departing on March 30, 2024. You could book the sailing on your own, as noted above, but if you want to be part of a group of like-minded travelers and have access to special events and educational programming, it’s worth paying more to go with Sky & Telescope.
The themed cruise’s optional speaker program has an impressive lineup of experts, including Sky & Telescope’s Rick Fienberg, whom Beatty refers to as the “expert’s expert.” Other special guests include actor and singer Tim Russ and former astronauts Jeffrey Hoffman and Garrett Reisman.
Beatty says he anticipates their group will be the largest organized solar eclipse group on the ship, with about 200 attendees.
Prices for the cruise vary, depending on the stateroom category and add-ons like beverage packages and specialty dining. The entire conference program for the event is $1,750 per person, which includes a one-hour cocktail party package every night of the cruise.
The mini-conference option is $750 per person and allows passengers a one-time admission to each speaker’s presentation. Traveling companions who don’t want to attend either conference will be charged a “facility fee” of $200 per person, which includes invitations to the group’s private parties (beer and wine included) and access to the group’s exclusive viewing area during the solar eclipse.
UnCruise Adventures
Safari Voyager at sunset in Granito de Oro, Mexico. UNCRUISE ADVENTURES
UnCruise Adventures is offering a seven-night eclipse sailing aboard its 66-passenger Safari Voyager.
The round-trip voyage departs on April 6 from San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, and features several days at sea, including time spent whale and dolphin watching on the beautiful Sea of Cortes. Expert guides and fellow umbraphiles will be on board to share in the excitement of this adventure at sea.
The ship will position northwest of Mazatlan for the eclipse, and the crew will be on hand to provide viewing and photography tips to best capture the once-in-a-lifetime moment. Afterward, guests can celebrate with a glass of Champagne or other beverage.
Stops include Isla San Francisco, Isla Partida and Bahia de la Paz, where passengers can opt to swim whale sharks.
Prices start at $7,150 per person and include all meals, excursions and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Gratuities are an additional expense.
Ring of Fire Expeditions and Eclipse Tours
Ring of Fire Expeditions and Eclipse Tours are hosting a nine-night land and cruise package that begins on April 1. The itinerary features a one-night stay in Acapulco, Mexico, an eight-night voyage on Swan Hellenic’s new ship Diana, an eclipse expedition in Mazatlan and a solar eclipse briefing at sea before eclipse day.
Ring of Fire Expeditions has an exclusive charter for the 196-passenger ship. The memorable voyage features science experts Paul D. Maley of NASA’s Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society and Michael Shara from the American Museum of Natural History. This sailing will be Maley’s 84th solar eclipse trip and Shara’s fourth total solar eclipse adventure.
Prices cover most expenses, including a pre-cruise hotel stay, pre- and post-cruise transfers, a welcome dinner at the hotel, all meals and an onboard open bar, complimentary Wi-Fi, all excursions and gratuities.
Passengers will disembark in La Paz, Mexico, on April 10.
Editor’s note: TPG’s Erica Silverstein accepted a free trip from Oceania Cruises to attend the unveiling of Vista. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line.
“Is this a luxury cruise ship?” That was the question on everyone’s lips during the maiden sailing of Oceania Cruises’ Vista, the first new Allura-class vessel to debut for the upscale cruise brand.
We gawked at the beautifully designed public spaces, with their detail-oriented accents, eye-catching light fixtures and highly textured materials. (Yes, I petted the walls of the elevators and stroked every chair.) We luxuriated in enormous standard cabin bathrooms and sumptuous Tranquility Beds. We dined on exquisite freshly made pasta, perfectly cooked fish and decadent desserts. We ordered smoked, bubbled, herbed and ice-balled cocktails at the ship’s craft cocktail bar and took photos of each creative concoction.
Vista is clearly a ship for travelers who love to explore new destinations, prioritize fine dining and premium beverages and immerse themselves in chic surroundings. However, in the cruise space, this ship is clearly in the upscale category and not true luxury.
Then again, when you’re curled up on a circular day bed, drink in hand, on a resort-style pool deck in the Mediterranean, Vista might just provide all the luxury you need.
Overview of Vista
Pool deck on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Vista debuted in May 2023, the first new ship for Oceania Cruises in a decade and the flagship of the line’s new Allura class. It carries 1,200 passengers in cabins and suites that all have either a true balcony or a French veranda (meaning you can open doors to the fresh air but can’t step outside).
The ship’s target demographic is well-off, mature couples who are looking for destination-focused itineraries on a ship with elevated dining. For a small, 67,000-ton ship, Vista wows with eight restaurants, plus a bakery and private dining rooms for wine-paired meals. It also stands out for its expanded Culinary Center, for cooking classes and demos, and Artist Loft, where passengers can get crafty under the tutelage of resident artists.
For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.
Fans of the line will appreciate that Vista is modeled from sister ships Marina and Riviera, and the layout is strikingly similar.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Vista is not an all-inclusive ship, but it’s more inclusive than lines such as Celebrity Cruises or Holland America. Its fares cover all dining (except for private, wine-paired dinners), fitness classes, nonalcoholic beverages and in-port shuttles. Its booking promotions may offer additional inclusions, like free Wi-Fi, airfare, excursions, beverage package or shipboard credit.
What I loved about Vista
Dining choice
Sunday brunch on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Some people love to return again and again to their favorite restaurants; others prefer to try a new venue every time. I fall into the latter category, so I loved that I could eat at a different restaurant each night of my cruise on Vista.
I could get dolled up and go to a steakhouse or Italian restaurant, or I could play it casual and eat on the buffet’s outdoor terrace or at the pizzeria. I could enjoy a multi-course sit-down lunch or take my pick of eight burgers at the grill. Vista also had plenty of options for between-meal grazing – a quiche from the Bakery, a scone at Horizons’ afternoon tea, or a cookie from the Concierge Lounge.
Not only did Vista’s large selection of eateries keep my meals interesting, but there wasn’t a bad option in the bunch. Sure, sometimes I didn’t order the right dish, but I enjoyed every meal I ate on board.
Design
Grand Lounge on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Vista will wow you with its gorgeous looks from the moment you step on board. The atrium gives a knockout first impression with its stunning floor-to-ceiling sculpture with a changing light display.
The bold center archway of the Grand Dining Room will immediately catch your eye, as will the ceiling design of the intimate Privee dining room. Each specialty restaurant has been designed with care, from the brick oven-inspired ceilings of Ember to the pagoda-style floor lamps in Red Ginger.
The noteworthy Grand Lounge sports geometric chandeliers and glass shelves of vases and glass sculptures, while the faux wood paneling on the pool deck sets it apart from any cruise ship Lido you’ve ever seen. The glam settings make you feel like you’re a movie star and add to the decadent feeling of being on vacation.
Cocktails and mixology program
Nonalcoholic cocktails on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The new mixology program on Vista is one of its standout features. I happily ordered cocktail after craft cocktail at the Founders Bar in the name of research, trying drinks with smoke bubbles on top, frozen fruit balls in their center and unique ingredients (like tea) in their centers. The concept turns your standard pre-dinner drink into a playful and exciting event. It also makes a ship carrying mainly retirees feel hip and trendy.
Vista also carries a line of nonalcoholic “liquors” to make zero-proof cocktails that taste like the real deal, as well as nonalcoholic beer. It’s a fabulous option for sober cruisers or travelers who need to rest their livers after a lively evening. Unfortunately, not all bars carry nonalcoholic cocktails. On my cruise, I found them on the menu at the new Aquamar restaurant and Horizons observation lounge.
What I didn’t love about Vista
Nightlife
Bar setup on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
I failed to find anything serious to critique about Vista, so what I didn’t love about the ship is more about my personality than any real failing of the cruise line.
Evenings on Vista do not offer a variety of pursuits. You can go to a bar, with or without music. You can try your luck at the casino. You can attend the one show each evening, but only if your dinner time allows for it. That’s pretty much it.
My cruise did not offer karaoke night, evening trivia and games, or a pool deck party. I missed the two special-guest acts, a pianist and a guitarist, and the song-and-dance performances by the onboard cast failed to impress. The ship didn’t offer any secondary shows at night — no comedians or musical acts you came to listen to and not talk over.
To be fair, small-ship upscale cruising isn’t about nightlife, and most travelers on Oceania are perfectly content with a long dinner, an evening dancing or drinking in Horizons and an early bedtime. The library does have some board games you can borrow, so consider that as an alternative activity.
Service
Grand Dining Room on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
One should never judge a ship’s service based on its first sailings when the crew is still getting used to each other and the layout and procedures of a new ship. I mention service solely to answer the question of why Vista isn’t considered a luxury ship.
In terms of hardware, Vista is one fine ship, which rivals the vessels belonging to luxury lines like Silversea Cruises and Seabourn, even nipping at the heels of over-the-top sister line Regent Seven Seas Cruises. It’s in the “software,” so to speak, where the line relegates itself to the upscale sector. And that’s fine.
In addition to not offering truly all-inclusive fares, Vista doesn’t offer the personal, often fawning service you find on true luxury lines. I barely met my room steward. No one offered to carry my plate at the buffet. The chefs weren’t offering to make me dishes off-menu, and on occasion, I had to work to flag down a waiter to bring me a drink. Personally, I’m fine with this level of service, but it does not put Vista in competition with ultra-luxury ships.
The few service issues will improve over time. But Vista, by nature, will never offer the crew-to-guest ratio or over-the-top service levels you’d expect to find on a more expensive cruise line.
Vista cabins and suites
Concierge balcony cabin on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Vista has only eight major cabin and suite types, making cabin selection a relatively straightforward process. Its three main non-suite cabin types – French Veranda, Veranda and Concierge Level staterooms – have identical interior layouts, so you’re really only choosing between perks and exterior space.
New and noteworthy on Vista are Oceania’s first dedicated solo cabins, 270-square-foot balcony cabins with a twin bed, smaller bathroom and slightly narrower design than a regular veranda room. They’re Concierge Level rooms, so solo travelers get extra benefits, such as access to the Concierge Lounge and Aquamar Spa Terrace.
My cabin was a regular Concierge Level room with a private veranda. At 291 square feet, it was the same size as a Veranda room, but with a slightly nicer interior design. (French Veranda rooms are identical to Veranda rooms in design, but where the Veranda cabins have a private balcony, French Veranda rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a railing; you can get fresh air but you can’t step out.)
I was very happy in my Concierge Level room on Vista. Oceania’s Tranquility Beds are some of the best in the business, and I loved falling asleep between a snuggly duvet and 1,000-thread-count sheets. Even better, the bed is flanked by three-drawer nightstands, 100V plugs and USB ports and reading lights.
Storage is decent with a two-door closet, two deep drawers in the desk, two coat hooks on the wall and a few additional shelves. It was the perfect amount of space for me, but I could see how a couple might fight over the drawer space.
The room had a mostly forgettable love seat, other than it looked nice and pulled out into an extra bed. The oval marble table was a perfect size for room service breakfast.
Bathroom on Oceania Cruises’ Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The highlight of the room, in my opinion, was the spacious, marble-tiled bathroom. Here, there was storage in spades: two glass shelves in the large shower, one large drawer and shelf space in the vanity and a corner unit with four deep drawers and three shelves in a mirrored cabinet. The shower had a rain head and a wand on an adjustable mount. The large no-fog mirror lit up at the touch of a button, perfect for putting on makeup.
I also appreciated the comfortable, padded balcony furniture. Standard balconies on Vista come with two upright chairs and a round drinks table, but the cushions made the seating comfier than the mesh-and-metal versions you find on many big-ship cruise lines.
Other thoughtful touches in the room include an electronic thermometer and do not disturb sign touchpad, quiet-close drawers, wooden hangers and carafes of Vero water, plus reusable water bottles to take on tour (to reduce single-use plastic water bottles). The mini fridge was stocked with soft drinks, though my cabin attendant didn’t seem to notice that I was drinking exclusively club soda. You’ll also find the requisite safe and hair dryer (neither of which I used), an umbrella and a shoehorn.
Spa terrace on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Concierge Level rooms come with extra perks, most of which are useful but not necessary. You get access to the lovely Aquamar Spa Terrace, with its hot tubs, day beds and thalassotherapy pool. You also get access to the Concierge Lounge on Deck 9; I don’t know why you’d want to watch TV in this windowless lounge, but I appreciated the 24/7 drinks and snacks and access to a concierge.
Other amenities include a welcome bottle of Champagne, pashmina-style cashmere lap blankets for use in your cabin and a tote bag. Perks include priority embarkation, lunch and dinner room service from the Grand Dining Room menu (I totally missed this one), priority specialty restaurant reservations, and complimentary laundry (up to three bags), pressing (on embarkation day) and shoeshine service.
1 of 7
Penthouse Suite on Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
For those with an urge to splurge, Oceania has four additional suite categories, each with butler service and access to an Executive Lounge. The Penthouse Suites are simply an expanded version of the balcony rooms, with additional closet and seating areas. The Oceania Suites have a full living and dining room, a separate guest or TV room, large balcony, guest bathroom and marble-clad master bath and dressing area. They are mostly found on Deck 12, but two on Deck 11 aft have wraparound corner balconies.
The eight Vista Suites, which I didn’t see, are even bigger than the Oceania Suites and located at the front of the ship, so they have extra-long wraparound balconies. The three Owner’s Suites span the entire aft width of the ship, with two balconies, and are designed by Ralph Lauren Home. A light-filled grand foyer opens onto the living, dining and bar area on one side and the enormous master bedroom with king-sized bed, walk-in closet and generous bathroom with soaking tub and ocean-view shower.
Vista restaurants and bars
Taste of the World lunch on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Oceania prides itself on being a foodie cruise line, and Vista carries on the line’s tradition with six major dining venues included in the cruise fare, over-the-top extra-fee wine-paired private dinners and a new mixology program that goes above and beyond what its competitors are offering.
It’s hard not to nitpick a line that brags it has “the finest cuisine at sea” (and has even trademarked that tagline). Each meal may not be the best you’ve ever had on a cruise ship, but each meal you have will be solid, with plenty of choice of both where to dine and what to select from the menu. Vista is certainly a ship foodies will appreciate.
Restaurants
I made a point to try every restaurant on board during my weeklong cruise, and it actually took some scheduling to make it happen. It’s a good thing most of Vista’s sailings are 10 days or longer, so you have ample time to sample all the dining venues and even make repeat visits to your favorites.
You are allowed to make at least one advance reservation for each of Vista’s four specialty restaurants — possibly more depending on the length of the cruise and the type of cabin or suite you book. Once on board, you can ask if there’s walk-in availability for additional meals.
Grand Dining Room on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The Grand Dining Room is perhaps the most gorgeous main restaurant I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. The design, with white archways in the center of the room, is also functional; it separates the giant venue into nooks, so it doesn’t have that hotel ballroom feel.
At breakfast, you can order everything from grilled lamb chops and broiled kippers to omelets, pancakes and lighter fare, such as yogurt parfaits. The highlight of the lunch menu is the “Taste of the World” sampler platter themed around a different country each day.
The dinner menu makes three suggestions for themed meals: selections from Jacques Pepin’s namesake French restaurant on Vista’s sister ships, global cuisine and Aquamar Vitality cuisine (ie lighter dishes). Don’t miss the creative Humphry Slocombe ice cream for dessert, with flavors like Elvis the Fat Years and Harvey Milk & Honey Graham.
1 of 10
Terrace Cafe on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
The Terrace Café is Vista’s buffet venue with indoor and outdoor seating. The stunning wall mosaics set the tone for the sophisticated spread you can sample here. Think daily sushi, an array of fine cheeses, made-to-order omelets, pasta and steaks and premium ice cream (including one Humphry Slocombe flavor at lunch and dinner). The vegetarian options weren’t always the best at the Terrace Café, though it often had gluten-free pasta.
On either side of the Terrace Café are several new and returning casual dining venues that should not be overlooked.
Waves Grill has always been one of my favorite grill venues at sea. Midday, it serves sandwiches, hot dogs, grilled entrees (mahi mahi, cajun chicken) and a huge selection of burgers, including Wagyu, veggie and salmon, in addition to the classic cheeseburger.
In the morning, it offers a downsized breakfast buffet with made-to-order omelets. At night, it transforms into a pizzeria with Italian-style pizza, a burrata menu (do not miss the burrata and tartufo dish) and a sinful Nutella pizza dessert. Pro tip: You can place an order at Waves and ask for your dish to be delivered to your table at the Terrace Café, so you don’t have to choose between the options.
Past Oceania cruisers might wonder where Waves’ famous smoothies and power bowls got to. The answer is Vista’s new “healthy” dining venue, Aquamar, set up on the opposite side of the Terrace Café from the Waves Grill.
In the morning, don’t miss Aquamar’s selection of avocado toast or its freshly made juices, unusual lattes and smoothies. (You haven’t lived until you’ve spiked your morning OJ with turmeric and cayenne pepper.) Energy bowls, banana pancakes and omelets round out the breakfast menu.
The lunch menu at Aquamar is vast. You can order poke-style bowls or compose your own, do a breakfast repeat with omelets and avocado toast, or order sandwiches from around the world, including tuna tacos, falafel pita, a Mexican chicken wrap or an Impossible burger. Wash it all down with a nonalcoholic cocktail that will have you convinced you’re drinking the real thing.
All the previously mentioned restaurants allow you to dine at will, but Vista has four reservations-required dinner spots that are the stars of the show. Three return from sister ships Marina and Riviera, while one is new, replacing French restaurant Jacques.
1 of 4
Ember restaurant on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The new entrant to Oceania’s food scene is Ember, serving inventive American fare. Though the venue is one of Vista’s signature restaurants, it has a more casual vibe than the others, and meals here don’t take quite as long. Consensus on my sailing is the standout dishes are the spinach and artichoke dip, lobster mac and cheese (with an actual hunk of lobster-in-the-shell on top) and the triple chocolate brownie sundae.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Polo Grill, Vista’s fanciest restaurant, where dinners can take hours. It’s a classic steakhouse in a dimly lit setting with an enormous menu where protein is the star.
While it was perhaps not my favorite dining venue on board, the salmon I ordered was cooked perfectly, so moist and tender that I raved about it for the rest of the cruise. Folks at my table ordered everything from filet mignon to a whole Maine lobster, and everyone was satisfied with their choices.
Also, you may be understandably tempted to order the Polo Quartet of four desserts to finish your meal. I will save you the trouble by telling you the key lime pie is hands down the best of the bunch, and you should order the full-size version and skip the tasting plate.
1 of 6
Polo Grill on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Toscana is Oceania’s long-standing Italian restaurant, but on Vista, it’s newly enhanced with dishes created by the ship’s godmother, Italian food star Giada De Laurentiis. If you enjoy veal, this is your spot; nearly half of the secondi menu consists of veal dishes (you can also order lamb and roast suckling pig here). I tried Giada’s branzino and wasn’t wowed.
Whatever you order, make sure to order at least one pasta dish with Toscana’s incredible ship-made pasta. You can’t go wrong with Giada’s lemon spaghetti or the pesto gnocchi. If you need to skip dessert at one specialty restaurant, this is where I’d pass … unless you are a die-hard tiramisu fan.
The final specialty restaurant is Red Ginger, a pan-Asian dining experience. Perhaps it’s because I love Asian food, but I have a hard time choosing what to eat at Red Ginger because everything looks so good. You could make a meal on appetizers alone.
To start, try the sushi, duck and watermelon salad or summer rolls. For your main, consider the miso-glazed sea bass, lobster pad thai, bulgogi ribeye steak or red curry chicken. You might think dessert is a non-starter, but the caramel tapioca was tasty, and the soft ice cream with Japanese togarashi is a fun mix of sweet and spicy.
1 of 3
Red Ginger on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Vista also offers multiple options for intimate or private wine-pairing lunches and dinners on board. They include a wine-pairing lunch at Ember and wine-themed dinners in private dining rooms attached to Toscana and Polo Grill. Hidden between those two restaurants is Privee, another intimate dining room where two special dinners are held: Odyssey (described as a “gustatory journey for the senses”) and the Dom Perignon Experience that pairs special Champagnes with equally special dishes.
But the food options don’t end with the restaurants. The Bakery by Baristas was a popular spot for daily beignets, quiches and pastries. Afternoon tea in Horizons is an Oceania specialty, with your choice of Twinings tea, scones with jam and clotted cream, tea sandwiches and cakes and petits fours all wheeled around in glass carts by formally dressed waiters.
Bars
Horizons on Oceania Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Vista’s bars are hopping before and after dinner because there’s not much else to do on board at night.
The Martini Bar is the most happening lounge, located near the Grand Dining Room, several specialty restaurants and the casino. A pianist performs here on and off throughout the evening. You can find all your standard mixed drinks here, as well as a special martini menu. At peak times, you might not be able to find a seat.
On the other side of the casino is the Founders Bar, a new concept for Oceania, dedicated to creative craft cocktails. If you like your drinks topped with smoke bubbles, frozen balls of fruit or sprigs of herb or dried fruit slices, this is your spot. Seating is limited, but you can request your drink be delivered around the corner to the Grand Lounge, a stunning scenery area where a classical string quartet plays in the evening.
1 of 3
Founder Bars on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Be careful — it’s so fun trying out all the crazy concoctions that you might bust your drink budget if you haven’t upgraded to the premium beverage package.
Horizons is the observation lounge at the top of the ship, looking forward. We heard rave reviews of the live band here and some choice words about the resident DJ, but if you want to watch the sunset or get your groove on after deck, Horizons is the bar for you.
Baristas is the coffee bar by day and aperitif bar by night. Get your daytime caffeine fix with Illy espresso, macchiatos, cremas and more, including coffees spiked with booze. After 6 p.m., you’ll find an Italian-influenced list of aperitifs and digestifs (amaretto, Campari, limoncello), as well as wines and cocktails (such as an Aperol spritz or negroni).
The pool bar serves all the daiquiris and coladas you can drink while lounging on Vista’s gorgeous, resort-style pool deck. You can also order drinks at any of the restaurants. Aquamar has a lovely menu of nonalcoholic cocktails, fresh juices, lattes and smoothies.
Vista is also introducing new immersive cocktail experiences for the cruise line, which unfortunately had not yet debuted on my sailing. These will include a customizable Bubbly Bar in Baristas, a Bloody Mary Bar at lunch in the Terrace Café, a Macallan whisky and chocolate pairing, and cocktail-making seminars pairing Brugal 1888 rum with ice cream or tea.
Vista activities and shows
Artist Loft on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
An Oceania cruise is a destination-focused trip, so onboard activities are kept to a minimum. You’ll find trivia contests, spa seminars, casino tournaments and technology classes at the LYNC Digital Center, such as travel photography and photo editing for social media.
Where Oceania excels in onboard activities are with cooking classes and demos in the Culinary Center and art classes at the Artist Loft. Oceania brings on real chefs and working artists to lead the workshops. Sign up as soon as you get on board because these popular classes fill up quickly.
I tried a “drip technique” painting class where we decorated glass plates, and it was a far cry from the watercolor or needlepoint classes you might find on other ships. The two-part class explored a unique technique, and even though I’m not experienced in crafting and my plate looked pretty bad after the first class, the artist knew what he was doing, and my final product was surprisingly good. It’s also a fun way to socialize with other passengers and the artists in residence.
Vista’s culinary center is three times larger than the versions found on sister ships Marina and Riviera. In addition to the test kitchen with 24 individual cooking stations, a second room can be arranged for lectures or even dinners. Classes are themed, often related to the ship’s destination, and yes, you can eat what you cook. They do cost extra; fees start at $79.
Pool deck on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
On a warm, sunny day, Oceania’s gorgeous resort-style pool deck is the place to be with padded loungers and day beds, a main pool with a wading area around it and a couple of hot tubs. Sporty types should head to the ship’s topmost half decks for an outdoor running track, shuffleboard, croquet/bocce, pickleball, mini-golf and a golf-driving cage.
The Aquamar Spa on Deck 15 offers a barber shop, salon, fitness center with aerobics studio and sauna and steam rooms in the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Concierge Level and suite guests receive complimentary access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace at the front of the ship, with two hot tubs and a thalassotherapy pool.
If it’s cool and rainy, consider decamping to the nook- and book-filled library, where you can borrow games, settle in with your laptop or peruse guidebooks. Baristas is right around the corner. The ship also has the requisite shops selling fine jewelry and logo items.
Library on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
In the evenings, you can find a singer-pianist in Martinis, a string quartet in the Grand Lounge and a band followed by a DJ in Horizons. I heard great things about Vista’s Music Station Band, but somehow I was always eating dinner when they were performing.
Each night, there’s a show in the Vista Lounge, either a guest performer or a typical cruise ship song and dance show by the onboard performers. One of the new shows on Vista was choreographed by Britt Stewart, a professional dancer who’s worked with “Dancing with the Stars.”
Vista itineraries and pricing
Vista will spend its summers in the Mediterranean and winters in the Caribbean. In fall 2023, the ship will also visit Canada and New England and transit the Panama Canal twice. Cruises range in length from seven to 90 days, but most are one to three weeks in length.
Cruise-only prices start from $1,799 for a French Veranda cabin or $2,049 for the lowest-category balcony room on a seven-night Caribbean cruise. Alternatively, you can choose Oceania’s more inclusive and expensive OLife fares; these start from $2,599 for the French Veranda cabin or $2,849 for a regular balcony room.
The current OLife promotion runs through June 30 and includes round-trip airfare and transfers, plus your choice of four shore excursions, a beverage package or $400 onboard credit per cabin. Starting in July, the line will offer a set of included perks, without the need to choose, but the actual inclusions may change during promotional periods.
What to know before you go
Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Required documents
The travel documents you need for your Vista cruise are determined by your itinerary and homeports. For most cruises, you will need a passport that is valid for six months after your trip ends. For round-trip sailings out of U.S. homeports, a birth certificate and government photo ID will suffice. It’s up to each passenger to determine if any of the ports of call require additional visas.
When you finish checking in online for your cruise, Oceania will email you a boarding pass that you should print out and bring with you to the terminal.
Gratuities
Crew gratuities are added to your onboard bill and amount to $18 per person, per day, in Concierge-class rooms and below, or $23 per person, per day, in upper-level suites. Gratuities can be prepaid. You are always welcome to tip above the auto-gratuity for exceptional service. All tour guides should be tipped in cash at the end of a tour.
A 20% gratuity is added to onboard bar and spa bills.
Wi-Fi
Vista is one of the first Oceania cruise ships to use Starlink high-speed internet. I can attest to the speed of Oceania’s premium plan after attending a 90-minute Zoom meeting with only the slightest of lag.
Every cabin comes with one free Wi-Fi login (for one device at a time), or you can pay to add additional devices or for the premium plan that accommodates music and video streaming.
Carry-on drinks policy
Passengers can bring up to six bottles of wine per cabin for consumption in their room. If you wish to drink your own wine in a restaurant or public area of the ship, you will need to pay a $25 per bottle corkage fee.
Smoking policy
Smoking lounge on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Vista offers designated areas on the Deck 12 pool deck (forward, starboard corner) and in the smoking lounge on Deck 14 forward, outside Horizons. The latter is a gorgeous space with forest-green walls, but it is entirely indoors. This policy applies to e-cigarettes, pipes and cigars, in addition to regular cigarettes.
Smoking is forbidden everywhere else on board, including in cabins and on private balconies. Passengers who are caught in violation of the smoking policy will be disembarked at the next port of call and may also be required to pay additional fees to cover costs for cleaning or replacing damaged furniture or decking.
Laundry
Vista has complimentary self-service launderettes on decks 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Each is outfitted with a detergent dispenser, washers and dryers, an ironing board and a seating area with a TV if you choose to wait for your load to finish. You can walk away while your load runs, but set a timer because folks will remove your clothes if you don’t pick them up in a timely fashion.
Alternatively, you can pay to send out your clothes to have them washed and/or pressed.
Electrical outlets
Vista’s cabins and suites offer electrical outlets and USB ports on both sides of the bed and by the desk. You’ll find both U.S. 110V and European 220V outlets. Americans may want to bring an adapter for charging devices in public rooms where the outlets are all European-style.
Currency
The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar. The reception desk can change dollars for the local currency.
Drinking age
You must be 21+ to drink alcohol onboard all Oceania cruises. When the ship is in international waters, young adults ages 18 to 20 may purchase and drink beer or wine (as well as the House Select beverage package).
Dress code
String quartet on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Oceania does not have a complicated dress code with specific attire required on certain evenings. Instead, the line suggests “elegant casual resort wear” for evenings and requests that guests do not wear casual jeans, shorts, T-shirts, baseball caps, casual sandals or sneakers in the restaurants after 6 p.m.
For casual dining, choose the Pizzeria or Terrace Café for your evening meal. Shorts and baseball caps are allowed; athletic wear is not.
Elegant casual resort wear translates into date-night dresses (but not full-on cocktail attire), skirts and blouses or dressy pants and tops for women, and collared shirts and slacks for men. Jackets and ties are not required.
During the day, casual attire is fine, but please don’t wear swimwear, bathrobes or pajamas in public areas. You’ll need footwear if you leave the pool deck.
Bottom line
Vista is an elegant mid-size cruise ship that’s the perfect home base for travelers who appreciate dining variety, enjoy interesting cocktails and fine wines and wish to explore the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Cabins and suites are thoughtfully designed, though, for longer voyages, you might need to take advantage of onboard launderettes as cabin storage might be tight.
Vista offers a high-end experience on a beautifully designed ship, but you’ll have a choice in how you spend your vacation budget rather than paying upfront for all-inclusive fares.
