Cruise guides

Plan the right cruise, before you ask for a quote

When to go, which route to pick, what documents you need and what a cruise really costs, written for travelers from the US and Canada.

• Caribbean

  Caribbean cruises: how to choose between Eastern, Western and Southern routes

  The Caribbean is the most popular cruise region for travelers from the US and Canada. Here's how the three main routes differ, when to go, which port to leave from, and what documents you need.

  3 min readRead
• Bahamas

  Bahamas cruises: the short getaway that's perfect for a first cruise

  Three to five nights, sailing from Florida to Nassau, Grand Bahama and private-island beach days. Here's what a Bahamas cruise is like, when to go and how to choose one.

  2 min readRead
• Alaska

  Alaska cruises: routes, glaciers and the best time to go

  Glaciers, whales and frontier towns you can only reach by sea or air. Here's how Inside Passage round trips differ from one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises, when to go and what to pack.

  3 min readRead
• Mexican Riviera & Baja

  Mexican Riviera and Baja cruises from California

  Short Baja getaways and week-long Mexican Riviera cruises leave from Southern California all year. Here's how they differ, when to go and what you'll see.

  2 min readRead
• Bermuda

  Bermuda cruises from the Northeast: pink sand without the flight

  Sail from New York, New Jersey, Boston or Baltimore to Bermuda's pink-sand beaches, with several days docked on the island. Here's when to go and how to make the most of it.

  2 min readRead
• Canada & New England

  Canada and New England cruises: lighthouses, lobster and fall color

  Coastal towns, lighthouses and lobster dinners, with the famous fall foliage in late September and October. Here's when to go, where you'll stop and how to choose a route.

  2 min readRead
• Mediterranean

  Mediterranean cruises: a planning guide for travelers from North America

  See several countries in one trip without repacking. Here's how Western and Eastern Mediterranean routes differ, the best time to go, and how to plan flights and port days.

  2 min readRead
• Planning

  What a cruise really costs: the all-in price, explained

  The price in a cruise ad is rarely what you pay. Here's every part of the real cost, from taxes and port fees to gratuities, extras and payment deadlines, so you can compare quotes fairly.

  3 min readRead