CruiseStar
CruiseStar journal
Stories from the fleet
Guides, sailor adventures, and notes on the ships people actually sail. Every published piece names its author.
15 results for “Excursions”
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Guide · 2 min
Cruise packing list: a free generator sized to your ship and sailing
How to pack for a cruise without drowning in generic lists, and how CruiseStar’s free packing list generator builds a checklist from your ship, dates, and quiz answers.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 2 min
Best Seabourn ships: all-suite Encore class versus the expedition fleet
Compare Seabourn's all-suite Encore-class ocean ships with its purpose-built Venture and Pursuit expedition ships, and see what the Seabourn Club loyalty program adds.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 6 min
First-time cruiser tips: what to know before your first ocean sailing
First-time cruiser tips for embarkation, packing, dining, port days, money onboard, and choosing a beginner-friendly ship without brochure overwhelm.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 5 min
Where to find cruise groups for your sailing date (and why CruiseStar fits)
Looking for a cruise roll call or sailing group for your exact dates? Compare Facebook groups, forums, and CruiseStar roll calls, ship chat, friends, and sailor ratings.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 1 min
Best Viking ocean ships and what its no-children policy means for your trip
A Viking Cruises guide explaining the line's strict 18-plus age policy, its identical-sister-ship ocean fleet, and how that shapes onboard atmosphere versus other premium lines.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 4 min
What to pack for a cruise: a practical packing guide
What to pack for a cruise without overpacking: day clothes, port shoes, formal options, cabin gear, documents, and a free packing list generator sized to your sailing.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 4 min
Cruise shows and entertainment: do you need reservations?
Do cruise shows need reservations? How theater seating, comedy clubs, ice shows, and premium entertainment work, plus when to book and when walk-up is fine.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 4 min
Cruise weather, storms, and hurricane season: will it affect my trip?
How weather, storms, and Atlantic hurricane season affect cruises: itinerary changes, sea days, cancellations, insurance, and what sailors should actually worry about.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 14 min
Cruise ship safety: how to stay safe on a cruise
A detailed cruise ship safety guide covering muster drills, illness, falls, balconies, alcohol, children, solo travel, medical care, excursions, and emergencies.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 4 min
Balcony vs interior vs oceanview: is the cabin upgrade worth it?
Balcony vs interior vs oceanview cabins: real differences in space, light, noise, motion, and price, plus when each category is worth the upgrade on a mainstream cruise.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 2 min
Ocean cruises vs. river cruises: what's actually different?
Ocean cruising and river cruising are not the same vacation. Here's how ship size, itinerary style, onboard activities, and pricing actually differ, plus why CruiseStar's catalog leads with ocean ships first.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 1 min
First Disney cruise? Start with Wish or Treasure
Disney Wish and Disney Treasure are the line's newest ships, what a first-time Disney sailor should know before picking between them.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 2 min
What to actually pack for a cruise (and what you can leave at home)
What needs to be in your suitcase, what's provided onboard, formal night requirements, and the small items first-timers always forget.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 2 min
Flexible dining vs. a fixed seating time: which one actually fits how you travel?
My Time Dining, Anytime Dining, and Freestyle explained against traditional early and late seating, and how to switch if you picked wrong.
CruiseStar
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Guide · 2 min
The cruise buffet, demystified: hours, crowds, and what's actually included
When the buffet opens and closes, whether it's included, how busy it gets, and how it stacks up against the main dining room.
CruiseStar