Cruise Week Report: Cabins to Avoid, Where Not to Eat on a Carnival Cruise, What It's Like to Spend Six Days at Sea and More! (2023)

We share a lot of cruise updates and tips here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you might have missed this week.

If you're busy but want to stay up to date with all the helpful cruise tips we share, here's an easy-to-understand look at the latest articles and updates we've shared.

1. What is the aft deck of a cruise ship?

Have you ever heard the term "poop deck" and wondered what it means?

You are not alone! Although not commonly heard on cruise ships these days, the term is derived from the word La Poupe which is French for "poop". According to Merriam Webster, the stern is the aft part of the ship, and the superstructure means "a partial deck above the main part of the ship".

Read on to find out more about what the aft deck on workboats was used for.

Read more:What is the aft deck on a cruise ship?

2. The only place I will never eat again during carnival cruises

When booking your next cruise, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of dining options available.

Carnival cruise lines are famous for their free meals, especially compared to other cruise lines. From hot, juicy burgers to fresh pizza, crispy chicken sandwiches and more, there's never a shortage of food. There is one restaurant, however, that author Allie has decided not to visit again.

Following her recent Carnival Mardi Gras cruise in April, she decided she would no longer dine at the Lido Marketplace buffet at Carnival and shared with us the reasoning behind this decision.

Read more:The only place I will never eat again on carnival cruises

3. Going on a solo cruise? Here are 8 of the best cabins for solo cruises

When most people think of a cruise, they probably imagine a family vacation.

However, a solo cruise is also a great way to have a great trip! With a wide variety of activities available, it's easy to meet other travelers as you explore new ports around the world. Planning a solo trip requires a bit more thought than some people think, starting with cabin selection.

Here's a list of the 8 best solo cruise cabins so you can spend your money on other fun cruise-related things.

Read more: Going on a cruise alone? Here are 8 of the best cabins for solo cruises

4. I packed my luggage for a seven-day cabin-only cruise. This item was a complete waste of space

Packing for a cruise can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you're trying to pack carry-on luggage and have limited space.

It is important that you are aware that you are going on a cruise; However, it is normal to worry about packing the wrong clothes or forgetting something important.

Cruise.Blog Allie recently went on a cruise aboard the brand new Carnival Celebration vessel. She packed hand luggage for a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean Sea. Having sailed with Carnival before, she knew this line was more relaxed than others like Celebrity. Still, she decided to pack several evening dresses, including one for a formal evening.

That's why I regret it!

read more:I packed my luggage for a seven-day cabin-only cruise. This item was a complete waste of space

5. I tried The Key by Royal Caribbean after hearing a lot of negative reviews. That's what I was thinking

Since the introduction of "The Key" on Royal Caribbean cruises, there has been a lot of controversy about it.

Author Angie recently found a great deal on The Key during her cruise aboard Adventure of the Seas. After doing the math and realizing it would only cost her and her mom an extra $113 as she was already planning on buying an internet bundle, she decided to take a chance and buy it. After reading the list of benefits, but also reading a lot of negative reviews and opinions about the program, she was very eager to get started and try it for herself.

Here's what she thought of The Key during a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise aboard Adventure of the Seas.

Read more: Tried The Key by Royal Caribbean after hearing many negative reviews. That's what I was thinking.

6. I crossed the Atlantic on a transatlantic cruise. This is what it's like to spend six days at sea

Some of the best cruises you can take are transatlantic cruises.

These are usually changes in the location of cruise lines at the beginning or end of the cruise season in Europe. However, when booking this type of cruise, keep in mind that you will spend a lot of time on board when sailing across the Atlantic.

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Don Goldstein, a retired U.S. Coast Guard commander, about his 15-day voyage aboard the Explorer of the Seas from Miami to Rome, including six days at sea. You can read more about his experience and what you can expect on transatlantic voyages here.

Read more: I crossed the Atlantic on a transatlantic voyage. This is what it's like to spend six days at sea

7. How to save hundreds of dollars on an MSC flight with this one simple trick

There's no better feeling than knowing you've saved money on a vacation cruise.

MSC Cruises, usually known for its affordable cruises, is becoming more and more popular among people who want to make the most of their holiday budget. While they often offer sales and promotions to help you find a cruise at a reasonable price, author Chantal has a specific strategy to always make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

Here's how you can save hundreds of dollars on your next MSC cruise.

Read more:How to save hundreds of dollars on an MSC cruise with this one simple trick

8. The absolute worst cruise ship cabins to be avoided on any ship

Once you've decided to book your next holiday cruise, the next important step is to determine which cabin you'd like to stay in.

This is a crucial decision as the cruise cabin on board will be your home away from home. Choosing the perfect cabin is more than booking a hotel room. When choosing a cabin, consider the type of cabin, location, your preferences and what is near the cabin.

While most cabins on board are fine, there are a few that should not be booked. Here are the absolute worst cruise ship cabins to avoid on any ship.

Read more: The absolute worst cruise ship cabins to be avoided on any ship

9. Due to this error, I was never able to overcome the delay caused by a change of time zone on a Mediterranean cruise

There is nothing better than culture and history to be found on a European cruise.

Author Allie has sailed Europe many times and considers it one of her favorite cruising destinations. She recently found a great deal aboard the Norwegian cruise ship Norwegian Cruise Line, sailing from Malaga, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal. She was able to fly on standby to get on the cruise; however, it presented some challenges, even for this seasoned traveler.

Throughout this trip, she has never been able to shake off the exhaustion caused by jet lag and talks about how she came to make that mistake and why she will never make it again.

Read more: Due to this error, I was never able to overcome the time zone delay on my Mediterranean cruise