• The Trump administration said it has accepted a gifted Boeing 747-8 from Qatar.
• The jumbo jet previously served as a luxurious private business jet.
• The plane currently sports multiple bedrooms, a salon, a private living room, and a kids' playroom.

A luxurious jumbo jet that the Department of Defense said it had accepted as a gift from Qatar is chock-full of the glitz and grandeur President Donald Trump has shown a penchant for over the years.

First delivered to the Gulf state in 2012, the Boeing 747-8 that could soon serve as Air Force One is one of the most opulent private jets in the world and is much newer than the current fleet of jets that carry the President and other White House staff. Flight records show the plane flew to Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club in Florida, in February.

The exact cost of the jumbo jet isn't clear, but a new 747-8 can fetch a cool $400 million. It's unclear what it may cost to retrofit with necessary communications and security features.

Trump has said he would be "stupid" to turn down the gifted Boeing 747, especially as he has been vocal about his disappointment in the delays for a replacement that Boeing might not be able to deliver until 2028.

Its cockpit may look like any 747, but behind it is where the opulence is revealed.

The gift has raised ethical concerns among both Democrats and Republicans, which the White House has dismissed. A Pentagon spokesperson said the gift is being accepted "in accordance with all federal rules and regulations."

An iteration of the luxurious aircraft — designed by French interior design firm Cabinet Alberto Pinto for its previous life serving a Middle Eastern businessman — gives us a peek inside the opulent plane as it may look upon delivery to the Department of Defense as the potential future Air Force One.

"The Department of Defense will work to ensure proper security measures and functional-mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States," a Pentagon spokesperson said, adding no details on when it may enter service.

The interior is sectioned into several rooms, akin to a traditional home.

Think a foyer, couches, touchscreen light switches, and bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

The primary bedroom takes the most advantageous and private location.

The spacious bedroom is perched in the nose of the aircraft, under the cockpit. It's a relatively quiet space, located furthers from the engine. And in lieu of two first-class seats, as the nose is often reserved for, the bedroom has a cozy loveseat.

The bedroom operates like that of a conventional residence.

Bedside tables and reading lights flank the mattress, perched across from the TV and loveseats. However, the walled cupholders still remind you that you're in an aircraft.

Otherwise, the en-suite bathroom looks quite orthodox, finished with a walk-in shower and a bright vanity.

Showers, which aren't a staple fixture in commercial aircrafts, are a key selling point for Boeing and Airbus' private jets.

Guest bedrooms accommodate additional guests.

Don't worry, they get their own bathrooms, too.

No need to stay tied down to a small passenger seat.

The aircraft has private offices and dining areas. Or, use the salon as both.

Its couches are great for lounging, while the circular table can be used for work, dinners, or a round of poker.

It's an aircraft — of course, the plush leather seats can recline via switches in the armrest.

Additional passengers and crew can be seated in a separate, smaller section with tables and in-flight entertainment systems.

The crew also has their own quarters, located up the foyer's staircase.

If the salon is the Oval Office, the upper deck is the executive residence.

In addition to the crew quarters, the second floor has a living room and a separate children's play area.

Yves Pickardt, the designer of this particular 747-8i and all of its homey amenities, previously told Altitudes Magazine that the aircraft took four years to design and complete — an indication of what the Secret Service may in for when it sets out to upgrade security, communications, and other systems if the President it to use the plane while in office.

An earlier version of this story was written by Taylor Rains and Tom Pallini.

• Cruise lines are increasingly focusing their itineraries on their own private islands and resorts.
• By 2027, 90% of Royal Caribbean's Caribbean cruises will sail to one of its in-house properties.
• Almost every major cruise line is expanding its land-based portfolio.

Cruises have always been a vessel for exploration — a way for travelers to see the world. But over the last few years, these floating resorts have increasingly narrowed their focus to just one type of destination: theme parks in the middle of the ocean.

Cruise ships touch virtually every corner of the earth, from Antarctica to Albania, Madagascar to the Mediterranean. They're often the most convenient and affordable way to see several countries in one trip, which is why bookings have remained buoyant despite uncertain economic tides foundering the rest of the travel industry.

However, these exploratory roots are quickly becoming overshadowed by more lucrative, purpose-built beach resorts that not all travel traditionalists may be happy about.

Cruise lines want you at their private resorts

In recent years, commercial cruise lines have increasingly shifted attention, investments, and itineraries toward in-house land-based buildouts. Think branded private islands with waterparks and resorts with the same up-charges as their ships.

Industry titans like MSC Cruises, Carnival Corp, and Royal Caribbean Group collectively operate about 20 Caribbean ports, a number that seems to grow every day. Royal Caribbean expects to launch four more destinations (in addition to the two it currently has) by early 2027: two in Mexico, one in the Bahamas, and one in the South Pacific on Lelepa, Vanuatu.

By the time they open, the cruise line said earlier in May, 90% of its Caribbean voyages will sail to one of these in-house retreats. In some itineraries, they'll be the only ports of call.

Norwegian is expanding its private island and building a pier to accommodate thousands more travelers daily. Carnival and MSC are doing the same, in addition to each building a new getaway in the Bahamas.

Almost all Carnival ships have voyages scheduled for the company's upcoming Celebration Key resort, which will open in July. Similarly, most of Norwegian and MSC's future Caribbean cruises also include stops at their private islands.

If you're lucky, your voyage could visit other nearby, non-cruise-owned ports.

If not, you could spend every day of your cruise vacation at a themed beachfront park.

Take Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, for example. It's currently scheduled for 96 four-night "Bahamas and Perfect Day Cruise" voyages through April 2027. The itinerary only includes two ports: the cruise line's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island and Nassau, Bahamas, the soon-to-be home for its pay-to-enter Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

Islands planted with money trees

The shifting focus toward company-created destinations is a no-brainer for the industry.

These ports are often close to the ships' home ports, allowing cruise lines to save on fuel costs. Plus, they don't require third-party operators, which means the companies can pocket all food, beverage, and excursion profits.

And there are plenty of big-ticket activities to entice visitors, be it $100 to enter CocoCay's waterpark or $1,000 for a villa on Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay island.

If you're traveling with your multi-generational family, it could be a worthy vacation option.

Many of these resorts are accessible only by ship or walled off from the rest of the country (such as Royal Caribbean's Labadee, Haiti beach). They're also relatively small, consistent, and convenient, filled with kid-friendly amenities like kayaks and snorkel gear.

But if your goal is to tick off countries from your bucket list, consider another form of travel — or at least not a voyage to a remote amusement park.

Ziplining around a manicured beach or napping in an air-conditioned beachfront villa might not be the cultural immersion you want.

• Norwegian Cruise Line has been leading the solo cruise travel boom.
• Its new ship, Norwegian Aqua, has 93 single-person cabins with access to a shared lounge.
• The cruise line added 1,000 of these increasingly popular staterooms to its fleet in 2024.

Norwegian's latest ship, Norwegian Aqua, is floating bait for cruising families. It also wants to attract the opposite demographic: solo travelers.

In recent years, Norwegian has emerged as the leader of the solo cruise boom, adding about 1,000 single-person cabins to its fleet in 2024.

For the company, it's a great money-making opportunity: 10% of cruisers from US ports go alone, with millennials and Gen Zers most likely to cruise solo, according to the trade group Cruise Lines International Association.

For solo cruisers, it's a great money-saving opportunity: Many cruise lines charge independent travelers a "single supplement" fee to compensate for lost revenue on double occupancy cabins. In some cases, this additional expense can double the cost to sail.

That is, unless they stay in one of Norwegian's solo staterooms.

Norwegian Aqua launched in March with 93 single-person cabins.

The new 4,482-guest vessel is spending the summer operating weeklong Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. These "studio" accommodations are already sold out for a third of these voyages, with the least expensive remaining options starting at about $1,880 — about $560 cheaper than a traditional inside cabin with the single supplement fee.

That's almost $270 per day for a windowless 94-square-foot cabin.

Of the 93 options, 73 are what Norwegian affectionally call "studios."

It's a fitting name for a tiny cabin, but don't let its 94-square-footage footprint fool you. It still has all the necessities of a cruise stateroom, including a twin bed sandwiched between a wall-mounted TV and a storage unit.

You'll only have to walk a few steps to the bathroom.

The bathroom is similarly tight with surprisingly ample shelving.

Bring your conditioner — the cabin only provides body wash and shampoo.

There's no additional seating, save for the backless desk stool. However, it does come with access to a shared living room.

Solo cruisers can mingle with other lone wolves at the Studio Lounge, accessible only to those staying in single-person cabins.

The multi-section space has plenty of lounge seating, from chaises to shared couches. It also serves a small breakfast buffet, in addition to coffee and snacks throughout the day.

Not all who are alone at sea have to be lonely.

• Delta Air Lines is rebranding its ticket categories and nixing basic economy.
• The affordable tickets have been renamed Delta Main Basic.
• Delta says the changes will provide more choice and clarity for customers.

Delta Air Lines is saying goodbye to basic economy — but don't worry, it's not actually going anywhere.

The airline on Thursday announced a rebranding of many of its fare categories, including an end to the "basic economy" moniker. The tickets will now be known as Delta Main Basic as part of a three-tier economy class — basic, classic, and extra — each with varying mileage accumulations, boarding groups, and flexibility for changes.

Delta Comfort+ has also been renamed Delta Comfort, while First Class is now Delta First. Delta Premium Select and Delta One remain unchanged. These four categories will each have classic and extra tiers, giving a grand total of 11 cost options to get from point A to point B.

The new names will give flyers "more choice and greater clarity," Delta said.

Main Basic will keep the familiar benefits (or lack thereof): seats not assigned until check-in, the lowest boarding priority, no miles, no bags, and cancellation fees with only partial credit refunds. It's a stark difference from the highest Extra economy ticket, which includes seat selection, earlier boarding, more points than the mid-tier, and a full refund.

Delta and most of its competitors first introduced basic economy fares around 2012 to compete with low-cost carriers like Spirit and Southwest. Despite their restrictions, they've proven a hit with budget-conscious travelers.

But lately, premium seats have been the money makers for airlines as they face a downturn in ticket sales. In late 2024, Delta President Glen Hauenstein told investors that the company is seeing more demand for premium than economy seats. As such, it's focusing additional capacity on these more expensive tickets, a strategy it hopes will triumph over budget carriers.

• I spent three nights in a Haven penthouse on Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship.
• The Haven is Norwegian's ultra-luxury "ship within a ship" concept.
• My cabin felt like a high-end boutique hotel room with a butler and L'Occitane products.

A butler. Bedside lamps each costing hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. A giant balcony with sweeping views of the ocean.

No, this isn't a yacht. This is, maybe surprisingly, a new 4,482-guest cruise ship — Norwegian Aqua.

However, there's a catch: Not all its cabins have these frills. They're exclusively available in the Haven, Aqua's ultra-luxury "ship within a ship" concept.

Only 123 of the vessel's 1,387 staterooms are in this class, sectioned off behind keycard-locked glass doors. And privacy on a floating city doesn't come cheap.

The Haven is sold out for many of Norwegian Aqua's weeklong summer 2025 Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The most affordable option left, a balcony cabin, starts at about $5,020 per person — steep compared to the standard inside cabins, which go for about $1,310 per person on the same voyage.

Haven cabins include a butler, concierge service, a private lounge, restaurant, bar, and pool deck.

More money means more space.

I spent three complimentary nights in a "Haven Penthouse with Balcony" during Norwegian Aqua's test sailing in April.

The cabin category spans up to 418 square feet with an up to 134-square-foot balcony.

The ship's usual interior accommodations are no larger than 263 square feet, while non-Haven balcony options are, at most, 358 square feet with a 69 square-foot balcony.

I've been on my fair share of luxury cruises, but even my Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Grandeur cabins were smaller than this.

And more space means more amenities.

The cabin comes with a Nespresso machine, a stocked mini-fridge, three types of complimentary bottled water (one sparkling, two stilled), and nightly sweet treats delivered to your dining table.

The drawers are soft-close, the lights are dimmable, and the curtains can be controlled with a bedside button.

Good luck finding all of these amenities in a non-Haven accommodation.

Enjoy your morning espresso on the balcony.

It's so large, the outdoor furniture only occupies three-fifths of the space.

Head inside if you'd rather lounge in the air conditioning. There are plenty of seating options there.

The room can accommodate up to three people. Yet, there's enough space for double that.

Use the dining table if you've ordered room service. There's also a bench behind it, although its hidden drawers make it better for storage.

Or stretch your legs on the built-in sofa beside the entertainment console. Both are elevated, leaving enough space to tuck your bags underneath.

No need to will yourself out of bed to turn off the lights.

Just roll to your side to find the control panels. With a few presses, you can turn off the overhead lights, dim the bedside lamps, and switch on the nightlights.

When it's time to wake up, use these controllers to raise the blackout and sheer curtains.

More importantly, the bedside panel has enough outlets to charge your phone, laptop, smartwatch, and smart ring.

Or, keep all your tech plugged in at the desk.

It's also where you can phone your butler for packing help or the concierge to make a spa reservation.

If you prefer to sit for your morning skincare routine, use the built-in light-up vanity mirror. The toilet is the only seating in the bathroom (I don't judge multitaskers). But at least it's quarantined behind closed doors, which any couple will tell you is an underrated bathroom feature.

A spacious bathroom for a spacious penthouse.

The shower is both roomy (with seating) and flexible (with two shower head options — a waterfall and handheld).

Some cruise cabins only offer two-in-one body wash and shampoo. Here, they're kept separate, in addition to conditioner and lotion — all from L'Occitane En Provence.

One hand soap is for peasants (people in the regular cabins). Haven guests get both liquid and bar suds.

No need to worry about storage.

The apartment-sized closet has hangers and large drawers. The motion-sensing lights make navigating it easy, especially when looking for your plush post-shower bathrobe.

Little details — like the lighting options, modern design, and name-brand toiletries — make the stateroom feel more like a boutique hotel.

The decor is minimal, relying on color-accented walls to spruce the room. It looks more like a studio out of an interior design brochure than a cruise cabin.

Ultimately, is a Pinterest-friendly room necessary for a fun vacation? No. Did I need two hand soaps and three bottled water varieties? Absolutely not.

But if you and your partner are paying more than $10,000 for a seven-day summer vacation in the "penthouse," I suppose it's fair to expect an unnecessary surplus of unnecessary amenities. Vacuuming up these luxurious resources will make you feel like royalty — a nice price to pay for the price you paid.

Plus, if you don't like your room, there's always the private lounge nearby.

• Norwegian Cruise Line debuted its newest, Norwegian Aqua, in April.
• The 4,482-guest ship is my new favorite, marrying luxury with amusement park-like amenities.
• Aqua has a stellar food hall, a waterslide roller coaster, and a high-tech mini-golf course.

When you think of an upscale cruise, you might think of the likes of Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, or even the Ritz-Carlton.

What you might not be picturing is a massive floating amusement park with a roller coaster-waterslide and an arcade. Yet, that's exactly what Norwegian Cruise Line's latest ship, Norwegian Aqua, has done: marry family-friendly activities with a stylish atmosphere that'll make you forget you're on a giant vessel.

It's a combination that helps to set the company apart from competitors like Royal Caribbean and Carnival — and why Aqua is now one of my new favorite mass-market ships.

On paper, the 156,300-gross-ton Norwegian Aqua is similar to any other commercial cruise ship.

Its 20 decks, colorful hull, and protruding spaghetti-like waterslide-roller coaster are hard to miss from the streets of its homeport in Port Canaveral, Florida.

The 1,056-foot-long Prima Plus-class vessel is 10% larger than its Prima class predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Viva. It can accommodate up to 4,482 guests, with its 1,387 cabins ranging from tiny 94-square-foot solo studios to mammoth eight-person, 2,100 square-foot suites with butlers and balconies.

But despite its size, Norwegian Aqua feels more like a boutique ship.

In 2025, it starts at $773 per person for a five-day round-trip Bermuda cruise from New York.

Competitor Royal Caribbean has perfected the art of building colorful cruises with distinctively disparate 'neighborhoods.'

By shedding thematic cohesion, Royal Caribbean's vessels create different areas for different guests, making them feel more like floating cities.

Norwegian's latest project has similarly diverse amenities.

But instead of creating contrasting districts with vastly different themes, every public space exudes a clean, bright, modern design.

It forgoes the garish, kaleidoscopic, and at times campy decor travelers might associate with large family ships in favor of a neutral and subtly sophisticated interior that opens seamlessly into its outdoor spaces — of which there are plenty.

During my complimentary three-night test voyage in mid-April, the ship was sailing at half its full capacity. It's so well designed, I thought it was only a quarter full.

It looks like its upscale sister brands, Oceania and Regent Seven Seas, without sacrificing the entertainment of its mass-market purpose.

In addition to kids' clubs, Norwegian Aqua keeps families entertained with a 10-story drop slide, high-tech dart boards, and a kids' water playground.

A large, family-friendly cruise wouldn't be complete without a waterslide. The Aqua Slidecoaster does double duty as a slide and a roller coaster.

The Slidecoaster's robot arm launches riders upward of 31 miles per hour into the waterslide tubes.

Once inside (and after you stop screaming), it slows down significantly, with a pace more akin to a quick lazy river.

It's jolting and entertaining — a great replacement for Norwegian's go-kart course, notably absent from the ship. Plus, it's free, a rarity for cruise ship crown jewels.

Cruise staples like a sports court, arcade, and mini-golf course have also been modernized on Aqua.

What the Glow Court lacks in size, it makes up for in versatility. Its LED floors and walls instantly transform according to the participant's choice of sport and activity.

The 12-hole mini-golf course is similarly flashy.

Cameras track and log the participants' putts, forgoing the need for a do-it-yourself scorecard.

It also automatically stores the ball after the final hole, so you only have to return your putter. However, a go-around will cost $5 per player.

Afterward, hit up the juiced-up arcade.

Again, it's not free. And the variety of VR headset rides, claw machines, arcade games, and tiny bowling lanes is sure to dent the wallets of families with excitable children.

On the bright side, the Stadium, an open-air collection of activities such as shuffleboard and "beer" pong, is free.

Adults get the Vibe Beach Club.

Time to drop the youngsters off at the kids' club?

Hit the pickleball court to increase your heart rate. If you'd rather relax, there's always the spa with facials costing upward of $300.

Or, head to Vibe Beach Club.

The adult-only outdoor reprieve has lounge chairs, hot tubs, and drinks.

However, it does cost $270 for a seven-day pass.

If you hate lounging near children, it might be worth the cost. But there are plenty of other places to loiter under the sun, be it the pool deck or the Ocean Boulevard walkway with infinity pools and daybeds.

The luxury of choice also extends to dining.

Half of the 15 restaurants cost extra, ranging from $40 for Italian or Mexican to $60 for French, Mediterranean, or the steakhouse.

The upscale Haven Restaurant is free but exclusive to guests in Haven-level cabins.

For something new, you could pay $50 to try Norwegian's first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai.

The papaya salad and red curry with roasted duck met expectations, although neither was as spicy as they were hyped to be.

That said, your meal will likely be cheaper (and just as good) at your local Thai restaurant.

Aqua has 7 complimentary restaurants.

Or, if you're being generous, 17 — Indulge Food Hall has 10 stations, including Spanish tapas, noodles, and plant-based bowls, that can be ordered using tableside digital tablets.

The Lanzhou beef and dan dan noodles were pleasantly authentic (as in, I choked on the chili oil in the beef noodle soup a few times). The same goes for the Indian stall, as expected from a kitchen with a tandoor.

Order from the veggie-friendly Planterie for a lighter meal.

The Hawaiian bowl was nutty and balanced. For protein, consider a side of the tempeh, which is prepared with a sweet barbecue sauce.

Or, try the cóctel de mariscos from The Latin Quarter, brisket from Q Texas Smokehouse, or picanha from Seaside Rotisserie — you can order from different stalls simultaneously.

Indulge is quick and convenient, with enough options to satisfy a family of fussy eaters. If I could eat there every day, I would.

Aqua has two ritzy main dining rooms for a more formal sit-down dinner.

There's also a classic cruise ship buffet. But be warned, it's smaller than expected.

Instead, grab a Brie sandwich and a cookie from the Observation Lounge. Or head to Local for bar food comforts like pretzels and burgers. They'll pair great with an ice-cold beer.

There are 16 other places to grab a beverage on Aqua, whether a glass of prosecco or a Starbucks Frappuccino.

Swirl is Norwegian's first wine bar. One bartender told me it had access to every bottle on board the ship, while another said orange wine is exclusive to the Mediterranean restaurant.

You're better off sipping at another bar if you barely know the difference between a riesling and a Chenin Blanc.

Go to Metropolitan for live music with a dark, classy ambiance.

There's also a whiskey bar for, well, whiskey enthusiasts, and a humidor lounge for cigar indulgers.

Venues like the pool, improv club, and live music hub, Syd Norman's Pour House, have places to drink, too.

Syd Norman's isn't to be mistaken with the theater show 'Syd Norman's Presents: Rumours.'

During the performance, a cover band runs through Fleetwood Mac's iconic album while dropping bits of trivia about each song.

It's much less theatrical than the "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" show, which is chock-full of lightweight hip thrusts, colorful costumes, and lilypad-like platforms that rotate around the standing room floor to create an ever-changing set.

For a more showy show, there's "Elements: The World Expanded, which features magicians and Cirque du Soleil-like acrobats.

So yes, while Norwegian Aqua looks like an upscale cruise ship for retirees, it's really a great option for families.

Norwegian's latest ship leans into the "floating amusement park" cruise trend without overwhelming guests. It strikes an artful balance between curating a posh atmosphere and including amenities to satisfy multigenerational families.

It's as relaxing (infinity pools with daybeds and hidden nooks with ocean views) as it is fun (ping pong, darts, and Aqua Slidecoaster).

While there are plenty of paywalls (be it the adult-only lounge or mini-golf), all of the complimentary options are sufficient, if not better.

Will you have to wait in line for the free Aqua Slidecoaster? Yes.

Will you feel FOMO if you skip the upcharged arcade? Maybe.

Will you return to the food hall more than once if you don't want to pay for specialty dining? Yes — and I'll be jealous if you do.

• Seabourn is Carnival Corp's ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruise line.
• Seabourn Quest is set to embark on a 145-day, around-the-world cruise to 67 ports in 2027.
• The vessel has high-end amenities like a marina, guest lectures, and caviar service.

Spending five months living in a 300-square-foot box doesn't have to be as miserable as it sounds — especially if it's on a luxury cruise ship with stops in Hawaii, Peru, and Australia.

In early January 2027, Carnival Corp's high-end, all-inclusive cruise brand, Seabourn, says its Seabourn Quest will embark on a 145-day voyage to 67 ports across 19 countries. The itinerary, sailing round-trip from Miami, primarily focuses on destinations throughout South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the Southern Pacific islands — from Peru to Easter Island to a 37-day circumnavigation of Australia.

Of course, like any world cruise, travelers are expected to see more than a month's worth of sea days throughout the almost 34,000-nautical-mile journey. But no need to worry about going stir crazy — Quest has plenty of onboard amenities to help keep boredom at bay.

Seabourn operates some of its parent company, Carnival Corp's, most luxurious and expensive vacations at sea.

Seabourn has six ships; 13-year-old Quest is its second-oldest and smallest with a 458-guest capacity — "just the right amount for a world cruise," Crystal Morgan, Seabourn's senior director of deployment and itinerary planning, told Business Insider.

Expect to pay luxury prices for the luxury cruise. Per-person fares for the 2027 voyage currently range from $81,000 for an oceanview suite to a cool $380,070 per person for the Grand Wintergarden suite. And "grand" it is — the deluxe apartment-like accommodation spans two decks and includes a solarium, a dining table, and two bedrooms.

At least the cost includes laundry, round-trip flights, WiFi, and up to $10,000 in onboard credit per suite.

The teenage-aged Quest isn't ancient, as far as industry standards go.

The oldest vessel of its sister cruise line, Carnival, is 26 years old. But Quest is still relatively dated compared to the rest of Seabourn's fleet, which averages eight years old.

As such, expect some small design details reflecting its 2011 birth year, such as lower ceilings and some less-than-modern furniture.

Seabourn Quest has eight food and beverage options, from sushi in the Club lounge to afternoon tea and cocktails in the Observation bar.

The Colonnade operates as a breakfast and lunch buffet until nightfall, when it becomes a table-service restaurant with rotating international themes.

The indoor-outdoor restaurant is more casual than Solis, the ship's upscale Mediterranean-inspired restaurant.

Solis launched in early 2024 to replace a restaurant co-developed by famed chef Thomas Keller.

The modern dining room marries the upscale playfulness of a Virgin Voyages dining room with the seriousness of a fine-dining menu, complete with branzino and 32-ounce Tuscan-style porterhouse steak (both prepared tableside).

In addition to the poolside buffet and observation lounge, the ship offers traditional cruise amenities such as a spa, gym, theater, and casino.

For the intellectual traveler, Seabourn invites guest speakers — such as Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak and King Charles III's former butler, Grant Harrold — to give lectures at the theater.

For travelers who prefer to lounge under the sun, Quest also has a traditional pool deck and an onboard marina that opens directly onto the water.

The latter has become a popular amenity on competing ultra-luxury cruise ships, such as Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collections' Evrima.

Look for some of Quest's hidden gems, like the smaller pool flanked by two hot tubs.

Walk toward the bow and past the guest cabins on deck six to find the ship's fifth hot tub.

Or, stroll five decks up to find the quiet, staggered rows of lounge chairs.

It's a great place to read a book or nap under the sun.

Head to Seabourn Square if you've already finished all the books you prepared for the monthslong journey.

There, you can pick from a selection of books, puzzles, or caffeinated pick-me-ups from the coffee shop.

When you've completed the puzzles, the card room's fully stocked board game cabinet is a short walk away.

However, don't expect more kid-friendly activities than the board games and upper-deck shuffleboard. After all, most around-the-world cruisers are folks who have time for a 145-day vacation: retirees.

Or, spend your afternoon lounging around your private balcony. There's a good chance you'll have one, after all.

Quest has 229 cabins, ranging from 295 to 1,182 square feet. Most have balconies, which can add hundreds of additional square feet to the space.

The floating hotel rooms feature little touches of luxury, from the personalized in-suite bar to the walk-in closet.

It's certainly more luxurious than its parent company's eponymous cruise line, where paying for the cheapest accommodation means vacationing in a compact windowless cabin.

• Carnival Corp's luxury cruise line, Seabourn, announced a 2027 world cruise to 67 ports.
• A senior itinerary planning director explains what it takes to ideate these extended voyages.
• Her team considers factors such as weather patterns, geopolitical tensions, and fleetwide itineraries.

If you think planning a weeklong family vacation is hard, try organizing a five-month, around-the-world trip for 458 people.

For the everyday traveler, it may seem logistically impossible.

For Crystal Morgan, Seabourn's senior director of deployment and itinerary planning, it's just another day at work.

Morgan and her team are the driving force behind the luxury cruise line's annual around-the-world voyages. And as you might expect, ideating them is no easy feat.

Seabourn's recently announced 2027 world cruise is one of its most ambitious yet, spanning 145 days and almost 34,000 nautical miles. It plans to stop at 67 ports in 19 countries, with bucketlist destinations like Honolulu, Machu Picchu, and Bora Bora.

These voyages offer a convenient and comfortable way for travelers to see the world. But behind the scenes, designing them can be anything but smooth sailing.

"I think of itinerary planning as baking a cake," Morgan told Business Insider. "It's one part science, one part finesse. There have to be the right ingredients to go in, but how you decorate the cake is the kind of finesse when it comes to itinerary planning."

The framework

World cruises ideally commence in early January, when the industry is in a post-holiday lull and retired snowbirds become heat-seeking missiles. They're generally more than 100 days long — but they can't be too lengthy, or risk cutting into the peak summer season.

As for the ship, Seabourn plans to deploy its smallest ocean vessel, Seabourn Quest. Its 458-guest capacity is "just the right amount for a world cruise," Morgan said.

The floating resort is scheduled for several Caribbean cruises from Miami during the preceding holiday season. The world voyage will therefore sail round-trip from the popular Florida port, with fares currently ranging from $81,000 to $380,070 per person.

After setting the timing and ship framework, designing the rest of the itinerary becomes, to a certain extent, a plug-and-play game — with more limitations than you might expect.

The destinations

Deciding which destinations to visit isn't as simple as throwing darts at a map or checking #TravelTok for trending cities. Instead, Morgan's team considers factors such as weather patterns, Seabourn's global deployments, competing itineraries, and consumer surveys.

Ideally, the extended itinerary has a sensible geographic flow that balances sea days and ports that don't feel too repetitive or are only accessible to smaller ships like Seabourn's.

As such, the global voyage is scheduled to sail south and westward to South America, Australia, and New Zealand before returning through Hawaii, Los Angeles, and Mexico. Throughout its transoceanic crossings, Quest is also scheduled to visit several South Pacific islands.

None of Seabourn's ships are set to be stationed in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027 — two "extremely popular" destinations, according to Morgan. To fill this demand, the global voyage plans to spend 35 days circumnavigating Australia.

Other ports, especially those in larger cities, are as desirable as necessary. Take Papeete, French Polynesia, for example. It's a hot destination, but more than that, it's also where the ship can restock its fuel and food supply, according to Morgan.

If an attractive town doesn't make geographic sense or cuts into the time needed to reach a restocking port, it'll be nixed. As such, to ensure safety and feasibility, internal teams that oversee marine operations and supply chains also have a say in the long-haul itinerary.

"Everything's like a big puzzle," Morgan said. "The hardest part is crossing all the T's when it comes to the full operation and getting everyone to agree that operationally, what we're pushing through is the best experience."

External factors, such as predicted weather conditions and port availability, also impact the route. Small variables, like current trends, can even dictate the ship's speed and when it arrives and departs a particular port.

So too do geopolitical tensions — Seaboun's reason for skipping the Suez Canal.

"It's measuring that risk versus reward," Morgan said. "We've seen our competitors publish itineraries that do transit the Suez Canal, but as a company, right now, we're choosing not to."

With all these layers, it should be no surprise that creating and approving the itinerary took 1½ years, with several months spent on itinerary ideation and review alone, according to Morgan.

Yet, believe it or not, she does think planning a family vacation is more difficult.

• Norwegian is upgrading its private island, Great Stirrup Cay, to better compete with Royal Caribbean's neighboring resort.
• Great Stirrup Cay is scheduled to debut a new pier, pool, and welcome center by the end of the year.
• An adult-only beach club, outdoor recreational area, and cove of hammocks is also in the works.

Norwegian Cruise Line's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, is a sight to behold no matter where you turn.

Look down, and you'll see your toes peeking through the soft white sand beach. Look up, and you'll see where the clear blue Caribbean water meets the equally aquamarine sky.

Look to the left and you'll see a giant Royal Caribbean cruise ship, docked at its neighboring private island.

For some travelers, the unobstructed view of Royal Caribbean's resort could be a reminder of a very different vacation opportunity. But for Norwegian, it's been a driving force to expeditiously upgrade Great Stirrup Cay with bigger and better amenities.

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian's private islands are separated by a mile of the Atlantic Ocean.

Norwegian was an early trendsetter, having acquired its 270-acre island in 1977 — decades before its rival launched Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Yet, Royal Caribbean's neighboring 130-acre property has quickly become the undisputed winner of the cruise-owned resort race.

CocoCay's amenities marry theme park thrills (a waterpark and zipline) and resort relaxation (a luxury lounge and adult-only party) with opportunities for guests to splurge big on upcharges like cabanas. It's an attractive and highly profitable business model, especially as it sees more than 3 million Royal Caribbean guests annually.

By comparison, Great Stirrup Cay only accommodated about 400,000 cruisers in 2024, Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, told analysts in April.

CocoCay is loud, jam-packed, and exciting — the opposite of its peaceful and less developed neighbor, Great Stirrup Cay.

Great Stirrup Cay's buildouts include a zipline course, cabanas, bars, dining shacks, and a resort with waterfront villas.

It notably lacks a pier for its ships to dock at, with visitors instead required to take a tender from the cruise vessel to shore.

"The charm of these islands back when they were first created in the 70s, 80s, and 90s was that it was your private island escape from civilization," Tom Roesser, product development and strategy manager for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, told reporters during a tour of the island's construction sites. "There was really nothing except for a beach and a barbecue. Things are different these days."

This "difference" is what Norwegian hopes to address in the first phase of Great Stirrup Cay's expansion.

Norwegian expects to debut a new pier, welcome center, and large pool by the end of the year, giving it the chops to better compete.

According to Roesser, the expansion has become a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week affair, with Norwegian purchasing a ferry to accommodate the hundreds of additional crew needed for the project.

For guests, some of the new additions will feel much needed. This includes the 1,500-foot-long, $150 million pier, which will simultaneously accommodate two of Norwegian's largest ships — eliminating the need for tendering.

The pier will lead to a new welcome center providing shuttle service around the island.

Great Stirrup Cay's updated design includes four trams, each accommodating up to 104 riders. Roesser said visitors only have to wait three to five minutes for a ride.

A photogenic 42-foot-long bridge is expected to connect the arrivals area with the island's new pièce de résistance: a giant heated pool.

Great Stirrup Cay's expansion plan includes a 28,476-square-foot pool accommodating 1,898 guests.

CocoCay has several swimming pools, including one that spans more than 33,000 square feet.

Great Stirrup Cay's won't be as large, but Roesser says it will have two swim-up bars, a thousand lounge chairs, and 33 rentable cabanas.

Half of the pool, specifically the section with the DJ stand, is expected to target a lively adult crowd. The other half should be more kid-friendly, outfitted with walk-in entry points and fountains.

The youngest visitors will also have an adjacent 1,500-square-foot splash zone with fountains, slides, and water blasters.

Norwegian is also building an adults-only beach club, recreational area, and relaxation cove with hammocks, although it's unclear when they'll be completed.

The second expansion phase primarily focuses on bringing recognizable amenities to the island.

Horizon Park, an outdoor recreational concept, was introduced on the recently refurbished Norwegian Bliss and Breakaway. The cruise line now plans to bring it to Great Stirrup Cay via a collection of lawn games such as cornhole, giant jenga, and shuffleboard.

Similarly, the cruise line also plans to duplicate its popular adult-only Vibe Beach Club, available on several ships, on the private island. However, like its onboard counterpart, guests will have to pay to reserve one of its 200 loungers and 16 oceanfront villas.

The cruise line is still evaluating additional amenities, like water slides, as future additions.

A little more than 100 crew live on the island full-time, according to Roesser. Expect more as the cruise line expands its property (only about 50 of the 270-acre island has been developed so far).

As the resort grows, so too will the number of visitors. Sommer told analysts that he expects Great Stirrup Cay will accommodate more than a million cruisers in 2026 — a substantial chunk of visitors for a company that sees between 2.5 million to 3 million travelers annually.

• US travelers will need a Real ID for domestic flights starting Wednesday, May 7.
• Cruisers don't need the upgraded driver's license to board their ship.
• Cruise lines suggest travelers bring a passport.

Worried the Real ID frenzy will derail your summer travel plans? There is one glimmer of hope: You won't need the upgraded driver's license to go on your summer cruise.

Starting Wednesday, May 7, travelers boarding domestic flights will need to present a Real ID in lieu of the older license (or risk delays in security lines).

Consider planning for it if you're flying to your cruise port. But once there, you won't need the upgraded ID to board the ship.

US citizens can embark on their at-sea vacation by presenting a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license — and no, a Real ID isn't required, Disney Cruise Line says.

All cruise companies strongly suggest travelers come prepared with a US passport instead. 

Depending on the ports and destination, not all domestic voyages accept the birth certificate and driver's license combo. (To be sure, check the required documents for your specific voyage.) Plus, according to Royal Caribbean, using a passport will likely expedite your boarding and disembarkation process compared to other forms of documentation.

So, don't worry if you'll be Real ID-less for your cruise vacation — just use a passport for your international air and sea travels.

• European cruise giant MSC is expanding into the US with its new World America ship.
• The company tailored the mega-ship, now sailing out of Miami, to better suit the American market.
• That's translated into a new sports bar, faster dinner service, and more shade.

An Eataly. A hot pink bougainvillea-adorned Greek restaurant. An espresso bar. A row of freshly fired pizzas.

No, this isn't your friend's Instagram feed during their Euro summer vacation. This is a new Miami-based cruise ship, MSC World America.

MSC Cruises has long dominated the European cruise market with its large vessels and relatively affordable fares. But over the last few years, it's been westwardly expanding into the US's booming cruise business, culminating in April with the debut of its splashy and aptly named World America mega-ship.

It's the company's first vessel designed specifically for the stateside market. And to red, white, and blue-ify its brand, MSC's latest floating resort is now operating Caribbean voyages with new-to-brand amenities such as a Pizza and Burger restaurant, an All-Stars Sports Bar, and, in the spirit of its heritage, an onboard Eataly.

About 40% of World America's onboard venues were tweaked from its sister ship to better suit American sensibilities.

Surveys and guest feedback indicated that US travelers wanted more complimentary American food, Italian dishes, activities, and attractions, William Monts de Oca Rivera, MSC's head of guest experience innovation, told Business Insider.

"The European style is there, so now how do we lean into the American comfort?" he said.

After a three-year design process, this question led to one of the world's latest and largest cruise ships with a sports bar, a comedy club, an amusement park, and an Eataly.

A hub of open-air activities replaced World Europa's collection of outdoor chaises.

"Europeans want to spend a lot of time sunbathing," Monts De Oca Rivera said during a panel in April. "Americans want to spend a lot of time doing things and being active."

And do things they shall. The Harbour, an activity hub and the "crown jewel" of the ship, according to De Oca Rivera, is MSC's take on the trend of amusement park-like cruise ships.

The Harbour has activities for all age ranges.

The playground is perfect for the youngest cruisers, while the mechanical swing that dangles riders 164 feet above the ocean is a go-to for the daredevilish. That's not to mention the ropes course, dry slide, and waterslides, including one with a virtual reality headset.

Weary parents can instead sit out, snack on empanadas, and sip on mai tais at the adjacent grab-and-go snack and drinks bar, Harbour Bar and Bites.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of shade and shallow water.

Another priority for Monts De Oca Rivera's team was maximizing the surface area of World America's pools.

Americans, he said, want to be near or touching water, but don't need to be completely submerged. To accomplish this, the team developed shallow sections of the pools where guests can sit without being completely submerged.

The same ethos applies to the sun, or rather, avoiding it.

Shade was a "big, big, big, big, big, big" focus for the US-oriented ship, Monts De Oca Rivera said.

It's smartly designed on World America, from canvases shading the walkways beneath the Harbour's ropes course to slats partially covering its Bar and Bites dining tables.

The Harbour's grab-and-go snack stand also signifies a new push for the cruise line: fast casual.

According to Monts De Oca Rivera, Americans' daily eating habits follow a general trend: big breakfasts, lighter lunches, several mid-day snacks, and a big dinner. As such, World America has four fast-casual grab-and-go food concepts to appease afternoon snackers, quadruple that of World Europa's.

"Fast" is the name of MSC World America's dining game. While European guests often prefer two-hour dinners with spaced-out service, the American market favors shorter meals with chattier and more attentive servers. This has meant a push for quicker diner service aboard the new ship.

As for specific food options, think European.

MSC's tagline has become "European style, American comfort," distinguishing itself from its US competitors. And what better way to reflect its background than through food?

The ship aims to highlight American-beloved European classics, such as a mozzarella bar in the buffet and endless pizza slices at the pool grill.

World America also has two restaurant firsts for MSC: Paxos and Eataly.

Yes, that Eataly, which takes its seafaring form as World America's signature Italian restaurant. The new venue replaced World Europa's modern Nordic restaurant, Chef's Garden Kitchen.

Similarly, Greek restaurant Paxos superseded World Europa's seafood restaurant, which was nixed after surveys of the American market showed confusion by its lack of affiliation with a single country's cuisine, according to Monts De Oca Rivera.

The new Paxos couldn't be more obviously geared to the American interpretation of Greece, as indicated by its prototypical white and blue storefront embellished with iconic bougainvilleas.

And what's more American than a sports bar?

World Europa's spirits and cigar Malt Lounge became World America's All-Stars Sports Bar, finished with plenty of beers on tap, more TV screens than a single person ever needs, and dartboards.

Beer fans can also grab a pint at the onboard microbrewery, which has three new brews — an IPA, pilsner, and light beer — for the American palate.

Comedy, karaoke, and dueling pianos had historically operated as pop-ups around different lounges.

However, following guest interest in smaller, specialized entertainment venues, the three activities now have a shared space in The Loft — a venue that otherwise operates as an English tea room on World Europa.

After all, there's nothing more European (pre-Brexit) than a tea room — and nothing more American than a comedy club and sports bar.

• Nonprofit Mercy Ships converts cruise ships into floating hospitals.
• Its first ship was an Italian cruiseliner, while another was previously a train ferry.
• Its newest ship, Global Mercy, was built for the nonprofit — a $200 million project.

Not all cruise ships are created equal.

Instead of vacationers, some accommodate Olympic surfers, refugees, or, as is the case of Mercy Ships' two vessels, folks in need of surgery.

Since 1978, Christian nonprofit Mercy Ships has operated a fleet of cruise ships turned floating hospitals, providing complimentary medical services to the countries they visit.

Onboard, reminders of the vessels' past life, like pools and hair salons, remain in place. Instead of waterslides and theater shows, the ships now have schools, operating rooms, CT scanners, and ICU beds.

https://www.businessinsider.com/amenities-dining-activities-new-carnival-firenze-cruise-ship-2024-7

Mercy Ships has operated 5 vessels in its 47 years. The first was a converted Italian cruise liner.

The decision to use floating resorts was based on a simple fact: 40% of the world's population lives on a coastline. "Coastal, rural cities have high medical deserts because they face extreme isolation and lack of infrastructure," Kerry Peterson, the senior vice president of Mercy Ship's US office, told Business Insider in an email.

The nonprofit provides its patients with dental care and seven surgery specialties, such as pediatric and women's health — all for free.

Food, lodging, anesthesia, post-operation rehabilitation, and transportation are also complimentary, even if more than one operation is required.

In addition, the ships also offer specialized postgraduate training to locals through partnered residencies, fellowships, and rotations.

Mercy Ships currently has 2 vessels, Africa Mercy and Global Mercy.

According to Peterson, the nonprofit provided 4,746 surgeries and 13,312 dental procedures and trained more than 900 healthcare workers in 2024. Both ships exclusively operate in African nations.

Like any typical cruise liner, Africa and Global Mercy have an auditorium, pool, library, café, and store.

But instead of operating as vacations at sea, the two ships are more "akin to floating cities," Peterson said, noting there are onboard mechanical and carpentry shops, post office, bank, gym, salon, and laundromat.

The nonprofit received a donation in early 2024 to fund the construction of a new vessel.

Its first ship, Africa Mercy, was previously a train ferry before finding a second life.

Mercy Ships acquired the Danish vessel, then known as Dronning Ingrid, in 1999. Following a $62 million refurbishment, it was re-deployed as Africa Mercy in 2007.

According to the nonprofit, as of June 2024, the floating hospital had performed more than 70,910 surgeries in countries such as Liberia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Cameroon.

The 12,917-square-foot deck that once accommodated trains now serves as the hospital.

The space includes a pharmacy, a radiology lab, five operating rooms, 75 acute care beds, and five ICU beds.

In addition to patient beds, Africa Mercy also has 159 cabins for 470 crew, although it sees about 1,000 volunteers — from surgeons to plumbers to housekeepers — throughout the year.

Accommodation options include dorm-style cabins and rooms for couples and families.

The second ship, Global Mercy, was built for the nonprofit.

Mercy Ships began construction on its newest addition, Global Mercy, in 2015 — a $200 million investment, including the cost of equipment and the first patients.

The nonprofit touts the 571-foot-long vessel, launched in 2022, as the largest civilian hospital vessel in the world.

Larger than its predecessor, Global Mercy has 75,347 square feet of hospital space, including 102 acute care and seven ICU beds — in addition to a simulation lab for its training program.

It provides surgical care to about 1,500 patients annually, having so far served patients in Senegal, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

Global Mercy has 277 staterooms that can accommodate 640 crew.

Its solo, double, couple, family, guest, and VIP cabins see about 1,500 volunteers annually.

Peterson said Mercy Ships encourages its volunteers to explore the countries during their free time, whether grabbing dinner in town or staying overnight onshore — harkening back to the perks of a traditional cruise line.

• Crescent Seas will turn two luxury Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings ships into residential cruises.
• It plans to debut a new floating condo every year for five years, starting with Navigator in 2026.
• The ship, formerly Seven Seas Navigator, is expected to have 210 cabins priced between $750,000 and $8 million.

Crescent Heights' real estate footprint dots the US landscape, from downtown New York City to San Diego's Marina neighborhood.

Thirty-nine years after its founding, the developer is ready to explore an unconventional residential frontier: the Seven Seas.

The firm's new Crescent Seas line is sailing into the trendy residential cruise business, starting with a 210-cabin ship: Navigator. The floating condo is scheduled to debut in 2026, kicking off a five-year, five-vessel launch plan.

Its name hearkens back to its soon-to-be former life as Regent Seven Seas' Seven Seas Navigator.

Navigator is expected to get a $70 million makeover.

Russell Galbut, the founder and chairman of Crescent Seas (and the cofounder of Crescent Heights), told Business Insider that his company has paid a deposit to charter the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings-owned vessel.

Still in operation as a Regent Seven Seas ship, Navigator is scheduled to undergo a $70 million refurbishment in the fall of 2026 to become long-term living-proofed.

The ship's cabins currently cost residents between $750,000 and $8 million.

When the vessel embarks on its new life, so too will its residents.

After its relaunch, Navigator and its cabin owners can expect to sail around the world, spending several days at destinations like the North Pole, Galapagos Islands, and French Polynesian islands.

Throughout this indefinite journey, the 420 residents can look forward to onboard amenities such as butlers, Starlink WiFi, and a pickleball court — all for $750,000 to $8 million per cabin, not including an annual $220,000 maintenance fee.

Navigator joins a long line of residential cruise ship concepts .

The industry has seen an influx of residential cruise startups — many of which have sunk as quickly as they've popped up.

Life at Sea Cruises faced backlash after canceling its never-ending voyage two weeks before its debut in 2023. Similarly, concepts such as Storylines and Victoria Cruises Line have repeatedly delayed their launches, facing skepticism that they'll ever set sail.

As of now, 23-year-old The World and seven-month-old Villa Vie Odyssey are the only residential ships in operation, although not without prior hiccups.

Crescent Seas says its partnership with Norwegian will help it stand out.

Galbut said Norwegian is expected to continue overseeing the floating condominium's operations. The ship will also retain its original crew and hospitality provider, Apollo Group.

"What differentiates us is that we have a product that we now own that has been operating at the very highest level of luxury for 20 years," Galbut told BI. "When we buy fuel, unlike these one-off ships, we're going to be buying fuel as if we're part of the Norwegian brand."

Galbut served as the chairman of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings from 2018 to 2024. (He told BI that his former position did not result in preferential treatment during negotiations for Navigator.)

Navigator is expected to get a new pool deck, spa, and pickleball courts.

During its 54-day dry dock, Navigator's bathrooms, pool deck, spa, and restaurants will be redone, and its furniture and decor will be replaced, according to Galbut. Adding a new pickleball court, sports simulator, and indoor hydroponic spice garden is also in the plans — as is the conjoining of several cabins to create more suites, dropping the ship's accommodations from 248 units to 210.

Enjoy collecting wine from different countries? Galbut said there will be a designated storage facility for them.

Want to bring your electric bike or scuba equipment on board? Expect specialized storage for them, too. (You don't have to bring your own — guests can expect onboard scuba equipment, zodiacs, and sea-doos.)

Crescent Seas says it will launch another residential cruise with cabins priced between $650,000 and $10 million in 2027.

To keep on track with its ambitious five-year and -ship plan, Crescent Seas says it will debut a second residential vessel, Insignia, a year after Navigator's launch. Cabins are currently priced between $650,000 and $10 million each.

Like its predecessor, Insignia will be another Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings vessel, this time Oceania's. Upon its transfer to Crescent Seas, the ship would similarly undergo an over $50 million refresh.

Galbut said Crescent and its partners plan to acquire 2 more ships and build a new vessel to debut as early as 2031.

In the future, the company expects to offer an "exchange program" that would allow residents of different Crescent Seas ships to swap cabins.

"71% of the Earth is covered by water, so it's natural that residents will start to exist at sea," Galbut said. "It seems to me that the world is getting to be a smaller place, and we have to build these communities at sea because it gives people the opportunity to be in every gateway city of the world."

• Cruise lines like MSC, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean own resorts and private islands throughout the Caribbean.
• They're increasingly upgrading their properties and expanding their real estate portfolios.
• Satellite imagery shows how cruise lines have changed the Caribbean landscape.

A decade ago, Ocean Cay, a Bahamian island 65 miles from Miami's coastline, stood abandoned, bearing the scars of its previous life as an industrial sand mining site.

These days, the 95-acre island looks less like an excavation facility and more like a slice of Caribbean paradise.

Gone are the debris and floating metal fragments. Now a vacation destination, Ocean Cay is home to seven pristine beaches, waterfront cabanas, and family-fun activities — all thanks to a $500 million investment from MSC Cruises.

In 2019, after three years of cleanup and development, MSC opened the island as Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a private retreat exclusively for its cruise passengers. It now sees thousands of travelers virtually every day of the year, many of whom are ready to spend big on a swim with stingrays and a beachside massage.

Cruise lines like MSC, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean collectively own 17 ports and resorts in the Caribbean. Some are still under development as these at-sea vacation companies increasingly build back onshore, transforming swaths of the warm-weathered landscape into unrecognizable but highly profitable exclusive vacation destinations.

The transformation of neighboring rivals

About 85 miles from Ocean Cay, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have claimed two private islands separated only by a mile-long stretch of the Atlantic Ocean.

Norwegian was an early trendsetter, having been the first cruise line to acquire an island, now known as Great Stirrup Cay, for its guests in 1977.

The company has recently upgraded its 270-acre buildout, expanding the dining and walkways in 2017 and launching a luxurious hotel-like retreat in 2019.

Later this year, Great Stirrup Cay is also expected to debut a new pier that can concurrently accommodate two of Norwegian's largest ships — a $150 million investment in an attempt to rival its successful neighbor, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Like Ocean Cay, their locations are strategic. Perfect Day at CocoCay and Great Stirrup Cay are less than a day's sail from Florida's busy ports, allowing the companies to save on increasingly costly fuel expenses.

A closer look at CocoCay

CocoCay is as much a "perfect day" as it is a perfect investment, having opened in 2019 as a resort-like extension of Royal Caribbean's splashy ships.

The more than 130-acre island has since become a massive hit, accommodating almost all of the company's Caribbean cruise guests with its waterpark, lounge-lined beaches, and, as of last year, an adult-only beach club.

The cruise line has poured a cool $350 million into developing the property. Yet, amid strong guest demand, financial returns have been "exceptionally high and significantly above its target," Naftali Holtz, the CFO of Royal Caribbean Group, told analysts in 2023.

It's now hoping to replicate CocoCay's success with a private resort 63 miles away on Paradise Island, located just offshore from Nassau, Bahamas, and near Atlantis' sprawling resort.

Royal Caribbean began purchasing land on Paradise Island in early 2017. Seven years later, it started developing the 17-acre property into what would soon become its first Royal Beach Club, a sprawling exclusive resort.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is scheduled to open in December 2025.

Guests will have to pay to enter the all-inclusive property. Once inside, they can expect access to 10 bars, shopping, cabanas, and several pools and beaches, including some for families.

Another island, another resort

In addition to expanding its island — RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay — Carnival Corp is also following the private resort strategy with a mile-long getaway on Grand Bahama Island.

Celebration Key, as it's been dubbed, is scheduled to begin welcoming Carnival cruisers in July.

The land is expected to be transformed into a vacation hub with beach clubs, a family lagoon, and plenty of dining options — "clearly following Royal Caribbean's footsteps," Patrick Scholes, lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told Business Insider in 2024.

The resort is expected to accommodate 4 million visitors annually when Carnival builds two additional berths in 2028.

The $600 million project is set to be the company's largest. Yet, Carnival Corp's CFO, David Bernstein, told analysts in 2024 that Celebration Key is already expected to be a "smash hit and provide an excellent return on investment. "

• Abby Stacey, 23, said she's been on 53 cruises, averaging about eight a year since becoming an adult.
• She uses cruise casino perks and earnings from her YouTube channel to fund her travel.
• Stacey has a traditional 9-to-5 but hopes to become a full-time cruise content creator.

Abigail Stacey operates a superhero-like double life.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., her coworkers know her as a data analyst.

But when the workday winds down and the weekend rolls around, Stacey, 23, dedicates herself to her passion project as Abby, The Life of a Cruiser.

Her superpower? Using her YouTube videos and expertise to dispel stereotypes folks her age might have about vacations-at-sea — while using the earnings to pay for her future voyages.

Stacey told Business Insider she's been on 53 cruises, having already achieved Royal Caribbean's second-highest Diamond Plus status. Recently, she's averaged about eight voyages a year, many of which have been quick weekend sailings.

While she does occasionally stay in inside cabins, "I definitely do not travel budget-friendly," Stacey said, noting the MSC, Celebrity, Princess, and Royal Caribbean suites she's vacationed in. "It's like when you fly first class, you just can't go back."

The expert cruiser estimates she spent about $5,000 for 10 sailings and 41 days at sea in 2024. She declined to share specific earnings but said her channel and brand partnerships "generally cover my cruise-related expenses."

It's certainly not chump change for a vacation industry that touts its relative affordability. But the frequent cruiser has two secrets for affording the lifestyle: onboard casinos and her budding YouTube side hustle.

Of her 10 voyages last year, four were comped by casino points. The remaining were either family trips or paid for using the income from her YouTube videos.

She declined to share specific earnings but said her channel and brand partnerships "generally cover my cruise-related expenses."

Frequent cruisers can earn perks like free drinks, WiFi, and even future cruises by spending big to accrue status and points at onboard casinos. If you play your cards right, the amount you gamble away could be significantly less than the cost of the sailings you'll ultimately win.

It's a hack Stacey saw her cruise-loving parents often use (her family whizzed her onto her first floating resort the moment she was old enough to sail — about seven months). And as soon as she turned of gambling age, "I decided that was the route I wanted to go to get the most cruising opportunities for as low of a price as possible," she said, adding that she maintains casino status with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess.

Stacey said she's been on 10 casino-comped cruises since turning 21. However, these perks don't often cover new ships — and she has been on Royal Caribbean's latest Utopia of the Seas thrice since its July 2024 launch.

She told BI she uses the revenue from her YouTube channel to pay for the rest of her voyages, similar to a startup CEO reinvesting profits back into their business.

For Stacey, these sailings aren't just vacations — they're an opportunity to generate more content. It's quite the symbiotic relationship, posting videos about cruises to earn money for more cruises.

Stacey said she started her full-time job and side hustle around the same time, about two years ago. She monetized her videos within a year of launching her channel, but for now, just shy of 2,000 subscribers, it's a "passion project until it's a full-time job," she said.

Yet, she's committed to reinvesting her YouTube earnings into creating the most informative videos possible — "My biggest goal is to bust the myth that people have about cruising while showing them that no matter how old you are, where you're from, or what you like, there is a cruise ship for everyone," she said.

Her channel is an impressive gallery of cruise-related videos, including ship walkthroughs, cabin tours, and dining reviews. She cycles between new versus older casino-comped ships and suites versus cheaper cabins to target a variety of viewers. She's yet to sail with Carnival but wants to for the content.

"Despite being young, I think I've fortunately done a decent job of showcasing my expertise in this area," Stacey said. "I've only been doing content creation for a little while, but I'm grateful to have seen a lot of growth in recent years."

Going full-time is the goal — "and I think it can happen," she said.

• Juneau, Alaska, has implemented cruise ship and passenger caps to curb its cruise boom.
• Three local businesses told BI they support these limits despite relying on cruisers for revenue.
• The influx of Alaskan cruises has increasingly strained Juneau's residents and infrastructure.

To visitors scurrying around Juneau, Alaska, Caribou Crossings may look like any other seasonal tourist town gift shop.

To its owner, Laura McDonnell, the 28-year-old storefront means so much more.

McDonnell has worked at Caribou Crossings for 25 years, starting when she was 16. She said she "grew up in that little store," staying through high school and college before eventually purchasing the business in January 2020.

She remembers holding one of her current employees as a baby. When she went into labor, her obstetric nurse had been a previous employee, working at the gift shop to put herself through nursing school.

It's a self-described "typical Alaskan tourism love story" — and it's all thanks to Juneau's booming cruise industry, whose passengers account for 98% of the store's revenue, according to McDonnell.

Like many local businesses, cruisers are vital to Caribou Crossings' health. Yet, its owner supports the city's recent limitations on the vacation-at-sea industry — and she's not alone.

"Southeast Alaska is a challenging place to live, and those of us live here because it's beautiful and because of the lifestyle that it offers," Alexandra Pierce, Juneau's visitor industry director, told Business Insider. "People in the visitor industry, myself included, are locals first, and protecting that balance in our communities is really important to us."

Juneau is the state's busiest cruise hub. Alaska State Sen. Jesse Kiehl told BI that the city only saw 170,000 non-cruise visitors in 2024. It's a drop in the bucket — or snowflake on Denali — compared to the record 1.73 million by-ship tourists who visited last year — a 33% spike from 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study commissioned by the city.

If the growth continues at this rate, it could be a windfall for local businesses like Caribou Crossings.

According to Juneau's study, the cruise industry fed $375 million into the city's economy in 2023. Most of this came from direct passenger spending, as Serene Hutchinson, the general manager of tour operator Juneau Tours, can attest.

"These cruise lines coming to Juneau may be big corporations, but they're benefiting us local companies," she told BI, noting that 95% of her company's customers are cruise passengers.

Yet, like McDonnell, Hutchinson supports Juneau's implementation of a five-ship per-day cap in 2024 and a 16,000 cruise passenger per-day restraint (12,000 on Saturdays) in 2026. The limitations, negotiated with the cruise industry, are projected to maintain the volume of cruise visitors for this and next year.

For McDonnell, it's a worthy trade-off. "We need to manage the tourists we've got before we talk about growth," she said.

The self-imposed restrictions may seem counterintuitive to outsiders: These floating resorts and their passengers are consequential to the livelihood of Alaska's capital city. It's spurred a locally-operated visitor industry boom, a shortlist of which includes gift shops, helicopter tours, whale-watching boats, and excursions to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier.

"Without this economic bright spot, the region would be a different, more struggling place," Pierce said.

However, for residents like Holly Johnson — the 52-year-old chief marketing officer of tour operator Wings Airways and the Taku Glacier Lodge — these caps are a "sweet spot."

About 85% of her company's clients are cruise passengers. Yet, she too supports the restrictions, calling them a "really good sense of what Juneau needs and what is happening in the industry, growth-wise."

Without them, the vacation-at-sea boom could have become increasingly overwhelming for the city — fettered not by demand (which feels seemingly endless) but by the local infrastructure.

Like other cruise-plagued towns, as cruises have boomed, so has local discontent.

In the survey of 501 Juneau residents in late 2024, 20% of respondents said further limiting cruise volume should be the city's most important priority — up 5% from 2023.

On days when the 31,555-person city is slammed with upward of 17,000 cruisers, residents have complained about traffic, noise, excessive wakes from whale-watching tour boats, dropped cell reception, slower WiFi, and even bears searching for garbage visitors leave behind.

"We have to drive through these streets every day, too," Caribou Crossings' owner said. "We know what it's like to live here with cruise ship passengers."

• Alaskan cruises have surged in popularity — its cruise hub, Juneau, saw a record 1.73 million cruisers in 2024.
• The cruise boom has boosted the city's local economy but strained its infrastructure and residents.
• In response, Juneau has set daily ship and passenger limits.

Hundreds of miles of hiking trails may surround Juneau, Alaska, but living there year-round is no walk in the park.

In the winter, the state's capital city sees less than seven hours of sunlight daily. With some restaurants and shops closed, these chilly months can feel quiet and gloomy for the city's 31,555 residents.

But in the spring and summer, when the bears awaken and the flowers come alive, so too do the city's streets — largely thanks to the bustling cruise industry.

As Alaska's busiest cruise hub, Juneau can get slammed with upward of 17,000 cruise tourists on any given summer day. With it has come local economic success — and a growing disdain for the vacation-at-sea industry.

Juneau saw a record 1.73 million cruisers in 2024 — a 33% spike from the pre-COVID-19 pandemic record in 2019, according to a study by McKinley Research Group for the city. It's not much compared to Miami's 8.2 million cruisers in 2024, for comparison, but unlike Florida, Juneau only operates a six-month cruise season and is relatively small, with no drivable roads leading in and out.

When it comes to tourism, cruises are the main source by a long shot. Alaska State Sen. Jesse Kiehl told Business Insider that he estimates Juneau will only see about 175,000 independent tourists — those that don't come on ships — this year.

"We have this huge opportunity that most small towns would kill to have at their doorstep," Laura McDonnell, the owner of local gift shop Caribou Crossings, told BI. Cruisers make up 98% of her business' revenue, she estimates. "They're so enamored and happy to be here, and it's taken some of them their whole lives to get here. Cruise tourism is what's made that accessible."

The Alaskan cruise gold rush

Carnival Corp's CEO told analysts in 2024 that Alaskan voyages were "off the charts." That's especially true for first-time cruisers, he said, touting popular "cruisetours" that include stops at the company's lodge near Denali National Park.

This year is expected to look no different. Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings have reported banner demand for their 2025 Alaskan itineraries.

Norwegian plans to deploy a larger ship for longer voyages. Holland America is spending $70 million to expand guest accommodations at the Denali lodge.

Cruises are crucial to the local economy, Kiehl said. The McKinley study found they injected some $375 million in 2023, mostly from direct passenger spending.

But like most any town with a significant cruise port, not everyone is pleased with the influx of tourists.

Residents have pushed back

"I have to say that visitors have gotten a little rowdier," Liz Perry, the CEO of Travel Juneau, told BI. "Since COVID-19, it's gotten even worse. They feel entitled to very, very high levels of service at a time when our operators are really working to give that service, but they may not be able to get staffed up."

Downtown Juneau is sandwiched between mountains and the water. The streets are narrow and hilly, many one-way. As such, thousands of people suddenly storming downtown can slow traffic. (To alleviate this, the city is building a waterfront pedestrian walkway near the cruise ports.)

Concurrently, the surge can overwhelm the city's cell network, which has caused locals to lose cell reception and WiFi. (Juneau's visitor industry director, Alexandra Pierce, told BI that the city is implementing public WiFi and working with two providers to increase network capacity.)

And then there's the vicious cycle of visitors leaving trash, the trash attracting bears, and the bears exciting visitors. (The state ultimately euthanized two black bears in downtown Juneau last summer.)

"All of those things combine to contribute to resident discontent," Pierce said. "As people responsible for managing these destinations and stewarding them, it is almost a game of whack-a-mole."

To mitigate locals' concerns, the city negotiated with the cruise industry to implement a five-ship per day limit in 2024. Starting in 2026, the city will also cap the number of incoming cruise ship passengers at 16,000 per day, excluding Saturdays, which will have a 12,000-passenger limit.

In a McKinley survey of 501 Juneau residents in late 2024, 20% of respondents said further limiting cruise volume should be the city's most important priority. That's up 5% from the year prior.

But they don't want too many restrictions — voters drew the line at "ship-free Saturdays," a ballot proposition that failed to pass in late 2024.

"Having the limits gives us the opportunity to fine-tune and improve as opposed to just triage and be reactive all the time," Pierce said.

Yes, local businesses (in tandem with the city and cruise lines) will ultimately miss out on greater profits. However, "local always comes first," Holly Johnson, the CMO of tour operator Wings Airway, told BI. About 85% of her company's customers come from cruises, yet she supports the ship and passenger limits.

"We could live anywhere, but this is where we live," she said.

• The cruise industry is wooing first-time travelers.
• If you're one of them, here are eight cruise tips you should know before your first trip.
• This article is part of "Well Charted," a series for travelers planning cruise adventures.

Gearing up for your first cruise? To maximize your fun, you'll want to do some research and come prepared.

A cruise is more than just sailing from one port to another. Ships have become destinations in their own right, complete with virtual reality arcades and waterparks.

Take it from me, someone who has sailed on and reviewed nine cruise ships as part of my job: The amenities can feel endless — and so can the options for cruise lines, cabins, ships, and destinations.

If you're considering a vacation at sea but don't know where to start, consider my eight tips for a successful vacation, including how to pick a cruise line and what to pack.

Step 1: Research your ideal cruise line.

Reserving a cruise is more than just booking a good itinerary.

Not all cruise lines are created equal, and picking the wrong one could lead to a disappointing vacation.

If your priority is keeping children entertained, choose family-friendly companies such as Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, or Carnival Cruise Line.

Steer clear of Virgin Voyages and Viking — they're adult-only.

If you're craving an ultraluxury experience, Silversea Cruises, Explora Journeys, Seabourn Cruise Line, or Regent Seven Seas Cruises could be enticing. Or, if those are out of your price range, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Holland America Line still offer a premium experience but at a lower cost.

Research the cruise ship.

Even if you've pinpointed your ideal company and itinerary, be sure to research the ship before you book it — especially if you're keen on specific amenities.

Most vessels will be fine if all you care about is the pool and buffet.

If you're traveling with children, consider opting for larger and newer ships. These ships are more likely to have the flashy waterslides and roller coasters young travelers enjoy.

Pick your cabin wisely.

Now it's time to pick your cabin.

If you have a tight budget, reserve the cheapest "guaranteed" stateroom, which leaves the cruise line responsible for your specific cabin assignment.

But it may be best to pick your own room if you have particular concerns, such as seasickness or noise.

If you're sailing on a megaship, consider a cabin toward the ship's center equidistant from all activities. It could save you a few hundred steps a day.

Midship cabins, especially those on lower decks, are also best for travelers prone to seasickness.

If you're a light sleeper, check the deck plans for a stateroom sandwiched between other guest accommodations. Cabin walls can be thin — if a bar or nightclub is on the deck above or below yours, the noise could keep you awake into the night.

Book your onboard activities as soon as possible.

If you're interested in catching a show or having dinner at a specialty restaurant (which typically requires an additional fee), book your seats as soon as possible. Depending on the cruise line, this could mean reserving them online in advance or in person right when you board the ship.

Cruises are selling out and sailing full more than ever before — so much so that Viking reports it is already 87% sold out for the year as of mid-March. In September 2024, Carnival Corp was already projecting record occupancy and fares in 2025.

Pack like an expert cruiser.

Packing for your cruise should be like packing for any trip.

Be sure to bring the basics, such as sunscreen, swimwear, and, of course, your passport.

Some cruise lines don't provide hair conditioner, so consider loading up on your own. If you're sharing a cabin with several people, it may be wise to bring additional storage, such as magnetic hooks.

But no need to fret if you forget the essentials — many ships have stores that sell basic toiletries, snacks, alcohol, and cigarettes.

Set a budget and stick to it.

Mass-market cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival charge additional fees for desirable amenities.

A bag of candy from one of the sweetshops could cost you extra, as could a round of bingo, a morning Starbucks latte, WiFi, or a steak dinner.

If you aren't careful, the expenses could quickly add up.

It can help to reserve the extras you want — such as drink packages, internet connectivity, and specialty dinners — before your trip, especially if the cruise line offers pre-voyage discounts.

Join your sailing's Facebook group.

Many cruise itineraries have corresponding Facebook groups, and it's a good idea to find and join the one for your voyage.

It's a great place to ask for advice and connect with other guests, some of whom may already be familiar with the ship or itinerary.

Hit the pool early — but not too early.

Poolside lounge chairs are highly coveted — so much so that some travelers will wake up at sunrise, claim their favorite seats with a bag or towel, and return to bed.

Avoid becoming your ship's resident "pool chair hog" unless you're OK with dirty looks.

Instead, if your ideal day includes spending a few hours at a well-positioned lounger, consider heading over just before the post-lunch rush. The pool will be less busy, and you'll be more likely to get a good spot.

• Emma Le Teace, known online as "Emma Cruises," has been on 76 sailings at age 31.
• Le Teace quit her job in 2021 to become a full-time cruise content creator.
• Here are her 9 tips for a great voyage, from how to avoid crowds to which cabins to book.

For Emma Le Teace, cruises aren't just a vacation — they're her livelihood.

She was 11 years old when she went on her first vacation at sea. Now 31, Le Teace said she's been on 76 voyages at an average of about 10 a year — including the first sailing out of the UK after the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I just love getting on a ship, sorting out my stuff, and then waking up and being like, 'Where am I today?' or 'What do I want to do today?'" Le Teace told Business Insider. "It's so accessible compared to regular travel, which tires me out an awful lot now."

She quit her data development desk job in 2021 to become a full-time cruise content creator and, as of this year, cofounder of personal voyage tracker The Cruise Globe.

The risk has paid off. UK-based Le Teace (or "Emma Cruises," as social media knows her) has accumulated a legion of dedicated cruise comrades — to the tune of about 380,000 YouTube subscribers and 65,500 TikTok followers.

Her videos help travelers decide if a particular voyage might be a good fit for them — which means she has plenty of advice to share.

Here are nine of her top tips, from avoiding seasickness and crowds, to an Arctic cruise you might not have known about.

1. Certain itineraries and cabins may make you more prone to seasickness.

La Teace has been on more cruises than most people will in a lifetime. Yet, she's only been seasick about five times.

Her tip? Avoid itineraries like an Arctic Circle or transatlantic sailing in the winter, when (and where) you're more likely to encounter a storm.

Similarly, consider a mid-ship, lower-deck cabin. And if you do feel queasy, avoid indulging in your drinks package.

2. Still set on that Arctic cruise? Consider a little-known ferry company.

In 2024, La Teace spent 12 days cruising the Arctic Circle and Norway with Havila Voyages, a Norwegian ferry company.

Unlike ocean cruises, which often spend a day at one destination, the ferry stopped at up to seven ports daily, lingering between 20 minutes to two hours at each destination.

"I would much prefer to have lots of little ports a day rather than one really long one," La Teace said. "I can put on my coat and snow boots, run outside, have a look at the town, and come back."

There was no onboard entertainment or traditional theater. Still, she had plenty of fun, and the food and cabin were surprisingly comparable to those of a conventional cruise liner.

"It was every bit as nice as a cruise," she said. "I think most people would like that if they did cruising."

(Pro tip: La Teace said if you like Alaska voyages, you'll likely enjoy Norway, too. Similarly, if you prefer beachy Caribbean cruises, you'll likely appreciate Mediterranean and Canary Islands itineraries.)

3. Consider when a balcony cabin (virtual or not) is worth the cost.

As a budget cruiser, Le Teace frequently opts for "guaranteed" inside cabins.

The more exciting the itinerary, and the further she is from home, the more likely she will splurge on a balcony cabin. "If I'm going to go all the way to Alaska from the UK, I want to see as much as I can," she said.

However, the same can't be said for Royal Caribbean's "virtual balcony" cabins.

As the name suggests, these accommodations have a large digital screen that displays a live view of the ship's exterior, akin to a real window.

In reality, Le Teace said it was confusing: The screen was on the wrong wall and showed the view from the wrong side of the ship.

Was it helpful to check the weather? Yes. Was it nice to see the birds flying by? Yes. However, "it didn't convince me in any way," she said, noting that she wouldn't go out of her way for it again. "It wasn't like, pull the curtains, and your brain's going to think that's a window."

4. If you're seeking a quiet space, go to a bar that isn't open yet.

Le Teace prefers avoiding big crowds — even if that means swimming on a rainy day when everyone else is inside.

If you're the same, she suggests spending your afternoon at a bar that doesn't open until the evening.

You won't be able to order drinks, but the lounge seating will still be there. Plus, you can always bring beverages from another bar.

5. Avoid the dinner rush by eating when the main dining room opens.

The cruise expert eats her main dining room dinner at 5 p.m., when many open, to avoid long lines during peak hours.

You can always stop by the buffet later at night if you're feeling peckish. (She's especially partial to Celebrity's, which she said is often stocked with fresh vegetables and fruit.)

6. Shoulder season sailings can be a good bang for your buck.

Le Teace suggests budget travelers research the most popular months for their itinerary of choice and book their cruise for either the month before or after them.

For example, she recommends Mediterranean cruises in June or September. You'll bypass the family crowds and, subsequently, higher fares, of July and August while still catching the warm weather.

7. First-timers should go on a weeklong cruise.

Royal Caribbean's latest mega-ship, Utopia of the Seas, exclusively operates three- and four-night cruises to attract first-timers.

However, the career cruiser suggests newcomers should go on five to seven-day sailings instead.

Short itineraries tend to be rowdier and boozier than longer ones. Plus, it'll give first-timers more time to explore the ship, try the food, and live in the cabin.

Le Teace has done three- and seven-day voyages on the same ship. She said it was a "night and day difference," adding that "everyone is in the bars trying to get drunk" on the shorter one. "You can try a short cruise, but just know it's not a representation of what a longer cruise is like."

8. Check all of the cabin prices, whether you're going solo or as a group.

If you're traveling with a large group, it could be cheaper to reserve a large suite than for everyone to book individual cabins.

Or, if you're going alone and plan to book a solo cabin, check the price of non-solo staterooms. Cruise lines could increase the cost of single-person accommodations if demand outpaces availability — so much so that a double-occupancy balcony cabin could be cheaper, she said.

9. Pick cruise lines and ships according to who you'll travel with.

Le Teace said her parents enjoy traditional but not too formal cruises, such as Princess and Azamara.

Inversely, when she's sailed with friends who don't care for dress codes, she's opted for Norwegian or MSC.

If she's vacationing with her young nieces, her preference is Royal Caribbean or P&O, adding that Royal Caribbean's mega-ships would also be her pick if she's bringing first-timers and wants to "blow their minds."

However, she doesn't care for these mega-ships — filled with more amenities than you can accomplish in a few days — if she's prioritizing exploring the ports over enjoying the onboard experience.

"I cannot be in two places at once," she said.

• Tori Carter and Kirk Rickman sold their home in 2022 to become full-time cruisers.
• They've since been on 29 cruises, the longest for 68 days.
• The retirees use the monthly income from their rental properties to help subsidize their travels.

For Victoria "Tori" Carter, bad things did come in threes.

First, her friend died suddenly.

Her dog, who she loved like a son, followed shortly after.

Then, she suffered a serious back injury.

"It all happened at the same time," Carter, 55, told Business Insider. "It felt like everything accumulated to saying, 'now is the time. Do what you want to do now.'"

What she wanted was to see the world by cruise — a dream she and her partner, Kirk Rickman, 52, have been living since December 2022.

The couple retired from their nine-to-fives and sold their home in Canada to start anew as full-time cruisers. Since then, they said they've been on 29 voyages across 12 cruise lines, averaging about a month each.

The shortest has been 14 days — the longest, 68.

This new lifestyle has allowed them to experience the historic streets of Buenos Aires, an iceberg in Antarctica, and the iconic architecture of Lisbon. Throughout the over two years at sea, the couple estimates they've only spent a month sleeping on land, which includes a night or two waiting for their next voyage and a road trip in Australia.

"We're going to try to do this for as long as we can," Rickman said.

The 'KirkTori Story'

To understand their love of cruising, you must first understand the genesis of the "KirkTori Story."

It all started with a two-night cruise in 2005. Or, as they call it, their first date — followed by what they estimate to be about 100 vacations at sea to date.

Many back-to-back cruises later, by 2021, the jokes about moving on board inevitably came up. The couple accepted an offer on their home in December 2022, moved their belongings into storage, and immediately embarked on their new life at sea.

By then, there wasn't much keeping them tied to Canada. The duo had already retired from their day jobs (Carter, a high school teacher, and Rickman, a supervisor at a manufacturing plant) in 2018, instead opting to focus on their side hustle as realtors.

Their several rental properties now help subsidize their travel.

To keep within their budget, the couple plans their voyages about six months in advance.

They prefer avoiding repeat itineraries (the goal is to see the world, after all), instead opting to ship-hop according to destinations they want to see and cruises embarking at ports they're disembarking. They also favor itineraries of at least 14 days, avoiding the tedious repacking process and the livelier party atmosphere of shorter voyages.

"We feel like each ship is a destination in itself," Carter said. "Because we live on ships, it's not like we want to party every single night."

Rickman is partial to Holland America and Cunard when he's in the mood to relax. Carter is fond of Costa, drawn to what she said are "the most spectacular shows I have ever seen on any cruise ship."

Both lean toward balcony cabins but are OK with ocean-view staterooms if they better fit their budget. Yes, they're pricier than inside cabins, but "we didn't do all of this to be, excuse my French, cheap asses," Rickman said. "We're not going to give all of that up to be in an interior."

The couple spends an average of about $7,340 a month (which, like any cruise, includes food, their cabins, and onboard amenities). While it's a little more than they paid when living on land, it's a worthy trade-off.

"You don't have to be a millionaire or billionaire to do what we're doing," Carter said. "We've got enough to sustain ourselves to be happy and do what we want to do, which is travel and see the world."