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Cruise.co.uk   Reviews

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Reviews 4.9.

12,016 total

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A big THANK YOU to Lois

I recently booked a Sydney/Tokyo cruise with the help of Lois, and couldn't be happier! She was incredibly prompt and professional in her responses, making the booking process a breeze. The price offered was very competitive, ensuring I got the best value for my money. Overall, a fantastic experience from start to finish.

Date of experience : 26 April 2024

Booked my cruise through cruise.co.uk…

Booked my cruise through cruise.co.uk and from the start if the process of getting quotes to the actual booking was such a great experience. Chris B was brilliant. He always answered my emails, called me when needed, very polite, professional and also provided a great price and health worker discount. I would definitely recommend this company and I'd book with Chris again for sure. I've recommended him to my family and friends. I'm hoping things continue to run smoothly for the duration of this process and throughout the trip which is booked for Feb 2025

Date of experience : 01 April 2024

Thank You Cruise.co.uk

I have used this company on numerous occasions and cannot fault the professional service and fantastic customer care I have received during that time. I would like thank Lyndy Barker for the help she has given us booking our holiday. I thoroughly recommend this company for your future cruises.

Date of experience : 27 April 2024

Lost Prooerty

Since contacting customer services with my lost property problem, I have been in contact with Charlene. I am most grateful to Charlene for her ownership of the problem and following through. My property has been located and I am awaiting delivery by post. Thank you Charlene Kind regards Vivienne Hunt

Date of experience : 25 April 2024

Outstanding service.

Effie Stone was outstanding at sorting booking out and then making an amendment for us. Cruise.co has good deals, and the whole organisation is very knowledgeable and efficient.

Date of experience : 21 April 2024

Well done Alana!

Once again Alana has come up trumps and we have had an excellent cruise. All the transfers were on time, very comfortable and the staff were impeccable. The hotels at the beginning and end of the cruise were outstanding and we would use them again, especially the Hotel delle Nazioni in Rome which was literally round the corner from the Trevi Fountain. We were concerned that the hotel in Mestre, Venice, was a little way out but the train, 2 minutes away, took us straight to the centre of the island in just over 10 mins for only 5 Euros return for us both, and the magnificent modern carriages were a great experience too. Can't thank you enough Alana.

Date of experience : 08 April 2024

We have just booked a cruise from Hong…

We have just booked a cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore with Debbie Carmen. She was so helpful & gave lots of advice about which cabin to choose. She also sorted out our flights & we got the seats we wanted. She was very professional & knowledgeable. We’ve really been impressed with the service provided.

Date of experience : 24 April 2024

Book With Confidence

I have recently booked a cruise with this company and I must say that the consultant who dealt with me, Alana Mills, was a model of professionalism. Completely confident and knowledgeable and easily able to answer all my queries. Highly recommended.

1st class servuce

Very helpful company and good prices. Unfortunately we had to cancel owing to medical reasons that could not have been forseen. Thus was handled well. Would recommend this company 100%

Cruise made easy super experienced…

Cruise made easy super experienced agent who was so customer focused and knowledgeable. With a can do culture thank you Bridgett

Date of experience : 23 April 2024

Andrew and cruise.co highly recommended

This is the second time that Andrew has handled a booking for us. He has always given excellent service and gone into all our queries thoroughly. I cannot recommend Andrew and cruise.co highly enough. Always competitively priced too.

Date of experience : 18 April 2024

…easy to book

Nice easy to book ,very knowledge cruise consultant in Barbara , we use them all time when booking a cruise and in the future

Great cruise consultant

Great cruise consultant, once again has booked and got us a fantastic deal. Really appreciate all your help and advice. Thanks Denise Noone

Carl Newbigging is a credit to the…

Carl Newbigging is a credit to the company. He has been really helpful every time we have needed assistance or advice and has always responded promptly to any queries we had. Because of Carl I would use Cruise.co.uk again.

Plain Sailing 🛳

I booked for the first time with you in January and received excellent service from Chris so we have booked again with him. Everything literally is plain sailing and he made the whole process very easy.

Date of experience : 17 April 2024

Discussing a possible cruise / safari…

Discussing a possible cruise / safari around South Africa with Lily. She is very helpful and quick in replying to my queries, discussions are still ongoing as I have to decide whether it’s this holiday or a trip to Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Amazing Customer Service from a Specialist Cruise Advisor

Karen Aspinall was enthusiastic and very approachable about the Cruise we wanted to book. I was unable to speak to her at first but we corresponded via email and she was great all the way through to the booking.

Rhythms of the Deep South Escorted Tour

Flights, hotels, transfers, tours and cruise were all fantastic. Only exceptions were dinner in Memphis was awful and not up to par, and the hotel in Miami was not the best as nothing around the area and the hotel restaurant is not equipped for a large group so no breakfast served after over 1 hour and had to pay to get it elsewhere. Otherwise, the whole trip was fantastic.

Date of experience : 01 March 2024

I prefer to talk to a person inline…

I prefer to talk to a person inline when booking rather than do everything myself so it was nice to speak to Warwick. Yes we discussed my options although the price quoted was for a slightly obstructed balcony so had to pay more and in the advert it quotes a concierge balcony but that was not mentioned when I booked and when I asked the following day I was told there were none available

Date of experience : 28 March 2024

Cruise plus tour

We were attracted to the pre-cruise tour of Washington to tick off a bucket list. The agent was very helpful in selecting the cabin and the cost was reasonable compared to other cruises.

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Find the best cruise for you

Featured cruise deals, cruising guide, why take a cruise vacation.

If you have a place on your bucket list, chances are, a cruise will get you there. Cruises cover the world, taking millions of passengers each year to destinations like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and even Antarctica. Cruising offers a tremendous value, with trips that include your lodging, meals and entertainment, all rolled into one. Some cruise lines even offer fully inclusive vacations, which cover drinks and tours ashore. Cruising means seeing the world while unpacking only once.

Cruises also provide a wonderful option for families, with many ships offering things like waterslides, mini-golf courses and fun clubs for kids and teens -- all for free. Planning is easy: Pick your destination and the right ship for you. The cruise line makes it simple, offering packages to help you save on extras like alcohol, shore tours or even airfare.

Travelers say they choose to cruise because cruising often costs less per night when compared with staying at a hotel, where they'll have to book -- and pay for -- all their extras.

What are Tips for Finding Cheap Cruises?

If you're a flexible traveler, you'll have a better chance of finding cheap cruises. Take a cruise that doesn't sail over the summer or holidays, when prices are highest. Book an inside cabin, or take your chances with a "guarantee cabin," ideal for passengers who aren't picky about their cabins but really want the lowest price available. Book cabins on lower decks, which often come with lower prices than those rooms on higher floors.

Cruise lines such as MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International offer rates that might drop as low as $75 per person per night -- and sometimes lower. Here's a tip: Many times, the smaller ships from these lines offer the smallest prices.

If you want a real bargain, consider a transatlantic or repositioning cruise. These cruises are one-way or open-jaw trips, that start in one port and finish at another. You can score a deal sailing from Florida to Europe, for example, or even from New York to Florida. Just be aware, you'll probably have to pay a bit more for airfare to return.

What are Tips to Finding Last-Minute Cruise Deals?

Being flexible will get you the best last-minute cruise deals. If you live near a cruise port and can drive, you're probably going to be able to jump on those deals that might pop up a week or two before the ship is set to sail.

If you don't have flexibility with dates and locations, be willing to bend on destination. This will allow you to find a wider range of last-minute deals traveling to locations in their off-season or shoulder season.

Do plenty of research and know what your ideal cruise costs on average. When you see it drop, pounce! Many cruise lines update pricing several times every day, so be prepared.

Best cruises in 2020

Part of the appeal of cruising is that there's truly something for everyone. Ships come in an array of sizes, some loaded with so many activities, you couldn't get to them all in a week.

Families will find plenty of options and activities onboard big ships, which have transformed cruising, making the vessels as exciting as the destinations to which they sail. The Caribbean is a great option for families, offering lots of sunshine, great beaches and culture. Alaska, famous for its incredible vistas and abundant wildlife, also is a solid family cruise option. Consider cruise lines such as Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Celebrity, MSC and Holland America for a family cruise.

River cruising has been heating up over the past few years, with itineraries that send passengers down the Danube or Rhine rivers in Europe or to even more exotic locations, like the Mekong River in Cambodia or Vietnam or the Volga River in Russia. Popular river cruises embark in cities like Amsterdam, Budapest and Lisbon. Popular river cruise lines include Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Emerald Waterways, Tauck, Uniworld and Crystal.

If you're a thrill-seeker, consider an expedition cruise. These cruises, often onboard small ships, offer an intimate experience that brings passengers right up next to glaciers, whales, penguins and iguanas. Ships visit tiny spots all over the world, including Antarctica, Alaska, Australia and Greenland. Passengers will spend their time kayaking, hiking, biking and exploring with expert guides and knowledgeable naturalists. Expedition travelers love cruise lines such as Lindblad Expeditions, UnCruise Adventures, Silversea, Hurtigruten, Ponant and Quark Expeditions.

Luxury cruises offer all-inclusive experiences onboard smaller ships with perks like butlers, high-end amenities and personalized, intuitive service. Ships often feature luxury touches like marble and crystal decor, intimate spaces and beautiful spas. Because luxury ships tend to be smaller, they can often reach off-the-beaten-path destinations bigger ships can't -- ports like St. Tropez or Guadeloupe. If you're looking for a luxury cruise, consider Crystal, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Azamara, Viking Oceans and Silversea.

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cruises.com   Reviews

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Reviews 4.3.

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False and misleading promotional ads

Vacationers beware. This is a highly fraudulent company that advertises bonuses that are not honored. They currently show a promo to pay gratuities that is complete rubbish. There are no caveats shown on their web-site promo banner but when I questioned their sales team, they stated that the promo wasn’t applicable to the cruise I selected. Would it be so difficult to tell the truth and note that the promo only applies to specific sailings, staterooms, etc???

Date of experience : April 22, 2024

Last minute booking

Alyssa was wonderful. She assisted in booking a last minute cruise when there were computer issues with the cruise line. Everything went very smoothly. I found her to be very attentive and friendly.

Date of experience : April 20, 2024

Prices are only indicative and not the real price...

I recently had the experience of planning a cruise through Cruise.com and feel compelled to share some insights that potential customers might find important. While the site initially appeared to offer competitive pricing and a wide array of options, I encountered issues with the actual costs versus what was advertised. As I progressed through the booking process, it became clear that the listed prices were not all-inclusive of the real costs associated with the trip. Additional fees, taxes, and service charges, which were not clearly disclosed upfront, significantly increased the total cost. This practice gave me a strong impression of a bait-and-switch tactic, where the attractive prices drew me in, only for the actual expenses to be revealed later in the process. This lack of transparency in pricing is disappointing and diminishes the otherwise user-friendly experience of the website. Customers should be able to trust that the prices they see are accurate and comprehensive. I hope Cruise.com addresses these concerns to provide a more honest and straightforward service. Until then, I advise potential customers to be wary and to thoroughly check all potential additional costs before booking.

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

Great first experience with…

Great first experience with cruises.com. Christina was outstanding in helping me book our next cruise. Very professional, pleasant, and knowledgeable with all the ins and outs. Thank you !

Date of experience : April 06, 2024

Alissa is a very knowledgeable agent

Alissa was very helpful setting up our latest cruise to Alaska. She was very patient and answered all of my questions. She is a very professional agent and knows her business.

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

Excellent travel agents and agency

Excellent listening skills and follow through from the agents. I was able to check all cruise lines for value and merits- and book a cruise all in one phone call. Agent helped me see deck plans and detail information on how to pick my room and cruise.

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Looking for a great deal to places I wanted to see.

Had no problem finding a great deal. The agent Diane was excellent. Wasn’t planning on booking anything, since I was just looking. Ended up getting a vacation package in the time frame I wanted with one call.

Date of experience : March 21, 2024

Tjhe young woman who helped me change my…reservation was Denni

The young woman who helped me change my cruise was kind and very helpful. I’m sure others have told you, she is an expert at what she does. She deserves special recognition and a probably a raise and a promotion. Her name is Denni , make sure you don’t lose her. Gerald Wallace Satisfied Customer

Date of experience : March 08, 2024

Mellissa Lemke is such an awesome…

Mellissa Lemke is such an awesome travel agent. She is why I love using Cruises . Com.

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

As always, best cruise company

As always, Kathy Asher who's soooo patience and kind; always returning my phone calls; thank you! The best company to book your cruise with!

Date of experience : March 29, 2024

I booked most of my cruises through cruises.com…

I booked most of my cruises through Cruise.com and it’s always a good experience. My experience yesterday, however, was extraordinary. I had the good fortune to work with Taylor S, she really did go above and beyond to meet my requests. I have forward to working with her in the future.

Date of experience : March 06, 2024

Very Helpful

Courtney Donovan was a pleasure to work with. She was very helpful and knowledgeable. She went above and beyond to answer all of my questions.

I couldn’t have asked for a better representative than Ali. She made it the most satisfying vacation booking experience I have ever had. Thank you Ali, don’t ever stop being you. 10 stars plus if it’s possible.

Date of experience : February 22, 2024

Be aware and cautious if you book with them

They night offer some decent incentives but they charge a $24.99 junk fee and also charge you $100 cancellation even before final payment is due when there is no cruise line cancellation penalty at that point. Not sure if I will book any further cruises with them. Incentives improved on my cruise but I can not cancel and rebook without being screwed with a $100 fee. So just proceed with caution if you decide to book through them

Date of experience : February 01, 2024

Kelly Barclay

Kelly, was wounderfull to work with and answered all our questions and worked to get the cabin close to our relatives. She went above and beyond just beeing a sales person. She made us completely comfortable with the process.

Date of experience : February 21, 2024

Robin Schafer at Cruises.com is the best!

Robin Schafer at Cruises.com is now our go to person when we want to book a cruise. He is very pleasant and thorough and has surpassed our expectations each time. We often compare *many* cruises and he happily helps us with that, whereas agents with a different website often got grumpy during our past booking attempts.

Date of experience : December 27, 2023

Excellent experience

We have worked with Kelsey Meyers on 2 different cruises. She has been very professional, courteous and continues to answer all of our questions for our upcoming cruise. Will definitely use her in the future (as we plan our cruise for next year).

Date of experience : February 14, 2024

Great prices

All info is clearly displayed on website. Easy to review among many choices. Prices good. Extra benefits appreciated. Easy to complete application. If you need to call the 800 number, a real person answers who is knowledgable.

Date of experience : January 31, 2024

Cruises.com will NOT give you best rates!!!! Booked a cruise almost 2 years in…

Booked a cruise almost 2 years in advance on Cruises.com & when on my reservation with Royal Carribean it showed rate dropped $100 pp. I called right away & lady at Cruises.com said she checked with Royal Carribean & rate was actually higher. I double checked again & still said same cruise same time in same room was $100 pp cheaper. Lady wouldn’t give me reduced rate. I don’t even think she called. Terrible customer service!!!! Company doesn’t standing by what they say if rate drops will always get lower rate.

Customer service is key.

The girl Katie, who helped us, is the reason it was so good. It's our first cruise and we called for help, not wanting to make mistakes, and she was so helpful and knowledgeable. She got us better than we were hoping for. It's all so complicated that without her it would've been hard and miserable and we would have done it wrong.

Date of experience : February 20, 2024

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Cruise Lines and Ship Reviews

All cruise lines and cruise ships, featured cruise lines.

Brand features casual approach to cruising, with a come-as-you-are atmosphere; multiple activities for families, including go-karts and ropes courses; Broadway-quality entertainment; suite-only enclave, called The Haven, offers perks and private spaces for suite passengers

Cruise line focuses on destinations, with emphasis on Alaska; ships visit almost 400 destinations; partnerships with Discovery and Animal Planet make for immersive experiences ashore and onboard

Wide variety of ships, from fairly small to mega-sized; vessels are loaded with activities for passengers of all ages, with sky-diving, bumper cars and surf simulators; engaging entertainment; wide range of cabins and suites to accommodate even large groups

All Cruise Lines

River cruise line that sails Europe's waterways, along with more exotic rivers, including the Mekong; offers traditional and more active cruise options; features onboard wellness hosts; ships include bicycles for passengers to use in port

River cruise line that sails the waterways of Europe as well as more exotic itineraries, like the Mekong River; all cabins feature beds that face the windows

High-end cruise line known for its destination immersion; features a fleet of three small ships that visit small ports; offers AzAmazing Evenings -- tours that provide passengers one-of-a-kind port experiences

Cruise line with large fleet offering cruises of varying lengths; excellent family programming; itineraries mostly to Caribbean; ships offer extensive activities for all ages

Brand exemplifies modern luxury, with chic design and sophisticated dining options; smaller but modern fleet visits destinations in Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and Australia, among others

Italy-based brand offering cruises on large ships, especially in the Mediterranean; focus on family cruising; international passenger base, which skews heavily Italian

A family-run French company that offers relatively affordable, value-priced cruises on rivers throughout the world; visits areas many other river cruise lines don't; has a fleet of barges for very small-ship cruising

High-end luxury cruise line, offering passengers a nearly all-inclusive experience; ships feature spacious, well-appointed cabins and premium dining options, including restaurant serving cuisine of chef Nobu Matsuhisa

Virtually all-inclusive river cruise line with luxury fleet featuring butlers for all cabins; part of larger luxury company with ocean and expedition vessels

Brand that sails cruise liners, including Queen Mary 2, which regularly offers crossings from New York to Southampton; White Star Service trained staff offer warm, sincere service

Cruise ships designed for families, with multiple tie-ins to the brands famous characters; ships sail mostly shorter itineraries of a week or less; ships feature Disney-branded production shows and magical restaurant experiences

Cruise line that focuses on culinary, thanks to its exceptional Culinary Council; standout features include the Music Walk, with live music, and BBC Earth shows; brand is one of the pioneers for Alaska cruising

Cruise line that visits the polar regions; renowned for its visits to Norway, where it also serves as transport for locals and goods; sails with an international passenger base

International cruise line that has Mediterranean flair onboard; features a large and fast-growing fleet; has ships based in the United States that cater mostly to Americans, but other ships are built for more international audience

More From Forbes

How to see the best of northern europe on a scandinavian cruise.

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Cruise ship passengers enjoy the view of Sweden’s Stockholm archipelago from the Royal Caribbean ... [+] ship ‘Serenade of the Seas.’

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the culture of the Vikings or explore what makes people in the Nordic region the so-called happiest on earth, you could do a lot worse than book a Scandinavian cruise.

Scandinavia—and Norway in particular—is an expensive place to travel around, so a cruise can make financial sense for those seeking an introduction to the region. For one price, you get your travel, accommodation, meals, and entertainment covered.

Such a trip offers the opportunity to sample various Scandinavian travel highlights , whether you prefer the Scandinavian capitals, the stunning Norwegian fjords, or soaking up the atmosphere of beautiful islands and historic ports in the Baltic Sea.

Popular Scandinavian Cruise Itineraries

Many different types of itinerary can be advertised as Scandinavian cruises. Typically, they focus on the Nordic capital cities. Some may also include the highlights of the Baltic Sea region, including the Baltic countries and ports in the north of Germany and Poland.

With popular Norwegian fjords cruises together with midnight sun and northern lights tours to the north of Norway also available, there is a lot of diversity in Scandinavian cruises.

Scandinavian Capitals : Cruise itineraries starting in the U.K. or Germany and calling in at two or even all three of Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen have long been popular.

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The Nyhavn district of Copenhagen, Denmark, is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers ... [+] visiting Scandinavia.

Helsinki is often included on such itineraries. If you want to explore modern Scandinavia while gaining access to some of the region’s best museums, such an itinerary is a perfect choice.

Such itineraries tend to be shorter, and are a great introduction to both cruising and Scandinavia, with limited sea days and plenty to see and do while in port.

Baltic Sea : Longer Scandinavian itineraries often include stops at Baltic Sea islands and ports. The beautiful Estonian capital city, Tallinn, or the Latvian capital, Riga, are particular highlights, as are ports on the northern coastline of Germany and Poland.

For those interested in Viking history, look out for smaller ship itineraries featuring Visby on the wonderful island of Gotland .

One such trip is this 12-night itinerary from Celebrity Cruises, which includes a visit to both Visby and Tallinn. Other highlights include a visit to Stockholm and Copenhagen, including an overnight stop in the latter.

The old city walls of Visby on Gotland island, a popular cruise port.

Norwegian Fjords : By far the most variety can be found in the Norwegian fjords region , with almost all major cruise lines operating at least some itineraries here. Although port calls in Flåm and Geiranger will soon be severely limited, many alternative ports will still be able to welcome some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Whether you prefer the action-packed ships of Royal Caribbean or MSC, or the smaller ships that can sail along narrower fjords, there will be a Norwegian fjords itinerary for you.

Following the recent rise in popularity of the region as a cruising destination, the fjords season has extended, with trips available as early as April and as late as September.

British line P&O Cruises operates its relatively new megaship Iona in the fjords region for much of that period, with regular departures from Southampton on a popular 7-day itinerary.

Midnight Sun : Although all summer cruises in the region will experience long summer days, specific midnight sun itineraries set sail for the far north of Norway to let guests experience the thrill of being outside with the sun in the sky at midnight. Many of these trips visit Honningsvåg, which allows guests to travel by bus to the North Cape.

Northern Lights : In recent years, Scandinavia—or more specifically Norway—has become a year-round cruising destination thanks to the growth in popularity of northern lights cruises .

Aurora borealis in the sky seen from a cruise ship in Arctic Norway.

These itineraries can be found heading north of the Arctic Circle between October and early April.

Planning Tips For Scandinavian Cruises

Cruising in Northern Europe offers a fantastic variety of excursions and experiences, from historical city tours to adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures.

The region’s love of the outdoors lifestyle means active experiences are easy to find, both through cruise line excursions and independent operators.

The high levels of English comprehension across the region means booking your own activities and exploring ports independently is much easier than in many other parts of the world. Even so, look for independent tours that take place earlier in the day to reduce any time-related risk.

No matter when you visit Scandinavia, pack for all weathers. The height of summer can be marred by heavy rainfall, while it’s possible to get sunburnt in the snow-covered conditions of February and March.

Pack a versatile wardrobe. Layered clothing accommodates the region's variable weather, while specialized gear might be necessary for specific excursions.

Cruising And Sustainability

Prospective travelers should be aware of environmental concerns associated with cruising in this pristine region. The industry is moving towards sustainability, with initiatives to introduce zero-emission vessels in sensitive areas, particularly the UNESCO-listed Norwegian fjords .

Some local initiatives protesting against cruise travel have also gathered momentum, so cruisers should be aware of these issues before setting foot ashore.

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Cruise to the Edge 2024: Review

T he former King Crimson dudes couldn’t catch a break on Cruise to the Edge 2024, which sailed March 8-13. Still, it didn’t stop them from spreading the warm glow of prog on a cruise ship crammed with nerdy, obsessive fans often satisfied just seeing their idols peruse the buffet options.

At the Stardust Theater, the classiest venue on a Norwegian cruise ship sailing from Miami to Cozumel, Adrian Belew led his reliable trio through classic Crim finger-breakers and mood-shifting solo cuts — and he beamed generously from the stage throughout, even though his guitar malfunctioned through a sizable chunk of the set. Days later at the pool stage, Belew’s tech issues were even more aggressive: Between still-uproarious takes on “Frame By Frame” and “Young Lions,” the band scrambled for solutions that involved fresh batteries and compressor-pedal swaps.

Finally, a moment of collective transcendence bubbled up during the encore: Belew’s former Crimson bandmate Tony Levin — also onboard with his own trio, Stick Men — walked through the evening breeze to thunderous applause, carrying his trusted low-end machine, the Chapman Stick. But the tech problems seemed to linger during Discipline anthem “Elephant Talk” — you couldn’t hear his signature funky riff at all, at least toward the front of the crowd. (If only we could have located the retirement-age dude wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “I Fix Stuff, and I Know Things.” This was his time to shine!)

There’s another sad irony here: During Stick Men’s set a couple days prior, Levin was forced to sit out entirely, his instrument having been somehow sent to the wrong storage area. (Keyboardist Adam Holzman admirably stepped in for a unique, more jazz-leaning set seemingly heavy on improv.) But again, even seeing these giants together onstage, doing their best to hammer out a prog staple, meant something to everyone in their presence.

But Cruise to the Edge isn’t strictly a nostalgia machine, even if it routinely churns out plenty. A perfect example is Steve Hackett : During his co-headlining Stardust set, the former Genesis guitarist continued to maneuver through that band’s epics (including a version of the 23-minute “Supper’s Ready” that nearly left one guy in the balcony with whiplash); but he also played a smattering of new solo tracks, and even the old stuff had a fresh coat of paint, courtesy of some clever arrangements (partly thanks to woodwind player Rob Townshend).

And the lineup has only grown more diverse — in terms of age and style — over the years. One minute, you could soak in the medieval folk-prog stylings of Gryphon, who once opened for Yes in the ’70s; the next, you could bask in the modern prog-metal majesty of Haken or the open-armed, symphonic-scale beauty of Big Big Train. (The latter’s theater show, part of the veteran band’s first-ever U.S. tour, was among the cruise’s obvious highlights — from the violin-led churn of “Folklore” through the tear-streaked grandeur of “Victorian Brickwork.”)

Loving prog in the 21st century often makes you feel like an outcast. Because of that fact, Cruise to the Edge still feels like some kind of weird sanctuary — one that will hopefully continue to evolve with that loosely defined genre itself. In 2024, no amount of annoyance — from technical glitches to mansplaining collectors at the lounge bar — could dampen the soothing strains of Minimoog.

Next: Top 50 Progressive Rock Songs

I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.

• I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.
• For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.
• I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

In April 2022, I cruised on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas . At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world , but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas .

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas .

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms , which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony , and two steps below a suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

I thought it was the most relaxing area on the ship, so I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

To operate most of the electricity in the room, I had to insert my room key into a slot on the wall.

I appreciated the energy-saving system.

On one side of the room, I had a mirror and a desk with several outlets to charge electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

I thought the desk was useful for eating, as well as storing daily flyers about the day's events.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

The desk drawers were mostly empty aside from a hair dryer, which I didn't end up using.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

Inside each closet, I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks, like placing the trash can and toilet paper under the counter.

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration, according to its website , so they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I was able to look out over the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

The window was equipped with an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been a tight space for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

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Caribbean cruise line reroutes ships, cancels stop at island port due to violence, turmoil

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Royal Caribbean International has canceled stops at its private beach in Haiti through September as a result of the violence plaguing the island nation, a private fan blog, citing messages to travelers, reports. AP

• Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops at its private port of Labadee through the summer because of simmering violence in Haiti.

In March, the cruise line canceled stops at the private beach area through May, but this week Royal Caribbean reworked cruise schedules through the summer and into September, a post on the Royal Caribbean Blog said.

“Guests booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled,” the blog said. “On Tuesday (April 23), cruisers began to share updates they received from Royal Caribbean that their itineraries have been updated to drop Labadee and replace it with another port or a sea day.”

Labadee is a beach area on a peninsula in northern Haiti near Cap-Haitien used exclusively by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has its own security force at the site, which is walled off from the rest of the country.

The 260-acre site has been leased by Royal Caribbean since the 1980s. It is about a six-hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and thus far has not seen any incidents of violence, the blog said.

More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January to March across Haiti, a more than 50% increase from the same period last year, according to a report Friday by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The vast majority of violence is in Port-au-Prince .

Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s former capital, has been spared much of the violence and is going through a bit of a resurgence, The Associated Press said . Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating there, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February.

Royal Caribbean International had no formal announcements of the changes posted to its website. Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial site for fans of the cruise line and is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International.

But it cited chatter and messages from cruise ticket holders about changes to their itinerary that showed stops at Labadee were being canceled and replaced with either an extra day of cruising at sea or stops in alternate ports.

A notice from the cruise line, reposted on the blog, informed guests about the change in travel plans, without explicitly mentioning the violence.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the notice reads. “We’re sorry for the change – your safety is our top priority. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit a new port with you!”

Grand Turk is the capital island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago north of Haiti.

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