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Secrets the Cruise Lines Don't Tell You

We trawled through all the great advice on Cruise Critic's Message Boards to bring you some of the worst-kept cruise secret.

Compare: 10 Most Popular Cruise Ships

The most popular cruise ships in Australia come in a variety of sizes and styles. In this chart, we look at the top 10 locally based ships, as rated in the thousands of reviews by Cruise Critic members. For more information about these popular ships, click on the ship name to find out its

12 Best Cruises for First Timers

Planning your first cruise can feel overwhelming. There are so many choices, from "party boats" on a "cruise to nowhere" and luxury yachts in the Mediterranean to river cruises in Asia and expedition ships in Antarctica. You need to put some careful thought into just what

5 Ways to Get a Cruise Ship Cabin Upgrade

We wish there were a magic elixir you could whip up to get a free or low-cost cabin upgrade on a cruise ship. We'd be chugging it all the time. But sorry -- no can do. Before you sit by the phone, waiting for the upgrade fairy to call, there are a few basic things to know about cruise ship cabin

22 Do's and Don'ts for Your First Day Onboard a Cruise Ship

If you're a first-timer or haven't settled into a familiar cruise routine, here's a list of embarkation day do's and don'ts, culled from our many years cruising, as well as input from Cruise Critic's Facebook fans.

Cruising 101

Featured Destinations

Australia & New Zealand

Between the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, Australia is extraordinarily diverse in terms of its geography, wildlife and climate, with deserts, mountains and rainforests (not to mention those beloved Koala bears). Hardly limited to wilderness, Australia also boasts urban culture in Sydney and Melbourne. Famous as the set of the "Lord of the Rings" movies, New Zealand has unparalleled natural beauty (did we mention the Great Barrier Reef), as well as adventure sports and outstanding wine.

South Pacific

Imagine the ultimate paradise; you're likely to find it in the South Pacific. Reachable from Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific includes popular islands like Fiji, Bora Bora, Tahiti and Samoa as well as more remote stops that are diverse in culture, history, languages, geology and scenery. On a South Pacific cruise, you can enjoy relaxed beaches and some of the world's best water sports.

Europe

Your biggest difficulty planning a European cruise is narrowing down where you want to go. A Western Mediterranean itinerary usually includes stops in Barcelona and Monaco, as well as ports in Italy. Eastern Mediterranean cruises encompass eastern Italy, Croatia and Greece, and sometimes even Turkey and Israel. A Baltic Sea voyage brings you to Scandinavia and Russia; the Norwegian Fjords carry their own beauty. Don't forget about British Isles cruises, which allow you to visit castles in England, Scotland and London. For sun lovers, it's hard to beat the Canary Islands.

Mediterranean

From the pristine beaches and ancient ruins of the Eastern Mediterranean to the artsy and flavorful countries of the Western Mediterranean, this region is easily one of the most diverse in the world. Revel at Spanish and Italian architecture, soak up some sun in Greece, explore antiquities in Istanbul and Malta or get a taste of the French countryside on the outskirts of Nice, Monte Carlo or Cannes. Some Med itineraries dip down into northern Africa; the Canary Islands are also a popular stop for repositioning cruises.

Asia

On the Pacific Ocean, coastal Asia inspires a spectrum of adjectives: ancient, futuristic, sacred, industrial, peaceful, riotous and breathtaking. A trip through East Asia usually includes port stops in the busy urban centers of China, Japan and South Korea. Southeast Asia cruises, traditionally sailing between Singapore and Hong Kong, provide opportunities for ecotourism and beach time in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

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Featured Ships

Pacific Explorer

P&O Australia's Pacific Explorer carries 2,000 passengers and sports a contemporary design, a cabaret-style supper club and a water park with waterslides.

Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas

Part of Royal Caribbean's Quantum class, Ovation of the Seas boasts high-tech features such as the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, bumper cars and robot bartenders.

Celebrity Solstice

Sophisticated vibe with gourmet dining, the country club-style Lawn Club and two suites-only restaurants; partnership with Canyon Ranch is a highlight for spa-goers.

Majestic Princess

Princess Cruises' new ship, built specifically for the Chinese market, offers year-round cruises out of Shanghai. Its most distinct feature is Watercolor Fantasy, a dancing fountain of lights and music.

Carnival Spirit

One of Australians' favorite cruise ships -- ike a true Aussie, it's laid-back, fun and friendly -- from crew, to passengers and the atmosphere.

More Ships

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Cruise News

Carnival Eliminates "Unlimited" Pictures On Premium Photo Package

(10:30 a.m. EDT) -- Carnival Cruise Line has limited the number of photos included in its premium Pixel cruise photo package, leaving some passengers concerned. It's the second change this month, which at one point saw package prices jump by as much as $150 for unlimited photos. The latest announcement returns to the original pricing, but with a limit on the number of printed or digital photos that can be ordered. However, the premium packages do include at least one copy of photos taken of the customer, people in their stateroom, and their children under 21.

Celebrity Cruises Partners with Canyon Ranch on New Fitness Class Program

(11:57 a.m. EDT) -- Celebrity Cruises is rolling out 20 new fitness classes and seminars as part of a redesigned program created in partnership with Canyon Ranch. The offerings are divided into six categories: sweat, conditioning, longevity, mindfulness, nutrition and acupuncture."At Celebrity Cruises we're always looking for ways to pump up the volume and raise the bar," Brian Able, senior vice president of hotel operations for the line, said in a news release. "Together with the Canyon Ranch team, we saw the opportunity to enhance our guest experience by revamping our fitness program and adding brand-new classes inspired by the latest developments in fitness."

Viking Brings Manfredi's Restaurant to River Cruise Ships

(3:14 p.m. EDT) -- Viking has brought one of the restaurants from its ocean cruise ships, Manfredi's, and adapted it for its extensive fleet of river Longships.

Norwegian Cruise Line President Gives Details On New Leonardo-Class Cruise Ships

(1:10 p.m. EDT) -- Now that Norwegian Bliss -- Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, custom-built for Alaska -- has been delivered, what's next for the line?

Royal Caribbean, Other Cruise Lines, Returning To Turkey in 2019

(4 p.m EDT) -- Royal Caribbean is putting Turkey back on 2019 cruise itineraries after suspending service for two years due to security concerns.

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