Welcome to Cruise Recs
Sharing our love of cruising with our personal experiences & tips & tricks!
Explore the top reasons we love cruising, top fears and how to overcome them, answers to your frequently asked questions, and our personal tips & tricks to get you there and back with all the comforts & none of the stress.
Why Cruise?
So you’re thinking about going on a cruise (or already have one booked)? HOORAY!
There is so much we love about cruising and we hope you find as much joy and relaxation in it as we do.
A lot of folks ask us why we love cruising. Find out with our top 5 reasons!
Your Cruise Line
Most of our experiences are from Carnival because that’s our preferred cruise line. Many of our tips & tricks apply to other cruise lines as well, but be sure to check the specifics for your chosen line on their website before your cruise. Plus policies & procedures do change from time to time. Remember that little thing called the pandemic that changed everyone’s lives forever?
It’s always best to confirm with your specific line before you set sail.
Find What Works for You
Our site is full of our opinions on how we like to do things based on our experiences and preferences. Of course there are others out there who may have differing opinions and preferences. Everyone is different…and that’s a good thing! There are so many thoughts online and we encourage you to seek out all the tips & tricks out there. There is no ONE way. Find what works for you and discard the rest.
It’s your cruise, do it your way!
It’s a Ship, Y’all!
We won’t judge you for calling it a boat, but…it’s a ship. While there’s no strict size cutoff, ships tend to be larger than boats and are designed with advanced navigation & stabilization systems used to travel long distances across oceans and seas. Traditionally, if a vessel is large enough to carry smaller watercraft, such as lifeboats, it’s considered a ship. You can carry a boat on a ship, but you can’t carry a ship on a boat.
The more you know, right?
Cruise Tips & Tricks
Browse our personal tips & tricks by category
Before You Go
Learn more about what to do before you go and how to plan ahead like a pro – plus great tips for getting to the port, on the ship, and sailing away in no time.
On Your Cruise
Discover thoughtful tips & helpful tricks to make your on-board experience fun & relaxing. From safety drills & muster stations to on-board spending & dining to activities, & more.
Debarkation
How does the debarkation (getting off the ship) process work? Learn the best dos and don’ts for getting off the ship and back home safely (BOO!). Step one? Try not to cry.
Worried About Cruising?
Having some anxiety and don’t know how to overcome your fears about cruising? It’s only natural. Maybe we can help ease your worries so you can set sail with confidence on the high seas.
About Us
Wanza Madrid
By day, Wanza works in the branded merchandise industry, helping clients distribute their swag to internal & external stakeholders via technology solutions. At night, she loves to immerse herself in a good book or murder stories with Aron, but when her head hits the pillow, she’s likely dreaming about her next cruise adventure. She honestly doesn’t care where the ship is going, as long as it’s going.
~ Cruise Recs Co-founder & Contributor
Aron Madrid
Aron is a certified web accessibility specialist by day, helping clients ensure their websites & applications are accessible to those with disabilities. At night, you’ll likely find him engrossed in a World of Warcraft raid with his guild or watching murder stories with Wanza. He loves ice cream, coffee, and cruising, not necessarily in that order. When the three collide, as they often do, he’s guaranteed to be living his best life.
~ Cruise Recs Co-founder & Contributor
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