The Lido Deck

Satisfied on Pride: Chronicles of a First-Time Cruiser

Gina Kramer — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:40:20 +0000

Call it beginner’s luck, but first-time cruiser Darcy00 and her husband’s quick and painless embarkation process was only the first of many pleasant experiences aboard Carnival Pride. Thirty minutes after arriving at the port, she was already onboard and in vacation mode enjoying a juicy Reuben. The couple’s mission for a quiet, peaceful getaway was [...]

Steal of the Week: 17 Nights in South Pacific from $96/Night

Brittany Chrusciel — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:15:11 +0000

Everyone is looking for the deal of the century. So how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Check the Lido Deck each week to get the scoop on our favorite deals — then grab the phone and pack your bags. THE DEAL: Hawaii Cruise Outlet is offering a 17-night Australia and New [...]

A True IQ Test: Turning Off the Lights

Sue Bryant — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:44:41 +0000

Cruise ship cabin design seems to follow the rule that the newer and more luxurious the ship, the more complicated the cabin electronics. I’ve battled with silly showers and crazy curtains, nonfunctioning telephones and “smart” interactive TV systems with messages welcoming another passenger entirely. But I’ve never been defeated by the lighting system. Until now. [...]

A New York Connection?

Dori Saltzman — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:27:25 +0000

From the moment Norwegian Cruise Line first began talking about Norwegian Breakaway, the company made it very clear, this was not just going to be a ship based in New York City, it was going to be a New York City ship. With Broadway shows and hot dog stands, Norwegian President and CEO Kevin Sheehan, [...]

Poll Position: Extra, Extra, Read All About It

Ashley Kosciolek — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:39:32 +0000

There’s been a lot of cruise news lately — some good, some not so good. With a bit of it getting national media attention via mainstream outlets, we sometimes wonder how much is too much. We were curious what our readers think, so we asked…. What we asked: When it comes to cruise news, I [...]

Love Under the Sun

Gina Kramer — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:42:22 +0000

They say once you go “more than a week,” you never go back. This proved true for member DarinPike12, whose first 11-night cruise aboard Norwegian Sun was just enough time for him and his family to soak up the Southern Caribbean rays. Aboard the ship, freestyle dining — although the quality of food wasn’t as [...]

Steal of the Week: 15 Nights in Alaska from $999

Brittany Chrusciel — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:41:15 +0000

Everyone is looking for the deal of the century. So how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Check the Lido Deck each week to get the scoop on our favorite deals — then grab the phone and pack your bags. THE DEAL: AlaskaCruises.com is offering a 15-night Alaska cruise onboard Norwegian Sun, [...]

We’re At Sea: Answers to Your Questions About Norwegian Breakaway

Colleen McDaniel — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:36:46 +0000

On Tuesday, Cruise Critic hosted a live chat about Norwegian Breakaway. We had a great time interacting with readers, who asked fantastic questions. In fact, some of them were so good, we didn’t know the answers. So when we got onboard Breakaway on Wednesday, we made sure to find out all we could for you. [...]

Counting the Calories in Cruise Cuisine

Ashley Kosciolek — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:00:50 +0000

With a nearly unfathomable number of dining options at sea, you can pretty much eat around the clock — and we wanted to know just how many cruisers actually do. So, whether you order one of everything on the menu or strive to maintain your girlish figure… What we asked: While cruising, I generally eat [...]

Gluten-Free Bliss Onboard Ruby Princess

Gina Kramer — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:03:53 +0000

New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees and “The View” co-host Elisabeth Hassebeck are part of the growing gluten-free population, which seems to be gaining more dining options on land but hardly any at sea. Well aware of past troubles associated with finding a cruise that accommodates his wife’s special diet, creampea contacted the staff on Ruby [...]