Sail Away Blog
Cruise Advice, Planning Tips & Destination Inspiration
Whether you’re planning your first cruise, organizing a group or simply wondering where you should sail next, the Sail Away Blog is here to make cruise planning easier.
Explore practical cruise advice, destination guides, first-time cruiser tips, onboard experiences, specialty cruises and travel essentials without digging through an old-fashioned archive.
- Start with the question you have today. Then follow your curiosity from there.
A REAL PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE
Meet Captain Chuck.
Chuck Lund is the founder of America’s Best Cruises and has spent more than 35 years taking care of people and bringing groups together.
He understands that the best group trips aren’t really about ships, cabins or itineraries. They’re about the people you share them with, the memories you bring home and those wonderful moments when everyone realizes, “We’re really doing this together.”
That’s why Chuck approaches every group cruise personally. He helps take the uncertainty out of planning, keeps everyone informed and handles the countless details that can turn an exciting idea into a stressful job for the group organizer.
His goal is simple: make the planning easier, make the experience more personal and give everyone something wonderful to look forward to.
“I treat every guest like family because that’s what these trips are all about.”
Explore Cruise Advice by Topic
Browse the six main Sail Away Blog categories and jump straight to the cruise information that interests you most.
Planning & Preparation
Choosing a cruise, budgeting, documentation, embarkation and everything you need to feel prepared before you sail.
Destinations & Ports
Explore cruise destinations, ports of call, beaches, cities and unforgettable places to experience before, during and after your cruise.
Group & Family Cruises
Ideas and practical guidance for family reunions, friend groups, clubs, organizations and communities that want to cruise together.
Onboard Experiences
Discover dining, entertainment, activities, relaxation, nightlife and the experiences that make life aboard the ship part of the vacation.
Specialty & Themed Cruises
Explore themed sailings, music cruises, wellness cruises, food and wine experiences, special-interest groups and other distinctive ways to cruise.
Cruise Tips & Travel Essentials
Helpful advice about packing, travel documents, embarkation, safety, money, internet, gratuities and the little details that make cruising easier.
Not Sure Where To Start?
Whether you’re cruising for the first time, planning a group trip or simply deciding where to sail, start with the guide that best matches what you need right now.
First-Time Cruiser? Start Here
New to cruising? Start with the basics, from choosing the right cruise and understanding what’s included to preparing for embarkation and knowing what to expect once you’re onboard.
Planning A Group Cruise? Start Here
Bringing family, friends, a club, organization or online community together at sea? Start here for practical advice on planning, organizing and making a group cruise enjoyable for everyone.
Latest Sail Away Blog Posts
Cruise Buffet Versus Main Dining for Groups
Choosing cruise buffet versus main dining for a group? Compare flexibility, pace, food, and planning tips for a happier sailing together at sea for all.
How to Choose the Perfect Cruise Itinerary Without Regretting It Later
FIRST-TIME CRUISE PLANNING How to Choose the Perfect Cruise Itinerary: Tips for First-Time Cruisers By Captain Chuck The Right Itinerary Is About More Than the Port Names — It’s About the Pace, the Ship and the Kind of Vacation You Want. First-time cruisers often begin by asking, “Where should we go?” That matters, but the better question is, “What kind of cruise do we want to have?” A great itinerary balances destinations, sea days, port hours, travel time ashore and the onboard experience. Choose that balance well and the entire vacation becomes easier. QUICK ANSWER How Do You Choose the Best Cruise Itinerary? Start with the experience you want, then compare the destination region, number of sea days, port times, distance from the ship to major attractions, embarkation port and the ship itself. The best itinerary is the one that matches your interests and preferred pace — not simply the
Checklists & Last‑Minute Reminders
FINAL CRUISE PREP Checklists & Last-Minute Reminders By Captain Chuck Checklists Aren’t Just for Pilots — They’re One of the Easiest Ways to Start a Vacation Calm, Organized and Ready. You can choose the perfect ship, cabin and itinerary and still make embarkation morning harder than it needs to be if the passports are buried, the medication is in a checked suitcase or nobody knows how they are getting to the terminal. This guide puts the final details in one place — from the weeks before departure through your first afternoon onboard and the night before you come home. QUICK ANSWER What Should You Double-Check Before a Cruise? Confirm travel documents, online check-in, transportation, hotel and transfer arrangements, medications, insurance information, luggage tags, your embarkation-day carry-on and any reservations that matter to you. Then verify the latest rules directly with your cruise line and the destinations on your itinerary. MEET
Cruises vs Hotels: Which Is Better for Groups?
Compare cruises vs hotels for group travel, from costs and meals to logistics and flexibility, and choose the trip your guests will love together.
Alaska: An Unforgettable Journey Through the Last Frontier
ALASKA CRUISE ADVENTURES Alaska: An Unforgettable Journey Through the Last Frontier By Captain Chuck Trade Tropical Beaches for Glaciers, Wildlife, Wild Coastlines and One of the Most Memorable Group Cruise Experiences in the World. Alaska feels different from the moment the scenery begins to change. Forested shorelines, snow-covered mountains, glaciers and small frontier ports create a cruise experience that is as much about the journey as the destination. For groups, that shared sense of discovery can be powerful. One traveler may come for wildlife, another for history, another for photography and another simply to sit on deck and watch the landscape pass by. QUICK ANSWER Why Is Alaska So Good for Group Cruising? Alaska combines dramatic scenery, wildlife, historic ports, scenic cruising and a wide range of excursion styles. That makes it especially well suited to multigenerational groups, friends and clubs whose members want different levels of activity but still
Cruise Like a Pro: Insider Tips for First-Time Group Cruisers
FIRST-TIME GROUP CRUISERS Cruise Like a Pro: Insider Tips for First-Time Group Cruisers By Captain Chuck A Little Planning Before You Sail Can Make the Whole Group Feel Like Experienced Cruisers. Your first group cruise should feel exciting, not complicated. The trick is knowing which decisions matter before departure and which things are better left flexible once everyone is onboard. The best group cruises are not the most heavily scheduled. They are the ones where everyone understands the plan, knows where to be for the important moments and still has room to enjoy the vacation their own way. QUICK ANSWER What Should First-Time Group Cruisers Know? Choose the right ship and itinerary, make cabin and payment expectations clear, use one communication hub, arrive prepared, plan only a few shared events and give everyone plenty of freedom. Simplicity is what makes a group cruise feel organized. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE
Top Cruise Activities for Teens They’ll Love
Top cruise activities for teens turn sea days into real fun, from surf simulators and escape rooms to late-night hangouts and shore adventures for all.
The Ultimate Guide to Staying Organized on a Cruise
CRUISE ORGANIZATION The Ultimate Guide to Staying Organized on a Cruise By Captain Chuck Smooth Seas Begin With Smart Prep So Your Group Can Board Relaxed, Stay Connected and Enjoy More of the Trip. A cruise is easier when everyone knows where the important information is, what time the group is meeting and where the essentials live inside the cabin. Good organization is not about turning the vacation into a project. It is about removing the little frustrations that steal time — lost documents, cluttered cabins, missed meetups and last-minute confusion. QUICK ANSWER How Do You Stay Organized on a Cruise? Keep travel details in one place, unpack soon after boarding, assign simple storage zones in the cabin, use one group communication method, keep daily essentials easy to reach and do a quick reset each evening. For groups, a few clear meeting points work better than constant messaging. MEET THE
Budgeting For Your Cruise
SMART CRUISE BUDGETING Budgeting For Your Cruise By Captain Chuck Enjoy the Vacation Without Letting Optional Extras Turn Into an Unwelcome Surprise. A cruise can be an excellent vacation value because your cabin, transportation between destinations and many meals and activities are bundled into one trip. The challenge is that optional spending can quietly grow if you never decide what matters before sailing. The smartest cruise budget is not the smallest one. It is a realistic plan that covers the complete trip, protects the things you value most and leaves room for a little spontaneous fun without creating financial stress later. QUICK ANSWER How Should You Budget for a Cruise? Start with the total trip rather than the advertised cabin fare. Add transportation, hotel nights, required cruise charges, excursions, optional dining, internet, insurance if purchased and personal spending. Then decide which extras matter to you, set a comfortable limit and
What Great Fundraiser Cruise Results Look Like
Fundraiser cruise results depend on smart goals, group support, and clear reporting. See how to measure success and plan a cruise people love together.
Cruise Etiquette
FIRST-TIME CRUISE ETIQUETTE Cruise Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts For First-Time Cruisers By Captain Chuck A Little Courtesy Goes a Long Way on a Ship Shared by Thousands of Travelers. A cruise is part resort, part transportation system and part temporary neighborhood. Everyone is sharing elevators, dining rooms, pools, hallways, theaters and port-day schedules. Good cruise etiquette is mostly common sense: respect shared spaces, follow safety instructions, be thoughtful about noise and remember that your vacation is happening alongside everyone else’s. QUICK ANSWER What Are the Most Important Cruise Etiquette Rules? Learn the ship early, follow safety procedures, respect lines and shared spaces, keep noise reasonable, be considerate of crew and fellow passengers and do not reserve chairs or other shared facilities you are not actively using. For groups, keep meetups organized without taking over public spaces. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE Meet Captain Chuck Chuck Lund is the founder
Evening Entertainment on Cruises: Shows, Casinos & Nightlife
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT AT SEA Evening Entertainment on Cruises: Shows, Casinos & Nightlife By Captain Chuck When the Sun Sets, the Ship Lights Up and a Whole New Side of the Cruise Begins. Cruise evenings can feel completely different from the daytime experience. After a port day or an afternoon by the pool, the ship shifts into shows, live music, themed events, lounges, comedy, dancing and late-night gathering spaces. For groups, the best evenings usually come from choosing a few shared highlights and leaving enough flexibility for everyone to follow the energy that suits them. QUICK ANSWER What Kind of Evening Entertainment Is Available on a Cruise? Depending on the ship, evenings may include large theater productions, live bands, comedy, themed parties, karaoke, lounges, dancing and other age-appropriate venues. Some activities require reservations or have age restrictions, so checking the daily schedule is the easiest way to plan. MEET THE PERSON
Cruise Reunions That Bring Everyone Together
Cruise reunions make it easy to gather loved ones, share new memories, and relax together. Learn how to plan a smooth group sailing with help today.
Why Cruise From Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE CRUISE DEPARTURES Why Cruise From Jacksonville By Captain Chuck A Convenient Florida Departure Port Can Make the Beginning and End of Your Group Cruise Much Easier. When people compare cruises, they naturally focus on the ship and itinerary. The departure port deserves just as much attention because it affects flights, driving, parking, hotels, transfers and how relaxed everyone feels when embarkation day begins. Jacksonville can be especially appealing for groups traveling from Florida, Georgia and other parts of the Southeast. JAXPORT combines airport access, major-highway access, on-site cruise parking and both year-round and seasonal cruise service. QUICK ANSWER Why Consider Cruising From Jacksonville? Jacksonville is worth considering when convenience matters as much as the itinerary. The cruise terminal is about 12 miles from Jacksonville International Airport, has on-site parking next to the terminal and currently serves Carnival year-round plus seasonal Norwegian Cruise Line sailings. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE
Relaxation and Luxury: The Best Spas and Pools on Cruise Ships
RELAXATION AT SEA Relaxation and Luxury: The Best Spas and Pools on Cruise Ships By Captain Chuck Some of the Best Cruise Memories Come From Doing Absolutely Nothing — Beautifully. Cruises are filled with ports, shows, dining and activities, but some travelers remember the quiet moments most: a warm lounger, a peaceful pool, a spa treatment or an hour watching the ocean with nowhere else to be. The best spa-and-pool experience depends less on finding one “best” ship and more on choosing the kind of relaxation that suits you: quiet, social, scenic, private or wellness-focused. QUICK ANSWER How Do You Find the Best Cruise Spas and Pools? Compare the ship’s pool layout, adult-only or family areas, thermal-suite access, treatment options, reservation requirements and whether spa facilities are included or carry an extra charge. Then choose the ship that matches how you actually want to relax. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE
