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
Best Cruises for Friend Getaways That Work
Find the best cruises for friend getaways, from short party sailings to relaxed island escapes, plus tips for cabins, budgets, and group planning made easy.
How to Read a Group Cruise Package Review
Read a group cruise package review the smart way. Compare cabins, perks, policies, planning support, and costs before your group commits to a cruise vacation.
How to Manage Cruise Guest List Changes Calmly
Learn how to manage cruise guest list changes without derailing your group trip, from cabin swaps and cancellations to clear, timely communication early.
How to Avoid Cruise Planning Stress for Groups
Learn how to avoid cruise planning stress with practical group-travel tips for cabins, budgets, deadlines, and support from first idea to boarding calmly.
Are Cruise Taxes Refundable? What Groups Should Know
Are cruise taxes refundable? Learn when port fees may come back, what cancellation rules apply, and how group leaders can plan with confidence together.
Group Cruise vs Resort Trip: Which Fits Your Crew?
Compare a group cruise vs resort trip for cost, convenience, and shared fun. Find the right fit for your crew and plan with less organizer stress today.
Carnival Group Cruise Review for Big Celebrations
Read our Carnival group cruise review for families, friends, teams, and reunions. See the perks, planning challenges, and who gets the best fit for groups.
How to Plan a Fundraiser Cruise Event That Gives Back
Learn how to plan a fundraiser cruise event with a clear goal, the right sailing, simple promotion, and support that keeps every guest smiling onboard.
Reunion Cruise Checklist for a Stress-Free Trip
Use this reunion cruise checklist to organize cabins, payments, travel, and onboard plans so your family can focus on reconnecting together with ease.
Avoid Cruise Hidden Charges Before Your Group Sails
Learn how to avoid cruise hidden charges, from gratuities and Wi-Fi to drink packages, so your group budget stays clear, fair, and ready for more fun.
7 Best Cruise Ships for Teams and Group Trips
Find the best cruise ships for teams with cabins, activities, and expert group planning that turn a team trip into an easy shared win at sea for everyone.
Planning Your Cruise Budget
CRUISE BUDGETING Planning Your Cruise Budget: What to Expect Before You Sail By Captain Chuck A Great Cruise Budget Is Not About Spending the Least — It’s About Knowing What You’re Paying For Before the Vacation Begins. Cruise pricing can look simple at first, but the advertised fare is only one part of the total trip. Transportation, required charges, gratuities, excursions, insurance, dining upgrades and internet can all affect the final budget. The easiest way to avoid surprises is to build your budget in layers. Start with the cruise itself, add the costs required to make the trip happen, then decide which optional experiences are actually worth paying for. QUICK ANSWER What Should Be Included in a Cruise Budget? Plan for the cruise fare, taxes and required charges, gratuities where applicable, transportation to the port, pre- or post-cruise lodging if needed, travel insurance, excursions, internet and any optional dining or
Music Cruises
MUSIC AT SEA Music-Themed Cruises: Sailing with Your Favorite Bands and Artists By Captain Chuck Live Music, Shared Fandom and a Vacation Built Around the Soundtrack You Love. A music-themed cruise can turn a regular vacation into a shared experience built around the artists, genres and communities people already love. Instead of simply attending one concert, travelers get several days together at sea with music woven into the entire trip. The best music cruises balance performances with free time, great ports and the relaxed atmosphere that makes cruising so much fun in the first place. QUICK ANSWER What Makes a Music-Themed Cruise Special? Music-themed cruises combine the energy of live performances with the social side of cruising. Fans can enjoy concerts, casual gatherings and shared experiences while still having access to the ship’s dining, entertainment, pools, lounges and ports. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE Meet Captain Chuck Chuck Lund
Best Cruise Apps for Groups That Keep Everyone Together
Find the best cruise apps for groups, from ship schedules and group chats to shared expenses, so your reunion, team, or celebration stays easy while at sea.
Reimagine Your Company Retreat — Where Business Meets Bold Adventure
CORPORATE GROUP CRUISES Reimagine Your Company Retreat: Where Business Meets Bold Adventure By Captain Chuck Trade the Same Conference Room for a Shared Experience Your Team Will Actually Remember. A company retreat should do more than move meetings to a different building. The best retreats create space for people to think, connect and spend time together outside the usual work routine. A cruise can combine structured meeting time, shared meals, team activities and memorable destinations while still giving employees room to relax and enjoy the trip in their own way. QUICK ANSWER Why Consider a Cruise for a Company Retreat? A cruise can place lodging, dining, entertainment, meeting opportunities and destinations in one shared environment. That can simplify logistics while giving a team a memorable setting for strategy, recognition, relationship-building and downtime. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE Meet Captain Chuck Chuck Lund is the founder of America’s Best Cruises
