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
Top Onboard Activities For Kids & Teens
FAMILY CRUISING Top Onboard Activities for Kids & Teens By Captain Chuck The Right Ship Can Give Kids Their Own Adventure While the Whole Family Still Enjoys the Vacation Together. A family cruise works best when younger travelers have activities that feel designed for them rather than simply being invited along for the adults’ vacation. Today’s cruise ships can offer kids clubs, teen spaces, pools, sports, games, shows and family activities that keep different age groups engaged. For multigenerational groups, that variety is especially valuable. Kids and teens can enjoy age-appropriate activities while parents and grandparents choose their own pace, then everyone reconnects for meals, shows and shared family moments. QUICK ANSWER What Are the Best Cruise Activities for Kids and Teens? Depending on the ship, top options can include supervised youth clubs, teen lounges, pools and splash areas, sports courts, mini-golf, arcade-style games, scavenger hunts, family shows and organized
Cruise Insurance for Group Travelers Made Clear
Cruise insurance for group travelers protects deposits, medical care, and plans. See what to compare before your whole group sails together confidently.
Smooth Sailing- Best Tips
GROUP CRUISING Setting Sail Together: Why Group Cruises Create Better Shared Vacations By Captain Chuck One Ship, One Shared Adventure and Enough Freedom for Everyone to Enjoy the Vacation Their Own Way. Group travel sounds wonderful until one person becomes responsible for restaurants, transportation, activities, lodging and everyone else’s schedule. A cruise solves much of that problem by putting the essentials in one place. Families, friends, clubs, online communities, organizations and special-interest groups can travel together without having to spend every hour together. That balance is one of the biggest reasons cruising works so well for groups. QUICK ANSWER Why Are Cruises So Good for Groups? Cruises give groups one shared home base while allowing individual travelers to choose their own dining, entertainment, port activities and downtime. The logistics are simpler than many land vacations and a few planned group moments can create strong shared memories without over-scheduling everyone. MEET
Cruise Spa & Fitness
WELLNESS AT SEA Cruise Spa & Fitness: Relax, Recharge and Stay Active at Sea By Captain Chuck From Quiet Spa Time to Ocean-View Workouts, Your Cruise Can Be as Restful or Active as You Want It to Be. A cruise can be a chance to slow down, move more or do a little of both. Modern ships often combine fitness centers, walking areas, pools, spa facilities and wellness-focused spaces in one easy vacation setting. The best approach is not trying to turn your cruise into a rigid wellness program. Choose the activities that help you feel good, leave room for rest and let the vacation stay enjoyable. QUICK ANSWER What Spa and Fitness Options Can You Find on a Cruise? Depending on the ship, travelers may find fitness centers, walking tracks, pools, group exercise classes, spa treatments, thermal areas and quiet relaxation spaces. Some are included while others may require
Inside Cabin Versus Oceanview Cabin Choices
Comparing an inside cabin versus oceanview cabin? See costs, comfort, sleep, and group-planning tips to choose the right cruise room for everyone onboard.
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
Navigating the Ship: A Guide to Understanding Cruise Ship Layouts
CRUISE SHIP BASICS Navigating the Ship: A Guide to Understanding Cruise Ship Layouts By Captain Chuck Learn the Ship Once and the Rest of the Cruise Gets a Whole Lot Easier. Cruise ships can feel enormous on embarkation day. Multiple decks, long corridors, several elevator banks and dozens of venues can make even experienced travelers stop and check a map. The good news is that most ships become surprisingly easy to understand once you learn a few basic ideas: forward, midship, aft, port, starboard and which decks contain the places you will use most often. QUICK ANSWER What Is the Easiest Way to Learn a Cruise Ship? Start by learning where your cabin is relative to the nearest elevator or stairwell. Then identify the main dining areas, theater, pool deck and guest-services area. Once those anchor points make sense, the rest of the ship becomes much easier to navigate. MEET
Best Cruises for College Reunions That Fit
Find the best cruises for college reunions, plus expert advice on ships, cabins, budgets, and group plans that keep every classmate included and happy.
Mediterranean Marvels: The 7 Ports You Absolutely Can’t Miss in 2026
MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES Mediterranean Marvels: The 7 Ports You Absolutely Can’t Miss in 2026 By Captain Chuck Ancient Cities, Island Views, Legendary Architecture and Seven Ports That Can Turn One Cruise Into a Journey Across Civilizations. Few cruise regions deliver as much variety in one itinerary as the Mediterranean. One sailing can combine Roman ruins, Greek islands, medieval walls, world-famous architecture and cities where centuries of history are still visible around every corner. For groups, the Mediterranean works especially well because every port offers several ways to spend the day. Some travelers can focus on history while others choose food, scenery, shopping or a slower walk through town. QUICK ANSWER Which Mediterranean Cruise Ports Should Be on Your List? Seven standout ports are Barcelona, Rome through Civitavecchia, Santorini, Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Athens through Piraeus and Istanbul. Together they deliver an extraordinary mix of architecture, history, island scenery and culture. MEET THE PERSON
Why Cruise From Galveston?
CRUISING FROM TEXAS Why Cruise From Galveston By Captain Chuck A Convenient Texas Homeport, Easy Drive-To Appeal and a Gateway to the Caribbean and Beyond. Galveston has become a major choice for travelers who want to begin their cruise without automatically adding a flight to Florida. For families, friends and larger groups across Texas and the surrounding region, that can make the entire vacation easier to organize. The Port of Galveston is Texas’ cruise homeport and offers multiple cruise terminals, official port parking and sailings from major cruise lines. The real advantage is simple: your vacation can begin with fewer moving parts. QUICK ANSWER Why Choose a Cruise From Galveston? Galveston can be especially convenient for travelers who can drive to the port, want official parking close to the terminals or prefer a Texas departure for Caribbean-focused itineraries. It can also work beautifully for groups because members from several nearby
Travel Agent or Cruise Planner for Your Group?
Choosing a travel agent or cruise planner for a group? Learn who handles cabins, rates, perks, and details so you can enjoy the sailing too with ease.
Nightlife at Sea: The Best Bars, Clubs and Shows on Cruise Ships
EVENINGS AT SEA Nightlife at Sea: The Best Bars, Clubs and Shows on Cruise Ships By Captain Chuck When the Sun Goes Down, the Ship Becomes a Completely Different Kind of Destination. Cruise nights can be every bit as memorable as the ports. Production shows, live music, comedy, karaoke, themed parties and late-evening lounges give travelers plenty of ways to enjoy the ship after dinner. For groups, the smartest approach is not trying to do everything. Pick a few shared nights, keep the rest optional and let everyone enjoy the kind of evening that fits their energy. QUICK ANSWER What Kind of Nightlife Can You Expect on a Cruise? Depending on the ship, evenings may include Broadway-style productions, live bands, comedy, karaoke, dance venues, themed deck parties, lounges and late-night entertainment. Some venues or events may have age restrictions or require reservations. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE Meet Captain
South Pacific Wonders
SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISES South Pacific Wonders By Captain Chuck Turquoise Lagoons, Volcanic Islands, Polynesian Culture and the Kind of Scenery That Makes the Journey Feel Extraordinary. The South Pacific is one of cruising’s most distinctive regions because the experience is not built around one famous city or one iconic attraction. It is the combination of remote islands, vast stretches of ocean, dramatic landscapes and cultures that feel completely different from one another. For groups, that variety can be a huge advantage. Some travelers may want lagoon excursions and beaches while others are drawn to culture, scenery or a slower day ashore. The right itinerary gives everyone something memorable. QUICK ANSWER Why Cruise the South Pacific? A South Pacific cruise combines island scenery, Polynesian and Melanesian cultures, tropical ports, long scenic sea passages and destinations that can be difficult to experience efficiently on a traditional land vacation. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND
Cruise Gratuities Guide for Stress-Free Groups
Our cruise gratuities guide explains daily service charges, prepaid tips, drink gratuities, and what groups should budget before they sail together as one.
Culinary Cruises: Food & Wine Adventures On The Ocean
THEME & SPECIALTY CRUISES Culinary Cruises: Food & Wine Adventures On The Ocean By Captain Chuck • May 28, 2026 Sail Together — Explore Flavors, Cultures and Laughter Beneath the Horizon A culinary cruise is more than a vacation with good food. It is a journey where the flavors of each destination become part of the experience. Markets, regional dishes, specialty restaurants, tastings and shared meals can turn a cruise into one long conversation around the table. QUICK ANSWER What Is a Culinary Cruise? A culinary cruise is a sailing that places extra emphasis on food, wine and destination-inspired dining through tastings, specialty restaurants, chef demonstrations, cooking experiences and food-focused shore activities. MEET THE PERSON BEHIND THE ADVICE Meet Captain Chuck Chuck Lund is the founder of America’s Best Cruises and a retired Captain with over 35 years of experience taking care of his guests. He brings the same attention
