Cruise Line Deep Dives

Loyalty programs, drink package math, and honest line vs line comparisons.

• Carnival VIFP Levels and the Move to Carnival Rewards

  VIFP became Carnival Rewards on September 1, 2026. Understand the old levels, new points and stars, enrollment and protected status.

• Celebrity vs Royal Caribbean: Which Should You Book?

  Compare Celebrity and Royal by ship activities, room design and complete fare, including the current All Included and loyalty rules.

• Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society Explained

  Royal Caribbean tier thresholds, suite and solo points, drink vouchers, family matching and Points Choice explained without perk promises.

• Icon Class Ships Compared

  Compare Icon, Star, Legend and the announced Hero of the Seas by homeport, shows, dining and family features, with launch plans clearly separated.

• Is a Disney Cruise Worth the Price?

  Compare Disney themes, included dining and youth clubs against the full family fare, with honest limits on service and price comparisons.

• MSC Voyagers Club Status Match Guide

  MSC status match is a one time application. Check eligible programs, approval timing, future booking discounts and the Blue Diamond exception.

• Norwegian's Free at Sea: What Is Actually Free?

  Norwegian Free at Sea selection rules, prepaid charges, dining limits and shore credit, including differences for older reservations.

• Oasis Class Ships Compared

  Compare the six operating Oasis class ships by renovations, suite spaces, itinerary length and cabin location, including Harmony's 2026 update.

• Princess Plus vs Princess Premier: Which Should You Pick?

  How Princess Plus and Princess Premier bundle drinks, wifi, and gratuities, and how to work out which tier actually pays for itself.

• Royal Caribbean Drink Package Math: Is It Worth It?

  How to work out your own break even point on a Royal Caribbean drink package, without guessing at a price that changes by sailing.

• What Is Included on Virgin Voyages?

  Virgin dining, drink and internet inclusions, fare tier differences and the separate gratuity rules for newer or modified bookings.

• Is Holland America Have It All Worth It?

  See what Have It All includes, its current drink limits and exclusions, plus a worked calculation showing when the Holland America bundle saves money.

• Oceania vs Explora Journeys: Which Fits Your Trip?

  Compare Oceania and Explora on cabin space, drinks, dining, families and total cost, with current policy sources and passenger reports.

• Regent vs Silversea: Which Costs Less Overall?

  Compare Regent and Silversea fares, excursions, flights, suites and cancellation terms, with a clearly hypothetical budget for two.

• What Is Included on Explora Journeys?

  Explora includes most dining, selected premium drinks, internet and tips. See Anthology charges, restaurant booking windows and suite benefit limits.

• What Is Included on Oceania Cruises?

  Oceania includes specialty dining, tips and basic internet. Understand the wine or excursion credit choice, laundry limits and older booking terms.

More guide topics: Booking With an Agent · Cruising From US Home Ports · First Time Cruisers · Passports and Documents · Cruise Money Guide · When to Book · Cabins and Staterooms · Food and Dining · Health and Safety at Sea · Packing Guides · Ports and Excursions · Families and Comparisons · Alaska Cruising · Europe and the Med · Casino Offers and Deals · Holiday and Seasonal Cruising · Cruise Curiosities · Practical Edge Cases · Dietary and Special Diets