When it comes to cruising, we think that longer is better.  Recently though we enjoyed the newly refurbished Norwegian Sky for a three night sailing, and it reminded us that sometimes a weekend getaway on a great ship is just what the doctor ordered.  Ric and Billy talk about their staterooms, the various packages NCL offers, as well as dining, drinking, and enjoying all that Norwegian Sky and Great Stirrup Cay has to offer.

Norwegian Sky 3 Night Cruise Live Blog
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/norwegian-sky-live-blog

The Best Time to Cruise - CruiseHabit Podcast Episode 16
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/best-time-cruise-cruisehabit-podcast-episode-16

The Difference Between Stateroom Types, Categories & Guarantees: Demystifying the Stateroom Selection
https://www.cruisehabit.com/difference-between-stateroom-types-categories-guarantees-demystifying-stateroom-selection

Uber, Lyft, Cabs, Shuttles? How to Get to and from Your Cruise Easily & Cheaply
https://www.cruisehabit.com/uber-lyft-cabs-shuttles-how-get-and-your-cruise-easily-cheaply

Manila SOUL - The band we enjoyed on Norwegian Sky
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Manila-SOUL-341039609561940/posts/

Key West - Great Cruise Destinations Don't Have to Be Far Away - Episode 2
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/key-west-great-cruise-destinations-dont-have-be-far-away-episode-2

Mariner of the Seas Live Blog
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9322-mariner-of-the-seas-liveishblog-917-922/

Want to book a trip like ours? Get help from a great travel agent and support the show!
https://www.cruisehabit.com/content/get-help-great-travel-agent

Usually when we think of planning for a cruise, the thoughts are about fun, relaxation, and getting away from it all. Things happen though, and travel insurance can help take the sting out of unfortunate circumstance - but only if you understand it, and buy the right type of policy for your needs.  We've discussed trip insurance before at CruiseHabit.com, but with hurricane season just beginning, we thoughts we'd cover the seven things you should know about travel insurance.

How to Pick the Right Travel Insurance Policy for Your Next Cruise
https://www.CruiseHabit.com/insurance

Cruising During Hurricane Season
https://www.CruiseHabit.com/hurricanes

Royal Caribbean Blog's Hotel Reviews
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/hotels

Comparing Cruise Line Credit Cards
https://www.cruisehabit.com/comparing-cruise-line-credit-cards

Should I Use a Travel Agent or Book Directly with a Cruise Line?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/should-i-use-travel-agent-or-book-directly-cruise-line

I mentioned my awesome travel agent - you can try them out yourself!
http://bit.ly/2XPIPnE

On this special episode we sat down with Frank Del Rio, the President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.  We discuss his journey from a boy in Cuba to the CEO of a publicly traded company, the cruise industry's growth potential, fleet expansions, what he's most excited about at NCL, Oceania, & Regent Seven Seas, and more.   

Norwegian Sky Emerges From Three-Week Drydock with New Lounges, Starbucks, Sushi Bar, and More
https://www.cruisehabit.com/norwegian-sky-emerges-three-week-drydock-new-lounges-starbucks-sushi-bar-and-more

OceaniaNEXT, Including a $100 Million Overhaul of Oceania's R-Class Ships
https://www.cruisehabit.com/oceania-cruises-announces-100m-overhaul-r-class-ships-first-step-oceanianext-initiative

Norwegian Bliss Details Revealed Including Laser Tag & Largest Competitive Racetrack at Sea
https://www.cruisehabit.com/norwegian-bliss-details-revealed-including-laser-tag-largest-competitive-racetrack-sea

Oceania Cruises Orders Two Allura-Class Ships - Will Offer More Space for Guest
https://www.cruisehabit.com/oceania-cruises-orders-two-allura-class-ships-will-offer-more-space-guests

HAL Nieuw Statendam Live Blog
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/nieuw-statendam-live-blog

Planning a cruise requires a lot of decision making.  Some things come down to preference, but if you're looking for the cheapest time of the year to cruise Alaska or the Caribbean we can help.  After analyzing thousands of price points across the year, we go over the most economical and most expensive times to sail, as well as why the time of year matters.

Which cruise line is best for me? The differences between cruise lines. (explaining different types of lines)
https://www.cruisehabit.com/which-cruise-line-best-me-differences-between-cruise-lines

What are repositioning cruises?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/what-are-repositioning-cruises

Nieuw Amsterdam Live Blog
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/nieuw-amsterdam-live-blog

What happens if I book a cruise and then the price goes down?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/what-happens-if-i-book-cruise-and-then-price-goes-down

A 'Fare' Price - Cruise Pricing & Promotions Explained
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/fare-price-cruise-pricing-promotions-explained-cruisehabit-podcast-episode-15

Key West - Great Cruise Destinations Don't Have to Be Far Away
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/key-west-great-cruise-destinations-dont-have-be-far-away-episode-2

Cruise pricing can require a lit bit of explanation, but sales and promotions can be even more confusing.  Some promotions aren't combinable, sales can take percentages off rates that aren't easily found, and different packages offer different levels of value depending on what you're looking for.  Whether you're hunting for the best deal, or just trying to understand how much a cruise will cost you, we'll try and make it a bit easier to understand.

How Much Does it Cost to Dock a Cruise Ship?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/how-much-does-it-cost-dock-cruise-ship

Should I use a travel agent or book directly with a cruise line?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/should-i-use-travel-agent-or-book-directly-cruise-line

What Is Onboard Credit (OBC) & How Can You Use It?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/what-onboard-credit-obc-how-can-you-use-it

Cruise Line Beverage Packages: Should you get a drink package?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/cruise-line-beverage-packages-should-you-get-drink-package

What happens if I book a cruise and then the price goes down?
https://www.cruisehabit.com/what-happens-if-i-book-cruise-and-then-price-goes-down

First Glimpse of Virgin Voyages Prices
https://www.cruisehabit.com/first-glimpse-virgin-voyages-prices 

Over the past couple years we've had the opportunity to watch a new cruise line emerge.  With details of Virgin Voyages trickling out at a pace that leaves us constantly wanting more, we thought we'd take this episode to share what we know so far about Sir Richard Branson's first dive into cruising.  We talk about who is behind the line, what the ship will be like, the things that make Virgin Voyages so different - and even tattoos.  Check out the links below for photos, renderings and more information. 

Virgin Voyages Reveals Additional Details: No passengers and no children.
https://www.cruisehabit.com/virgin-voyages-reveals-additional-details-no-passengers-and-no-children

Branson promised different, did Virgin deliver? A First Look at Virgin Voyages' Cruise Ships!
https://www.cruisehabit.com/branson-promised-different-did-virgin-deliver-first-look-virgin-voyages-cruise-ships

Virgin Voyages Gives Sailors (Cruisers) Another Way to Remember Their Sailing - With Tattoos at Sea!
https://www.cruisehabit.com/virgin-voyages-gives-cruises-another-way-remember-their-sailing-tattoos-sea

Virgin Voyages Names First Ship, Aims to Keep Sailors & the Environment Healthy
https://www.cruisehabit.com/virgin-voyages-names-first-ship-aims-keep-sailors-environment-healthy

Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady to Deliver Distinctly Non-Cruise Dining. Drag Brunch & Food Hall? Yes. Buffet & Dining Room? Nope.
https://www.cruisehabit.com/virgin-voyages-scarlet-lady-deliver-distinctly-non-cruise-dining-drag-brunch-food-hall-yes-buffet

Virgin Voyages Reveals Clever Cabins and RockStar Suites on Scarlet Lady
https://www.cruisehabit.com/virgin-voyages-reveals-clever-cabins-and-rockstar-suites-scarlet-lady

First Glimpse of Virgin Voyages Prices
https://www.cruisehabit.com/first-glimpse-virgin-voyages-prices

All Virgin Voyages Articles
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/virgin-voyages

One thing every great vacation has in common is a beginning. On a cruise, that's called Embarkation Day. From when to show up at the terminal, to where to find food, but avoid crowds when everyone else is heading to the buffet, we're covering everything you need to know about your first day onboard.

CruiseHabit.com Packing List and Artlicles
https://www.cruisehabit.com/packing

Cruise Line Transfers
https://www.cruisehabit.com/getting-and-your-cruise-cruise-line-transfers

Hotel "Park and Cruise" Packages
https://www.cruisehabit.com/hotel-park-and-cruise-packages-what-know-about-hotel-shuttles-and-your-cruise-port

Uber, Lyft, cabs, and other ways to get to the port
https://www.cruisehabit.com/uber-lyft-cabs-shuttles-how-get-and-your-cruise-easily-cheaply

12 Things You Should Do the First Day of Your Cruise
https://www.cruisehabit.com/12-things-you-should-do-first-day-your-cruise

Looking back on great cruises is nice, but looking forward to those trips we have ahead of us is even more exciting.  On this episode Ric and Billy discuss their 2018 cruises and talk about where they'll be sailing in 2019.

MSC Seaside Live Blog
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/msc-seaside-live-blog

Mariner of the Seas Live Blog
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9322-mariner-of-the-seas-liveishblog-917-922/

Celebrity Infinity Live Blog
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/celebrity-infinity-live-blog

Celebrity Edge Live Blog
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/celebrity-edge-live-blog

Celebrity Revolution
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/celebrity-revolution

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast - Three Wishes
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-281-three-wishes

CruiseHabit's Instagram Account
https://www.instagram.com/cruisehabit/

Royal Caribbean Blog January Orlando Meet
https://www.facebook.com/events/275209570009792/

When cruising Celebrity Edge, we found that Eden isn't just a bar, restaurant, show, cafe, or lounge - nor is it all those things smashed into one space.  Struggling to describe Eden, and especially the experiences this fantastic space provides, we decided it would be best to dedicate an entire episode to just this topic.  We've also linked to a number of relevant photos in the notes below.

Celebrity Edge December Live Blog Posts
www.cruisehabit.com/tags/celebrity-edge-live-blog

Eden on Celebrity Edge, Photos & Videos
www.cruisehabit.com/eden-celebrity-edge-photo-album

In part two of our review of Celebrity Edge, we start discussing the entertainment options around Edge, mention some crew members and officers, and even cover what we wish was different on this great new ship.  If you've not yet listened to the first part of this episode, you can find it linked in the show notes below, along with pictures, video, and more.

Celebrity Edge December Live Blog Posts
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/celebrity-edge-live-blog

Celebrity Edge in Review Part 1 - Episode 9
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/celebrity-edge-review-part-1-cruisehabit-podcast-episode-9

La Petite Chef & Friends on Celebrity Edge (including video of each course)
https://www.cruisehabit.com/le-petit-chef-and-friends-celebrity-edge

Ric and Billy were fortunate enough to be among the first guests to sail on Celebrity's newest ship, Celebrity Edge.  Being the first ship in a new class there is a lot to share, so we've split our review of our three night sailing into two episodes.  They're a bit longer than usual, but we think you'll enjoy learning about the Magic Carpet, Eden, La Petite Chef, the wonderful crew, and so much more that Edge has to offer.  For photos and videos, be sure to check out our live blogs and other articles linked in the show notes below.

Celebrity Edge December Live Blog Posts
https://www.cruisehabit.com/tags/celebrity-edge-live-blog

Original Announcement of Terminal 25 (from March 2017)
https://www.cruisehabit.com/rccl-signs-deal-port-everglades-customized-rennovations-terminal-25

Celebrity Edge Preview Podcast - Episode 6
https://www.cruisehabit.com/podcast/celebrity-edge-preview-episode-6

La Petite Chef & Friends on Celebrity Edge (including video of each course)
https://www.cruisehabit.com/le-petit-chef-and-friends-celebrity-edge