Guides

Cruise smarter

No fluff — the practical stuff that keeps port days stress-free.

Money

Cruise Drink Packages Explained: The Rules Nobody Tells You First

How cruise drink packages really work: the household rule, per-drink caps, daily limits, and the break-even maths that decides if yours pays off.

Planning

What's Actually Included in a Cruise Fare (And What Isn't)

Your cruise fare covers your cabin, most meals and all the entertainment. Here's the full list of what's included — and the extras that quietly add up.

Packing

The Cruise Packing List That Knows What Ship Security Confiscates

A cruise-specific packing list: magnetic hooks, non-surge power strips, formal night, port-day gear — and the items security will take at the gangway.

Customs

US Customs Duty-Free Limits for Cruises: $800, $1,600 and the Family Trick

How the CBP duty-free exemption works for cruise passengers: the $800 rule, the $1,600 USVI exception, alcohol limits, family pooling and what duty costs.

Ship Time

What Is Ship Time? The Cruise Time-Zone Rule That Strands Passengers

Ship time is the clock your cruise ship runs on — and it often differs from port time. Here's how it works and how pier runners get left behind.

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Take it offline — get ShipTime

Ship-time clock on your lock screen, gangway alarms that fire with zero signal, duty-free tracking and offline currency conversion. Built for port days.