Carnival Encounter

Cruise ships were built to entertain strangers, not introduce them. Here is what actually works onboard, what does not, and why the best connections start before you board.

Gratuities, service charges, Wi-Fi, drink packages and excursions can turn a $999 cruise into a $2,200 vacation. What each line actually charges, and how to see it coming.

Solo cruising doesn’t have to mean awkward mixers, lonely dinners, or talking only to the bartender. Here’s how to meet people, flirt without being creepy, handle rejection, and make real connections at sea.

What a cruise roll call is, where to find one, why they fall apart, and how to actually meet the people sailing with you.