Wonder of the Seas Mediterranean Cruise: 6 Lessons We Learned
Our first Mediterranean cruise was Wonder of the Seas in 2022. Six lessons from that week, and how they made our 2024 Oasis Star Class trip so much better.
Read the dispatch →Sailed it · Rated it · Told the truth
Cruise ship reviews from ships we actually sailed.
Not aggregated scores, not press releases. These are our own sailings and ship walkthroughs, with the honest downsides included, and a clear answer on who each ship is right for.
We have sailed everything from the biggest ship in the world to a renovated classic on a five-night getaway, plus adults-only Virgin Voyages and Norwegian's newest hardware. The pattern we keep landing on: the right ship is about fit, not size or newness. Every review below says who it suits and who should book something else.
Royal Caribbean
Utopia of the Seas Back-to-Back Cruise Review (3 + 4 Nights)
We sailed Utopia of the Seas 3 and 4 nights back to back with a Virgin Voyages expert. How the turnaround works, the crowds, the noise, and who should book.
Read the dispatch →
Allure of the Seas Review: 8 Nights in the Southern Caribbean
Our honest Allure of the Seas review after 8 nights in the Southern Caribbean: the balcony cabin verdict, dining wins, the ports, and what we'd skip.
Read the dispatch →
Symphony of the Seas Review: Is a Holiday Cruise Worth It?
Our honest Symphony of the Seas holiday cruise review: quick verdict, who it suits, the Crown Loft Suite, festive decor, and the onboard community.
Read the dispatch →
Freedom of the Seas Reviews (2026): An Honest Take
Our honest Freedom of the Seas review for 2026, rated 4.5 after sailing her: cabins, dining, the Solarium, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and who she's for.
Read the dispatch →
Harmony of the Seas Star Class Review: Is It Worth It?
Harmony of the Seas Star Class review from a Mother's Day sailing: what the Royal Genie does, the 2-Bedroom Aqua Theater Suite, and if it's worth it.
Read the dispatch →
Icon of the Seas Review: Is It Worth It? An Honest Family Take
Is Icon of the Seas worth it? Our honest family review of Royal Caribbean's largest ship: quick verdict, the Surfside Family Suite, dining, Crown's Edge.
Read the dispatch →Virgin Voyages
Resilient Lady RockStar Suite Review vs Royal Caribbean
Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady Rockstar Suite review: the Seriously Suite vs Royal Caribbean Sky Class on perks, dining, entertainment, Wi-Fi and fit.
Read the dispatch →
Valiant Lady Review: Virgin Voyages' Adults-Only Ship
Our honest Valiant Lady review of Virgin Voyages' adults-only ship: quick verdict, who it suits, included dining, theme nights, and roll call friendships.
Read the dispatch →Toured and previewed
Ships we walked in person at the pier, or previewed ahead of launch. No star rating on these, because a walkthrough is not a sailing, and we will not score a ship we have not slept on.
Norwegian Luna Review: First Impressions and Who It Is Right For
An honest Norwegian Luna review after touring NCL's newest Prima Plus ship in Miami. Quick verdict, what stood out, what underwhelmed, and who it suits.
Read the dispatch →
Odyssey of the Seas Review from Cape Liberty (Bayonne, NJ)
Odyssey of the Seas review from a tour at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ. Quick verdict, who it suits, staterooms, dining, and if sailing from NJ is worth it.
Read the dispatch →
Brilliant Lady Review: First Look at Virgin's Newest Ship
Step onboard Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady: dining, cabins, inclusions, entertainment, and why travel advisors recommend this adults-only cruise.
Read the dispatch →
Royal Caribbean Mediterranean Family Cruise: Star Class on Oasis
Our family's Western Mediterranean cruise, from Madrid to Barcelona to Star Class aboard Oasis of the Seas, with tips for families and groups.
Read the dispatch →Still deciding?
A ship review answers "is this ship good." These guides answer the questions that come before it: which line fits your group, what a cruise really costs once the extras land, and when to book.
Questions we get about these reviews
Are these cruise reviews based on real sailings?
Yes. Every review marked as sailed is a voyage we were onboard for, in the cabin category named in the post. The ships listed under toured and previewed are ones we walked in person at the pier or previewed before launch, and those posts carry no star rating on purpose, because a walkthrough is not a sailing.
Which cruise ship do you recommend for a first cruise?
It depends on who is traveling, which is why we publish who each ship is right for instead of a single winner. Read the review of the ship you are considering, then compare it against our guide to which cruise line is right for you.
Do you get paid for positive reviews?
No. We are a travel agency, so we earn commission from the cruise line when we book a client, but that is the same whichever ship you pick. The reviews name what underwhelmed as well as what worked, because a wrong-fit booking costs us a client relationship worth far more than one sailing.
not sure which ship?
Tell us who is traveling, we'll tell you the ship.
We match the ship to the trip, cabin category included. No fee to you, and we have slept in every category we recommend.