Choosing and booking a cruise: cruise lines and who they suit, ships and cabins, itineraries, loyalty programs, booking and fare changes, explained with dated sources.https://cruisechampion.net/enhttps://cruisechampion.net/cruise-deposit-and-final-payment-deadlines/https://cruisechampion.net/cruise-deposit-and-final-payment-deadlines/Your final payment date and the date cancellation charges start aren't always the same day. What Royal Caribbean's and Celebrity's US terms say, with an invented example of what cancelling would cost at each stage.Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTbooking-and-fareshttps://cruisechampion.net/cruise-port-time-versus-time-ashore/https://cruisechampion.net/cruise-port-time-versus-time-ashore/Scheduled port hours overstate the time you'll actually spend ashore. A worked example with two invented itineraries shows how all-aboard times, tenders, clocks and travel from the pier change the comparison.Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTitineraries-and-portshttps://cruisechampion.net/assigned-cabin-or-guarantee-category/https://cruisechampion.net/assigned-cabin-or-guarantee-category/A Royal Caribbean guarantee lets the line assign your cabin. What the US FAQ says you give up, a worked example with invented fares, and what to confirm before you take one.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTships-and-cabinshttps://cruisechampion.net/celebrity-cruises-review-who-it-suits/https://cruisechampion.net/celebrity-cruises-review-who-it-suits/Celebrity may suit you if what its ships offer matches your trip and your cabin gives you access to it. Two ships show how much the line varies, and what to check first.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTcruise-lineshttps://cruisechampion.net/cruise-cabin-bed-layout-check-before-booking/https://cruisechampion.net/cruise-cabin-bed-layout-check-before-booking/Need separate beds? More space alone doesn't confirm the layout. Check what the listing for your exact ship, category and sailing says, and confirm what it leaves out.Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTships-and-cabinshttps://cruisechampion.net/cruise-package-or-basic-fare/https://cruisechampion.net/cruise-package-or-basic-fare/A drinks-and-Wi-Fi bundle only saves money if it replaces purchases you'd actually make. A worked example using Celebrity's All Included, with invented prices and the gratuity trap to avoid.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTbooking-and-fareshttps://cruisechampion.net/radiance-of-the-seas-balcony-or-junior-suite/https://cruisechampion.net/radiance-of-the-seas-balcony-or-junior-suite/On Radiance of the Seas, the Junior Suite advertises 120 more square feet of interior space than an Ocean View Balcony, a larger balcony and a tub. What that changes for two adults, and what to check for your cabin.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTships-and-cabinshttps://cruisechampion.net/book-cruise-direct-or-travel-agent/https://cruisechampion.net/book-cruise-direct-or-travel-agent/Compare who handles cruise changes, conditional refund routes and incentive terms when booking direct or through Costco Travel, using Royal Caribbean as an example.Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTbooking-and-fareshttps://cruisechampion.net/compare-cruise-quotes-same-sailing/https://cruisechampion.net/compare-cruise-quotes-same-sailing/Two quotes for the same cruise can look far apart until you match the units and the extras. A worked example, including when onboard credit actually saves you money.Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTbooking-and-fareshttps://cruisechampion.net/crown-and-anchor-society-points-tiers-and-benefits/https://cruisechampion.net/crown-and-anchor-society-points-tiers-and-benefits/How Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society earns points and tiers, what some benefits include, and how household status, status matching and Points Choice differ.Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTloyaltyhttps://cruisechampion.net/royal-caribbean-review-who-it-suits/https://cruisechampion.net/royal-caribbean-review-who-it-suits/Royal Caribbean may suit you if its activities appeal and the exact ship, cabin and total price fit. Two ships show how much the line varies, and what to check first.Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTcruise-lineshttps://cruisechampion.net/track-cruise-fare-changes/https://cruisechampion.net/track-cruise-fare-changes/Seen your cruise advertised for less? Check it's the same offer and compare whole-cabin totals. A lower price is an observation, not a refund, so ask where you booked.Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMTbooking-and-fares