Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year but working with a tight budget? With skyrocketing food prices, it’s all too easy to go over your budget. Fortunately, Trader Joe’s makes it affordable to serve a complete Thanksgiving feast for eight people for $75. You can enjoy everything from appetizers, a charcuterie board, sides, desserts, and a […]

Finding the perfect Christmas gift can be tricky, especially for someone who seems to have everything. Fortunately, Costco has lots of unique and thoughtful gifts. From high-tech gadgets to luxurious home essentials, Costco has an impressive selection of unique gifts that stand out from the usual holiday presents. Best of all, many of these items

The unlimited food at the cruise buffet is one of the best things about a cruise vacation. From the endless variety of food options as well as some of the buffet etiquette, here are things that surprise first-time cruisers when they step into their first cruise buffet. Impressive Variety of Foods Cruise buffets are impressive.

Cruises are all-inclusive vacations with many luxuries and extras that come at no additional cost. Many first-time cruisers are often surprised by these unexpected freebies. From complimentary beverages and attractions, there’s plenty to enjoy without spending extra money. These unexpected perks are part of what makes a cruise vacation such a great value. Lobster and

Cruises are relaxing all-inclusive vacations, but a few missteps can quickly turn your cruise into a nightmare. Here are some cruise mistakes to avoid so your vacation stays smooth and stress-free. Some of these are common mistakes that even seasoned cruisers make!  Not Having the Right Visa for Each Port Before going on your cruise,

Are you looking for Christmas gifts for kids and teens who seem to have it all? Costco makes it easy to buy high-end, splurge-worthy toys. From impressive wooden dollhouses to fun bumper cars, Costco has plenty of big-ticket items perfect for that special kid or teen. KidKraft Dollhouse This dollhouse is an impressive Christmas gift,

Costco is having a good sale right now. Many items, from grocery staples to frozen foods, refrigerated meals, and even gift items, are on sale. This is the perfect time to buy these Costco sale items before prices go back up. Rao’s Marinara Sauce Rao’s Marinara is hands down the best bottled marinara sauce in

It’s not too early to start buying Christmas gifts. Costco is already in full holiday mode, the warehouses are already stocked with a wide variety of Christmas decors and gift items. You’ll find plenty of gift items priced under $20, shop early at Costco before these popular items sell out. Christmas Hand Soap If you’re

If you’re on the hunt for budget-friendly holiday gifts under $50, Costco is a great place to shop. You can find a wide range of high-quality toys and playsets that look much more expensive than $50.  Robo Alive Aquarium Set This holiday season, give kids the joy of pets without the mess! For $49.99 at

It’s not too early to start stocking up on holiday gifts. Right now, Costco is having a fantastic sale with great prices on gift options. Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers under $10 or gifts for kids, you’ll find a variety of sale items worth buying now that you can give as Christmas presents. Now

Are you going on a cruise? Cruise gratuities can be confusing. Many first-time cruisers experience sticker shock when they see the gratuity charges added to their final bill. There is also a lot of confusion about whether or not to prepay gratuity and who receives these tips. You Might Be Accidentally Double Paying Gratuities Some

Cruise vacations are supposed to be relaxing, but sometimes, not everything goes according to plan! Unexpected issues can come up during your cruise that will ruin your vacation.  Missed Ports One of the things that can go wrong on a cruise is when your cruise ship misses a port. This often happens due to poor

Cruise lines really know how to make their most loyal passengers feel special by showering them with free perks the moment they step onboard the ship. From free meals to free drinks to free cruises, these perks are all about showing appreciation and keeping their loyal passengers coming back for more. When it comes to

When you’re on a cruise, it’s important to know what to bring down with you to port. Before heading out, make sure you have all your important port essentials, like travel documents. Leaving these items in your cruise cabin can lead to unexpected problems—just think about what could happen if you don’t have your passport

Sea days are a great opportunity to unwind and recharge after those busy port days! They’re the perfect chance to take full advantage of all the amenities and fun onboard activities on the cruise ship. However, there are certain things you should avoid doing on your cruise sea day if you want to fully enjoy

Are you thinking of going on a cruise but not sure if you should wait for last minute cruise deals? Booking your cruise in advance can often be the better option.  From getting the best cabins to locking in early bird discounts, there are many compelling reasons to book your cruise early. Early Bird Discounts

One of the highlights of a cruise is undoubtedly the breakfast buffet. There’s nothing quite like starting your day with a lavish spread of seemingly endless choices of delicious, sweet and savory breakfast foods. It’s an amazing way to start your morning! Eggs Benedict While I usually avoid the Eggs Benedict at the cruise buffet—imagine

Cruising is such an amazing value! Not only do you get unlimited food, free entertainment onboard, and the chance to explore beautiful ports, but there are also plenty of hidden freebies on cruise ships that you might not know about. Here are some unexpected perks you can get for free on your next cruise!  Free

Are you going on a cruise for the first time? One of the best things about cruising is the wide variety of food onboard the ship- from gourmet meals to comfort food. It’s impossible to try everything! However, there are a few iconic cruise ship dishes you absolutely must try. Don’t miss it!  Surf and

When you’re on a cruise, sea days are a welcome break from hectic port days. It’s the perfect opportunity to slow down and unwind. The good news is- there are plenty of ways to relax on the cruise ship. Here’s how to fully enjoy your sea day so that you feel refreshed and ready for

Even though cruises are all-inclusive, don’t assume that everything is actually free. Many foods and drinks are not covered in your cruise fare, and you’ll end up paying extra for these items. It’s a good idea to check before you order!  Specialty Coffee On a cruise, regular brewed coffee is complimentary, but specialty coffee comes

Cruising is one of the best vacation deals.  You can go on a cruise for as low as $100 per person per night. This price includes everything—accommodations, luxurious turn-down service, all day kids’ club, plus the best part: unlimited food! And mind you, you won’t be stuck with just pizza and pasta. You’ll be treated

Are you going on a cruise for the first time and curious about what’s included in your cabin? Cruises are all-inclusive vacations, and you’ll be thrilled to know that there are plenty of complimentary items waiting for you in your cabin. Let’s take a look at some of the free perks you can find in

One of the best things about going on a cruise is the unlimited food. You will never go hungry on a cruise since you can snack all day long! Whether it’s the cruise buffet or a snack bar, there’s always a quick bite available. Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate chip cookies are popular treat on cruise

Fall has arrived, which means it’s time to prepare your home for the new season. Home maintenance is an ongoing responsibility and neglecting it can lead to costly repairs in the future. Here are some essential fall home maintenance tasks that you shouldn’t ignore. Turn the Outdoor Faucet Off As the weather gets colder in

Do you have a nagging feeling that you are outgrowing your current home? Maybe you are feeling cramped and dreaming of more space. Or maybe your lifestyle has changed. Here are telltale signs that it’s time to move to a larger home.  Growing Family An obvious sign that you need a larger home is if

One of the best things about going on a cruise is the incredible variety of breakfast options. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, you can find it at the buffet, main dining room, or through room service. You definitely don’t want to miss breakfast on your next cruise vacation! Eggs Benedict

Cruise disembarkation is no fun. It is always so stressful and hectic, especially if it’s your first time on a cruise. Knowing exactly how the disembarkation process works will make your day go smoother. What Time Do You Get Off the Cruise Ship? The exact time you can get off the cruise ship depends on

Most cruise lines tack on an automatic gratuity to your bill. This extra charge covers the tips for the crew, including your stateroom attendant, wait staff and behind-the-scenes crew. The cruise line then distributes the pooled gratuities among the crew members. How Much Is Cruise Gratuity? When you go on a cruise, the gratuity usually

Do you own a Monstera Deliciosa or a Swiss Cheese Plant? Are you worried that you might be unintentionally stunting the growth or even causing harm to your monstera? Let’s go over the common mistakes that people make with their monstera plants. Overwatering The key to keeping your monstera plant healthy is not to overwater

Looking for affordable and easy Fall party food ideas? Head to Costco! They’ve got a lot of appetizers, Autumn inspired dishes, and desserts that are perfect for your Fall party. Plus, they’re great for Fall potluck dinners too. Check out these easy Fall party food ideas. Swedish Meatballs These delicious Swedish meatballs are ideal for

Are you throwing a Halloween Party? Costco is a great place to go for Halloween party food and drinks. Plus, you can get amazing deals on bulk Halloween candies and treats.  Swedish Meatballs These delicious Swedish meatballs make the perfect appetizers for your Halloween party. Simply sauté them in a skillet and serve with the

Are you hosting a tailgate party this football season? Do you need some game-day food ideas? Costco has plenty of affordable and convenient tailgate party foods that are sure to be a hit and can easily feed a crowd.  Corn Dogs Corn dogs are a game day favorite, perfect for serving as an appetizer on

Are you planning an Oktoberfest party? Costco is the perfect place to go to stock up on Oktoberfest party foods. From German appetizers to Bratwursts and Bavarian beer, Costco has everything you need to throw an amazing Oktoberfest party. Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard Biergarten party or a traditional Oktoberfest family dinner, here are

When I booked my first MSC cruise, I was honestly a bit skeptical. I had seen several negative reviews about MSC cruises, with people complaining about the service, food options, crowds, and embarkation process. However, my experience on the MSC Meraviglia was the opposite. In this review, I’ll give you the good and the bad

Planning a picnic and need some easy picnic foods from Costco? The good news is that Costco has a lot of cheap and easy picnic foods. Whether you’re organizing a romantic picnic date or a family-friendly gathering at the park, Costco has everything you need for your picnic. Antipasto Platter Costco makes planning a picnic

Cruising during hurricane season is risky because unexpected changes can happen at the last minute. A common issue is the closure of ports, which can have a cascading effect, leading to multiple cruise delays and even cancellations. Why Do Cruise Ports Close? Cruise ports are closed when it is considered unsafe for ships to dock.

Many cruise lines have safety protocols to prepare for sailings during hurricane season. These safety protocols protect the cruise ship and passengers by avoiding hurricanes and storms. So, how do cruise lines prepare for the hurricane season? Track the Weather Cruise lines closely monitor weather conditions. For example, Royal Caribbean employs a Chief Meteorologist whose

Hurricane Helene is gaining strength, prompting the US Coast Guard to shut down Port Tampa and the Port of Jacksonville in Florida. As a result, some Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise itineraries are being disrupted and changed at the last minute, and sailings are also getting delayed. Cruise Lines Impacted by Florida Port Closures The

Going on a cruise during hurricane season can be risky. There is always a possibility of encountering a storm.  So what exactly happens if your cruise gets cancelled due to a hurricane? It’s Rare First, know that it is very rare for cruise lines to cancel cruises due to a hurricane. Instead of cancelling cruises,

Onboard credit is money credited to your cruise account for you to spend while on the ship. It’s typically use-it-or-lose-it, so you need to spend it all before leaving the ship. How Do You Get Onboard Credit? There are many ways to get onboard credit. You can get onboard credit from the cruise line through

It’s common practice for cruise ships to use tender boats to transport passengers from the ship to the dock. Don’t assume you will always be able to walk off the cruise ship at every port. Due to water depth and dock limitations, your cruise ship will not be able to dock directly at some cruise

Gratuities are a vital part of the cruise staff’s compensation. They allow guests to express gratitude for the hard work and outstanding service provided by the staff. Typically, cruise lines collect the gratuities and distribute them among cruise staff members as part of their overall compensation package, including bonuses and incentives. How Much is Cruise

There are so many things to do on cruises these days. On those days when you’re out at sea, the cruise director will make sure there are plenty of things to keep you entertained, whether you want to relax or stay active. With so much happening, it’s hard to choose the best things to do

Cruise lines offer many amazing perks for their most loyal passengers. From free cruises to free drinks, the cruise line will shower you with perks. You will feel like a VIP once you reach the highest loyalty membership level. Free Drinks Most cruise lines offer their most loyal passengers free drinks. For example, Royal Caribbean

Balcony cabins are popular on cruises. But not all of them are the same. There are different types of balcony staterooms on cruise ships that you should know about. Standard Balcony Cabin The standard balcony cabin is the most popular type of balcony stateroom on cruises. You will get to enjoy a private balcony with

When it comes to dinner on cruises, most cruise lines let you choose what time you want to dine. You will have two choices: anytime dining or traditional dining. Most cruise lines will allow you to choose your dinner time except for Norwegian Cruise, which only does anytime dining. How Does Anytime Dining Work? Anytime

A back-to-back cruise is when you book consecutive cruises on the same ship. Instead of leaving after the first cruise, you are staying on for the next cruise.  Repeat Cruise Itineraries Most back-to-back cruises repeat the same itinerary, where you depart and arrive at the same port and visit the same places. For example, you

Cruise lines often sell more cabins than are available to maximize their revenue. You’re probably familiar with this common practice in the hospitality industry, which is to oversell hotel rooms and flights. It’s no different with cruises.  Why Do Cruise Lines Overbook Cabins? Cruise lines know that there is always a small percentage of no-shows

Don’t be surprised if your cruise suddenly changes its itinerary. Itinerary changes are more common than you think, and usually, they are done at the last minute. Reasons for Cruise Itinerary Changes There are many reasons why cruises change their itinerary. Often, it is due to a storm or hurricane, but it can also be

Cruise disembarkation is, hand down, the worst part of going on a cruise. Aside from it being the end of your cruise vacation, it is also a stressful and hectic time. You will feel rushed. Here are tips on how to make it less stressful and smoother. Request Your Disembarkation Time Early It’s a good

The upper tiers of most cruise loyalty programs have amazing benefits, from free cruises to free drinks and free laundry. If you’re a frequent cruiser, you know that earning points quickly is key to reaching these upper membership tiers. There are ways to earn cruise loyalty points quickly and enjoy all the exclusive perks sooner!

Celebrity Cruise Captain Club Welcome Party is an exclusive invite-only party for its loyalty members. This elegant party is a loyalty perk for Captain’s Club members.  When is the Captain’s Club Welcome Party? The Captain’s Club Welcome Party typically takes place on the first sea day at around 5pm, before early dinner seating time. Who

Many cruise lines offer the option of prepaying gratuities to simplify the tipping process. Should you prepay cruise gratuities? We will explore the pros and cons of prepaying gratuities.  How Much is Cruise Gratuity? Most cruise lines charge an average of $16 to $20 per person per day, and suite passengers pay more. Cruise lines

The cruise beverage package is an optional add-on that gives you unlimited drinks for a fixed price. You can enjoy alcoholic beverages, sodas, smoothies, and coffee. The drink-all-you-can package makes sense if you are a heavy drinker. How Much are Cruise Beverage Packages? Cruise Beverage packages are expensive. The premium beverage package is $80 to

Many cruisers don’t realize this, but you can get free onboard credit if you are a cruise line shareholder. This onboard credit ranges from $50 to $250 per stateroom. You typically need to own at least 100 shares to be eligible for free credit. Norwegian Cruise Norwegian Cruise shareholders owning a minimum of 100 shares

Cruise lines nowadays charge a room service fee in their efforts to cut costs. However, some breakfast items can still be delivered to your room for free.  Continental Breakfast Cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and MSC charge a room service fee for hot breakfast items. However, continental breakfast is complimentary.  Pastries Pastries

Room service is one of the most luxurious things about cruising. It’s always a treat to wake up to room service and have breakfast in bed or on your balcony. It Beats the Buffet Rush Getting breakfast delivered to your cabin is so much better than going to breakfast at the buffet. You don’t have

Cruises are all-inclusive vacations where food and drinks are part of the package. However, not all drinks are free. You will need to pay extra for alcoholic beverages and carbonated drinks. Rookie cruise passengers are often confused about what drinks are complimentary and which costs extra. Water Non-carbonated water is free on cruises. You can

The unlimited food is one of the highlights of going on a cruise. In fact, some people go on cruises just for the food. Whether you’re in the mood for a formal sit-down dinner or comfort food, cruise ships have diverse dining options to satisfy your craving.  All-You-Can-Eat Buffet The cruise buffet is a favorite

Cruising is one of the easiest types of vacations because it’s all-inclusive. However, not everything is covered in the cruise fare. Before going on your cruise, it’s important to know what is and is not included so you can make the most of your cruise vacation. Accommodations Your cabin is included in the cruise fare

Cruise gratuities are an essential part of cruise staff member’s compensation. Long gone are the days of cash tip envelopes. Instead, many cruise lines have simplified the tipping process by charging an automatic gratuity. No More Tip Envelopes Many cruise lines have simplified the tipping process by charging an automatic gratuity instead of giving passengers

Cruise gratuities are an essential part of cruising. To simplify things, most cruise lines charge an automatic gratuity added to your account as a daily service fee.  How Much Is Cruise Gratuity? Cruise lines add automatic gratuities, ranging from $14 to $20 per person per day. Cruise lines pool the money collected and distribute the

Are you going on a cruise during hurricane season and wondering what to do when the weather is bad? The nice thing is you never have to worry about getting bored. There are many free things to do on a cruise ship when you are stuck indoors. Indoor Pool Bad weather does not necessarily mean