Cruisella Talks Ship

Bermuda 101: Understanding the Island Before You Arrive Geography, Parishes, Beaches, and Getting Around

Bermuda is 24 miles long, divided into nine parishes, and works by its own rules. This episode breaks down the island from west to east — starting at the Royal Naval Dockyard and ending at the UNESCO-listed Town of St. George — covering the pink sand beaches of the south shore, how the bus and ferry system works, what currency to carry, and why you can’t rent a car. A practical orientation for anyone stepping foot on the island for the first time.

Norwegian Jewel: Philly’s New Homeport Ship

The Norwegian Jewel is now homeported at PhilaPort — the Port of Philadelphia. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about the ship: when it was built, how big it is, where it was before landing in Philly, where it sits in NCL’s lineup, its most recent updates, and a quick tour of what’s on board.
We also cover what the Jewel is sailing — Bermuda and Canada & New England itineraries through 2026 — before handing off the homeport to its sister ship, the Norwegian Pearl.

CTS — Incoming: Stay Tuned! Norwegian Jewel, Philaport, Bermuda & Charleston

A quick look at what’s coming after disembarking from NCL Norwegian Jewel: driving from Canada to Philadelphia, Philaport and the Clarion embarkation process, Bermuda, Charleston, our anniversary cruise as a couple, and also: onboard doctor. Everyone is fine. Ship happens.

CTS — What Cruises Really Cost: Gratuities Explained

What Cruises Really Cost: Gratuities Explained Ever wondered what that daily service charge on your cruise bill actually covers — and where the money goes? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about cruise gratuities: what they are, how much each major cruise line charges, who receives the money, and what happens if you remove them. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser trying to budget accurately or a seasoned sailor curious about the system behind the charge, this episode gives you the full picture. Note: Gratuity rates change regularly. Always confirm current rates directly with your cruise line before sailing. This episode is not sponsored. 💬 Have thoughts on cruise gratuities? Agree, disagree, or have a story from your own sailing? Come find me on Instagram at @cruisellatalksship — I’d love to hear from you.

CTS — Move a Little, Indulge a Little

A no-rules approach to feeling good on your cruise vacation

CTS — The Best Places to Cruise in May: Weather, Crowds and What to Expect

May is one of the more underrated months to cruise and this episode breaks down why. From the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to Alaska, Bermuda and the Baltic — we cover the weather, the crowd levels, which lines are sailing where, and what makes each destination worth considering this time of year. Plus a note on hurricane season and why May sits in a reasonable window for Caribbean sailings.

CTS — Cruise Souvenirs and Collectibles: What Experienced Cruisers Bring Home

What do experienced cruisers collect? This episode digs into the cruise collecting world — from keycards and magnets to ship models, pins and local port finds. Whether you’re already building a collection or haven’t thought about it yet, there might be something here that turns you into a collector.

CTS — All Aboard: Norwegian Star | Cruise Control

This episode covers some of our time onboard the Norwegian Star — the ship, the entertainment, the activities, and everything in between. From seat selection at the shows to the quieter corners of the ship worth seeking out, this is a look at what part of the onboard experience actually felt like on our March 26 sailing out of Tampa.

CTS — All Aboard: Norwegian Star | Ready Set Sail

Choosing a cruise that works for everyone is not always straightforward. In this episode Cruisella breaks down how and why the Norwegian Star made the cut — a group sailing spanning a wide range of ages and mobility needs, first time cruisers included. From the itinerary length to the port of departure, we cover what factored into the decision and why the Norwegian Star checked the right boxes for this particular group.

CTS — All Aboard: Norwegian Star | Word on the Water

Before Cruisella sets foot on the Norwegian Star, she’s hitting the reviews. In this first episode of the All Aboard series, it’s all secondhand — Find out what past guests are saying. The journey starts here.