The Talking Suitcase

Cruise & Curated Travel Specialist

30 Holland America Line Tips & Tricks

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Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Founded in the Netherlands in 1873, Holland America Line (HAL) has been sailing for more than 150 years.

You won’t find climbing walls, zip lines, or go-karts like on the new mega-ships. Holland America Line ships are large enough to offer a wide variety of dining options, activities, and entertainment, yet small enough that it doesn’t take days to learn your way around. With an atmosphere of timeless elegance, HAL delivers exceptional food and service, striking the perfect balance between quality and affordability.

The average age of Holland America passengers is about 55, slightly higher than on some other major cruise lines. However, the age range varies by itinerary and cruises during school holidays often attract more families. For those traveling with children, supervised activities and events are available for guests ages 3–17. The only limitation is that children won’t have access to certain family-friendly features found on other lines such as waterslides, FlowRiders, or mini golf.

Holland America Line also emphasizes regionally inspired cuisine, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. You should find most dishes are “kicked up a notch” from your traditional cruise fare.

Let’s start off these Holland America Line tips & tricks from the basics and work up to more little known facts for those new to sailing with HAL.

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Utopia of the Seas Tips & What’s New Onboard (2025 Guide)

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Updated: October 2025

Thinking about sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas? You’re in for the “world’s biggest weekend!”

As Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas brings exciting new venues, upgraded favorites and a design that feels more modern and upscale than ever before. Whether you’re traveling as a family, couple or group of friends, these insider tips will help you make the most of your cruise – from embarkation day to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Quick Look Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas made her debut in 2024, sailing 3 and 4-night Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. She visits Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau showcasing all the Royal Caribbean excitement packed into a long-weekend getaway.

While she’s technically the sixth Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas feels fresh with new bars, dining venues, and entertainment that sets her apart from other ships in the class.

The mega ship boasts over 40 ways to dine and drink, 4 astounding new shows, and 5 pools to splash the day away. The design of the Utopia of the Seas includes some Oasis Class favorites as well as some new additions such as the Pesky Parrot and Royal Railway. Some of the design features were also taken from the first of her class, Icon of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas blends the best of fleet favorites with new ideas to keep your cruising experience fresh and exciting.

Keeping with the same layout of the Oasis Class ship’s, you’ll still find the 7 original neighborhoods including Central Park, The Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade plus the new Suite Neighborhood that’s only found on Wonder & Utopia of the Seas.

Utopia of the Seas Fun Facts

  • 6th Oasis Class ship
  • 236,860 GRT
  • 1187 ft in Size
  • 2,834 Staterooms
  • 5,668 Max Guest Capacity
  • 18 Decks
  • 5 Pools & 8 Whirlpools
  • 8 Distinct Neighborhoods
  • First Oasis Class Ship Powered by LNG (Cleaner Burning Liquefied Natural Gas)

Utopia of the Seas Port of Call

Utopia of the Seas will sail 3 & 4-night Bahamas & Perfect Day at CocoCay from Port Canaveral, Florida. The 4-night cruise will include a sea day, so cruisers can take advantage of all the fun activities onboard.

  • Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida
  • Nassau, Bahamas
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
  • Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida

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Cairo Travel Essentials: 10 Things You Must Pack for Egypt

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Updated: October 2025
Before our trip to Egypt, I was a maniac researching Cairo travel essentials and guides.  I wanted to know all the things we would need to pack for Egypt, what types of clothes we should wear and generally what to expect during our visit. After all that research, stress and preparation, I've concluded that there are 10 things you must pack for Egypt. So double check your suitcase and don't leave home without these items!

Before our trip to Egypt, I was a maniac, researching Cairo travel essentials and guides.  I wanted to know all the things we would need to pack for Egypt, what types of clothes we should wear and generally what to expect during our visit. After all that research, stress and preparation, I’ve concluded that there are 10 things you must pack for Egypt. So double check your suitcase and don’t leave home without these items!

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What to Wear on an Alaska Cruise: Printable Packing List

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Planning an Alaska cruise but not sure what to wear? I spent a lot of time researching packing for an Alaska cruise prior to our trip and paid special attention to other cruisers attire while onboard and in port. I probably looked like a crazy stalker, staring at people and making notes on my phone 🙂

Weather in Alaska can change drastically during the day and even hour by the hour. Our driver from Anchorage to Seward told us that in Alaska you can wait 10 minutes or drive 10 miles and the weather will change – and not necessarily for the better! We definitely discovered this on our trip. One minute it was sunny, and we were wearing short sleeves & getting a little warm while the next the wind started to blow, and we added layers and pulled our hoods up.

The month you travel will also affect your packing, to a degree. The Alaska cruise season is May-September. If traveling during the first or last month, expect cooler temperatures. August will be nice and warm, but it is what’s considered the start of the rainy season. We traveled the first week of June. The weather was lovely with only a little rain. We were told the week prior was cold and rainy while the week before that saw snow!

The key to dressing in Alaska is layers. I’ll start our Alaska cruise packing list discussing what to wear at port/on excursions.  You’ll also want to consider your plans for pre and post cruise as this can affect your outdoor clothing as well. You may need to pack a little differently for land tours. For example, Fairbanks can get hotter than you’d expect in the summer, so you’ll want those tanks and shorts.

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What to Do When Boarding a Cruise Ship: 20 Tips for a Successful First Cruise

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Cruising for the First Time? Here’s What to Do Before and After You Board

Cruising has continued to skyrocket in popularity since the pandemic, with 37.1 million passengers expected to sail globally in 2025! Over the past two years, approximately 27% of cruisers were first-timers. Plus, seven new cruise ships are debuting this year alone—so there’s never been a better time to book a cruise for your next vacation.

If you’re new to cruising, stepping onboard for the first time can feel overwhelming. Cruising is a unique way to travel, and first-time cruisers often have a lot of questions about how to get the most from their experience.

Before diving into what to do once you board, let’s start with a few essential tasks to complete before arriving at the cruise port—and a quick look at what to expect at the terminal.

A. Download the cruise line app after booking your cruise. After booking your cruise, download the cruise line’s app and log in or create an account. The app provides pre-cruise information, allows you to purchase add-ons (like excursions and drink packages), and streamlines the check-in process. While the website is also useful, the app becomes essential once onboard. You’ll need it to:

  • Connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi

  • Access the daily schedule

  • Watch the mandatory safety video

  • Manage expenses and reservations

  • Use onboard messaging (if available)

Additionally, your boarding documents (eDocs) will be accessible through the app—so make sure it’s downloaded and ready before you arrive at the port.

B. Complete online check-in before heading to the port. Complete the online check-in process via the cruise line’s app or website. This typically opens 30–45 days before your sail date (exact timing varies by cruise line). Online check-in usually closes 2-3 days prior to sailing. During check-in, you’ll:

  • Enter personal and travel information

  • Upload your passport or required travel documents

  • Take or upload a selfie (required for boarding)

  • Add a payment method

  • Choose a boarding time

Check-in must be completed for each passenger. It’s usually simple to complete for all guests on the same reservation. Most systems let you enter basic info early and return later to upload documents.

Don’t forget to complete the mandatory health questionnaire, usually available 24 hours before sailing. Failing to complete online check-in means you’ll need to do it all at the port—delaying your boarding and likely assigning you the latest arrival time. If you’re working with a travel advisor like me, I’ll notify you as soon as check-in opens 🙂

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