Cruise Critic - January 25, 2026

Best Repositioning Cruises to Know Right Now; Cruise Gratuities, Broken Down & More

+ 21 Things You Can Learn on Your Next Cruise ...

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The Best Repositioning Cruises to Know About

Explore cruises with lower fares, smaller crowds, and itineraries you won’t find year-round.

Explore the Routes

Hotel, Drinks, Wi-Fi, Gratuities, up to $1000 Onboard Credit

Sponsored by Windstar Cruises
Windstar’s yacht-style cruises take you off the beaten path and into small harbors and historic Old Towns. Enjoy complimentary inclusions across our destinations on a yacht with fewer than 350 guests. Book by 3/31.

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Cruise Gratuities, Broken Down

From service charges to crew pay, this is how cruise gratuities really work.

Get the Breakdown

21 Things You Can Learn on Your Next Cruise

From cooking demos to language lessons, cruises offer more ways to learn than you might expect.

See All 21 Classes

Top Trending Deals

Royal Caribbean Deals

from $55/night

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Introducing Oceania Sonata + Limited-Time Offer

Sponsored by Oceania
Introducing Oceania Sonata, an entirely new class of ship redefining luxury cruising. Enjoy up to 40% off and reduced deposits on select sailings, plus your choice of a double shore excursion credit or an upgraded beverage package, all with always-free Your World Included™ amenities.

Learn More

Viking Ocean vs. Oceania Cruises

On the surface, the cruise lines seem comparable, but a closer look reveals some surprising differences.

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