Mandy Karlik

Cruises are a great vacation value, but ever wonder why some people hate them? There are some ways you can set yourself up to have a disastrous cruise. Learn what they are so that you can take advantage of this super vacation deal.

Cruises are great vacation value, but there are ways that newbies and seasoned travelers can get the most out of their cruise. To maximize your cruise experience, here are seven proven tips.

Cruises are great vacation values, but some of the most popular cruises travel hurricane-prone waters. Hurricanes are seasonal storms and our ability to monitor and predict them (within a range, that is) means they are not big problems to the cruise industry. But what happens if a hurricane delays or cancels your trip? There are ways to protect yourself.

Writing a letter to your mother for Mother's Day is not only a great gift idea, it is something your mom will cherish forever and it does not cost a lot of money. It is not even difficult. But you do need to know a few writers' tricks!

January is mattress sale season. If you're not sure if you need a new mattress yet (and not sure what you need, if you do), you need to learn about the signs of mattress wear-and-tear and some easy tests of whether a mattress is too hard or too soft for your body type. Fortunately, we can help.

Cozumel is a great destination on the Mexican Rivieria but savvy cruise passengers know that it's not just the crystal-clear water, snorkeling, dining, and Margaritas that recommend the place. Cozumel may be the best shopping destination of the Caribbean. You can get great deals but you need to know what to do to avoid those other well-known denizens of the Caribbean: pirates. Get great shopping tips and avoid getting ripped off.

Cruise ships offer an array of charming little shipboard boutiques that advertise duty-free delights ... but are these really good deals? And what on earth is "duty" anyway? Find out about duty-free shopping and how to get the best buys onboard ship (and when to jump ship).