In this episode, we're reflecting on everything 2025 brought—from some great family cruises and trips and behind-the-scenes cruise line previews. We reveal our next cruise on Carnival Legend, talk about what drew us to this sailing, and share what we'll be covering once onboard, including food, ports, and value for the price. We also share a brief life and health update, say thank you for the support, and tease another big cruise on the horizon. If you love cruising, honest reflections, and a peek at what's coming next, this episode is for you. https://www.amazon.com/live/cruisetipstv

As 2025 comes to a close, we're taking an honest look back at Cruising in 2025: What We Got Right, What Surprised Us, What Missed the Mark at the year in cruising—what we got right, what genuinely surprised us, and what didn't quite live up to the hype.

In this Unplugged episode, we talk through the trends we accurately predicted, the changes we didn't see coming, and the cruise lines that quietly over-delivered when no one was looking. We also dig into the ideas that sounded great on paper but fell short in real life, and how our own cruising habits, expectations, and mindset shifted over the past year.

We wrap things up by looking ahead to 2026—what we're excited about, what we're cautiously optimistic about, and what we're hoping cruise lines continue to get right. No hot takes for the sake of hot takes—just thoughtful reflection from a year at sea and where we see cruising heading next.

Download our shore day bag checklist and more cruise packing and planning checklists & videos by joining the CruiseTipsTV Academy at https://academy.cruisetipstv.com

It's time for another listener Q&A! This week we're covering a wide range of cruise questions—from the best Alaska splurges (glacier treks vs. flightseeing) to practical tips for cruising with toddlers, including diapers, strollers, and mealtime strategies. We also dive into Japan cruise planning (why a roundtrip Yokohama sailing can be a game-changer), what's happening in the Galveston cruise market, smart Princess Cruises tips, and even cruise-friendly skincare essentials. If you've got cruise questions, chances are they're answered in this episode. Download our shore day bag checklist and more cruise packing and planning checklists & videos by joining the CruiseTipsTV Academy at https://academy.cruisetipstv.com