10 Must-Do Activities In Key West For Cruise Passengers

Above, salvaged artifacts on display at the Key West Shipwreck Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, I was planning to re-visit Key West, Florida. But those plans were scrubbed when the pandemic hit, so I ended up traveling around the Four Corners of the continental U.S.

I had visited Key West for a few hours as part of a cruise to Havana, Cuba in 2019. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go back. I still do, but I am very soured about air travel. It is nowhere near as enjoyable as it used to be.

Cruise Radio has posted a list of the top 10 must-do activities for cruise passengers in Key West. Some of which I did during our stop.

They begin with:

Every trip to the Florida Keys is complete with a visit to Key West. People come from all over the world to experience fun in the sun with the taste of the island life this destination offers its visitors.

From the bars and museums to the endless celebrations, here is a list of eleven popular attractions for your Key West itinerary when visiting Key West, Florida.

To read more, go here.

Hurricane Milton Cruise Itinerary Changes

Above, the storm approaching Nassau, Bahamas last month. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When the cruise to the Bahamas was booked, I was a bit leery over going in early August as it was inside Caribbean hurricane season. I monitored the weather reports leading up to the cruise.

The only day of inclement weather during the cruise was when we were in Nassau. It was rainy there, with periods of hard rain, while we were on a bus tour. But we "weathered" it fine.

Now, Hurricane Milton is causing cruise lines to modify or cancel cruises.

Cruise Radio posted:

All eyes are on the Caribbean as Hurricane Milton continues to intensify. The storm is forecast to become a Category 3 or 4 hurricane with winds of 120 mph before making landfall on Wednesday on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

This week, voyages out of Miami, Port Everglades, Palm Beach, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Galveston, and Baltimore could be impacted. Florida ports are expected to close depending on Hurricane Milton’s track.

You can check the status of your cruise port here.

If your cruise is affected this week, your cruise line will contact you by email or text regarding any potential changes and cancellation policies.

Below are the updated changes from the following cruise lines. We’ll add itinerary revisions and possible cruise ship diversions as they become available from the operators.

If your cruise has changed, you can let us know here.

 To read more, go here.

Cruise Gratuity Charges

Above, the smoking area bar on the Norwegian Sky. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I ordered a drink from the bar while on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky recently, I wasn't charged for the drink per se, but I did get saddled with a service charge of $20. I kept my indulgence of adult beverages to one or two a day. Good thing I know how to "nurse" a drink and make it last longer.

I expected this since I have been on cruises before and budgeted for it prior to departure. Years ago, a friend was unaware of the gratuity or service charges (thinking drinks were part of the package and therefore no charge) and ran up a tab of a few thousand dollars for his group. I think it was the first cruise he went on.

One can tell if they are going to be charged is when a barman or waiter/waitress asks for their stateroom key card. They will run it like a credit card.

Cruise Radio posted an article on whether or not gratuity (or service) charges are fair or unfair to passengers. 

They begin it with:

From self-checkout machines to drive-thrus, you’re expected to leave a tip everywhere now. But do you have to bring that tipping culture on your next cruise? Some say yes, and some say no.

Others argue you don’t have much choice regarding cruise ship tipping. 

Automatic Gratuity Charges: Yes or No?

Many cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your bill—whether it’s the standard daily amount per person, a spa treatment, or even just a soft drink from the bar. But is this a good move? Maybe.

To read more, go here.