Small ship Hawaiian cruises are much rarer than most people expect. Here’s who actually sails them, why federal law gets in the way, what they cost, and how to save.

Kona is a tender port, Hilo is a dock-and-walk-off port, and they make for very different days. Here’s how each one works, what’s free, and where your money is best spent.

Which Honolulu pier your ship uses, the cheapest way to reach Waikiki and Pearl Harbor, and what to skip on a short port day. Plus money-savers I’d use.

Hawaii is warm all year, so the real question is which month fits your ship, your budget and your tolerance for rain, whales and hurricane season. Here is the month-by-month breakdown, plus ways to pay less.

Weather, whales, hurricanes and prices all pull in different directions on a Mexican Riviera cruise. Here’s how to pick the month that fits your trip and your budget.

The real day-by-day for a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise from LA or Long Beach, plus terminal parking, Mexico’s new passenger fee, document rules and ways to spend less.

Thinking about a quick Baja getaway from Long Beach? Here’s how the 3-night Ensenada and 4-night Catalina sailings compare, what they really cost, and who should skip them.

Where ships dock in Mazatlan, what the State Department’s Level 4 Sinaloa advisory actually says, and a practical plan for a cheap, easy port day. Plus what to do when a hurricane skips your stop.

Southeast Alaska is a rainforest, so a real waterproof shell matters more than almost anything else you pack. Here’s what to look for, what to skip and how to spend less.

Skip the product carousels. Here’s how to pick binoculars for an Alaska cruise by magnification, weather-proofing, budget and what you’ll actually be looking at from the deck.