When most people think about cruising from Florida, their minds immediately go to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral. Those ports are well known for massive terminals and mega-ships. But along Florida’s Gulf Coast is a cruise port that many seasoned cruisers quietly consider one of the best departures in the state: Port Tampa Bay . Port Tampa Bay has become something of a best-kept secret in cruising. It offers many of the same advantages as Florida’s larger ports — mu

When most people hear the name The Cool Panda Travel & Event Coordination , they think of group cruises, themed sailings, conferences at sea, and large organized cruise events. And that makes sense. Hosting groups is one of the things we’re best known for, and it’s a huge part of what we do. But what many people don’t realize is this: While we’re widely recognized for our group cruises and hosted events, The Cool Panda is also booking cruises every single week for individuals

If you’re cruising to Mexico anytime soon, this is something you really need to be aware of, especially if you vape. Mexico has officially rolled out a nationwide crackdown on vapes and e-cigarettes. As of mid-January 2026, the country has banned the importation, marketing, and sale of all vaping devices. That means taking a vape off the ship and into Mexico could now put you on the wrong side of the law. This change comes after new legal reforms were approved by Mexico’s Sen

How Conferences, Seminars, Affinity Events — and Even Fundraisers — Are Being Reimagined at Sea For decades, organizations have gathered in the same familiar places. Hotel ballrooms.Convention centers.Corporate boardrooms.Resort conference wings. And while those spaces serve a purpose, they all share the same limitations: high costs, fragmented logistics, low post-session engagement, and experiences that feel more transactional than transformational. But a shift is happening.

If you cruise long enough, you start hearing the same thing over and over: “Every time I cruise, I get sick,” “Cruise ships are just floating petri dishes,” or “I always come home with a cold.” It’s become so common that many travelers almost expect to lose a few days of their vacation to a sore throat, congestion, or worse. Here’s the thing. We cruise a lot. Between personal trips, group cruises, scouting sailings, and hosting events at sea, we are on airplanes and cruise sh

Overview of Curaçao Port Highlights If you’re docking at the Curaçao port as part of your Caribbean cruise, get ready to step into a vibrant blend of history, color, and excitement. Curaçao port is buzzing with energy, welcoming visitors with its unmistakable pastel-hued Dutch colonial architecture, open-air markets, and the gentle sway of ocean breezes right at the dock.  You don’t have to wander far to dive into must-see sights and engaging cruise activities—everything abou

Booking your cruise is exciting. It’s the moment everything becomes real. You’ve picked the ship, locked in your dates, maybe even started watching YouTube videos about the ports and onboard experiences. You can already picture yourself on the top deck, drink in hand, watching the ocean roll by. But before you can step on that ship, there’s one big piece that often causes stress, confusion, and unexpected costs: airfare. For many cruise travelers, flights to the port are the

If you’ve been thinking about cruising in 2026—or even early 2027—there is no better time to start planning than right now. The 2026 Cruise Wave Season is officially underway , and this is the most aggressive promotional period the cruise industry offers all year. Wave Season traditionally runs from January through March , when cruise lines release their strongest public offers to encourage early bookings. These deals are designed to fill ships far in advance and often includ

Planning Your Perfect Philipsburg Itinerary Maximizing your day in Philipsburg, St. Maarten starts with intentionally designing your itinerary around what excites you most. Philipsburg may be compact, but its possibilities are endless—so whether you're a sun-seeker, shopping enthusiast, or culinary adventurer, you'll find something to love. Begin your exploration with a stroll down historic Front Street , home to over 100 duty-free shops. It's a paradise for those looking to

Cruising is one of those vacation styles that people seem to have very strong opinions  about — especially people who have never actually been on a cruise. Over the years, I’ve heard countless reasons why someone insists they would “never” cruise. Too boring. Too expensive. Too old. Too crowded. Too restrictive. Too risky. And yet, every year, millions of first-time cruisers step onboard… and then book their next cruise before they even get home. The truth is, cruising has ev

Cruising is often described as one of the best values in travel—and honestly, that reputation is well earned. When you book a cruise, your accommodations, meals, entertainment, transportation between destinations, and countless onboard activities are bundled into one upfront price. Compared to planning a land vacation with hotels, flights, dining, and activities all booked separately, cruising can feel refreshingly simple. That said, no cruise vacation is truly “all-inclusive

Norwegian Cruise Line has officially brought back its popular Free at Sea Plus package. This enhanced upgrade option was originally introduced in 2022 as a way for guests to turn their Free at Sea perks into a more inclusive, premium experience. After being discontinued during a pricing model change, it has now returned—this time featuring stronger benefits and added value. What’s New With Free at Sea Plus? Daily Gratuities Included One of the biggest improvements is that the

Tired of unpredictable budgets, hidden venue fees, and the underwhelming atmosphere of the standard hotel ballroom? For organizations planning major corporate events, association meetings, or large group incentives, the financial stress alone can overshadow the strategic goals. You spend countless hours trying to align venue rental costs, accommodation blocks, daily catering minimums, and A/V equipment fees—often leading to unpleasant budget surprises after the event is over.

Your Guide to Saving Space, Reducing Stress & Packing Smarter for Smooth Sailing Packing for a cruise can feel a little like preparing for a vacation and a fashion show at the same time. Between swimsuits, outfits, gadgets, and “just in case” items, it’s easy to end up packing half the house. But here’s the truth: most new cruisers bring way more than they ever use. After years of helping travelers get cruise-ready—and reading countless funny stories from our Cool Panda commu

Going on a cruise is one of the most relaxing, carefree vacation experiences out there… but let’s be honest, a smooth vacation doesn’t happen by accident. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping you healthy, safe, and stress-free while you're out at sea. At The Cool Panda Travel & Event Coordination , we help thousands of travelers get ready for their adventures every year, and we’ve seen just about everything — the surprises, the hiccups, the “I wish someone had

Cruising out of Galveston, Texas has become one of the most popular ways to set sail on a Caribbean getaway. With multiple major cruise lines, an island full of charm, and easy access for Texas and Gulf-Coast travelers, Galveston is now one of the busiest cruise ports in North America. Whether it’s your very first cruise or your tenth, this guide will walk you through everything  you need to know to start your vacation without stress — from navigating the terminals to parking

The official Bless The Badge Cruise 2025  recap video is here! 🚓🛳️💙 What an unforgettable week in Alaska with an incredible group of officers and their families. Relive the moments, the laughs, and the memories we made together.

Getting ready for a cruise can feel a little overwhelming. Do you pack like you’re moving onto the ship forever… or try to go ultra-minimal and hope you didn’t forget something important? The good news is that cruising is actually one of the easiest types of trips to pack for—especially once you know a few tricks from people who practically live on ships. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the most helpful, real-world packing tips for your cruise. We’ll talk about w

Things We Do for Your Event When it comes to planning your event, we take pride in the various tasks we handle to ensure everything runs smoothly. Here are some of the things we do: We collaborate with you to understand your vision and goals for the event. We manage the logistics, from venue selection to catering arrangements. We coordinate with vendors and suppliers to secure the best services for your needs. We create a detailed timeline to keep everything on track. We over

A cruise vacation is one of the best ways to relax, explore, and enjoy incredible dining and entertainment—all in one place. But what many travelers don’t realize is that with just a little insider knowledge, you can stretch your budget even further without giving up any of the fun. In fact, you can often get more for less just by timing your purchase right, being a little flexible, and knowing where the true value is hidden. After helping hundreds of couples, families, first