Crystal Serenity — 14-Night South Pacific

Before you sail

What the fare covers, what it doesn't, and how this itinerary actually runs.

• 10 sea days

  The pool loungers and the shaded spots go early on a sea day — by eight in the morning on a full ship, and this one carries 1,096 guests. Reserving one and leaving it is against the rules on most lines and crew do clear them, so send someone early rather than at ten.

• This one earns the balcony

  10 of 14 nights are at sea, so you will actually be in the cabin in daylight. Roughly $3,200 more per person here — the one upgrade worth arguing about on a sea-day-heavy sailing.

• Day one and the last day are half-days

  A 14-night cruise is really 13 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.