Cruise travel can be one of the most enjoyable and memorable ways to explore the world. But it can also be overwhelming and stressful if you’re not prepared. That’s where the best cruise travel apps come in handy. They can help you plan your trip, stay organized, and make the most of your time onboard and in port. In this article, we’ll review some of the best cruise travel apps, including TripIt, Evernote, FlightAware, Uber, and the Norwegian Cruise Line app. We’ll also provide alternatives to these apps and link to ratings and reviews by fellow travelers.
TripIt
Tripit is a comprehensive travel planning app that helps you organize your itinerary and stay on top of your travel plans. It allows you to forward all of your travel confirmation emails to a single email address, which then creates a master itinerary for your trip. The app also includes features like real-time flight alerts, maps, and directions to help you navigate your travels seamlessly.
Screen Shots/Videos
Screen shots are from my Android phone.
Featured items are from my Fall 2023 Leaf Peeping Trip
Why I Use TripIt
4.9 out of 5.0 starsI love using Tripit because it takes the stress out of travel planning. Instead of juggling multiple confirmation emails and trying to keep track of all the details, Tripit puts everything in one place. By the time I depart on a trip, I have everything I need right there, including maps and directions, all the details of each event, and PDFs of any tickets or other information I’ll need to present. A handy widget on the home screen of my phone puts it all in a scrollable view for one-tap access.
Reviews
“TripIt is a great tool to use both on from a personal and business perspective. It combines all of your itineraries into one location and can integrate as well with other vendors such as hotel booking apps. You can also add users on to share or see you schedule. Super user friendly! I currently use it to manage both my personal holiday planning and my business trips so I can track multiple destinations.”
– Vasileios P., TrustRadius
“TripIt solves my issues of having to flip through my calendar to see when I’m traveling and what the different details of my trip are. Haveing it in 1 place has been amazing. I’ve been using it for over a decade and have never once not been thoroughly happy with the service.”
– Jeb B., G2
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars on the App Store, based on over 6000 reviews.
Alternatives to TripIt: Google Trips, TripCase
Evernote
Evernote is a versatile note-taking app that can be used for a variety of purposes, including travel planning. The app allows you to create and organize notes, images, and web clippings, and syncs across all of your devices so you can access your notes anywhere. Evernote also allows you to share your notes with others, which can be helpful for group travel.
Like TripIt, the Evernote app is freemium. There’s a free version on the app stores, but it comes with restrictions compared to the premium version. There are two premium plans for Evernote. Personal ($7.99/month) and Professional ($9.99/month). There are significant discounts if you pay annually.
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Why I Use Evernote
4.6 out of 5.0 starsI’ve been using Evernote nearly since it first became available in 2008. A large part of my life is in the app and website. I take a belt and suspenders approach to travel, and I put copies of all confirmations in a notebook for the trip, along with restaurant recommendations, things to see and do, and more. And before we leave on a new cruise, I scan our passports, ID, and our credit/debit cards so we have photo proof of each if needed for replacement, etc.
The app is as useful as you care to make it. Other items that live in my Evernote: meeting agendas and backup materials, WordPress plugins and themes I might consider for future sites, detailed plans for major events, and a lot of random “stuff.”
The biggest beauty of Evernote, like TripIt, is that I can have all this information wherever I need it, whether on any of my devices or on the web. I did lower the rating slightly for an at-times cluttered interface, especially on the phone. The expense of the paid plans is also a consideration.
Reviews
“Evernote is great for making notes on the fly. The voice to text feature is accurate and makes taking a note when the thought pops into your head or while working on a task incredibly easy. I have not run into an example of where I have not been able to use Evernote when I need to use it.”
– Bradley C., TrustRadius
“Evernote allows me to capture, organize and share notes and ideas with colleagues. It’s a very important tool I use daily. Overall, it helps me to stay focused, organized and on top of my projects and tasks.”
– John E., G2
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars on the App Store, based on over 200,000 reviews.
Alternatives to Evernote: OneNote, Google Keep
FlightAware
FlightAware is a flight tracking app that can be extremely helpful for cruise travelers who are flying to a port of departure. With the app, you can track your flight in real-time and receive alerts about any changes or delays. It’s available for free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. FlightAware also provides information on airport amenities and ground transportation options.
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Why I Use FlightAware
4.7 out of 5.0 starsHaving been a user of their full-blown version for pilots and air carriers while I was a Air Medical dispatcher, this app is a no-brainer for me. I use it on the go frequently.
As one of the reviewers below notes, I didn’t have to worry about making a connection in Dallas when my flight from Fort Meyers was delayed by 80 minutes. The Dallas-Wichita flight was also delayed due to a maintenance issue on the scheduled aircraft. It was funny to imagine being in the airport and having to move around the D-concourse gates as the departure was moved gate-to-gate four times. By the time I got there, the plane was on its way over from the maintenance hangar and we were able to board not later. The frequent notifications from FlightAware made it stress-free.
Reviews
“Our initial flight had a 2 hour weather related ground stop while we were sitting on it and we would miss our connection in DTW … Flight Aware kept updating me that our DTW-SEA flight kept getting pushed back due to delays so when we got there we made the flight
– FranciscoIV, Apple App Store
“This is a terrific app for monitoring airports, aircraft, routes and the like. It’s extremely useful and, I must say, fun! I had to contact Support to find out how to delete a search and they responded within hours with how to do it (long press on the search criteria.) Great app and great support!”
– Malcom K., Google Play Store
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store, based on over 70,000 reviews.
Alternatives to FlightAware: FlightStats, FlightView
Uber
Uber is a ride-sharing app that can be a convenient way to get around port cities. You can easily request a ride and communicate with your driver through the app. Uber is also affordable and offers various vehicle options, including UberX and UberXL.
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Why I Use Uber
4.5 out of 5.0 starsWhile it’s generally a great option for getting around in port cities, there have been a few instances where the wait times have been longer than expected or the drivers have taken longer routes than necessary. However, these instances have been few and far between, and overall, I highly recommend using Uber for convenient and affordable transportation during your cruise vacation.
I don’t know if the feature I’m showing in my screen shot has been there for a while or not, but I’m excited about the ability to pre-schedule an Uber when we get to New York City this fall. That way I know I can make our embarkation window and can schedule that with confidence since we’re staying across the river in Hoboken.
Reviews
Here are a few reviews of Uber from fellow cruise travelers:
“I used Uber during my recent cruise and was really impressed with how easy it was to use. The app was intuitive, and the drivers were friendly and professional. I highly recommend using Uber for transportation during your next cruise vacation.”
– Sarah P., TripAdvisor
“I’ve used Uber in several different countries during my cruises, and it’s always been a reliable option for getting around. The app is easy to use, and the pricing is usually very reasonable compared to traditional taxis.”
– John T., Cruise Critic
“I use Uber to get around port cities on my cruises. It’s convenient, reliable, and affordable. I can easily communicate with my driver through the app, which makes it a stress-free experience.”
– Emily L., Yelp
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, based on over 50,000 reviews
Alternatives
Alternatives to Uber include Lyft, Gett, and Via. Each of these apps offers similar ride-hailing services, so it’s worth comparing pricing and availability in your desired location to determine which app is the best fit for your needs.
Norwegian Cruise Line app
The Norwegian Cruise Line app is a dedicated app for guests sailing with NCL. It provides information on activities, dining options, and entertainment onboard the ship. You can also make reservations, view your onboard account, and communicate with other guests. The app experience is different on-board than it is before you embark. One nice feature is the Freestyle Daily is right there in the app.
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Why I Use the Norwegian Cruise Line app
4.1 out of 5.0 starsPost-COVID, the cruise line apps and other electronic tools have really taken off in usage and importance, especially once you’re onboard. As of this writing, the app still can’t be used to unlock your stateroom door, but I expect that feature at some point. All the things that used to be printed or on the room TV are available in the app, and in spite of the per-user cost for the in-app text messaging, for Android users it’s pretty much a necessity unless you’ve sprung for unlimited Internet access.
I lowered the rating because the app can sometimes be glitchy and I think features such as direct calling and texting should work onboard and on shore. I understand this presents a technical challenge, but it’s not insurmountable. And at $10 a person, the costs to have the app calling/texting ability onboard is pricey. IMO this should be included in the cost of the voyage.
Reviews
“Overall, this app worked well and was a tremendous help to my group…being able to search through the restaurants was the biggest advantage to this app (and being able to book reservations directly from it was supper convenient).”
– DexRules1, Apple App Store
“Good features like showing my cruise account balance, my plans, and the ship’s itinerary. Plus all the places to eat, be entertained, makes it really easy to find where to go. Very easy to book excursions.”
– CaptCatnip, Apple App Store
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store, based on over 68,000 reviews.
No alternatives for NCL Passengers
One More Useful App for the Enthusiastic Cruiser
Cruise Critic: This app provides information on cruise lines, ships, and itineraries. You can also read reviews and ask questions on the app’s forums.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars on the App Store, based on over 1000 reviews.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to planning and enjoying your cruise vacation, having the right travel apps at your fingertips can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for help with itinerary planning, booking flights and accommodations, staying organized on the go, or finding convenient transportation options, there’s an app out there that can meet your needs.
In this article, we’ve reviewed some of the best apps for cruise travelers, including TripIt, Evernote, FlightAware, Uber, and the Norwegian Cruise Line app. Each of these apps offers unique features and benefits that can help you make the most of your cruise vacation. Of course, these apps aren’t the only options available, and there may be other apps that better meet your specific needs. It’s always a good idea to do your own research and read reviews from other travelers to determine which apps are best for you.
By using these apps to plan and enjoy your cruise vacation, you can save time, stay organized, and make the most of every moment on board and in port. Happy cruising!
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