Sometimes we find a holiday that changes our lives. Experiencing the music, flavours and vitality of the world’s lesser trodden roadways can do more for your confidence and self-belief than these mere words could possibly express. And then there are holidays that change the world, shaping and re-shaping the lives of travellers and communities alike. These transformative adventures are the core philosophy of the Impact Travel concept pioneered by Fathom cruises.

So, you've chosen to discover the cruise way of life (good choice, Holidaymaker) or you simply want to know how to make sure you soak up every last bit there is to offer on a Carnival Cruise, here are 8 of the finest tips to make your Carnival Cruise utterly epic.

Jac and Di are gurus when it comes to all things Caribbean. A Caribbean Carnival Cruise was a perfect chance to revisit some of their favourite spots and discover some of the lesser visited islands en route with a different destination each day. Jac gives the low down on what to discover on a Carnival Fascination adventure.

Sometimes it can be difficult to pin down which type of holiday you really want. In one ear there’s a towel-clad angel singing a siren-song of fly-and-flop goodness; in the other there’s a playful devil whistling marching tunes fit for fun-filled exploration. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s beyond the scope of mortal minds to find a balance between these two holidaymaking urges, but there’s a trump card every holidaymaker should keep in their back pocket: the Cruise & Stay. Your mind is probably adrift with questions on the cruise & stay concept, so here are some FAQs to pin it down.

Like all good things less ordinary, the likes of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Goethe’s Faust, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a cruise on the Carnival Valor comes in two parts: the ship, and the cruise.