Lissa Poirot

Cruise News Writer

Lissa Poirot has been covering travel for more than a decade, including sites such as TripAdvisor, CruiseCritic, The Points Guy, Family Vacation Critic, and Family Traveller. Her love of travel has led Lissa to visit more than 43 countries and has her on a mission to see every state in the U.S. (only 4 states to go!). When she's not traveling, she's exploring new attractions and events on the weekends, be it in New York City or Philadelphia, as Lissa lives between both fabulous cities.

How did you get started in cruises?

Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, cruising was a way of life, but my cruising career began when I served on the editorial management team for Cruise Critic, including Family Vacation Critic. My first “work” cruise was an Alaskan cruise with my young kids on Disney Cruise Line, reporting and filming videos of our experience.

I’m a big fan of exploring new countries and cultures and I seek voyages that immerse me in new places. When onboard, I prefer to spend my time in relaxing in the adult-only or VIP areas with a good cocktail. (I like to spoil myself, and a sea day in the spa is my heaven.)

Beyond cruising, I’ve hiked 100 miles across Scotland, island hopped in the Caribbean, road tripped many of the biggest national parks in the US, and explored every major city in Europe and the US as a solo traveler, with girlfriends, on romantic escapades, and with my family.

What makes you a cruise expert?

As a travel expert, I’ve appeared on The Today Show, MSN, and ABC News, and appeared as a speaker at the New York Times Travel Show and Philadelphia Travel + Adventure Show.

My work as a writer and editor has garnered awards, including Best Domestic Magazine Article, Best Series, Best Feature Article, Best Service Journalism, and Best Online Travel Magazine.


My love of travel has led me to visit more than 43 countries and I have a mission to see every state in the U.S. (only 4 states to go!).

I’ve cruised extensively on oceans and rivers, including voyages on Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Carnival Cruise Line, Uniworld, and AmaWaterways.

I also love sailing, once chartering a 72-footer for a week in the British Virgin Islands being my favorite trips of all time.

You can check my Muck Rack profile here.

What’s your favorite cruise line?

Like destinations, picking a favorite cruise line depends on a variety of factors. As a Floridian, I was raised on Disney and feel nothing beats the attention to detail and magic found on Disney Cruise Line. I also really love the adults-only cruising found on Virgin Voyages, where fitness classes and healthy eating are a part of the vacations.

I prefers smaller cruise liners for more intimate journeys and really love river cruising, meandering down slow-moving rivers and visiting small village destinations. I’ve taken multiple trips down the Danube and Rhine Rivers, and once disembarked in a village in the morning to ride 25 miles along the river to meet up with my cruise in the evening.

What’s your top tip for new cruisers?

Cruising can be overwhelming – there’s so much to do and see on cruise ships. But my top tip is that cruising begins well before the cruise.

If you don’t book excursions and dinner reservations as soon as they open, you’ll be shocked and disappointed to board a ship and discover many popular places will be book solid for the duration of your journey. Download a cruise line’s app as soon as you book, and then sign up right away.

But don’t get discouraged if everything is booked. If you ask to be put on a waiting list, you can squeeze in when there are last-minute cancellations, which happen all the time.

You find out more about the Cruise Hive team right here.

2023
Started at Cruise Hive
594
Articles
Expertise
Cruises, Travel, Journalism, Disney
20
Cruises
43
Countries Visited
Philadelphia
Location Based

Articles By Lissa

Cunard Unveils Global Voyages for 2025-2027

Carnival-owned Cunard Line will embark on over 300 new journeys across four majestic ships through 2025-2027.

Tragic Overboard from MSC Cruise Ship While Docked

An American passenger has gone overboard the MSC World Europa cruise ship during a port of call in Malta.

Carnival Cruise Guests Take Part in Largest-Ever Vow Renewal at Sea

Carnival Cruise Line hosts a special global vow renewal ceremony on February 14, officiated by Shaquille O’Neal fleetwide.

Carnival to Expand Fleet, Orders New Excel Class Cruise Ship

Carnival Cruise Line has ordered a fourth Excel-class cruise ship from the Meyer Werft shipyard that will join the fleet in 2027.

Norwegian Cruise Line Puts Port of Call Back on Itinerary

Norwegian Cruise Line backtracks on itinerary change and puts back the original port of call of Ocho Rios, rather than Falmouth, in Jamaica.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Transatlantic Voyage Gets Port Time Adjustments

Norwegian Escape revises itinerary for April 2024 transatlantic cruise departing New York due to maintenance.

Cruise Line Announces Two New Grand Voyages

The UK-based cruise operator launches two new 2026 world sailings featuring a deep dive into South America and Antarctica.

Virgin Voyages Makes Changes to Repositioning Cruise

Virgin Voyages announces significant repositioning itinerary change for Resilient Lady amid Middle East tensions.

Carnival Cruise Line Names Godmother of Carnival Jubilee

Music icon Gwen Stefani will officially christen Carnival Jubilee at the Port of Galveston on February 24, 2024.