Affiliate Disclosure

Last updated: January 18, 2026

The Short Version

Some pages on In the Wake contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

We only recommend products we believe will genuinely help cruisers. Our recommendations are based on research, personal experience, and community feedback — never on commission rates.

Our Independence

We are not affiliated with any cruise line.

In the Wake has no financial relationship with Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Disney, or any other cruise company. Our reviews, recommendations, and opinions about cruise lines are entirely independent.

Our affiliate relationships are limited to:

  • Amazon Associates — Travel gear, packing essentials, electronics, books
  • Hotel partners — Pre/post-cruise accommodations (future)

We will never accept affiliate relationships for cruise bookings, shore excursions, or cruise line promotions. Our cruise advice remains uninfluenced by commercial interests.

Amazon Associates Program

In the Wake is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

When you click an Amazon link on our site and make a purchase, Amazon pays us a small referral fee. This happens automatically and does not affect your purchase price.

What this means for you:

  • You pay the same price whether you use our link or go directly to Amazon
  • Your purchase helps support In the Wake at no extra cost to you
  • We appreciate when you use our links, but we'll never pressure you to do so

How We Choose What to Recommend

We recommend products based on:

  • Research — Reading reviews, comparing specifications, checking ratings
  • Personal experience — Products we've used ourselves on cruises
  • Community feedback — What experienced cruisers recommend
  • Value — Products that offer good quality at reasonable prices

We do not choose products based on:

  • Commission rates
  • Sponsorship or payment from brands
  • Pressure from manufacturers

If a product earns a higher commission but isn't the best option, we won't recommend it. Our credibility matters more than commissions.

Our Commitment to You

In the Wake was built on trust. We started this site to provide honest, helpful cruise guidance — not to make money from product sales.

Adding affiliate links is a way to support the ongoing work of maintaining and improving the site while keeping it free and accessible to everyone. It does not change our commitment to:

  • Honesty — We'll tell you when something isn't worth buying
  • Independence — We're not beholden to any cruise line or brand
  • Helpfulness — Every recommendation is meant to make your cruise better
  • Transparency — You'll always know when we might earn a commission

Questions?

If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or recommendations, please reach out through our About Us page.

We're happy to explain why we recommend any product, share our research, or point you to alternatives we don't earn commissions on.

FTC Compliance

This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials. The FTC requires that affiliate relationships be clearly disclosed to consumers.

For more information about the FTC's guidelines, visit FTC Disclosures 101.