For years, decades even, I have been sailing with many different mainstream cruise lines. Back in 2019, I was invited on a Viking cruise as part of a four-day press trip. Since then, I have wanted to try a proper … Read more
Ambassador and Fred. Olsen are two traditional, UK-focused cruise lines that are often compared by travellers looking for a quieter, more classic cruise experience. While they appear similar at first glance, the onboard experience, atmosphere, and target audience can feel … Read more
On my recent Viking cruise, I discovered that luxury cruising isn’t always about big, obvious things like fancy suites or free-flowing champagne! Tiny, almost unadvertised luxury details can quietly change how the whole cruise feels. When I sailed on Viking … Read more
I book budget cruises and cheap cabins regularly. They can be brilliant – a great way to see the world at an affordable price. Unpleasant surprises can come with cheap cabins though, and that is often to do with the … Read more
If you are considering or taking a cruise, adding on a stay either before or after can be a great way to extend your trip. You’ve already paid for the flights and spent the time on the plane, so you … Read more
Marella Cruises has announced it will be visiting some new, exciting destinations in summer 2027, I’ve never been to either so was very excited to find out all about these ports. In 2027, Marella will be visiting Saranda in Albania … Read more
Are you considering your first cruise in 2026 or 2027? This article will guide you from pre-cruise through to disembarkation, helping you avoid costly, time-consuming mistakes. I have included tips from seasoned cruisers on a range of cruise-related topics. Use … Read more
I’ve been on cruises with Fred Olsen, P&O, MSC and Ambassador where I have been assigned a shared table with strangers for dinner. These aren’t the only cruise lines that do it but some cruise lines like NCL and Marella … Read more
With many cruise lines, like MSC, Royal Caribbean and Cunard, you can bid for an upgrade to your cruise cabin. The idea is that you offer to pay more to upgrade your cabin category, but not the full amount the … Read more
Cruise Wi-Fi has improved massively in recent years, especially with the introduction of the “Starlink” network- but that doesn’t mean that it always works the way people expect. Most passenger frustration seems to stem from the fact that they think … Read more
I keep seeing news stories about people “falling” from cruise ships. I always wonder “What on earth were they doing to manage that?” I am sure I am not alone in that reaction! Anyone who has ever taken a cruise … Read more
I’ve just disembarked a cruise that I honestly never thought I’d be taking again. The first time I tried this trip, it went very wrong. We were just four hours into the cruise when the Captain announced that the entire … Read more
Note: This post is sponsored by Marella Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my 8+ Cruises with Marella. Lots of people like to cruise on the newest, flashiest cruise ships when they are first launched. Others … Read more
Cruise lines often try to give you the impression that you need to buy a drinks package to get the most value and enjoyment out of your cruise. Drinks packages sound simple, pay once and then you can drink what you like … Read more
British people, Australians, and Americans have very different views on tipping. In the USA, tipping is expected because it makes up a large per cent of a person’s wages. Whereas in the UK and Australia, except in a few circumstances, … Read more
I have grown to love oceanview cabins over the years, and seem to be booking them more and more often. They can provide a good upgrade from an inside cabin for a comparatively small cost. Often, the price of an … Read more
I have been lucky enough to go on quite a few excursions while on cruises, some with the cruise line and some independently. If there is somewhere you particularly want to visit that isn’t near the port area, excursions can … Read more
I’ve just disembarked one of the world’s strangest cruises, where nobody onboard had any idea where the ship was sailing to, we only found out each day when we arrived in port. This cruise was with a traditional cruise line, … Read more
I recently took a mystery cruise with the British cruiseline, Fred. Olsen. We took a five-day trip from Portsmouth, and we had no idea where we would be sailing to. The ship itself felt surprisingly British – small and slightly … Read more
Cruise lines run sales throughout the year, not just on Black Friday. Knowing when these sales are likely to happen will help you understand people’s typical cruise booking patterns. It will make you realise that these well-advertised sales aren’t always … Read more