Recently, I sailed from Portsmouth – and I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward it was. It’s a smaller cruise port than Southampton, but that can actually make things easier and simpler. Also, it is about 15 miles closer to … Read more
Cruiseline excursions can be great in some situations. If you are a first-time cruiser, a nervous traveller, or are a long way from home in an unfamiliar country, they can be the perfect solution. Most of the time, I either … Read more
It was a totally normal, relaxing afternoon onboard Fred.Olsen’s Borealis. I was on what Fred. Olsen calls a “Mystery Cruise.” Passengers had no idea where the five-day journey would take them – they only found out when the ship arrived … Read more
I love a Christmas cruise! Being away at Christmas takes away a lot of the stress that planning and preparing for a Christmas at home can bring. I only have to visit the supermarket in the run-up to Christmas, and … Read more
I took a Transatlantic crossing onboard the last Ocean Liner at sea, Queen Mary 2, in winter. That probably wasn’t a very sensible plan, as I know that I get seasick when things get rough. I had always wanted to … Read more
People are often surprised to find that I occasionally get seasick. Not just seasick, I am a travel-sick person in general – I can feel ill in cars, buses, and coaches – and I have done so all my life. … Read more
I’ve always wanted to take a transatlantic crossing, experience a classic Ocean Liner route, and take that Iconic sailing from New York to Southampton. I booked the trip knowing the Atlantic in January is often rough, but I hoped the … Read more
I was on a Royal Caribbean cruise onboard Symphony of the Seas, and I was heading into the ice rink for the evening show. I always like to go to the evening shows when possible, and the Ice skating shows … Read more
Cruise lines are brilliant at making optional extras look essential, especially for first-timers. It is in their interests to make you spend as much money as possible with them whilst you are onboard. As a seasoned cruiser, I only spend … Read more
Most of us know that cruise ships are dismantled, and much of their construction materials are sorted and sent for recycling. But what happens to the ship’s contents? All those fixtures and fittings that are too good to be thrown … Read more
What happens to a cruise ship when she reaches the end of her cruising life? Thousands of passengers might have made lifelong memories on board, but all ships come to the end of their working life sooner or later. Cruise … Read more
Picture the scene, you have a wonderful cruise, get back home tired, but happy – then you realise you have left something behind on the ship. How on earth are you going to get it back? In this article, we … Read more
The cruise industry tracks the number of cruise ships sailing to the Caribbean and also the volume of passengers visiting the region. Numbers reached record levels in 2023 and 2024. The Caribbean has the largest share of global cruise itineraries. … Read more
Let’s face it, most of us dread disembarkation day! You start to see people putting their cases out in the corridor on the last evening, and you get that sinking feeling. Your cruise is coming to an end. This is … Read more
It’s no secret that I love a bit of ship history! Living in the UK, I feel spoilt for choice when it comes to opportunities to visit places steeped in maritime history. And not just dusty old museums. You can … Read more
ad – This content was created on a press trip (similar to those travel agents and journalists take). All thoughts and opinions are my own. On my last cruise, I braved drop slides, a zip line and a ropes course. … Read more
I’ve just disembarked a cruise on one of the world’s most exciting cruise ships, where I braved a 5-storey drop slide and walked the plank 18 decks above the ocean. The cruise was onboard Norwegian Breakaway, and even though I … Read more
When I first set foot on a cruise ship, way back in 2005, my eleven-year-old mind was blown by all the amazing food and drink options, the entertainment, and the many things I could do onboard that I couldn’t do … Read more
Cruise ships are like floating hotels, and with thousands of people coming and going each week, it’s no surprise that the lost and found departments are always busy. From sunglasses to suitcases, you’d be amazed at what gets left behind … Read more
Disembarkation morning often feels rushed, and it’s surprisingly easy to leave things behind in your cabin. Before you shut the door for the last time, take a minute to run through these quick checks. It could save you a lot … Read more