How big is the biggest cruise ship? What actually happens when a ship sounds a Code Alpha? How do crews manage a vessel that size? These are the cruise facts worth knowing – gathered from years of sailing, researching and asking the awkward questions
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
I am really too young to remember a time when smoking was allowed in pubs, bars and restaurants in the UK. Up until 2007, in the UK, smoking in restaurants and bars was fine, but in 2007, a blanket ban … Read more
Most cruise ships today restrict smoking, but did you know one ship once banned it completely? Carnival Paradise, the world’s first fully non-smoking cruise ship, set sail in 1998 The total cruise ship smoking ban didn’t last long, though. Here … Read more
Many people dream of river cruising, but it can be expensive and out of reach for many. The “bargain” prices you see advertised are usually the lowest category of cabin, often called “water level” or “underwater” cabins. Don’t worry, you … Read more
When I first started cruising, I was always puzzled by the Friends of Bill W. events I found on the daily schedule. Who is Bill W.? Why does he have so many friends, and how does he get everywhere? I … Read more
Imagine eating your dinner in a cruise ship dining room, and all of a sudden your waiter jumps on a table and starts dancing! That isn’t a one-off thing when you sail with Carnival Cruises, it’s a daily occurrence! In … Read more
Cruise ships now have more and more things onboard to entertain their guests. From water parks to rock climbing, video game arcades to air hockey tables – there really is something to suit everybody. Many ships also have bowling alleys … Read more
Cruise toilets aren’t like the toilets found in your home. They work on a vacuum system that reduces the water needed by up to 90% compared to toilets you would find on land. If you block your cabin toilet, it … Read more
As cruise ships grow larger, it makes sense that certain smaller ports lack the facilities or room for them to dock alongside. When this is the case, the ship has to “tender” instead. What is Tendering? Tendering is when ships … Read more
When you book your cruise online, look out for the box to tick to agree to – or decline an upgrade. If you book through a travel agent, make it clear if you don’t want an auto upgrade. While that … Read more
I see an awful lot of cruise ships, being a full-time cruise blogger. Sometimes you can go to a busy port and find three or four cruise ships docked there. It’s easy to think that cruise ships must make up … Read more
You probably won’t be surprised to know that in 2024, millions of people went on a cruise. In this post, we examine the latest data from the CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) and compare 2024 cruises to those taken in … Read more
The statistics used in this post have come from CLIA the Cruise Line International Association. I started my cruising blog back in 2016, because I loved to cruise – but many of my friends knew nothing about cruising and weren’t … Read more
Lots of language we use comes from ships and sailing – far more than you might realise. These phrases were used practically in the past, but have now become part of everyday speech, even for those who have never set … Read more
People often tell me that they think the cost of cruising is getting more and more expensive, often with hidden extras like service charges that aren’t included in the advertised price. Cruises range in price, and always have done. You … Read more
On January 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia struck a rock off the coast of Giglio Island, Italy. The ship partially sank, 32 lives were lost, and over 4,200 people were on board. The Captain was later convicted of manslaughter and … Read more
I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to sail on the Norwegian Aqua before the fare paying public got onboard for the inaugural transatlantic sailing. This trip from Lisbon, Portugal wasn’t without its problems. The weather was so … Read more
When I go on a cruise, I like to sit at a table with my family or the friends I am travelling with. Although I love to meet new people on a cruise and enjoy hearing about their experiences onboard, … Read more
Many people assume that bigger ships will mean longer queues/ lines everywhere. It makes sense, in theory, that the more passengers onboard, the more crowding there should be. In reality, it’s not the size of the ship that matters. It’s … Read more