These are the questions people ask before they book – and the ones they’re sometimes embarrassed to ask at all. Do you need to dress up? Will it feel crowded? Can you find a quiet corner on a ship with 6,000 people on it? I’ve been cruising long enough to have honest answers to all of them
I’m often asked where people can buy the little cruise ship models I have at home. These are the souvenir models of individual cruise ships that are usually sold in the onboard gift shop. The frustrating bit is that they … Read more
There isn’t enough space here for me to write out ‘Thank You’ 1388 times, but if there were, I would. 😂❤️ 1388 is how many Captain Hudson’s and First Mate Rolo’s were ordered this time and it has raised a whopping $18,531.19 for the two charities that we support!! 🐕🏥 That brings our total raised from all of the versions to a little over $205,000. That is an incredible sum by any measure, but it goes so much further than you’d think in the hands of the charities who are doing the most amazing…
I just disembarked Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady. This cruise made me think about how important it is who you cruise with and how that really can shape the whole trip. 😁🥰 I took this cruise with some friends I met on Spectrum of The Seas way back in 2023 and it was amazing to cruise together again. 😎🇯🇵 We enjoyed lots and lots of brilliant meals onboard, and being able to look at each other to laugh during some of Virgin Voyages more, errm, quirky entertainment was perfect. You’ll see what I…
Hello from Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady! Currently bobbing around the sea between Scotland and Iceland. 😁❤️ This is my 5th day onboard and what an adventure it’s been so far. The food, the ship, the cabins, the entertainment I can’t wait to show you it all. 😎⚓️ I have been SO incredibly impressed by the food, the crew and lots of little things Virgin do differently (like included Soda). I’m on here with some friends and it’s definitely been a great choice for us. 🥳🥤 This cruise wasn’t cheap,…
When you first board the ship, it is unlikely that you will be able to go straight to your cabin. Cabins are often ready between 1 pm and 2 pm, although this varies by cruise line and sailing. This can … Read more
On my recent Legend of the Seas cruise, my port stop at Naples was unexpectedly cancelled. The Captain made an announcement in the evening that came directly through the speakers in our cabin. Because I have travel insurance that includes … Read more
The fantastic new mega ship, Legend of the Seas, has an unusual permanent crew member – a young Golden Retriever called Skipper. Skipper’s official job title is “Chief Dog Officer”. I was hoping I could meet her sometime during my … Read more
As I started cruising as a child, that means I have been cruising for over two-thirds of my life! I have seen plenty of changes in that time, particularly over the last ten years or so. Some things have changed … Read more
Cruise ship balconies are one of the best places to relax at sea. It’s lovely to have your own bit of outside space to retreat to if the top decks are busy, and you want to have some quiet time. … Read more
It certainly isn’t unusual to see passengers using wheelchairs and mobility scooters onboard cruise ships, although there aren’t really any statistics showing exactly how many passengers use them. Cruising can be a great way to explore different countries and regions … Read more
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you find a cruise ship you would love to try, but the price is much higher than you expected? Why not try searching to find out whether your chosen ship has … Read more
Designing a new cruise ship is enormously expensive, complicated – and risky. Once a cruise line and shipyard have developed a successful design, it usually makes far more sense to build several versions of it than to start again from … Read more
For almost 10 years, I’ve been sharing my cruises with you on the internet with just one aim: to help you decide which cruises are for you and which definitely aren’t. 👀🚢 I’ve answered thousands of questions in that time, but there’s always been one question I’ve never had a really good answer to: “Emma, who should I book my cruise with?” 🤔🚢 I’m so happy to say that I finally have the answer! I’ve launched my own agency and you can now book your cruises through me and my team at The Cruise…
Things have changed a lot in the cruise industry over the last ten years – some would say for the better, others would say for the worse! Some changes are improvements, whilst others seem to be simply about cost-cutting. Some … Read more
ad • Hey hey! I’ve just disembarked a veeeery warm (but fantastic) week in the Mediterranean onboard Norwegian Epic! ????????️ Epic is completely unique and she was the ship where Norwegian tried new things. Some of them they did again, and some they never did (like the quirky bathroom layout). ????⚓️ She is definitely the most divisive cruise ship out there, some people love her and others love to hate her. I cruised on her way back in 2015, before I ever considered talking about cruises online, so I…
I have vivid memories of my first cruise on Norwegian Spirit, and how excited I was about going to the midnight chocolate buffet! It wasn’t about being hungry – it was about being able to stay up late and eat … Read more
Many people assume that the best time to cruise is the peak season. It must be popular for a reason right? I disagree! ????????For me, the best time to cruise is during what is called the shoulder season. These are the months before or after the peak time, and they are often much much cheaper. ???????? The peak season is often just the peak just because it’s during the school holidays. If you’re lucky enough to be like me and you don’t have to worry about those I’d always suggest looking at the…
One of the biggest mistakes first-time cruisers make is packing for a cruise like they’re going camping! Cruises can feel unfamiliar, so people often panic and bring a huge number of “just in case” items that are already provided onboard. … Read more
The classic cruise advice people always give is either: “Book as early as possible” or “Wait for last-minute deals” Both of these methods can genuinely save money, but which one is the right option for you? In this article, we … Read more
Some people feel motion sickness after they leave the cruise ship – not during the cruise itself. Passengers sometimes report: This can happen after short cruises, long cruises – and even to people who felt completely fine onboard Lots of … Read more