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
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
A couple of days ago, I took a cruise that went UNDER TOWER BRIDGE in central London! Yep, you heard me right, the bridge opened up and we sailed out late at night. ????⚓️ I love London so this was a dream come true and something I’ll never forget. The ship was Windstar’s Star Pride and she holds a maximum of 312 guests. She’s a tiny little ship compared to the ships I usually sail on. ???????? I say she’s tiny and she is, but she used to be even smaller. The ship was cut in half and a brand new…
I know that a concern of many travellers is that if they book a cruise, they will be stuck with thousands of people. There will be busy pools, packed buffets, no seats in the bars – and it will be … Read more
Lots of people believe that if they are loyal to a cruiseline, very lucky, or extra polite, they might get a free cabin upgrade. Unfortunately, more and more upgrades aren’t random acts of kindness, they’re business decisions. Understanding this can … Read more
You’re often surrounded by water as far as the eye can see when you take a cruise, so surely you need to be able to swim? No, actually, you don’t need to be able to swim to take a cruise. … Read more
With ships getting bigger and bigger, many with thousands of passengers onboard, have you ever wondered whether food could run out, especially when they are sailing at full capacity? Cruise ships can carry thousands of guests, all eating multiple times … Read more
A lot of people worry they’ll be seated with strangers every night on a cruise. For some, that’s enough to put them off booking altogether. Some cruisers love meeting new people, but others really don’t want to be bothered with … Read more
Many people imagine cruises are very formal, and think it will be all suits, ballgowns, and strict dress codes every night. This is one of the most common concerns people have before they book, and it can genuinely put people … Read more
I’ve done loads of cruise line excursions over the years. Some have been great, but often, I end up feeling disappointed. They aren’t cheap, and it doesn’t always seem like you are getting good value for your money. Really, I … Read more
6,000 passengers on one cruise ship might sound ridiculous. That could be compared to a small town or a packed stadium. I would normally avoid really crowded stadium events, but wouldn’t think twice about taking a cruise on a mega … Read more
When I’m on a cruise and I tell people I’m looking for cookies, they might think I mean biscuits and am using the American word – but I don’t. Cookies and biscuits are different in the UK. Americans seem to … Read more
Seasickness is one of the biggest worries people have before their first cruise. The question I get asked more than anything else is whether those seasickness wristbands actually work. They’re cheap, easy to use, and you’ll see loads of people … Read more
One of the first things many people notice when they step into a cruise cabin is that the walls are magnetic. It’s not something most people expect, but once you realise it, it’s surprisingly useful. I get asked about this … Read more
Most people assume cruise security is just like airport security. After going through both regularly, there are some big differences and a few things really surprised me. You still go through scanners, bags are checked, and there are still rules … Read more