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Packing Tips

I’ve taken a two-week cruise with just a carry-on. I’ve also had my suitcase left behind at Venice airport. I’ve learned a lot about packing for cruises – what you actually need, what you really don’t, and the mistakes that are very easy to make. Everything here is based on real trips, real destinations and real lessons

Planning a British Isles Cruise? Don’t Get Caught Out by the Weather!

05/03/2025

I love a British Isles cruise. Even though I am from the UK, they visit places that I would not usually have the opportunity to get to. Living down on the south coast of England, I have to take a … Read more

Tags Belfast, british isles, cruise ports, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Packing List, weather
Emma Cruises Symphony of the Seas

Ready to Set Sail? Discover the Secrets to Planning the Perfect Cruise

17/02/202625/08/2024

When planning your perfect cruise, there is a lot to think about! From picking the perfect destination to making sure you pack all the essentials, a new cruiser could easily feel overwhelmed! If you make the right choices, cruising is … Read more

Tags cruise cabins, Cruise Destinations, cruise packing, cruise tips, money saving, travel agent
Air Tags lost luggage Venice Airport

My Suitcase Was Left Behind – Here’s How I Knew Before Everybody Else – and Got It Back

09/07/202525/08/2024

I spent a wonderful week’s cruise around Venice and the Venetian Lagoon onboard the luxury Uniworld river ship SS La Venezia. Normally, I wouldn’t book a luxury ship like this, but I got a half-price deal in the Christmas sales. … Read more

Tags Captain Hudson, Gatwick airport, hand luggage, luggage, suitcase, uniworld

5 Small But Important Things I Do The Day Before a Cruise

30/07/2024

Getting ready for a cruise can be stressful! Some people have packing off to a fine art, throwing in everything at the last minute, and never forgetting a thing. Others start to pack weeks in advance, put things into the … Read more

Tags cruise packing, cruise tips, Insurance, paperwork, preparations

5 Things Smart Cruisers Do To Keep Their Cabins Organised

17/02/202604/07/2024

Cruise ship cabins are very well designed to make the most of the available space. That said, they often aren’t as large as a hotel room on land, so you have to be quite organised so that you can find … Read more

Tags cruise cabins, cruise packing, cruise tips, packing
Emma cruises in Sunglasses with a ship

Top 8 Cruise Packing Mistakes You Need to Avoid

22/06/2024

Some people constantly worry that they have forgotten to pack something when they go on a cruise – others have packing down to a fine art and never worry about it at all. Whichever category you fall into, these are … Read more

Tags cruise packing, cruise tips, Fly Cruise Tips, hand luggage, luggage, packing
norwegian fjord cruise view from balcony emma cruises in geiranger

I Took a Summer Cruise To Norway – Here’s What I Packed (Clothes, Accessories & More)

02/07/202511/06/2024

Norway is one of my favourite places to cruise to – I have returned again and again. The weather can be unpredictable, to say the least, so you need to be prepared for all eventualities. If you are planning a … Read more

Tags cruise info, cruise packing, cruise tips, Norway, Packing List

15 Common Mistakes – Things Cruisers Wish They Knew About Before Their First Cruise

18/02/202604/06/2024

When you embark on your first cruise, you may be worried about things you have forgotten about or be concerned that you aren’t as well prepared as you should be. There is no need to worry! In this article, we … Read more

Tags cruise tips, first cruise tips, Included Food, packing
Emma Cruises, Norwegian Encore, Alaska

A Light Packers Guide to Alaska – (What I Brought – and 17 “Essentials” I Didn’t Bring) + Printable Checklist

18/02/202630/05/2024

If you are considering an Alaska cruise you may be wondering what you need to pack. Unpredictable weather can make packing for an Alaskan cruise a little harder than some other destinations – but I have successfully managed it and … Read more

Tags Alaska, cruise packing, ncl, Packing List
Emma and suitcase

5 Things You Should NEVER Leave Until Disembarkation Day

04/04/202404/04/2024

It is often a bit of a rush on disembarkation morning – getting up and out of your cabin early and leaving the ship at your designated time. There are lots of things you can do in advance to make … Read more

Tags cruise tips, disembarkation
cruise airport luggage

8 Annoying Mistakes I’ve Made on Cruises (Some Expensive and Some Just Frustrating)

20/03/2024

Everyone thinks of me as being a “Cruise Expert” – but believe me, I have made some stupid mistakes when cruising – just the same as everyone else! Find out what in this article… #1 Time Zone Mistake I arrived … Read more

Tags cruise tips, cruising
Emma Cruises Norway Views from a window

I Took a Norwegian Coastal Cruise in Winter (21 Ports in 4 Days)

08/05/202420/02/2024

I recently disembarked a cruise on a battery-powered ship that visited 21 different ports in 4 days. The journey took us from Tromsø up in the Arctic Circle all the way down to Bergen – and I took this cruise … Read more

Tags coastal cruising, Havila, Norway, packing
emma cruises heat holders grey hat gray

Essentials I Packed For a Norwegian Coastal Cruise in Winter

18/06/202510/02/2024

If you are taking a cruise to Norway in the winter you might be wondering what to pack. It can be particularly tricky if you aren’t from a cold climate but it’s very important that you get it right. I’ve … Read more

Tags Norway

Theme Nights On Cruise Ships (Everything You Need to Know) – Examples

18/06/202504/01/2024

What Is A Themed Night? A themed night on a cruise ship where guests and staff dress up with a specific theme in mind. Colour-themed nights are very popular – particularly White Night, which is held on many different cruise … Read more

Tags cruise packing, dress code, theme
Packing with Hudson

Planning And Packing For Your Cruise – Things To Do In Advance!

18/02/202613/09/2023

Many people overpack when they go on a cruise, and end up bringing clean clothes back home with them. I prefer to pack light wherever I can. I have been known to take a two-week cruise with only a carry–on … Read more

Tags cruise tips, packing
emma cruises bolette fred olsen

I Took a Northern Lights Cruise – Here’s What I Packed (Clothes, Accessories & More)

22/02/202607/04/2023

If you are planning a cruise to see the Northern Lights, you may be wondering what you need to bring. It definitely isn’t an easy trip to pack for and preparation is key. I’ve just disembarked a 9 nine-night cruise … Read more

Hey hey hey, I'm Emma and I LOVE cruising! I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I've been hooked ever since. I create cruise content across YouTube, this website and my social accounts, all with the aim of helping you to find, and take your perfect cruise. 48,000 people receive my best cruise tips, insights and guides every week. You can join them for free by clicking here.

I co-founded The Cruise Globe, the cruise tracker app, where you can track, share and relive cruises like never before (for free!). 🌍🚢

Want to explore, track and share your cruises like never before? 🌍⚓️

Join over 100,000 people on our brand new cruise tracker app, The Cruise Globe. It's completely free and SO much fun. 😇⚓️

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