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Cruise Ship Reviews

I’ve reviewed ships ranging from Norwegian Luna on her very first sailing to a 2001-built Norwegian Star, and from the smallest inside cabin on a brand new ship to the luxury area most guests never see. These are my honest, first-hand reviews of specific ships — what they’re actually like to sail on, not just what the brochure says.

I’ve Been On Every Marella Ship — This One Is My Favourite

19/03/202617/03/2026

It is no secret that I love a Marella cruise. I have sailed on all five ships in the fleet – and have enjoyed each for different reasons. I love Marella Cruises’ relaxed approach to cruising, the variety of dining options, … Read more

Tags all inclusive, Canary Islands, marella, Marella Voyager
Marella Voyager ship with Emma Cruises

I Booked The Same Cruise Ship Twice – Here’s Why

23/12/2025

Note: This post is sponsored by Marella Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my 8+ Cruises with Marella. Lots of people like to cruise on the newest, flashiest cruise ships when they are first launched. Others … Read more

Tags all inclusive, Canary Islands, marella, Marella Voyager, Mediterranean Cruise
Fred Olsen Borealis and Emma Cruises

I Took a Mystery Cruise with a Traditional Cruise Line (Nobody Knew The Itinerary!)

01/12/2025

I’ve just disembarked one of the world’s strangest cruises, where nobody onboard had any idea where the ship was sailing to, we only found out each day when we arrived in port. This cruise was with a traditional cruise line, … Read more

Tags Borealis, bruges, Fred Olsen, Hamburg, Mystery Cruise

Can a 2001 Cruise Ship Compete in 2025?

13/08/2025

I’ve recently been onboard a 12-night cruise on one of the oldest and smallest cruise ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. The ship I was sailing on was Norwegian Star. She was built in 2001, and she doesn’t have … Read more

Tags Iceland, Norway, Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Star, Svalbard

I Wanted to Love This Cruise (But Didn’t) – Carnival Miracle Review

26/05/202612/07/2025

I’ve just disembarked a week-long Carnival cruise on a ship that has to be seen to be believed. From a three-hour-long embarkation to my friends being given a full refund because their cabin was so dirty – this trip was … Read more

Tags Carnival Miracle, Cruise ship review, Lisbon, Smoking

I Took the Cheapest All Inclusive Cruise – I’m Still Thinking About It

03/06/202528/05/2025

I’ve recently been onboard an all-inclusive cruise on one of the oldest and smallest cruise ships around. The ship I sailed on started her life as Legend of the Seas for Royal Caribbean in the 1990s. She’s now with an … Read more

Tags Canary Islands, food review, marella, Marella Discovery 2, ocean view cabin, Ship review

I Stayed in The Luxury Area of a Cruise Ship That Most Guests Never Get to See

03/05/2025

I’ve been cruising with Norwegian for 20 years, and in that time, I’ve stayed in all of the cheapest cabins -mostly inside cabins or ocean views – but a few balconies, too, and that felt like a real treat. I’ve … Read more

Tags cabin review, ncl, Norwegian Aqua, pre-launch trip, suite, The Haven

I Cruised On The Most Formal Lines Brand New Ship – Cunard’s Queen Anne Review

26/05/202607/04/2025

I recently cruised with the most traditional cruise line there is, known for their strict dress codes, formal nights, ballroom dancing and afternoon tea. On paper this really isn’t a cruise that suits me, but when Cunard announced that they … Read more

Tags cabin review, cruise info, Cunard, Queen Anne, Ship review
Emma cruises onboard Norwegian Spirit

Japan by Sea – I Took a Cruise Like No Other (American Ship)

13/02/2025

When you think of cruising, you probably imagine Caribbean beaches or glaciers in Alaska. My recent cruise was nothing like that – it couldn’t have been more different. I spent 11 days cruising around Japan on an American cruise ship … Read more

Tags asia, balcony cabin, bath, japan, Norwegian Cruise Line, norwegian spirit, suite

Why I Wouldn’t Recommend This Balcony Cabin on Queen Mary 2 (Full Cabin Review)

26/05/202615/01/2025

If you are taking a cruise on the Queen Mary 2, you may be wondering if a balcony cabin is a good option for you. When I took a Transatlantic cruise, my parents had a balcony cabin on deck 11. … Read more

Tags balcony cabin, cabin review, Cunard, Forward cabin, queen mary 2, Seasickness, upgrade

I Stayed In The Smallest Cabin on a BRAND NEW Cruise Ship

20/11/202420/11/2024

If you’ve ever seen a cruise line advertise their cruises, you’ll notice that they usually show you balcony cabins. They don’t share that many rooms have no outside space at all, and a massive percentage don’t even have windows. Inside … Read more

Tags cabin review, Cunard, inside cabin, Queen Anne
Aurora inside cabin

I Paid £50 Extra to Pick my Inside Cabin Because of THIS Feature I’ve Never Seen Before

13/01/202504/09/2024

I recently went on a cruise and stayed in an inside cabin with a very quirky feature.  The cabin was located right in the middle of deck 11 without any access to daylight or the outside world. I spent most … Read more

Tags Aurora, bruges, cabin review, inside cabin, P&O Cruises, short cruise
Emma cruises Anthem of the Seas

7 Days Onboard The Anthem of the Seas To Norway

17/02/202625/08/2024

I was recently onboard a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise, heading to Norway with my family on Anthem of the Seas. I’ve been cruising for years but usually, I only cruise with other adults. On this cruise, though, I brought my … Read more

Tags Anthem of the Seas, family, Norway, Royal Caribbean
Emma cruises P&O Aurora lifering

I Took a Cruise After an Outbreak, Would I Regret It? – 3 Days at Sea

09/07/202517/08/2024

Two days before I embarked on a cruise onboard P&O’s Aurora, I received an email that nobody likes to get. It read, “During the last cruise, a number of people have reported to the Medical Centre with symptoms of “gastrointestinal … Read more

Tags Aurora, bruges, P&O Cruises, Ship review, short cruise
Emma cruises Alaska sailaway

7 Days Exploring Alaska By Cruise Ship – I Was Shocked

11/06/202407/06/2024

I’ve just disembarked a cruise on one of the biggest and most exciting cruise ships in the world, where I spent 7 days exploring Alaska. I saw and did things that if I hadn’t seen them with my own eyes, … Read more

Tags Alaska, norwegian, Norwegian Encore, Ship review
Cookies, Marella Explorer 2

I Took The Cheapest All-Inclusive Cruise – It Was Eye-Opening (Not For Everyone!)

02/07/202530/05/2024

I recently took an all-inclusive weekend cruise on one of the oldest and smallest cruise ships around. The ship I sailed on started her life with Celebrity Cruises and now is a completely adult-only ship where everything – including alcohol … Read more

Tags marella, Ship review

7 Days in a Balcony Cabin in Alaska – Worth It? (Norwegian Encore Cabin Review)

18/02/202630/05/2024

ad – DISCLAIMER: I was invited onboard Norwegian Encore on a press trip. I recently went on a cruise sailing across Alaska and I stayed in a balcony cabin. Normally, I’m happy with an inside cabin or perhaps an ocean … Read more

Tags Alaska, cabin review, ncl, norwegian cruise, Norwegian Encore

I Stayed in The Biggest Inside Cabin (P&O Aurora Review)

18/02/202621/05/2024

If you are taking a cruise on P&O’s Aurora you may be wondering if an inside cabin is a good choice for you. This review is based on my thoughts on cabin number A297, it was a MASSIVE inside cabin. … Read more

Tags cabin review, inside cabin, p&o, P&O Cruises, Ship review
Celestyal Olympia Cruises Aft

Why Cruise Lines Sell Ships to Other Cruise Lines (Average Lifespan and More)

18/02/202608/05/2024

I have sailed on many older cruise ships that started their lives as cruise ships for different Cruise Lines The largest cruise companies, like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, regularly introduce newer, larger ships to their fleets. They can … Read more

Tags cruise info, Ship History, ships
MSC World Europa Emma Cruises Valetta

7 Days on Europe’s Biggest Cruise Ship – Mind Blowing!

27/02/2024

I recently disembarked a cruise on one of the biggest and most exciting cruise ships in the entire world. I braved an 11-storey slide and went to a secret bar that doesn’t exist on the deck plan. The cruise was … Read more

Tags Mediterranean, MSC, MSC World Europa, Ship review
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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.

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