One of the things I love most about cruising is the opportunity to visit places that you would never normally see. Once you have chosen a cruise itinerary that suits you, you can sit back and think about where you wish to visit. You will then have to decide whether you would like to take … Read more
I have taken two wonderful “Barge, Bike and Cruise” sailings on an ex-1930s cargo ship named Merlijn. Both involved cycling up to 50km/31 miles each day through the German countryside. They really were a test of my fitness and endurance, but I am so glad I went. They were some of the most memorable cruises … Read more
I am lucky enough to cruise a lot. I have built a business around my passion – which is cruising! There are certain rules I never break when it comes to booking and going on my cruise. In this article, we look at what those rules are – so that you don’t make any expensive … Read more
People often ask me, can I bring my cat or dog with me when I cruise? I have a cat, Hudson – and a dog, Rolo – and I know how hard it is to be parted from them! In this article, we look at if, and when dogs and cats are allowed onboard cruise … Read more
Adult-only cruises are very popular for lots of reasons. Many people want to totally relax when they are away, and although it’s great to have children around, sometimes you just want some peace and quiet! Some cruise lines, like Virgin Voyages, are completely adult-only. Others, like Marella and P&O, have adult-only ships in their fleets. … Read more
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 nieces along, and it has been a totally different experience. When I saw this trip … Read more
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 a great travel option. You will have the opportunity to visit many interesting and varied … Read more
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. I decided to take my Dad along, as he was celebrating a “Big” birthday. Venice … Read more
There are lots of health benefits to taking a cruise holiday. The health benefits go far beyond just having time to put your feet up or relax on deck. When people think of cruising, they often associate it with overindulging at the buffet, sitting about or relaxing by the pool. There are many opportunities to … Read more
Cruising is great for first-time nervous travellers, you can have adventures and explore the world, but cruising gives you a sense of security too. If you don’t like the place you are visiting for some reason, you have a luxury cruise ship as a base. You can just return to a ship to enjoy great … Read more
If you enjoy ocean cruises, you may look at River Cruises and think they could never be as fun or enjoyable. Ocean Cruises and River Cruises offer very different experiences. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but both can offer a really enjoyable cruising experience. In this article, we look at the popular misconceptions people have … Read more
I recently took an Easter weekend cruise on Marella Explorer 2. I booked it just a couple of months beforehand, and I had a fantastic time. Because the cruise was over a Bank Holiday weekend, my friend didn’t have to worry about taking time off work. She is a teacher so has to cruise during … Read more
Marella is a British cruise line that offers good value all-inclusive cruise packages, with flights, transfers, and drinks included as standard. I’ve cruised with them 5x! As Marella is a British cruise line, daily service charges and gratuities are not added to your onboard account. Gratuities are included within the cruise fare. If you sail … Read more
Cruises are great! They suit so many people, and I am not surprised that millions choose to cruise every year. Even if you are a regular cruiser, there might be certain costs that could catch you out. In this article, we look at things that you need to look out for that could cost extra. … Read more
River cruises are expensive, it is a fact of life. When Tui moved into the river cruise market in 2021 it opened up river cruising to a new group of travellers who may not have previously afforded them. I have cruised with TUI on the river twice. This post is based on my experiences with … Read more
If you have children, grandchildren, or other children in the family, you might be wondering whether a cruise would be a good option for your family holiday/ vacation. I have been cruising since I was a child, and now I take my nieces on cruises. They love it as much as I did. I also … Read more
Most of us know that feeling. We have been looking forward to our cruise for ages, have had a fantastic time away – and now it is all over! Returning from a cruise can be quite depressing. You have to unpack your case, do the laundry – and face the reality of going back to … Read more
I have recently returned from a lovely trip on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. We sailed from Southampton and visited the Norwegian Fjords. Before the cruise, I thought about the drinks I would be buying onboard, and I didn’t hesitate to buy a Royal Caribbean Soda package. I usually prefer a “Pay as you … Read more
If you haven’t done your cruise research, you might be shocked at the end of your cruise to find the additional costs on your onboard account can cost as much as the cruise fare itself! In this article, we look at things unsuspecting cruisers might assume are included in the cruise fare, but actually come … Read more
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 the top packing mistakes you may want to avoid. #1 Overpacking I try to make … Read more