The best winter cruises from Southampton
Cruising is popular all year round. However, many cruise ships head stateside for the winter. They follow the sun to offer warm Caribbean cruises between October and April, before returning to Europe for the summer season. If you prefer to cruise from the UK, there are some good options for winter cruises from Southampton, but…
CocoCay with young kids: Everything you need to know
Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay underwent a huge refurbishment in 2019 which saw the addition of jaw-dropping facilities such as the tallest waterslide in North America, a 1600-foot zipline and a huge wave pool. The Bahamian island of CocoCay, which is only accessible by a cruise ship, offers a fantastic day ashore…
The 10 best cruise ports in the world according to the experts
There are over 1,200 cruise ports in the world so even the most frequent of cruisers won’t get to visit them all. However, there are some cruise ports which stand out from the rest as being truly stunning. I asked a selection of cruise experts to tell me all about their favourite port and why…
Things to do in Palma with kids
Palma de Mallorca is a popular port of call on Mediterranean cruises. The Mallorcan capital is a regular port of call on Costa Cruises, Marella Cruises and MSC Cruises, amongst others. If you’ve booked a cruise which calls as Palma, you’ll typically have between five and ten hours to explore. So, what’s the best way…
Best hotels near Barcelona cruise port
Barcelona is one of the world’s busiest cruise ports with seven cruise terminals located on three piers. The port of Barcelona is located at the waterfront in Port Vell, at the end of Las Ramblas in the centre of Barcelona. Many cruise passengers fly into Barcelona airport the day before their cruise, so want to…
What can you do for free at CocoCay?
Admission to CocoCay is free of charge and most of the attractions on the island are free, as is most of the food. Drinks are free if you have a cruise ship drinks package. Some of the thrill rides and the VIP chill areas have a charge. I recently visited Perfect Day at CocoCay and…
The best cruise line private islands
Private islands are seen as the ‘next big thing’ in the cruise industry. These cruise line-owned islands are becoming extensions of the ships themselves, featuring larger versions of on-board splash parks, the same great food you’ll find on the ship, and you may even find that cruise ship drinks and wi-fi packages are able to…
Best cruise destinations for families
So, you’re thinking of a family cruise. As well as researching which cruise line and ship is best for your family, it’s really important to choose well when it comes to destinations too. After all, you’ll get off the ship most days to explore a new town or city, so it’s worth investing a little…
The 5 best European river cruises for families
Years ago, cruising had a bit of a reputation as being ‘just for old people’. But boy, how times have changed! Virtual reality trampoline anyone? (You’ll find those on Royal Caribbean’s ships). But what about river cruising? Are river cruises good for families? The answer is a resounding YES! But, with some caveats. As with…
Cold weather cruises: 69 things to do on a ship
As a budget cruiser with a growing family, I’ve learned that compromise is vital to be able to afford to cruise. Whilst I’d love to spend two weeks in August sailing on a brand new cruise ship in a balcony cabin with a drinks package, I don’t have a spare £15,000 to spend on a…
