What do pineapples mean?
If you know, you know… On a cruise (and sometimes also on land) ‘pineapple’ is code for swinging or wife-swapping. If you see pineapple on a cruise ship door it means that the people in the cabin are up for …
First time cruisers
Do you need cruise travel insurance?
When planning a cruise, it’s wise to make sure that you’re covered financially should you fall ill, miss your flight, lose your luggage or your cruise be cancelled. But do you need special cruise travel insurance? Or will your usual …
The Best Deck on a Cruise Ship (to avoid seasickness and noise)
I often receive messages via Instagram from first-time cruisers asking what’s the best deck to choose on a cruise ship. The answer is far from straightforward, so I’ve written this guide to help you to decide what’s the best deck …
How to Text on a Cruise Ship for Free
When you’re on land, texting is often the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to keep in touch with people. Whilst many people love to disconnect completely during their cruise, there may be times when you want to check on your …
How Much Does a Cruise Cost?
How much do cruises really cost? To work out the real cost of a cruise you should consider not just your cruise ship ticket price, but anything else you’ll need such as flights to the port, shore excursions, drinks and …
How Big is a Cruise Ship?
Cruise ships sure are big! The first time I ever stepped on a cruise ship I couldn’t believe how big it was. It took me almost a week to learn where everything was on the ship. Even now, I always …
How fast do cruise ships go?
Cruise ships are like huge floating cities, transporting up to 6,000 passengers around the world. Given their mammoth size, you may be wondering how fast cruise ships go… This article will tell you how fast cruise ships go in mph …
7 Easy Ways to Remember Port and Starboard
Port and starboard are the words used to describe the left and right of a boat or ship when you’re facing the front. With many cruise ships being over 1,000 feet long, it’s easy to get lost on board, and …
Cruise essentials packing list
There’s no shortage of cruise packing lists online. Having a list of what to pack for a cruise can be very handy, particularly if it’s your first cruise or your first time travelling with a baby or child. Suggested read: …
How to book a cruise for a family of 4
Finding a cruise for a family of four can be tricky because when you see cruise offers advertised online, they’re almost always based on two people sharing. This means that it can be very tricky to compare cruise prices for …
Cruise ship norovirus statistics & how to avoid sickness
Norovirus is a common and contagious illness that can affect people on cruise ships as well as on land. This article includes statistics about the prevalence of norovirus on cruise ships, as well as giving helpful information about how to …
How long does it take to get off a cruise ship?
The time it takes to get off a cruise ship will depend on whether the ship is calling at a port of call or it is the final stop at the end of the cruise. At some ports of call, …
How to pay for a cruise in instalments
The traditional way to book and pay for a cruise involves paying a small deposit at the time of booking and then paying off the balance around 12 weeks before you sail. However, many people struggle to budget for the …
What is a Pullman bed on a cruise ship?
In cruise ship cabins that sleep more than two people, the third and fourth beds may be sofa beds or Pullman beds. But what is a Pullman bed, exactly? A Pullman bed is a top bunk bed that pulls down …
Cruise myths debunked
The cruise industry is often misunderstood. People who have never taken a cruise may believe all kinds of crazy myths about what life’s like on a cruise ship. Even those who have cruised before may be surprised to learn that …
What can you NOT bring on a cruise?
If you’ve never cruised before, it’s really important to know what NOT to pack to take on the ship. You’ll want to avoid any potentially embarrassing situations at check-in by making sure you don’t pack any cruise ship contraband. Cruise …
Can you smoke on a cruise ship?
Whether you hate the thought of your children being around cigarette smoke on-board your family cruise, or you’re a smoker wanting to know where you can smoke on a cruise ship, this article will give you all the information you …
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 …
Why I (almost) always choose an inside cabin for a family cruise
It’s a question which is asked a lot – are inside or outside cruise cabins best? Once you’ve chosen your cruise ship, destination and dates, one important question you’ll be faced with is which cabin type to choose. I’ve booked …
8 reasons not to cruise with children (and why they’re not valid!)
In my previous post, 8 reasons why cruises are perfect for families, I listed all the reasons that a cruise holiday makes an ideal family trip. However, it’s only fair that I address the other side of the coin! Many …
