Featured blog posts
I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Sabatini's Menu and Review (With Photos)
Restaurants and Dining on Sky Princess: Complete Food Guide
If you’re a foodie, then you’re going to absolutely love the Sky Princess.
Whether you’re sticking to the all inclusive fare or have the budget to splash out on speciality meals, there’s plenty for you to enjoy onboard. Even the buffet is a huge treat, with themed nights and rotating menus that keep things fresh.
This blog post explains where you can eat onboard the Sky Princess, including the three dining options: included, casual and speciality.
Princess Sanctuary Cost - Is It Worth It?
As Princess’s coveted luxury area, the Sanctuary is found onboard the majority of their ships, and is often in high demand. I was able to take a quick look around during my recently voyage on the Sky Princess, and was very impressed with what I found.
This space is designed to be a high-end alternative to the busy pool areas elsewhere on their ships. In this blog post I explain what exactly the Sanctuary provides, how much it costs, and whether it’s worth booking.
Please note that all photographs were taken by myself onboard the Sky Princess, and that the Sanctuary may differ between ships.
Sky Princess Ship Review - My Honest Experience
I’m writing this after returning from my first ever Princess cruise, and wow, I had such an amazing time.
The Sky Princess is well regarded and really is something special. From her excellent use of technology, to the delicious food, fantastic entertainment and beautiful public areas, she really is the setting for a dream holiday.
In this blog post I share my honest experience of sailing on the Sky Princess, along with lots of photos from my time onboard.
Sky Princess Balcony Cabin Review: E310
Here’s my full review of my obstructed balcony cabin on the Sky Princess.
One of the things that I love about modern cruise ships is that the cabins often resemble the high end hotels that you find on land. As the Sky Princess launched in 2019, I knew that her cabins would have a modern, luxurious feel - and I wasn’t wrong!
Queen Mary 2 Dress Code: What to Wear Onboard
As someone who loves both books and cruising, I’m a big fan of Cunard Line.
During a time when many cruise companies are removing literary spaces from their ships, Cunard continues to feature show stopping libraries housing thousands of individual titles. So when I saw that the Queen Mary 2 was setting off on a two night summer Jurassic Coast sailing, I jumped at the chance to get onboard this iconic ship.
Cunard Queen Mary 2 Honest Ship Review
As someone who loves both books and cruising, I’m a big fan of Cunard Line.
During a time when many cruise companies are removing literary spaces from their ships, Cunard continues to feature show stopping libraries housing thousands of individual titles. So when I saw that the Queen Mary 2 was setting off on a two night summer Jurassic Coast sailing, I jumped at the chance to get onboard this iconic ship.
In this article I share my honest thoughts about the Queen Mary 2, including how well she has been maintained, what I thought of the food, and whether I will sail on her again.
Queen Mary 2 Britannia Balcony Cabin Review
I recently sailed on Cunard’s iconic flagship, the Queen Mary 2, for the first time, embarking on a two night Jurassic Coast voyage from Southampton. As this is such a well loved ship, I was excited to get onboard and see how well she has been maintained over the last 20 years.
In this article I share real photos from my exact cabin, explore its pros and cons, and suggest ways that it can be improved by Cunard in the future.
Mayflower Cruise Terminal - Everything You Need To Know
If you’re joining a cruise from Southampton any time soon, then you may be embarking from Mayflower Cruise Terminal.
Located in the Western Docks at birth 106, Mayflower is one of several cruise terminals in the city. If you’re not sailing from here, then you will probably find yourself at one Southampton’s other cruise terminals: City, Horizon, Ocean, or Queen Elizabeth II (QEII).
Ambassador Cruise Line Deals (Updated 2026!)
Ambassador is Britain’s newest cruise line, known for its affordable and good value cruises which depart from a variety of regional ports.
Their first two ships, Ambition and Ambience, carry out no-fly voyages to destinations all over Europe, including the Mediterranean, British Isles, Norwegian Fjords and more. Whether you’re looking for your next summer holiday, some winter sun, or exciting exploration somewhere new, you’re bound to find it with Ambassador.
In 2025 Ambassador gained another addition to their fleet, Renaissance, which now hosts fly-cruises around the Caribbean for a British market.
If you’re thinking about booking your next cruise, then you’re in the right place. In this blog post I have handpicked some of the very best deals, spanning a wide range of categories and updated for 2026 and 2027.
Ambassador Cruise Line: A Complete Guide
A UK focused cruise line specialising in no-fly voyages, Ambassador begun operations in 2021 with just the one ship.
Their cruises are adults only (although they used to host a limited number of multi-generational voyages) and are particularly popular in the 50+ demographic - although you definitely don’t have to be this age to sail with them. I travelled with Ambassador at 30 years old and had a really fun time!
The small size of ambassador’s ships means that they are able to dock in a variety of regional UK ports. This really sets them apart from other lines, allowing them to run itineraries from places like Cornwall and Scotland.
Ambassador Cruise Line Dress Code: What to Wear
As a relaxed yet traditional cruise provider, Ambassador generally has a chilled vibe, and all dress codes are optional.
Despite this, it is important to be aware of the dress code so you know what to expect. It can be really fun to join in with formal nights, but I know they’re not for everyone. By planning ahead you can avoid any surprises and know how to fit in with the other passengers.
This guide will be useful for both first time cruisers and seasoned travellers who are planning to sail with Ambassador Cruise Line.
Crystal Cruises vs Viking Cruises: Which Is Better?
If you’re trying to decide between Crystal Cruises and Viking Cruises, then you’re in the right place.
While both lines offer premium, high end experiences, they have a different vibe and suit different cruising styles. Personally, I have sailed and loved Viking and Crystal, but can definitely see how each company would suit a different type of cruiser.
In this blog post I give a clear, side-by-side comparison and explain which cruise would be better suited for your tastes. Whichever you pick, you’re sure to have an amazing time!
Best & Worst Cabins on Viking Ocean Cruises (What to Book & Avoid)
This is an important part of your vacation that you need to get right before you even set sail!
As a premium line with modern ships, all of Viking’s cabins will be similar in quality, but the location of those cabins will come with various benefits and drawbacks.
This guide will help you to avoid some of the common mistakes people make when booking a Viking cruise, and select the stateroom that is best for you.
What Costs Extra on a Viking Cruise?
One of the many great things about Viking is that their cruises really are an almost all inclusive holiday.
While the cruise fare might be slightly higher than you would find with other lines, an impressive number of services are included in the price. This includes all of your food, drinks with meals, and even your toiletries, so you really don’t need to spend any extra money.
This blog post outlines what is included in the base fare of a Viking cruise, as well as any optional extras that you may want to budget for.
Viking Ocean Cruise Packing List
Packing for a vacation can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t need to be that way.
This blog post outlines my top tips for anyone preparing to embark on a Viking ocean cruise, including clothing, cabin accessories and excursion essentials.
Hoping to play bingo? Pack your bingo dabber. Have a tendency to lose your cruise card? Get yourself a lanyard so you can wear it instead.
Read on for my complete guide to packing for a Viking ocean cruise!
What Is It Like On a Viking River Cruise?
Viking Cruises Dress Code: Complete Guide
If you’re not sure what to pack for a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.
Understanding Viking’s dress codes can be confusing, as they often differ from other mainstream cruise lines, with conflicting information shared by cruisers online.
Fear not! In this blog post I will outline the differences between a Viking river cruise and a Viking ocean cruise, and clarify which types of clothing are needed for each voyage.
Is the Kitchen Table Worth It on Viking Cruises?
Read my full review and learn what to expect from this excursion.
An onboard cooking experience offered by Viking Cruises, the Kitchen Table is available to book on their ocean ships. It’s a great way to liven up a relaxing day at sea, meet some new people, and learn how to cook a delicious three course meal from one of their onboard chefs.
I took part in one of these group cooking classes during a cruise around South East Asia onboard the Viking Venus in 2025, and found it to be a huge amount of fun.
First Time On Viking Cruises? What to Expect + Essential Tips
If you’re thinking about booking a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.
I’ve sailed with Viking multiple times over the last few years and have absolutely loved each of my experiences. From travelling around South East Asia to sailing down the Seine at Christmas time, I’ve experienced what both their ocean and river ships have to offer.
This blog post will include tips for first time Viking cruisers, including what to expect on embarkation day, what’s included in the cost of your cruise, and how to get the most out of your holiday.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.