Cruise Blog from Cruise Compare
Welcome to our cruise blog - Daily ramblings of a cruise enthusiast.
Sun, 29 Jan 2012 by Danielle
It really is that simple
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 by Danielle
Some great DVD's worth checking out if you are a big cruise ship enthusiast
Sat, 31 Dec 2011 by Danielle
Planning your 2012 cruise could not be easier
Tue, 27 Dec 2011 by Danielle
Oceana, my own cruise holiday review
Tue, 20 Dec 2011 by Danielle
Back on solid ground after 3 and a half weeks cruising onboard P&O's Oceana
Thu, 27 Oct 2011 by Danielle
Once you have cruised everying becomes clear but i am struggling myself this time
Wed, 26 Oct 2011 by Danielle
The title says it all, this week at CruiseCompare it is MSC Cruises week
Wed, 12 Oct 2011 by Danielle
I have never cruised during the Christmas period before but i would certainly love too
Mon, 10 Oct 2011 by Danielle
How do the cruise lines know what passengers will want three and four years down the line
Fri, 07 Oct 2011 by Danielle
It seems cruise lines are getting more and more innovative when it comes to creating a cruise with a difference
Thu, 06 Oct 2011 by Danielle
It's that time of year again when all you can think of is winter sun
Wed, 05 Oct 2011 by Danielle
Our oceans are bursting at the seams with cruise ships in all sizes, will we ever try them all?
Tue, 04 Oct 2011 by Danielle
It's always amazing embarking your ship and depressing when coming back but i cope by always having a cruise holiday booked, or at least i try too.
Wed, 17 Aug 2011 by Danielle
This week at CruiseCompare it’s all about P&O Cruises.
Thu, 12 May 2011 by Danielle
Get a overview of this stunning cruise ship, the Cunard Queen Victoria ship
Fri, 06 May 2011 by Danielle
Read about one of the top cruise ships on the seas, the stunning Oasis of the Seas from Royal Caribbean.
Tue, 03 May 2011 by Danielle
Some exciting facts and figures about the P&O Azura cruise ship
Mon, 02 May 2011 by Danielle
A passenger on a cruise due to end in Liverpool today described how she awoke to find herself in Dublin.
Thu, 28 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Exhausted sea birds such as petrels and albatrosses are using cruise ships to rest their weary wings hundreds of miles out to sea as they migrate between Australasia and the Americas
Wed, 27 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Upgrades galore for Star Cruise ships
Tue, 26 Apr 2011 by Danielle
It has been said for many years that renaming a ship is bad luck, but is it really
Fri, 22 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Comedienne Tina Fey will always remember her honeymoon for all the wrong reasons - the cruise ship she and her husband were sailing home to New York from Bermuda on caught fire.
Thu, 21 Apr 2011 by Danielle
On April 6, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced that Disney Cruise Line will be calling New York City its newest homeport. Beginning in May 2012, the Disney Magic will sail 20 cruises that will depart from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, with destinations that include the Bahamas and Canada.
Wed, 20 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Razor wire, Gurkhas and sonic weapons are being routinely deployed on ships sailing in the pirate-infested waters off the Horn of Africa in an attempt to pirate-proof ships of all kinds.
Tue, 19 Apr 2011 by Danielle
On May 15th Princess Cruises ships will be returning to Egypt
Mon, 18 Apr 2011 by Danielle
As you may well know CruiseCompare has it’s very own Facebook page especially for all you Cruise Ship fans
Fri, 15 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Todays blog post is a little bit of a personal rant. I am sorry all but sometimes these things need to be said
Thu, 14 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Congratulations to Ann Griffiths, the winner of our photo contest to win a cruise with CruiseCompare courtesy of MSC Cruises
Wed, 13 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Trieste will be hosting the naming ceremony on the 2nd of July 2011 for the Costa Favolosa, the new flagship of Costa Cruises
Tue, 12 Apr 2011 by Danielle
A private yacht in the Indian Ocean and a safari in Africa are just two examples of how the British public predict Prince William and Kate Middleton will spend their honeymoon; according to a study of over 1,200 Britons conducted by an independent cruise comparison website.
Mon, 11 Apr 2011 by Danielle
So P&O Cruises have developed a live ship tracker that you can download to your desktop and with the simple click of a button you can easily view webcams for all ships in the fleet
Fri, 08 Apr 2011 by Danielle
I recently ran a question on our cruise ships facebook page asking our members if they think cruise ships should go all inclusive and abolish the individual prices for drinks
Thu, 07 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Cruising is not only just a popular holiday choice but more and more people are opting to get married onboard and create their wedding and honeymoon in one go
Wed, 06 Apr 2011 by Danielle
I have travelled to Southampton by both car and coach and if I am honest the coach journey actually seemed a lot quicker and it was very relaxing indeed
Tue, 05 Apr 2011 by Danielle
In recent years internet access onboard cruise ships has improved greatly. Most of the world’s ships now offer a Wi-Fi service where guests can connect from the comfort of their own cabin or via various Wi-Fi hot spots throughout the ship
Mon, 04 Apr 2011 by Danielle
I recently watched episodes on TV regarding the hauntings onboard the legendary Queen Mary in Long Beach California. I actually could not take my eyes off the screen
Fri, 01 Apr 2011 by Danielle
Before we board our ship we all must go through the check-in process, it can be super-fast but it can also feel like it is never going to end
Thu, 31 Mar 2011 by Danielle
We all know whilst on a cruise holiday there are ample photo opportunities to be had not only of the ship its facilities and ultimately your destinations but of yourself too!
Wed, 30 Mar 2011 by Danielle
When I go on a cruise especially if I am travelling with my young sister she always heads straight for the onboard gift shop
Tue, 29 Mar 2011 by Danielle
My cruise this year will see my travelling with a friend of mine and it will in fact be her very first cruise. I am a little worried I am going overboard (pardon the pun) with how fun a cruise holiday can be but up to now she doesn’t seem put off
Mon, 28 Mar 2011 by Danielle
It really can be quite difficult to decide where to go on your important cruise holiday. The destinations on offer are amazing and some are so out of this world they really make you stand up and take notice
Sun, 27 Mar 2011 by Danielle
These are always a popular choice especially during the summer school holidays, there are numerous free child places up for grabs and more or less every cruise line wants to appeal to the family market
Sun, 27 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Cruise lines are constantly adding new destinations to their ever growing itineraries. Just in the last few weeks some of the world’s major cruise brands have announced changes that will include more destinations, some of which will be firsts for the specific cruise line.
Sat, 26 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Cruise lines are constantly adding new destinations to their ever growing itineraries. Just in the last few weeks some of the world’s major cruise brands have announced changes that will include more destinations, some of which will be firsts for the specific cruise line.
Fri, 25 Mar 2011 by Danielle
A cruise holiday is the perfect holiday for a solo traveller. Unlike a land based holiday you will never feel un-included or like you are missing out vital parts of your holiday simply because you are travelling on your own.
Thu, 24 Mar 2011 by Danielle
New research from an independent cruise comparison website has found that two thirds of British cruisers consume more calories each day on a cruise than they do so in everyday life. A third of which, eat an extra 1000 calories per day and blame the cruise liner for ‘always having food available’.
Wed, 23 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Why is a no-fly cruise the best way to cruise?
Well for many reasons. Do you really want the annoyance of check-in times, the endless waiting before you can board your flight and the fact you need a small mortgage to even purchase a simple cup of tea from the departure lounge.
Tue, 22 Mar 2011 by Danielle
I personally always have the best nights sleeps whilst on my cruise, the combination of immensely comfortable beds and the most luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets are like being engulfed by a giant marshmallow. The gentle swaying now and then helps too of course
Mon, 21 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Have you ever noticed how many things we do on our cruise holidays that we rarely or never do at home?
Sun, 20 Mar 2011 by Danielle
What would we do if there were no cruise ships? I actually think that’s quite a scary question, but really, what would we do?
Sat, 19 Mar 2011 by Danielle
A cruise to the Canary Islands is definitely one not to miss. The small islands boast gorgeous weather thanks to them sitting just off the west coast of Africa but the Canary’s also offer a wide array of things to see and do
Fri, 18 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Royal Caribbean International is to offer various drinks packages on three of the lines 21 strong fleet of ships.
Thu, 17 Mar 2011 by Danielle
So part two has arrived, the negative side to cruising. It took me much longer to put this together than it did part one as it truly is hard to list even one negative aspect to the experience of a cruise holiday but, I did manage to find a few
Wed, 16 Mar 2011 by Danielle
We all know there are many Positive aspects to cruising so I decided to list some of my own personal favourites. Tomorrow’s blog will conclude with, cruising the positives and negatives part two. Yes I said it the negatives.
Tue, 15 Mar 2011 by Danielle
The ship’s general emergency signal is a way of making passengers and crew aware of an issue or potential problem that may lead to crew and passengers having to abandon ship
Mon, 14 Mar 2011 by Danielle
So it is clearly obvious that without these fine human beings our cruise adventures would not be possible, ok we could board the ship but I very much doubt we would leave the dock. So first and foremost a huge thank you
Sun, 13 Mar 2011 by Danielle
When on holiday a lot of us like to let our hair down and maybe have a beverage or two more than we would if we were at home. I am using today’s blog to touch on the topic of NOT going too wild with the alcohol whilst on board
Sat, 12 Mar 2011 by Danielle
A visit to the Spa during your cruise holiday is wonderfully rejuvenating. You leave feeling like you have been pampered and touched by the hands of royalty, and so you should. Cruise Ships offer some of the world’s best Spa facilities
Fri, 11 Mar 2011 by Danielle
I always want to be off travelling the world one place at a time, I have never been able to sit still for very long so maybe this is where my urge to be constantly travelling comes from, I can never refrain from thinking about where I could be and what I could be doing, it’s exciting.
Thu, 10 Mar 2011 by Danielle
When it comes to taking pictures I am the Queen of the camera, photography has always been a passion of mine and I am rarely without a camera device of some description. Whilst on holiday I try to take as many interesting and sometimes pointless pictures as possible. You see photography can inspire and I take a lot of inspiration from my own pictures for this blog
Wed, 09 Mar 2011 by Danielle
So Cunard has confirmed it will mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee with a spectacular and rather special event in Southampton in 2012. The event is due to be held on June 5th.
Tue, 08 Mar 2011 by Danielle
With the cruise industry booming the time does eventually come when some older ships need a new lease of modern life brought upon them. 2011-2012 will see some ships undergo major refurbishments to bring them up to par with some of today’s more modern vessels
Mon, 07 Mar 2011 by Danielle
When we take our cruise holidays we have various options on what we can do when we reach our land based destinations. We can either go off alone or we can take advantage of the planned excursions that the cruise lines offer
Sun, 06 Mar 2011 by Danielle
When on board there are numerous dining options. Although all of your food is paid for in the cost of your cruise fare it is nice to try the speciality restaurants on board, most of which do require a small service charge
Sat, 05 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Many people when embarking on their cruise holiday do forget to inform their bank of their trip. Although it’s probably something that lies at the back of your mind it is definitely worth making this a MUST DO on your pre-holiday list.
Fri, 04 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Now Gibraltar is a firm favourite of mine, simply because the view of the rock as you sail into the port is breath taking, especially if a large white cloud has wrapped itself around the peak. It almost resembles a volcano
Thu, 03 Mar 2011 by Danielle
Todays blog post is a run down of some of the most amazing destinations our planet has on offer when it comes to cruising. Although there are many more we believe these are some of the best and we hope you find the information useful
Wed, 02 Mar 2011 by Danielle
It’s getting close to that time of the year again, when we start deciding where to go for our long awaited cruise holiday. Not only do we need to decide where to go we also need to decide which cruise line and then which ship to go with.
Tue, 01 Mar 2011 by Danielle
My cruise last year had Cannes as one of its ports of call, what a beautiful place it was too. Quite similar to other ports on the French Riviera but with an added twist, designer boutiques as far as the eye could see
Mon, 28 Feb 2011 by Danielle
CruiseCompare recently conducted a survey of 1,492 holiday makers across the UK in order to discover the most common concerns people have with regards to cruise holidays.
Sun, 27 Feb 2011 by Danielle
We recently ran a survey here at CruiseCompare to find out who the most popular celebrity on board a cruise ship would be, the winner by a mile was Leonardo Di Caprio.
Sat, 26 Feb 2011 by Danielle
Ever fancied sailing the seven sea’s and getting paid for it? If so then maybe a job on board one of the world’s stunning cruise ships is just what you should be considering
Fri, 25 Feb 2011 by Danielle
I have many a favourite spot on the ship when I am on holiday but I find the most relaxing place to be as far aft as possible where you can sit and watch the ships trail fade out into the ocean below.
Thu, 24 Feb 2011 by Danielle
Many people who have never seen a cruise ship let alone stepped on board may well be quite shocked at just how big some of them are
Wed, 23 Feb 2011 by Danielle
When it comes to cruising especially if you have never cruised before knowing what to pack clothing wise can sometimes be a little daunting. I asked myself many questions regarding what to pack before embarking on my first cruise but when I actually got there I realised my stresses were not needed
Tue, 22 Feb 2011 by Danielle
p>Packing for any holiday can be a challenge, remembering to pick and pack everything you need. More than once I have left for my cruise only to discover I have left behind something I really would be needing.
Mon, 21 Feb 2011 by Danielle
Having cruised for many years now I have acquired some personal pet hates regarding actions of some of my fellow passengers. I am sure many other people have similar frustrations
Sun, 20 Feb 2011 by Danielle
I enjoy ports of call that see the ship anchor just off the coast for various reasons but my biggest is simply because of the amount of other small vessels and so forth that the ship seems to attract attention
Sat, 19 Feb 2011 by Danielle
There’s nothing quite like a party at sea. I especially love the party on board as you leave your last port of call, yes it is sad in a way as you know you are about to start on your journey home but it really is the best party of the entire holiday.
Fri, 18 Feb 2011 by Danielle
Spain is a popular haunt for travellers of all types not only for cruise passengers. The country offers something for everyone from amazing food and drink to some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet
Thu, 17 Feb 2011 by Danielle
I have always had a love of the water, I am sure I could swim before I could walk and I suppose it set in stone the motions for me to one day love cruising. As much as I do enjoy cruising there is one aspect that every time catches me out, the swimming pool!!
Wed, 16 Feb 2011 by Danielle
Cruising allows us to visit some of the most incredible places on the planet. Although I am yet to see a lot of these places I do have a wish list which keeps growing every year.
Tue, 15 Feb 2011 by Danielle
A cruise means something different for many people. It can be the highlight of the year that anticipated 2 week escape from planet reality. It can also be an adventure that warrants a little longer than 2 weeks. Whatever it is for you though it is an amazing experience regardless for everyone.
Mon, 14 Feb 2011 by Danielle
One thing I have noticed over my years of cruising is how eerily silent the ship can be of an evening. Now you would imagine with thousands of people on board it would be constant chaos but quite the contrary.
Sun, 13 Feb 2011 by Danielle
When it comes to gratuities on board it can be quite confusing if you are cruising for the first time. CruiseCompare decided it was time to lay out all the facts and give you some concrete recommendations for when to tip, how much and who.
Sat, 12 Feb 2011 by Danielle
During my cruise adventures I have come to see a varied array of quirky and interesting ships. Some I am not quite sure of what the concept behind them is and others are genuinely something to make you smile
Fri, 11 Feb 2011 by Danielle
One thing you definitely need to remember when on your cruise is that the sun at sea is a lot stronger than it would be if you were on land. The sun bounces off the ocean and the glare although can give you a nice crisp tan can also leave some nasty sunburn too
Thu, 10 Feb 2011 by Danielle
If you are cruising for the first time or trying a new ship it can be quite daunting when you board and realise just how big the vessel actually is.
Wed, 09 Feb 2011 by Danielle
Holidays are exciting and there is so much to remember and pack for that matter but if you are an animal lover like myself and have a pet or two to also take into consideration it can be quite a sad time too
Tue, 08 Feb 2011 by Danielle
I never get bored of cruising nor talking about it, as you may well be able to tell. Meeting the ship is not always the first thing that makes your cruise holiday feel real
Mon, 07 Feb 2011 by Danielle
If you are like me when it comes to going on holiday you tell yourself “I’m allowed too I’m on holiday” when it comes to extravagant splurges or an extra cocktail….or two! Yet I still can’t help myself when it comes to trying to keep the cabin bill at a respectable level.
Sun, 06 Feb 2011 by Danielle
When it comes to kids clubs and activities cruise ships really do go all out on providing enough to never let the little ones have a dull moment.
Sat, 05 Feb 2011 by Danielle
As we all know ships have a remarkably loud “horn” and it is almost disappointing if the Captain does not sound it when leaving the port.
Fri, 04 Feb 2011 by Danielle
A few blog entries ago I mentioned the French Riviera being an astounding place of beauty and certainly worth a visit (scroll down if you missed it) so I decided after some immensely positive feedback that I would introduce you to part 2 and name a few other places worth exploring.
Thu, 03 Feb 2011 by Danielle
Cruises are the perfect chance for you to try new and exciting food, maybe things you would not try at home.
Wed, 02 Feb 2011 by Danielle
A great thing about cruising is that you get to see some marine life and other wildlife that you would not normally see in your day to day travels, this solely depending on where in the world you live of course!
Tue, 01 Feb 2011 by Danielle
When picking a cruise there is so much to consider, even what kind of cabin you want. If you have never cruised before trying to decide what will work best can be a nightmare to figure out.
Mon, 31 Jan 2011 by Danielle
A cruise is not only a holiday but I find it to be a total release from the everyday troubles and worrys of home.
Sun, 30 Jan 2011 by Danielle
Ok so I know it’s not exactly like this for a cruise ship but I sometimes truly wonder how one acquires the patience to be able to manoeuvre such a huge vessel into sometimes such very small spaces.
Sat, 29 Jan 2011 by Danielle
A few years ago one of the calls on my holiday itinerary was Sicily. I had never been to the island before but had heard of some nice places to visit thanks to a very close friend of mine who is in fact Sicilian.
Mon, 24 Jan 2011 by Danielle
No really they are! If you go back say 20 years ago did you really ever think that by 2011 we would have ships sailing our oceans that first of all could hold as many people as a small town and secondly would have full size fairground carousels on them!?
Fri, 21 Jan 2011 by Danielle
Since I started cruising I have been quite fortunate to have not encountered oceans that have decided to play with the ship as though it were in a washing machine but I have encountered a night or two here and there I would have quite happily avoided.
Mon, 17 Jan 2011 by Danielle
At home I never visit any Casino’s or gamble for that matter but whilst on my cruise I can’t tear myself away from the Roulette table, it beckons me almost every day to come in and try my luck
Fri, 14 Jan 2011 by Danielle
A lot of ports require the ship to anchor just off the coast and for the cruise line to ferry their passengers back and forth via the Ships tender boats.
Fri, 14 Jan 2011 by Danielle
I asked a question recently on our facebook page which was “if you could sail on any ship in the world past or present which ship would it be and why” it sparked a lot of interesting answers but I just couldn’t pick only one
Fri, 14 Jan 2011 by Danielle
When it comes to Cruising there are so many options to choose from, first you need to pick the Cruise Line and then comes the decision of which ship and which itinerary. Another tough one I find is whether to choose to sail on board an older ship or whether to try a newer vessel?
Thu, 13 Jan 2011 by Danielle
One question I ask myself every time I Cruise is “how on earth does this ship actually float” I know the engineers and designers amongst you will probably be sitting running off the technical jargon to me in a rage as you read this but it genuinely intrigues me.
Wed, 12 Jan 2011 by Danielle
The best thing about a cruise is the fact it allows you to wake up in a different location almost every day. Although I do love sea days there’s nothing better than awaking from your slumber to find yourself in a brand new place that awaits your exploration.
Tue, 11 Jan 2011 by Danielle
The CruiseCompare facebook page has a whole boat load of loyal followers, we talk about anything and everything related to Cruise Ships.
Mon, 10 Jan 2011 by Danielle
Monday morning and back in the office. It’s dark and miserable outside but luckily I can talk about Cruising and Cruise Ships yet again all day and imagine I am a million miles away from this dreary damp British weather.
Fri, 07 Jan 2011 by Danielle
Have you noticed when you go on a Cruise holiday and pass or dock next to another ship there always seems to be some light hearted rivalry like “my ships better than your ship”
Thu, 06 Jan 2011 by Danielle
My recent Cruises have been on board the P&O Ship Ventura, a lovely ship and one I have personally grown quite fond of.
Wed, 05 Jan 2011 by Danielle
So I have just less than 6 months to wait until my summer cruise and I have been beyond excited since I booked it back in, well back in what feels like a life time ago.
Tue, 04 Jan 2011 by Danielle
I made some friends aware of my blog yesterday and had some lovely comments including “ it was like a nautical SATC” imagine that ladies I am the Ocean goers Carrie Bradshaw, such a compliment.
Mon, 03 Jan 2011 by Tommy
When it comes to Cruising the best thing for me is waking up in a different destination every morning.
Sun, 02 Jan 2011 by Tommy
Why when it comes to cruising are some of us so interested in the having’s of other people? I love cruising but don’t you sometimes find the attitude of some people is less than perfect.
Fri, 31 Dec 2010 by Tommy
Well, it’s that time of year again, the eve before another year begins and what have we achieved? Well for me I can say quite a lot has been achieved throughout 2010. There has been good and bad but it was definitely better than 2009
Tue, 21 Sep 2010 by Andy
It is great having a blog section. Somewhere I can let my hair down and just chat generally about anything and everything within the cruise world! What more could I possibly want