Cruise-Ship-Tender-Boats-1.jpg

What You Need to Know 

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFirst time cruisers

Cruising is a great way to get out there and see the world. You essentially journey on a fantastic floating hotel, which transports you to exciting new destinations every morning. Well, most mornings – some places are further apart.

cruise ship tender boat

But the most exciting places in the world are often the smaller locations – historic towns, beautiful tropical islands, and even the breathtaking poles of the Earth. And many of these destinations don’t have the facilities to host a giant cruise ship.

So instead, your ship anchors out at sea, and you take a tender boat. But tender boats aren’t always easy to climb aboard, and they may not be suitable for everyone. So, let’s take a look at what tender boats do and some key things you need to know that might affect your cruise booking.

Tender boats explained

A tender boat is a small boat used to transport passengers from a cruise ship to the shore. It’s also known as a water shuttle. They’re used in destinations where there is no suitable place for the cruise ship to dock. The boats often double as lifeboats, although sometimes, tender boats from the port are used as well.

Here’s a photo of a boat belonging to the port of Guernsey that is used as a tender boat…

tender boat at pier
Tender boat in Guernsey

The tender boats kept on cruise ships can be used as lifeboats in an emergency, but they’re pretty big and can usually accommodate 150 to 200 people. These aren’t small little dinghies.

Having said that, they are still smaller boats and so they do have some drawbacks when compared to docking with the cruise ship directly. You can read more about that below.

You don’t really get a tender ship, to be clear – the tender boat meaning is a vessel small enough to be used for smaller piers. A tender ship would be a larger vessel so if it could dock at a pier, chances are your cruise ship could too.

Cruise tender ports

Tender ports are those where the cruise ship can’t dock directly at a pier, and so special boats called tender boats or water shuttles are used to transfer guests from the ship to the shore. They may have shallow waters that aren’t suitable for larger ships, or they may just lack the necessary shore space for a pier that can handle cruise ships.

Some ports have a pier that can accommodate only a single cruise ship. So if two ships are scheduled to arrive at the port on the same day, the second one to arrive will have to anchor out at sea and use tender boats to transfer guests to the shore.

There are some ports that have once been a tender port and have since built artificial piers to support cruise line docking, but that’s expensive, and so would only be beneficial for those destinations where tourism would massively benefit.

CocoCay, the private island used by Royal Caribbean Cruises, had a pier built in 2019 as part of a massive renovation.

The pier at CocoCay
CocoCay is no longer a tender port since the pier was constructed

‘Tender Required’ simply means it’s a tender port

When the information about a cruise port states “tender required”, it means the ship can’t dock at that destination, and so guests will be required to use a tender boat (water shuttle) if they want to go ashore.

These are common and are advertised in advance as part of the cruise itinerary, so you can check before you sail whether any of the ports you’re visiting will need a tender boat. 

If you aren’t sure whether you’ll be able to use a tender boat, or are worried about feeling seasick on a small boat, then you can check for cruises that only go to ports that don’t need them.

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So what does ‘Possible Tender’ mean?

Ports that are listed as “possible tender” on cruise documentation are those where the cruise ship may only be able to dock directly at the pier in certain conditions. If the weather isn’t ideal, or the pier is in use by another ship, then the ship may not be able to dock. When that happens, it will anchor offshore and use tender boats.

tender boat

Bear that in mind if you’re concerned about seasickness – if a cruise ship can’t dock due to the weather, then the tender is more likely to be a little bit of a rough ride.

6 things to know about cruise tenders

Here are six things you really need to know about cruise ship tenders to help you have the best cruise possible.

1. Tender boats often aren’t suitable for people with limited mobility

When a cruise ship docks directly at the pier, it can be properly anchored so that it barely moves. The gangway then gets you safely ashore just as if you were walking along a solid floor.

With a cruise ship tender though, it’s not quite as straightforward. You may need to step into our out of the boat from the hull. Sometimes there are small steps involved, or smaller entrances.

launching procedure for tender boats

So, if you’re travelling in a wheelchair or you are someone who just has limited mobility, then using a tender boat can be difficult. There’ll be people available to assist you but even then, you might not have a comfortable experience, or it might just be completely impossible for you to board the boat.

The cruise ship’s tender boats used, and the methods of getting ashore, can vary by cruise line or destination.

tender boat

Some cruise lines will require every guest to prove that they are able-bodied by stepping across a 1-metre gap that’s marked with tape on the floor. But others don’t have mobility requirements and can even accommodate wheelchair users who are happy to be assisted.

If you’re someone who does have mobility issues then you should speak directly to the cruise line to find out more about your planned itinerary, or look for cruises that don’t visit tender ports at all.

Many cruise lines offer a list of tender ports on their websites.

Here are some examples:

2. Tender boats might make you feel seasick

Any type of boat or ship moves in the water, but the bigger the ship, the less you’ll notice it. Which, of course, means that tender boats can make the waves a lot more noticeable.

Tender shuttle journeys don’t take too long – ships don’t exactly anchor miles out to sea. Usually, if you’re one of the first on board, you might have a 20-minute journey at most, and a good chunk of that will just be waiting for everyone else to get on board.

seats and lifejackets in a tender boat

But if you are prone to seasickness, then you need to be prepared for what might be a bit of a rough 20 minutes. It’ll generally calm down as you get closer to shore, and since you have the shoreline to look at, you can control it a little bit.

But there may be some lurching back and forth. If you do get seasick, maybe take some medication before you hop on a tender, just to pre-empt it.

Suggested read: The Best Ways to Prevent Seasickness

seasickness patch

3. Tender ports are likely to be cancelled in bad weather

If the weather is particularly bad, there may be no alternative but to cancel a tender port. A cruise ship can only let guests board a tender boat when it’s safe to do so, and if the waves are causing the boats to move around a lot, or there’s too much fog, it might not be possible.

foggy weather on a cruise

Cruise ships will wait a little while, but they can’t wait all day – otherwise, even if the weather does clear up, you’ll tender to shore only to have to tender straight back as the ship prepares to leave.

When a port is cancelled, you don’t generally get any kind of recompense. It’s seen as an accepted risk.

You’ll get a refund for any shore excursions you’ve bought through the cruise ship, but if you paid for third-party excursions then you’ll need to take it up with the organisers.

If you do want to visit destinations that require a tender, do a little bit of research first and find out what season the weather is worst – and maybe try to avoid booking a cruise during those months.

4. Sit by the door for the best photo opportunities

There are a number of benefits to being the last person onto a tender boat, including potentially being the first one off. But you also get some amazing photo opportunities from a tender boat, especially when you’re sitting by the door.

inside the tender boat

You’ll be able to take some absolutely stunning photos of your cruise ship as you sail away from it. It’ll loom above you, looking extremely impressive, and because you’ll be sat right by the door, you’ll get plenty of good opportunities to snap a great shot.

If the tender boat comes from the port, rather than being carried by the ship, then it may even have an open upper deck. If it does, be sure to head up there and stand up rather than taking a seat to enjoy the best views of the shoreline, and your ship.

5. There are often big queues for the first tender off your ship

Because time in port is sometimes limited, a lot of people tend to rush to the meeting point on a tender port day, because they want to be first off the ship to give themselves the most amount of time to explore.

And while there is some logic to that, it also means that you could be queuing for a long time to get off the ship – as so many others will have the same idea. Even if you think you’ve gone early, there will probably be people who have beaten you to it.

Plus, some cruise lines offer priority tender debarkation to guests who’ve booked a certain level of accommodation, or who have reached a certain level within the cruise line’s loyalty program. You might be first in line, but still have to wait for these other passengers to have their turn first.

It’s up to you – you might want to make sure you get on the first tender ashore possible, but they run the tenders throughout the day, so why not take a leisurely breakfast while the ship is a little quieter, and then after an hour or two head down to catch a tender?

You won’t have to waste precious time queuing, and you’ll still be able to enjoy enough time in port to wander around.

6. Don’t miss the last tender back!

If you’re ashore having fun, especially if you’re enjoying the many delights of local bars, time can sometimes get away from you. But you need to be careful, because if you miss the last tender back then you’re in trouble!

The ship will not wait for you – once the last tender has returned to the ship, it is going to depart. And if you’re still on land, that means you’re getting left behind.

tender boat returning to the ship

There’ll be a couple of options available to you, but they all cost a lot of money. A ship’s agent will assist you with organising things, but your options will be to fly to the next port and meet the ship there, or to fly home, and pay to have your belongings returned to you.

In extremely rare situations, you may be able to get a pilot boat from the dock to take you out to meet the ship, but that’s at the Captain’s discretion and will cause a huge delay for the thousands of other passengers on the ship.

So in short – don’t be late!

Some popular cruise tender ports

Bar Harbor, Maine

When visiting Bar Harbor in Maine, ships will tender off the coast in Frenchman Bay, and tender boats will ferry passengers to the Town Pier, which is right in the centre. 

Lahaina

Lahaina does have one berth for cruise ships to dock directly, but it is normally a tender port. Ships will anchor in the harbour, and tender passengers right into town.

Cozumel

Cozumel is an extremely popular port, and while it does have piers that can dock cruise ships, it will be treated as a tender port when too many ships are visiting at once. Up to 8 cruise ships can visit Cozumel on one day. Guests will be tendered to the pier.

Cabo San Lucas

Cruise ships visiting Cabo San Lucas will anchor offshore next to the famous rock arches. Guests will then be tendered to the marina, which is about a 10-minute walk from the centre of town.

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman’s port is George Town, and it is a tender port. Ships will anchor in the main bay and transport guests to shore on a tender boat to one of the three piers, all of which lead to the main Harbor Drive where there are many shops and a couple of bars.

Belize

Cruise ships visiting Belize will anchor off shore at Belize City, due to the shallow waters. Tender boats will get guests ashore in 20 minutes, where guests may wish to take a taxi for the drive into the city itself.

Bonaire

There are two piers on Bonaire – a North Pier and a South Pier – where cruise ships can dock. They cannot anchor, but they will be supported by buoys. Therefore it is not a tender port.

Monterey

Cruises ships sailing to Monterey will anchor in front of the main harbour, allowing guests to then take a tender boat to Fisherman’s Wharf. From here it’s easy to explore the town.

Santa Barbara

Cruise ships to Santa Barbara will anchor offshore and tender guests to the Santa Barbara Waterfront, at Sea Landing. From here guests can walk to explore the rest of the Santa Barbara Harbor, or use a shuttle to get downtown.

Santorini

Santorini has two different ports – Athinios Port and the Old Port of Fira. Neither can support a cruise ship being docked, so ships will anchor offshore and transport guests to the port via tender. Guests can travel to either, with Fira being closer to Fira town.

Mykonos

Smaller ships can dock directly at Mykonos, but larger ships will anchor in the bay and be tendered to the old harbour, which is within walking distance of the town.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Princess Cruises Ships By Size: Biggest to Smallest

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsPrincess Cruises

Princess Cruises has a fleet that is growing in size – and not just in terms of the number of ships.

The trend for Princess, as it is for many cruise lines, is to build ships that are bigger and bigger – accommodating more guests and making room for exciting new features. Cruising is all about the ‘new’, and bigger ships mean you can fit more in.

Sky Princess cruise ship sailing

Following the launch of Sun Princess in 2024, and with sister ship Star Princess launching in 2025, let’s take a look at how these newest ships compare to the rest of the fleet in terms of size.

Just how big are Princess ships?

Princess Cruises’ current fleet includes a mix of mid-size ships that cater to between 2,000 and 4,300 passengers. The cruise line doesn’t have any super-ships like some other cruise lines that can host 6,000+.

This means that the biggest Princess ships still somewhat short of the largest cruise ships in the world, but that’s not what Princess is aiming for. Instead, it is gradually increasing capacity through larger ships, without spending huge sums on ships that the cruise line maybe can’t fill.

The biggest Princess ship

The biggest ship currently sailing for Princess is also the newest – Sun Princess. Her sister ship Star Princess will be a similar size. With a gross tonnage of just over 177,000, they’re around 20% larger than the previous biggest ships – Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess.

Cruise Mummy with Sun Princess

There are six ships in the Royal Class, but the earlier ships – Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess – are slightly smaller. They each have a guest capacity of between 3,560 and 3,600.

The smallest Princess ship

The current smallest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet is Coral Princess, the first ship in the Coral Class. It has a gross tonnage of 91,627 and a maximum guest capacity of 2,000 while carrying 895 crew.

The Coral Class ships were built to Panamax specifications, meaning that they were a suitable size to be able to sail the Panama Canal, which opens up more opportunities for itineraries (and allows the ships to switch between the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of the US much easier.

Coral Princess cruising the Panama Canal

Of course, since the two ships launched, there have been more locks opened in the canal that have more space, so some larger ships are still able to make the journey.

Princess Cruises has previously owned several smaller ships, but over time has modernised its fleet by selling off some of its older ones. The very first ship in the fleet was Princess Patricia, which only sailed for the cruise line for a year and had a gross tonnage of just 6,062.

More recently, the Sun-Class ships have been gradually sold off by the cruise line, with a gross tonnage of around 77,500. As I say, the trend for Princess is very much to move to larger ships.

List of Princess cruise ships by size

Here’s a breakdown of all the Princess Cruises ships by size:

Ship Tonnage (GT) Decks Length Width Guests Crew
Star Princess 177,882 21 345m / 1133ft 42m / 139ft 4300 1600
Sun Princess 177,882 21 345m / 1133ft 42m / 139ft 4300 1600
Enchanted Princess 145,281 19 330m / 1083ft 38m / 126ft 3660 1346
Sky Princess 145,281 19 330m / 1083ft 38m / 126ft 3660 1346
Discovery Princess 145,000 19 330m / 1083ft 38m / 126ft 3660 1346
Majestic Princess 143,700 19 330m / 1083ft 38m / 126ft 3560 1346
Regal Princess 142,714 19 330m / 1083ft 38m / 126ft 3560 1346
Royal Princess 142,229 19 330m / 1083ft 38m / 126ft 3560 1346
Sapphire Princess 115,875 18 290m / 952ft 37m / 123 ft 2670 1100
Diamond Princess 115,875 18 290m / 952ft 37m / 123 ft 2670 1100
Ruby Princess 113,561 19 290m / 951ft 36m / 118ft 3080 1200
Emerald Princess 113,561 19 290m / 951ft 36m / 118ft 3080 1200
Crown Princess 113,561 19 290m / 952ft 36m / 118ft 3080 1200
Caribbean Princess 112,894 19 290m / 952ft 36m / 118ft 3140 1200
Grand Princess 107,517 17 289m / 949ft 36m / 118ft 2600 1150
Island Princess 92,822 16 294m / 964ft 37m / 122ft 2200 895
Coral Princess 91,627 16 294m / 964ft 37m / 122ft 2000 895

If you’re also interested in seeing Princess Cruises ships listed by age from newest to oldest, then you should also take a look at this guide: Princess Cruises Ships By Age.

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The different classes of Princess Cruises ships (biggest to smallest)

Princess Cruises’ ships are split into different classes, and every class that is launched is bigger. The largest class of ships is the new Sphere Class of ships.

Here’s a breakdown of the Princess Cruises ships by class:

Class Ships Gross Tonnage
Sphere Class Sun Princess (2024)
Star Princess (2025)		 177,882
Royal Class Discovery Princess (2022)
Enchanted Princess (2020)
Sky Princess (2019)
Majestic Princess (2017)
Regal Princess (2014)
Royal Princess (2013)		 142,229 to 145,281
Gem Class (a subset of Grand Class) Diamond Princess (2004)
Sapphire Princess (2004)		 115,875
Crown Class (a subset of Grand Class) Ruby Princess (2008)
Emerald Princess (2007)
Crown Princess (2006)		 113,561
Caribbean Class (a subset of Grand Class) Caribbean Princess (2004) 112,894
Grand Class Grand Princess (1998) 107,517
Coral Class Island Princess (2003)
Coral Princess (2002)		 91,627 to 92,822

It’s worth a quick discussion about Grand Princess when we’re talking about Princess Cruises ships ranked by size.

Grand Princess, when she launched in 1998, was the largest cruise ship in the world at the time. And she remained the flagship of the fleet until 2013, when Royal Princess launched, despite numerous ships being built for the fleet that were bigger.

Grand Princess at sea

While she was the founding ship of the Grand Class, that wasn’t originally the case – when she was first launched, she was considered to be a larger sister to Sun Class ships. It was only when the next ship launched, Golden Princess, that the Grand Class was created.

Are bigger Princess Cruises ships better?

There’s no definitive answer as to whether bigger ships are better – the Princess cruise ships ranked by size isn’t the same as ranking them by quality. It depends on a number of factors.

The pros of bigger ships are:

  • They’re newer, and so generally they look and feel more attractive and relaxing
  • They have more dining venues to choose from
  • They usually have a wider selection of stateroom choices
  • They will have extra attractions compared to smaller ships
  • Fares on similar itineraries can be cheaper

Meanwhile, the pros of smaller ships are:

  • They’re normally quieter and less crowded
  • They can travel to some destinations that larger ships can’t

For the sake of comparison, let’s take a look at Sky Princess and Emerald Princess, which are near the top and bottom of the list in terms of size. I’ve chosen these two because they offer some itineraries that are comparable as well.

Criteria Sky Princess Emerald Princess
Max capacity (guests & crew) 5006 3080
Number of dining venues 15 11
Number of swimming pools 4 pools and 8 outdoor hot tubs 4 pools and 4 outdoor hot tubs
Number of stateroom and suite types 7 5
Cost per night
Based on a 14-night Iceland cruise, per person in an Interior Stateroom in Summer 2025		 £85 / $110 £77 / $100
Sky Princess in Kotor, Montenegro

Why are newer ships sometimes less expensive?

There could be a few reasons, but mainly it’s down to the fact that because there are more passengers on board, the ship is able to charge less to still make a good profit.

Prices will vary all the time, so this is a guide, and you might find that older ships sometimes have cheaper fares due to their lower popularity with guests. It depends on a number of factors.

But what’s clear is that, if you want the newest and most modern ship then you’ll want a bigger one. The biggest Princess cruise ship will have more features than the smallest. However, if you prefer a quieter cruise with less queuing, then a smaller ship is the better choice.

And check the itineraries too, because there are some ports that only the smaller ships will be able to take you to. Princess Cruises’ fleet doesn’t have the small ships that can take you on expedition cruises, but there are some ports that only the Coral and Grand Class ships can easily get to.

Island Princess in the Panama Canal

The bottom line

It’s clear that, in the view of Princess Cruises’ senior management team that sign off on new ships, bigger is better. And there are a lot of benefits to bigger ships, including the space to add exciting features and the potential for lower fares.

But there’s still something quite calming about smaller ship sailings, and the feeling that you do have a more relaxed and quieter experience. So, as the trend continues for Princess to build bigger and bigger, consider booking a cruise on their smaller ships before they are also sold off, like many that used to occupy the fleet.

The size of Princess cruise ships will only grow, so take advantage of the smaller ships while you can.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Who Owns Viking Cruises?

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsRiver Cruising

Ever wondered who owns the biggest cruise lines in the world? They must be worth a lot of money, right? 

In terms of the number of ships owned, Viking is absolutely up there among the top players in cruising. Thanks to its extensive river cruise division, as well as its ever-expanding ocean cruise and expedition branches, it is one of the biggest travel companies in the world operating under a single brand name.

Torstein Hagen - owner of Viking Cruises

Let’s take a look at who owns Viking, how much they are worth and whether you’re able to buy stocks and shares in the company.

Viking’s owner

The three brands of cruise line – Viking River Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Viking Expeditions – are owned by the single company Viking, which is majority-owned by the Norwegian billionaire Torstein Hagen.

Torstein Hagen smiling

Many of the biggest cruise lines in the world are part of groups alongside other brands, but everything in the Viking group has the same Viking brand – there are just three different branches of cruising.

The company Viking was privately owned for many years, which was the exception in the world of cruising. In 2024 the company underwent an initial public offering, although Hagen retained majority control.

Hagen’s net work

Torstein Hagen is the Viking cruise owner, and it is believed he has a net worth of $9.6 billion. His worth dropped significantly in the immediate years after the global shutdown of 2020 from around $6.2 billion to $1.5 billion, but the latest estimates have his value much higher again (source).

Obviously, the value of all cruise companies – whether privately owned or publicly traded – took a huge hit when cruising was essentially suspended for an unexpected and lengthy period of time. The companies didn’t have alternative ways to generate anywhere near the same kind of revenue and had to refund a lot of customers as well.

Hagen has certainly rebounded though with his latest net worth figures.

Torstein Hagen smiling and holding a glass of champagne

Viking is not owned by Russia

Viking is not a company owned by Russia. It is owned by Torstein Hagen, who is Norwegian, while the company has its corporate headquarters in Basel, Switzerland and its marketing headquarters in LA, California. The company was first set up in St Petersburg but is not affiliated with Russia.

That’s where the confusion comes from – because the company was established in Russia, and then the first river cruise itineraries were on the waterways of Russia, including the Volga River, people assume that the company would be based there. 

view of the Volga river
Volga river

But it was just the starting point, and now the river cruise line is based in both Switzerland and the US, and runs most of its river cruises in western Europe, as well as ocean cruises and expedition cruises around the world.

Neither is Viking a US company

Viking is not a US company, although it does have a major presence in the country, with its marketing headquarters and some of its senior management team based there. The main corporate office is in Switzerland, though.

The reason that the marketing headquarters is based in Los Angeles is that the primary demographic of Viking’s river cruise arm, which forms the basis of the business, is retired Americans who want to see Europe and other parts of the world.

Viking Vili in Europe

Viking Cruises’ history

Here’s a quick look at the history of the company:

Hagen’s early cruise involvement

Hagen’s first time working with cruise lines came back in 1973, when he was a consultant for McKinsey and Co. and helped Holland America Line survive as a business through the oil crisis.

After this, he became CEO of Royal Viking Line from 1980 until 1984, and then almost bankrupted himself after buying a controlling stake in a Dutch shipping company which ultimately failed.

However, in 1997, he was able to help some Russian oligarchs buy a shipping company in a consultant role, and in exchange, they sold him four river cruise ships at a discounted price so he could form his own river cruise company.

Formation and growth

After starting in 1997 in Russia, Hagen looked to quickly expand. Just three years later, he was able to purchase KD River Cruises of Europe, which massively expanded his fleet to 26 ships – the largest in Europe.

The ships were all revamped, with the US market as his target – he hired a marketing firm specifically to target retirees in North America. And in 2004 they started offering Yangtze River cruises in China for the first time.

Longship development

While the Viking fleet was large, it needed modernising and redeveloping. Viking created the new longship design in 2011 and announced plans to add 40 ships to the fleet over the next five years.

This didn’t just massively expand the fleet’s capacity, but it also brought a ton of positive PR, including a Guinness World Record for most ships christened over two days in 2014 (16).

Viking river cruises Guinness World Record award

By the end of 2023, the cruise line owns over 70 river cruise ships, most of which have a passenger capacity of around 190.

Ocean cruise launch

The river cruise company continued to develop and grow, and so in May 2013, the company rebranded to Viking Cruises, and at the same time, announced its new Viking Ocean Cruises brand, with the first ship launching in 2015. There are now 14 ships in the ocean cruise fleet.

Viking Ocean ships in Valetta
Viking Ocean ships in Valetta

Expeditions launch

By January 2020, the company wanted to expand its focus on destinations, so it rebranded again, dropping the ‘Cruises’ from the name to become ‘Viking’.

They also announced the formation of a Viking Expeditions cruise division that would focus on exploration cruising, with the first ship launching on schedule in early 2022.

Viking Expedition ship in Antarctica
Viking Expedition ship in Antarctica

Viking’s IPO

In 2024, Viking Holdings (“Viking”) went public, the first time that anyone could buy shares in the company. For so long, Viking had been one of the few private companies, but the IPO changed that.

Hagen retains a majority shareholding and control of the company.

To conclude

Torstein Hagen has certainly done well for himself with his Viking company, creating a dominant brand in the world of river cruising thanks to innovative ship design and rapid growth. And with the emerging ocean and expedition cruise divisions, the company is now going from strength to strength.

If you were hoping to invest in Viking as a shareholder, then now you can – since going public, the company has shares that you can invest in.

So you can be a part-owner alongside Hagen!

To buy shares in any company, you’ll typically need to use a stockbroker. This can be either a human being or an online platform. There are various fees involved with this, but an online platform is usually the cheapest and easiest way.

I can’t advise you which is the best, but I personally chose to buy my Carnival shares through an investing platform called etoro. I chose this one because it is one of the most popular platforms with 20 million registered users and has great reviews and low fees.

I’ve been very happy with my share-buying experience and found it really easy to do.

(eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.)

The best way to book a river cruise

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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What To Expect On A Hong Kong Yacht Charter

by Uncategorized

Hong Kong is renowned for its stunning skyline, bustling cityscape, and vibrant culture, but beyond its towering skyscrapers lies a yachting paradise waiting to be explored. A yacht charter in Hong Kong offers a luxurious escape, allowing you to experience the region’s picturesque harbors, secluded beaches, and breathtaking coastal scenery. Whether planning a private getaway, corporate event, or an extravagant party at sea, a yacht charter ensures a memorable experience. If you’re considering booking a Simpson Yacht Charter in Hong Kong, here’s everything you need to know about what to expect on your journey.  

1. Luxury and Comfort on Board

Yacht charters in Hong Kong offer an unparalleled level of luxury and comfort. From sleek motor yachts to spacious catamarans, each vessel is designed to provide the ultimate in relaxation. Expect plush seating, air-conditioned interiors, state-of-the-art entertainment systems, and fully equipped kitchens. Many yachts also feature Jacuzzis, sunbathing decks, and water toys for added fun. Crewed charters ensure you receive top-notch service, with professional staff catering to your every need.  

2. Stunning Coastal Scenery  

What to Expect on a Hong Kong Yacht Charter | 12What to Expect on a Hong Kong Yacht Charter | 12
Photo by Tim Cheung on Unsplash

Hong Kong’s coastline is dotted with hidden gems, including pristine beaches, dramatic cliffs, and lush green islands. A yacht charter allows you to explore these locations away from the crowds. Popular destinations include Repulse Bay, Sai Kung, Clear Water Bay, and Lamma Island. Each stop offers unique attractions, from vibrant seafood restaurants to untouched natural landscapes, making every moment on the water special.  

3. Customizable Itineraries  

One of the most significant advantages of a yacht charter is the flexibility to create a personalized itinerary. Whether you prefer a relaxing cruise around Victoria Harbour, an island-hopping adventure, or a sunset cocktail party on deck, the choice is yours. Your captain and crew can tailor the journey to suit your preferences, ensuring a bespoke experience that aligns with your expectations.  

4. Exciting Water Activities  

For adventure enthusiasts, a yacht charter in Hong Kong offers an array of water activities to enjoy. Many yachts come equipped with snorkeling gear, paddleboards, jet skis, and fishing equipment. Dive into the clear blue waters, try wakeboarding, or explore the marine life with a guided snorkeling session. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, simply float on a giant inflatable and soak in the sun.  

5. Exquisite Dining Experiences  

Gastronomy is an essential part of any yacht charter, and in Hong Kong, you can expect a culinary experience like no other. Depending on your preferences, you can opt for onboard catering with gourmet meals prepared by a private chef or dock at one of the many waterfront restaurants offering fresh seafood and international cuisine. Some popular dining spots include Lamma Island’s seafood markets and Michelin-starred restaurants in the city.  

6. Breathtaking Sunsets and Night Cruises  

Nothing compares to the beauty of a Hong Kong sunset from the deck of a yacht. The city lights up as the sun dips below the horizon, creating a mesmerizing skyline view. Many charters offer sunset and night cruises, allowing you to witness the dazzling Symphony of Lights show from the best vantage point on the water. Whether sipping champagne on the sundeck or enjoying a gourmet dinner under the stars, a night cruise is an unforgettable experience.  

7. Privacy and Exclusivity  

What to Expect on a Hong Kong Yacht Charter | 12What to Expect on a Hong Kong Yacht Charter | 12
Photo by nikldn on Unsplash

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A private yacht charter offers exclusivity and privacy unlike public cruises or crowded tourist attractions. It’s the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a serene experience with your chosen group. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat or a lively party, a yacht provides a unique space tailored to your needs.  

8. Professional Crew and Seamless Service  

From the moment you step aboard, you’ll be greeted by a professional crew dedicated to making your journey exceptional. Most yacht charters include a captain, deckhands, and a hospitality team who take care of navigation, safety, and guest comfort. The crew ensures that everything runs smoothly, allowing you to relax and enjoy the experience without any worries.  

Seasonal Considerations and Best Time to Charter  

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate, making it suitable for yachting year-round. However, the best time to charter a yacht is between October and May when the weather is cooler and less humid. Summer months can be hot and rainy, with occasional typhoons, so it’s important to check the weather forecast before booking. Many charter companies offer flexible rescheduling options in case of adverse weather conditions.  

How to Book a Yacht Charter in Hong Kong  

Booking a yacht charter is a straightforward process, but it’s advisable to plan in advance, especially during peak seasons. Start by selecting a reputable yacht charter company, choose the type of yacht that suits your needs, and decide on the duration of your trip. Most companies offer half-day, full-day, and overnight charters. Custom packages are also available for special events. Make sure to discuss your itinerary, catering options, and any additional services required before confirming your booking.  

Cost and Pricing Considerations  

The cost of a Hong Kong yacht charter varies depending on the type of yacht, duration, and additional services requested. Prices typically range from HKD 10,000 for a half-day charter on a smaller vessel to over HKD 100,000 for a luxury superyacht experience. Many charters include basic amenities, but extras such as catering, water sports equipment, and event decorations may come at an additional cost. It’s always best to inquire about the full pricing breakdown to avoid any surprises.  

Final Thoughts

A yacht charter in Hong Kong is more than just a luxury experience—it’s a unique way to explore the city’s hidden coastal beauty, enjoy top-tier hospitality, and create unforgettable memories. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a lavish celebration, a yacht charter offers the perfect blend of excitement and exclusivity. With so many options available, there’s a yacht experience to suit every taste and occasion.  

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75 Inspirational Ocean Quotes You Must Read

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsQuotes

Whether you’re someone stepping out onto their balcony on their very first cruise, or you’re an experienced cruiser who’s spent many a day at sea, there’s a certain magic about the ocean – she’ll forever have a hold on your heart.

We forget, living on land, that so much of the earth is covered in water and there are so many mysteries and wonders beneath her surface.

This is why it’s quite an inspirational view to behold. People may love a sea view from their hotel, but there’s nothing like a true view of the big wide ocean from a cruise ship.

Sunset view of the ocean

Unfortunately, most of us can’t spend our entire lives on a cruise, no matter how much we may want to. But that’s where these sea quotes come in real handy.

They serve as a reminder of life at sea for any ocean lover, casting you back to your last cruise and those feelings of wonder you experienced as the salty breeze gently surrounded you.

If you’re in need of a little pick-me-up, then spending some time absorbing these quotes and sayings about the sea will no doubt put you into a good headspace. They might calm you, evoking feelings of gentle lapping waves.

Or maybe you’re just looking for some ideas for your social media, and you want to reflect your love of the ocean by finding some thought-provoking sea quotes for Instagram.

They’re a good way of getting some extra likes and potentially finding others with an interest in life by the sea who may follow you.

Whatever you’re looking for, these ocean quotes will hopefully help you find it – but don’t blame me if you get carried away and finish this page with a new cruise booked!

Inspirational quotes about the sea

“A full moon sprinkled the black ocean with diamonds, and she could imagine fairies dancing in the silver foam that laced the huge, dark waves.”

Patricia Hagan

Quote about the ocean under the moon

“At night, when the sky is full of stars and the sea is still you get the wonderful sensation that you are floating in space.”

Natalie Wood

Quote about the ocean at night

“Being out there in the ocean, God’s creation, it’s like a gift He has given us to enjoy.”

Bethany Hamilton

Quote about the ocean as a gift from God

“Each kiss of an ocean wave is passed along, as long as there is life on and in the seas.”

Anthony T. Hincks

Quote about the waves of the ocean

“Every time I slip into the ocean, it’s like going home.”

Sylvia Earle

Quote about the ocean being home

“Every time you dive, you hope you’ll see something new – some new species. Sometimes the ocean gives you a gift, sometimes it doesn’t.”

James Cameron

Quote about diving in the ocean

“I believe in the ocean curing all bad moods. I believe in the waves wiping away worries. I believe in seashells bringing good luck. I believe in toes in the sand grounding my soul.”

Unknown

Quote about the ocean curing bad moods

“I couldn’t imagine living in a state that didn’t reach the ocean. It was a giant reset button. You could go to the edge of the land and see infinity and feel renewed.”

Avery Sawyer

Quote about living near the ocean

“I go to the ocean to calm down, to reconnect with the creator, to just be happy.”

Nnedi Okorafor

Quote about the calming effect of the ocean

“I have always been fascinated by the ocean, to dip a limb beneath its surface and know that I’m touching eternity, that it goes on forever until it begins here again.”

Lauren DeStefano

Quote about the ocean and its eternity

“I love the ocean. I’ve always liked the blue, so tranquil and peaceful and gliding. And the fear of it.”

Siouxsie Sioux

Quote about the tranquil blue ocean

“I love the smell of rain, and I love the sound of the ocean waves.”

Amy Purdy

Quote about the sound of ocean waves

“I pray to be like the ocean, with soft currents, maybe waves at times. More and more, I want the consistency rather than the highs and the lows.”

Drew Barrymore

Quote about the soft currents of the ocean

“I think I love the ocean because it’s calm, beautiful, infinite. But also angry, harsh, and magnificent. And that intrigues me.”

C.B.

Quote about the ocean being calm but also magnificent

“I wanted freedom, open air and adventure. I found it on the sea.”

Alain Gerbeault

Quote about the freedom and adventure of the ocean

“I was happy anywhere I could see the ocean.”

Ai Yazawa

Quote about the happiness of ocean views

“I will find comfort in the rhythm of the sea.”

Charlotte Eriksson

Quote about the rhythm of the ocean

“If everyone could just live near the ocean, I think we’d all be happier. It’s hard to be down about anything knee-deep in the sand.”

Crystal Woods

Quote about happiness living near the ocean

“If you want to hear the distant voice of the ocean put your ear to the distant lips of a seashell.”

Curtis Tyrone Jones

Quote about the sound of the ocean in seashells

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

Ryunosuke Satoro

Quote about the ocean as a metaphor for collectiveness

“It’s out there at the sea that you are really yourself.”

Vito Dumas

Quote about the sea and finding oneself

“Looking out at the ocean, it’s easy to feel small – and to imagine all your troubles, suddenly insignificant, slipping away. Earth’s seven oceans seem vast and impenetrable, but a closer look tells another story.”

Ted Danson

Quote about the vast oceans of the world

“Looking out over the ocean you can see reflections of God.”

Catherine Pulsifer

Quote about the reflections of God in the oceans

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the couragee to lose sight of the shore.”

Andre Gide

Quote about the ocean and courage to explore

“Never underestimate the power of the ocean.

Heidi Klum

Quote about the power of the ocean

“Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of Time.”

H. P. Lovecraft

Quote about the ancient wonder of the ocean

“Ocean, n. A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man – who has no gills.”

Ambrose Bierce

Quote about the ocean relative to man

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.”

Unknown

Quote about the memories of the ocean

“She loves the serene brutality of the ocean, loves the electric power she felt with each breath of wet, briny air.”

Holly Black

Quote about the power and brutality of the ocean

“Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.”

Van Morrison

Quote about letting your soul and spirit fly like the ocean and sky

“Take me to the ocean. Let me sail the open sea. To breathe the warm and salty air and dream of things to be.”

Erica Billups

Quote about the warmth of the open sea and air

“The beauty and mystery of the ocean, fills our lives with wonders, vast beyond our imagination.”

M. L. Borges

Quote about the beauty and mystery of the ocean

“The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey.”

Enya

Quote about the symbolism of the ocean

“The ocean is a mighty harmonist.”

William Wordsworth

Quote about the ocean as a harmonist

“The ocean is everything I want to be. Beautiful, mysterious, wild, and free.”

Unknown

Quote about the ocean being beautiful, wild and free

“The ocean is this beautiful, unexplored place. Why on Earth everyone isn’t down there, I don’t know.”

Graham Hawkes

Quote about the unexplored ocean

“The ocean makes me feel really small and it makes me put my whole life into perspective…it humbles you and makes you fell almost like you’ve been baptized. I feel born again when I get out of the ocean.”

Beyonce Knowles

Quote about the perspective the ocean offers

“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.”

Robert Wyland

Quote about how the ocean empowers heart, imagination and joy

“The ocean’s beauty is in its clear waters, but its strength lies in its dark depths”

Matshona Dhliwayo

Quote about the beauty and strength of the ocean

“The sea is an underwater museum still awaiting its visitors.”

Phillip Diole

Quote about the sea as an underwater museum

“The sea is as near as we come to another world.”

Anne Stevenson

Quote about the sea as another world

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

Jacques Cousteu

Quote about the spell the sea casts on us

“The sound and smell of the sea cleanses my soul.”

Unknown

Quote about the sea cleansing the soul

“The thing about the ocean is that the surface won’t always tell you what is going on underneath.”

Jennifer Arnett

Quote about what's beneath the surface of the ocean

“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent.”

Dave Barry

Quote about the point of the ocean

“They say home is where the heart is. For most people, that consists of four walls and a welcome mat. But for me, it’s the ocean”

Unknown

Quote about home being the ocean

“Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part.”

Hermann Broch

Quote about those who live by the sea

“To me, the sea is a continual miracle; the fishes that swim-the rocks-the motion of the waves-the ships, with men in them, what stanger miracles are there?”

Walt Whitman

Quote about the sea as a continual miracle

“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.”

John F. Kennedy

Quote about the ties we have to the ocean

“What would an ocean be without a monster lurking in the dark? It would be like sleep without dreams.”

Werner Herzog

Quote about the ocean and lurking monsters

“When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.”

Rainer Maria Rilke

Quote about the impact of the sea on anxious thoughts

“Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.”

Robert Henri

Quote about the potent power of the sea

“Wild waves rise and fall when they arrive and that’s what makes the calm sea alive”

Munia Khan

Quote about the wild waves bringing the sea to life

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”

Rumi

Quote about the nature of ocean within a drop

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Quote about the ocean representing humanity

“You never really know what’s coming. A small wave, or maybe a big one. All you can really do is hope that when it comes, you can surf over it, instead of drowning in its monstrosity.”

Alysha Speer

Quote about the waves of the ocean

“You only need to stand near the ocean to feel the power of the universe and a closeness to the one who created it.”

Susan Gale

Quote about the power of the universe reflected through the ocean

“You will love the ocean. It makes you feel so… I don’t know. Small, but not in a bad way. Small because you realize you’re part of something bigger.”

Lauren Myracle

Quote about the love of the ocean

“Be alone with the sea for it is there you will find answers to questions you didn’t realize exist.”

Khang Kijarro Nguyen

Quote about the ocean providing spiritual answers

“Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.”

Sarah Kay

Quote about the beauty of the shoreline

“Dance with the waves, move with the sea, let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.”

Christy Ann Martine

Quote about dancing with the waves of the sea

“That the sea is one of the most beautiful and magnificent sights in Nature, all admit.”

John Joly

Quote about the magnificence and beauty of the sea

“If the ocean can calm itself, so can you. we are both salt water mixed with air.”

Nayyirah Waheed

Quote about the calmness of the ocean and similarities to humans

“It’s the sound of the sea that makes you believe in mermaids.”

Anthony T. Hincks

Quote about the sounds of the sea and mermaids

“Let the waves carry you where the light can not.”

Mohit Kaushik

Quote about letting the waves carry you

“The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls too”

Vincent van Gogh

Quote about the heart of man being like the sea

“The ocean has a life of its own. Its tides, whirlpools, currents and eddies are a testament to its conflicting emotions.”

Anthony T. Hincks

Quote about the tides and whirlpools of the ocean

“The sea knows no limits, makes no concessions. It has given us everything and it can take everything away from us.”

John Ajvide Lindqvist

Quote about how the sea has no limits

“The sound and smell of the sea cleanses my soul.”

Unknown

Quote about the sound and smell of the sea

“The universe is an ocean upon which we are the waves. While some decide to surf, others venture to dive.”

Charbel Tadros

Quote about the universe as an ocean

“We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.”

William James

Quote about the connection of islands in the sea

“We have the responsibility to care for the ocean as it cares for us”

Suzanne van der Veeken

Quote about caring for the ocean

“When she saw the waves crashing on the shore, her heart leaped inside her in excitement. She still had a love affair with the ocean.”

Sharon Brubake

Quote about the ocean waves crashing on the shore

“You stand next to the sea and you’re in touch with all your longings and all your losses.”

Elizabeth Hay

Quote about feeling in touch with the sea

“Summer is calling me with the music of an ocean breeze. I must go dance with the waves of love.”

Debasish Mridha

Quote about the music of the ocean breeze in summer

Final word

There are some wonderfully profound quotes about sea and life, and the sea in general, some spoken by wordsmiths and poets, and others attributed to celebrities or influential figures.

Many focus on the depths of the ocean, and the mysteries that she holds. Others talk of the shoreline, and the view of the waves while standing on land. And there are many sea air quotes too, as people discuss the impact that the sea breeze has on them.

Use this list however you want to. You might want to pop back to the site every day to find new sea love quotes to inspire you for the day ahead. Or if you’re just feeling like you miss spending time near or on the ocean, sit down with a drink and wistfully read through the whole list.

Some of the sea quotes will no doubt speak to you more than others, which is a sign of just how vast and incredible the sea really is – there are so many different ways to view it and interpret it, that it impacts us all differently.

As you can tell, some people find it to be magnificent. Others use the ocean as a metaphor for other aspects of their life or the wider universe. There are some who hold the sea to be powerful and even a little scary – something to be respected, absolutely.

You’d be surprised just how many people talk about the sea in a profound way. But remember there are millions of people who’ve cruised on it, millions more who visit beaches for fun days out, and there are some unlucky people who live so far from it that they’ve never seen it, and can only imagine it through the lens of others’ experiences.

Did any of these quotes about the ocean surprise you? Is there a name you recognise that you weren’t aware was a sea lover? Or maybe you’ve heard some of these quotes before but never realised who they were attributed to?

And if you have your own favourite ocean quotes then I’d love for you to add them in the comments – especially if you know who first said them.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me


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Marella Cruises Review

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsMarella

I just disembarked a Canary Islands cruise on Marella Explorer. In this review I’ll share my honest opinions about what I liked and didn’t like about this cruise, and how it compares to others.

Thinking of cruising with Marella? Read on to find out what this cruise line has to offer…

Marella Cruises Review

Note: I was invited onboard by Marella. As always, the brand has no control over my reviews and all opinions are entirely my own.

Starting The Cruise

Our cruise departed from Tenerife. Marella Cruises don’t sail from the UK, but they do come packaged with flights from a choice of 25 airports across the UK.

We chose to fly from Bristol, which meant that getting to the airport was super easy. We had a 20kg per person checked baggage allowance plus 10kg per person hand luggage which was way more than we needed.

Boarding the plane to Tenerife

The flight was over pretty quickly and from there we hopped straight onto a TUI coach and were taken to the ship.

We were able to leave our bags on the coach and the next time we saw them was at our room an hour later.

TUI cpach at Tenerife Airport

Check-in was a breeze! As TUI’s flights arrive all through the day, there was barely anyone there when we arrived.

We quickly showed our passports and then walked on to the ship.

Marella Cruises check-in desk at Tenerife Cruise Port

Usually, when you fly to start your cruise you’ll have to fly out the day before and stay in a hotel – that’s a bit of a faff. And if you live more than a couple of hours from Southampton, you’ll probably need to do that too!

Leaving home at 8am and being on the ship in time for dinner is an excellent way to start the cruise. Because TUI owns the planes and the ships, you don’t have to worry about missing your cruise due to delayed flights, as they simply don’t let that happen.

First Impressions

I knew that Marella Explorer was around 30 years old – Marella’s ships used to belong to Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean.

Cruise Mummy with Marella Explorer

But I wasn’t prepared from how modern and luxurious this ship was. Marella Explorer is in excellent condition and most of the public areas looked brand-new. She just didn’t have that older-ship feel that you get on other ships that were built in the 90s.

Marella Explorer public areas

As we wandered around the ship, had a bite to eat in the buffet and enjoyed a drink, I fell in love.

With space for around 2000 guests, this ship is the perfect size, in my opinion. Small enough that you can walk from one end to the other in a few minutes, but large enough to be spacious and with plenty of activities.

Marella Explorer pool at night

While on board, I made a walkaround ship tour video. So if you’d like to watch as I explore each deck then be sure to check that out. It also has some handy tips to help you make the most of your cruise…

Accommodation

We booked an Ocean View cabin. Usually, we go for an inside cabin, but it was hardly any more money to upgrade to the Ocean View, so we went for that.

Marella Explorer oceanview cabin

Older ships don’t have as many balcony rooms as newer ones, and on Marella Explorer, only four of the ten passenger decks have balcony rooms. That means that the step-up in price from an Ocean View to a Balcony is significant.

So even if your default option is a balcony, then don’t rule out the window cabins, as they can offer fantastic value for money.

Our room slept four, so it had Pullman beds that come down from the ceiling.

The room wasn’t our favourite configuration, as the ladders meant that we had to have two single beds for my husband and I. We generally prefer a double bed and separate bunk beds for the kids if possible.

I noticed that the room attendants didn’t put the kids beds away each morning as they usually do. But that wasn’t an issue, as it’s not like they were converting them back into a sofa that we could use.

Marella towel animal

They did however, make the most fantastic towel animals every day, which was a much better use of their time in my opinion! They came twice per day to clean and always left us chocolates on the pillows.

The room was spotlessly clean and very comfortable.

But as we unpacked our bags, we noticed that the air con wasn’t working properly. It was set to cold, but the room was still very warm. I called guest services and within a few minutes an engineer arrived and fixed the problem.

This was a stark contrast to our previous cruise with Celestyal Cruises where we had the exact same problem and the engineer came every day resulting in us having alternate nights of being very hot, then very cold, until a new control panel was fitted on the last day of our cruise!

I love that Marella Cruises gives you a kettle with tea and coffee in the room. There was an empty cupboard where the mini bar used to be, which was a little odd. However, they do give you a glass carafe and there was a water fountain right outside our room, which was fantastic!

Marella water machine

I recommend looking for the raindrop symbols on the Marella deck plans and try to get a room near to the water machines if you can.

Dining

We thoroughly enjoyed the food on our cruise and I was very impressed with how many included dining venues there were. In addition to the main dining room and buffet, guests can enjoy Italian cuisine, a seperate pizza and pasta cafe, a tapas bar and a poolside snack shack offering burgers and grab-and-go sandwiches.

The buffet was fantastic, with a different theme each day and live cooking stations.

The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the ‘vindaloo’ curry which was more like a vegetable stew without a hint of spice. The server said that was because “not everyone likes spicy food”. Surely they don’t order the vindaloo then? Haha.

For those looking for something extra special, specialty restaurants serve dishes like steak, sushi or Asian cuisine at an additional cost. But with so much included, we didn’t feel the need to try these.

Kora La

For those with dietary restrictions, Marella excels at food labeling, making it easy to identify vegan, vegetarian, and allergen-friendly options. Vegan choices are readily available in both the main dining room and buffet, making dining hassle-free.

Marella food labels

The kids menu was extensive, with several vegetarian options. There’s also a kids’ section in the buffet, so favourites like chips are always available.

kids corner in buffet on Marella cruise

Drinks

Marella Cruises stand out by including a drinks package for all passengers. The standard package covers a selection of beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks and mocktails.

There are at least five different cocktails available in each bar, and I loved trying them all. One day, when I couldn’t decide which to order, the waiter surprised me with three!

Cruise Mummy with cocktails

I thought that the service might be slow, given that with everyone having a package, there would be little incentive to serve people quickly. But in fact the opposite was true. There was never a queue at the bar, and waiters would appear almost immediately as we sat down to take our orders.

Waiters would also walk around the pool with drinks trolleys or trays of pre-made cocktails, handing them out to anyone who wanted one.

Marella drinks trolley

And as you walked into busier venues like the theatre, pub, or poolside at the sailaway party there would be tables with glasses of Prosecco and cocktails, ready-poured!

Those wanting more premium options can upgrade to an enhanced package, but the standard drinks are already generous. If you just fancy the occasional premium drink, you can just pay for those individually, and the prices are very reasonable.

premium drink package upgrade

Activities & Entertainment

We certainly weren’t short of things to do on our cruise. The daily schedule was packed with activities like bingo, dance classes, deck games, arts and crafts, movies in the cinema and live music.

Marella funfair

Every evening, there was a West-End style show in the theatre, repeated at 8.30pm and 10.30pm. The theatre was really big, so there’s no need to book and it’s easy to get a seat.

Marella theatre

We also enjoyed the gameshows at 9.30pm in the Squid and Anchor. After the theatre, everyone rushes to the Squid and Anchor, so if you want to do both, you have to be fast!

After a week, we found the entertainment to be a little repetitive. It would have been nice to have some other options like a magician, comedian, acrobat or ventriloquist. Singers and dancers are great, but not every night.

Family Facilities

Marella has a kids club for ages 3 to 11. The kids went a few times and said that it was average as far as cruise kids clubs go.

I wasn’t a fan of how the age groups were organised. Sometimes, all ages would be together, and the activities tended to be more suitable for the younger ones.

On other occasions, the groups would be split between 3 to 7 and 8 to 11. However, the clubs were then open at different times. This wasn’t very practical for us with one child in each group.

You also need to give at least 24 hours notice of which session you’re going to attend by writing your child’s name on a piece of paper outside the room. Sometimes, it’s hard to plan that far in advance. When other cruise lines require you to pre-book the kids club, it’s usually done via an app.

Gamer Zone on Marella cruise

The kids did, however, love the activities outside of the kids club. The football pitch was always full of kids playing endless games of football. There was table tennis and mini golf. And we all loved the Gamer Zone which had six Xboxes that are available for anyone to use.

Mini golf on Marella cruise

12- to 17-year-olds can access The Hideout. Here they can enjoy unlimited air hockey and table tennis as well as attend organised activities at certain times.

Itinerary

We loved the Canary Islands itinerary. Although it was February, the weather was 20-25 degrees, which was certainly suitable for sunbathing.

The Canaries is the perfect spot for winter sun if you only have a week so don’t want too long of a flight.

Cruise Mummy on beach in Corralejo in February

Marella Cruises are usually very port-intensive, and we had only one sea day. If you cruise to the Canary Islands from Southampton, the round-trip takes two weeks, yet we were able to squeeze more ports into just one week, which was great.

The weather forecast showed some rough seas at Madeira, so the captain made the decision to cancel that port and replace it with another, as well as switching round the order that we visited the other islands.

This wasn’t an issue at all. As we have booked our excursions with Marella, we were simply issues new tickets for the correct date.

Marella Excursion

The excursions that we booked were excellent value for money – even more so since we didn’t have to do anything when the dates were changed!

Value For Money

At first glance, Marella cruises can look pricey. But, once you factor in everything that’s included, they actually work out to be excellent value for money!

Even if you don’t drink alcohol, don’t let the all-inclusive nature put you off. You can still get your money’s worth with mocktails, juices, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Marella Cruises offers…

The Bottom Line

Marella Cruises has a huge fanbase of loyal cruisers and I can see why. The cruises are so convenient and hassle-free – all you have to do is relax and enjoy.

It’s clear that this cruise line is tailored to the British market, with home comforts like crisps in the pub and Yorkshire puddings in the buffet. And the people we met on board all seemed to appreciate these touches.

If you have kids, then Marella cruises is a good option. Sure, you won’t get quite as many facilities as some of the American mega-ships, but children are very well catered for, and there’s lots for them to do.

If you want to know how Marella compares to other cruise lines, then be sure to take a look at this video…

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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Passengers May Remain at Sea Another Two Days

by Diplomacy

A cruise ship that could remain at sea for an extra few days, Pacific Encounter, finds itself at the mercy of Cyclone Alfred, as passengers play a waiting game.  While, admittedly, there are worse places to be “stuck”, the significant delay in returning to port has caused some issues for travelers trying to get back home.

PO Encounter cruise ship
Photo credit: P&O Cruises Australia

The ship, which is soon to be a part of Carnival’s fleet as Carnival Encounter, was supposed to dock in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday after a 4-day sailing.  But heavy wind and rain have battered the east coast of the country, shutting down the port and cutting power to hundreds of thousands of residents in the cyclone’s path.

Because of the tropical cyclone, P&O Australia had to cancel Pacific Encounter’s final voyage before transferring to Carnival Cruise Line.

Flooding has wreaked havoc on land, while the storm has also impacted cruise ship schedules.  Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and Carnival Luminosa have both had to cancel sailings in addition to Pacific Encounter.

“I’ve Run Out of Money”

One New Zealander who is currently sailing on Pacific Encounter recently expressed frustration with the current condition of being stuck at sea.

Cody Hampson, a 20-year-old plumber, is facing a desperate situation, stranded on the P&O cruise ship and facing financial hardship and job insecurity after the storm forced a delay in the ship’s arrival at Brisbane’s port.

“To be honest I’ve run out of money, I don’t know if they’re going to refund me for my flight back home from Brisbane, I haven’t received confirmation for that. Yeah, so I’m a bit stuck,” Hampson said.

“I’m supposed to be starting back up on Wednesday at work and my boss sort of doesn’t understand that I’m stuck on a cruise ship.”

To make matters worse, Hampson said he does not have cruise travel insurance that would have offered some compensation for the situation.

He also stated that keeping in touch with his extended family has been difficult because of the poor Wi-Fi signal on the ship, which has also been impacted by the storm.

The ship’s delay in returning to port in Brisbane has caused a pile up of missing flights and postponed travel arrangements.

Hampson referred to the situation as “havoc”, as the delay in returning home has caused logistical issues for other passengers on board as well.

“There’s many many people that are missing flights, lots of people are running out of money, people have left kids at home and stuff that are sort of unable to be supervised any longer cause work is starting back up,” he stated. 

As Pacific Encounter waits for the all-clear to return to port, it’s not the only ship hoping for a swift arrival back on land.  Cruise ship tracking data shows Quantum of the Seas, Carnival Luminosa, and Crown Princess just off the coast.

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Cruise Line Announces New Themed Party Cruises for 2026

by Diplomacy

Margaritaville at Sea has announced new themed cruises that will set sail in 2026 that include a visit to Cozumel for Cinco de Mayo.

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship

The themed cruises range from a Super Bowl cruise to a visit to Key West for Fantasy Fest.  The cruises will take place on the cruise line’s first ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.

The themed cruises depart from the Port of Palm Beach and range from two- to four-nights in length. They are centered around major annual holidays and are as follows:

  • Big Game Getaway (February 7) – This three-night weekend sailing during the Super Bowl will offer festivities, big screen viewing, and themed specials.
  • Valentine’s Day (February 13) – A Valentine’s Day weekend cruise is promising to be the perfect voyage for couples.
  • St. Patrick’s Day (March 16) – You can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise while enjoying golden Bahamian beaches, beer specials, themed menus and more.
  • Cinco de Mayo (May 3) – The cruise ship will embark on its first-ever four-night cruise to Cozumel for a one-of-a-kind Cinco de Mayo celebration in Mexico.
  • Jimmy Buffett Day (August 28) – You can celebrate the legend himself on a four-night sailing to Key West, filled with Jimmy’s favorite music, memories, and margaritas.
  • Key West Fantasy Fest (October 15, 19, 23) – There will be three different four-night cruises to join the party at Fantasy Fest and experience Key West at its most fun.
  • Very Merry Margaritaville at Sea (December 24) – A special Christmas cruise that will offer the excitement of the Junkanoo festival (Dec. 26) in the Bahamian capital during a port stop in Nassau.

From now through the end of the month, the cruise line is offering 50% off retail fares for the first two guests in a cabin.  Kids sailing as the 3rd and 4th guest in a stateroom are free.

This offer is good on cruises on Paradise through December 31, 2026 and cruises on Islander through April 24, 2027.

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Cruise Line Backtracks Over Medical Charges For Injured Toddler

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

A family’s cruise on Carnival Panorama took an unexpected turn when their toddler’s hand was injured in an elevator door, leading to a stressful medical experience and an unexpected bill.

Toddler injured Carnival

The incident, which occurred on February 28th, 2025, has sparked discussion about onboard safety, particularly regarding elevator mechanics.

Lash artist and hairstylist Emily Lee, who documented the ordeal on her TikTok account (@emilyclairelee), explained that while her family was exiting the aft elevator B, her toddler placed his hand on the door frame for support.

@emilyclairelee @carnival this is unacceptable, this could have been a completely avoidable scenario. Your elevators are not safe and you cannot market your cruise ship as family friendly if you don’t fix this problem. Your ship injured my baby and then you charged me $506. My 5 year old is traumatized from seeing his brother injured, and we spent what should have been a great final day of our trip absolutely mortified and were treated like garbage. Please make this right. #carnivalcruise #carnivalpanorama #mexicanriviera #travelreviews #cruisereview #carnivalreview #travelvlog #cruising #fyp #parati #carnivalcruiseline #travelingwithkids #travel #cruiseship #panorama ♬ original sound – Emily Lee

Unfortunately, the child’s hand became lodged between the door and the frame, prompting Lee and her husband to work quickly to free him before seeking urgent medical attention.

The family immediately called the onboard medical center, but before they could get directions, a crew member noticed their distress and escorted them directly to the facility.

Once there, the medical team conducted an x-ray, provided painkillers, and treated the wound.

However, the family was frustrated by the long wait to see a doctor, who ultimately decided against stitches, stating it would be too traumatic for the child.

Following treatment, Lee was asked to sign discharge paperwork – which she was assured was not a bill – and was then required to speak with ship security before being allowed to leave.

Later that evening, the family discovered a $506 charge had been applied to their onboard account for the medical services.

Carnival initially refuses to waive medical fees

When Lee tried to dispute the charge with Guest Services, she was told there was nothing they could do, and she was given an 800 number to contact Carnival Cruise Line directly.

Feeling frustrated, she took to social media, sharing a detailed video about the incident. In the post, she also questioned the safety of the elevator doors, particularly after noticing tape on parts of the elevator frame, which she speculated could indicate prior issues.

Some cruise lines do have warning signs on the elevators for exactly this reason – this one is from British cruise line Marella:

My son Adam has once got his hand trapped in an elevator when he was 5 or so. It was awful – it wouldn’t come out for ages. He wasn’t badly hurt. But even if he was, that’s our fault not the cruise line.

Lee’s video quickly gained traction, amassing over 67,000 views, sparking online debate over whether the charge was justified for what seemed to be a ship-related safety issue.

Less than 24 hours after Lee’s video went viral, Carnival responded and agreed to fully reimburse the $506 medical charge.

@emilyclairelee Thank you @carnival for responding. Please look into fixing your elevator doors to make them safe. Also see @lexiemarierowe videos to make sure she also gets a proper response and her situation is handled as well. #carnival #carnivalcruise #travelreviews #carnivalreview #travelvlog #cruising ♬ original sound – Emily Lee

While Lee was grateful for the refund, she urged the cruise line to investigate the elevators further to ensure similar incidents do not happen again.

Carnival Panorama, along with ships like Carnival Horizon, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Vista, is equipped with smart elevator technology, designed to distribute passengers more efficiently and reduce wait times.

However, these elevators have been met with mixed reviews, with some passengers finding them confusing and slow.

While Carnival has introduced instructional videos and online demonstrations to assist guests in using the smart elevators, concerns remain about safety and accessibility, particularly for families with young children.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

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Why Aft-View Balconies on a Cruise Ship Cost More

by Diplomacy

I was hooked from my very first cruise cabin, an aft-facing balcony, and not just on that cabin category, but on cruising in general.

But if you want an aft-view balcony on a cruise ship that gives you that iconic wake view off the back of the ship, you will have to pay extra for it.

aft-facing balcony cabin on cruise ship
Aft balcony on Sky Princess (Photo Credit: Cruise Fever)

No matter what cruise ship you plan on booking, an aft balcony carries a premium cost.  In this article we will look at how much more it costs, why it costs more, and what you actually get for the extra money.

Not all aft balconies are created equal

The prices of an aft-facing extended balcony on a Royal Caribbean Oasis-class vessel will be well above regular balcony prices, and they are often sold out first.  After all, these balconies have the best seats in the house for the Aqua Theater shows that take place in the back of the ship.   This factor, on top of how large they are and the great views you get not only of the ocean but the Boardwalk, contributes to the higher premium cost.

Harmony of the Seas Aft balconies view
Aqua Theater and aft-view on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Cruise Fever)

How much more do aft-facing balconies cost?

After looking up cruise fares with nine major cruise lines for sailings in 2026, I found that the price difference between a standard balcony cabin and an aft balcony cabin can be as much as 15% to 30% higher.

In my analysis, I found that the price difference is more influenced by the ship itself than the itinerary or time of year.  Additionally, I had to look at cruises that were over a year from sail dates because aft-facing balconies sell out much quicker, and pricing was not available for last-minute cruises.

For some short 4- and 5-day cruises on Carnival cruise ships the price would be $180 to $250 more for the aft-view balcony.    As mentioned above, prices for aft balconies on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels were much higher.

Related:  Cabins on cruise ships that should be avoided

More balcony space

aft balcony space on a cruise ship

If more square footage on your balcony is important to you, you will love aft balconies with the extended space.   It’s not uncommon to find full loungers on the balcony, as you have more space to completely sprawl out and enjoy the outside part of your cabin.

Regular balcony staterooms on the side of the ship are often fairly cramped, and there’s little to no legroom if you’re facing the ocean.   They often have regular chairs, and while some have a reclining feature you don’t have much room.

Every cruise ship is different and offers a different amount of space on these back-facing balconies, so the cost will vary based on this space as well.  Even different aft decks on the same ship will offer varying square footage for these cabins.

Read more: Cabin rules: 10 things you should never do in your cruise cabin

Limited number of aft balconies available

Pricing is also influenced by supply and demand.  Because there simply aren’t as many aft-facing verandas on a cruise ship, they can be sold at a higher price.  They are already highly sought after by regular cruisers who want more space and the other perks to go with it.

Take a ship like Carnival Horizon.  Out of the total of 880 balcony staterooms there are only 45 aft-facing balconies.  With this limited supply cruise lines know they can charge a bit extra, and they will still sell out.

More privacy

Photo Credit: Cruise Fever

The added privacy is one of my favorite parts about aft balconies.  You have fewer neighbors along your corridor and the sound of the wake provides a white noise that drowns out any faint noises you might hear otherwise.

We’ve all been there.  You’re relaxing out on the balcony when you hear your neighbors next door on theirs, and you hear every part of their conversation.  The dull roar of the wake is both pleasant on the eyes and ears to provide that privacy.

But not every ship’s aft balconies are very private.  It really depends on the layout.  I’ve been on some balconies that literally looked immediately over the balcony beneath it.  So, if cruisers were hanging out on their balcony and I was looking out over mine, I’d practically be a part of their cruise as well.  That’s not ideal to me.

Still, you can often find more privacy with one of these cabins.  Just make sure you study the deck plans of your cruise ship before you book.  I always like to know what’s immediately around my stateroom (above, below, and on either side) to make sure it will be both quiet and private.

Slightly quieter

It’s quieter not only because of the sound of the ocean and wake, but it’s also further away from some of the busier areas of the ship.  This isn’t to say that every ship is quiet towards the aft part of the vessel.

If there’s a show or party in a lounge in that area of the ship it will refute this point.  But for the most part, I’ve found the aft part of cruise ship the quietest, especially since major shows will take place towards the front, Aqua Theater on Oasis-class ships excluded.

Great views

aft pool on Princess cruise ship

For me, there’s nothing more relaxing on a cruise ship than overlooking the ship’s wake.  At the end of a sea day, you can look out over the horizon and see exactly where your ship has been and how it has made any turns along the way.   It’s also symbolic of going on an adventure as you get further away from land.

You can often find marine life swimming along with the wake as well.  Dolphins especially like to swim in the wake of a ship as they can swim faster with less effort and can reach higher speeds.  Now that’s a visual from your aft balcony you will never forget.

Final Thoughts

If you have your heart set on booking an aft-facing balcony on a cruise ship you might have to book pretty far out in advance.  These state rooms sell out fast.  You should also be prepared to do a bit more walking.  Sure, you will be close to the buffet area on most cruise ships, but anything at the front of the ship will require walking the entire length of the vessel.  You will also feel more movement from the ocean when traveling at full speed.

Read more:  6 most coveted cabin locations on a cruise ship

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