Planning A Cruise

Plan your cruise with simple, practical tips: choose the right ship and itinerary, compare cabins and dining options, and set a realistic budget for gratuities, Wi‑Fi, and excursions. Learn the best time to sail, packing essentials, and seasickness remedies. Understand visas, travel insurance, and embarkation steps so boarding day feels smooth and stress‑free.

best solo cruises for seniors

Best Solo Cruises for Seniors: Why Norwegian Cruise Line Leads the Way

best time to take a Mediterranean cruise for first timers

Best Time to Take a Mediterranean Cruise for First Timers (What We’d Choose Now, Knowing What We Know)

best mediterranean cruise itineraries for first timers

Best Mediterranean Cruise Itineraries for First Timers (And What We’d Do Differently)

mediterranean cruises for first timers

Mediterranean Cruises for First Timers: What We Wish We’d Known Before Booking

small ship mediterranean cruises for adults

Small-Ship Mediterranean Cruises for Adults: Calm Voyages, Real Costs, and Which Lines Deliver Best Value

mediterranean cruises adults only

Mediterranean Cruises Adults Only: Best Child-Free Cruise Lines Compared

Viking Ocean vs Viking River after 70

Viking Ocean vs Viking River: Which Is Right After 70?

best river cruises for seniors with walking difficulties

Best River Cruises for Seniors With Walking Difficulties

SAVE BIG AND EXPLORE MORE OF THE WORLD
Planning a cruise

Hello from Rob & Nawa!

After years of exploring the world, we’ve traded dorms and campsites for comfort—without the high price tag.

We share practical tips to help mature travellers see more and spend less, whether you’re cruising or travelling by land.

Join our list for our best travel advice and free access to our Research Library.

How We Calculate Our Rating

Our score is out of 10 and based on:

Location & convenience – 30%

Room Quality & cleanliness – 30%

Facilities & services – 25%

Dining – 15% 

We do not take price (value for money) into our calculations, as rates can differ substantially depending on when you go. If you travel in peak season, then expect to pay the highest rates, but it does not (or should not) change the quality of the hotel. If we give it a rating of 8.0 or higher, we would consider staying again.
TBA – means we have not stayed at this hotel but have booked for a future visit or included in our research as a suggested place to stay

Booking

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Booking

Get Our Free Cruise Budget Planner

We’ll send you a direct link to our Google Sheets Cruise Budget Planner. Easy to use for multiple cruises.

Independent Cruise Research

Free Research Library

Get free access to our cruise comparison spreadsheets, including fares, inclusions and the research sources behind our videos.