Please forgive me if this sounds a little like an ‘after the horse has bolted’ type of question. … [Read more...]
Emma Sanger
Emma Sanger is Cruise International’s resident cruise expert, answering all your questions!
Is cruise travel safe?
January 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
With the awful recent events onboard Costa Concordia, come understandably lots of uncertainty and questions. Are cruise ships safe, especially in this age of the new super liners? … [Read more...]
Can I arrange for wheelchair assistance to help my friend board the ship?
December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
We have been asked to look at a cruise for a lady who can walk, but not for a long distance so she needs a wheelchair. As we live in Scotland could we leave from there? I know some ships have disabled rooms, but it’s actually getting on board that we are concerned about as the lady is quite heavy and has a big chair. Evelyn Robertson Scotland Thanks for your question. Fred Olsen Cruise lines have sailings from … [Read more...]
Why don’t cruise companies cater more for singles?
August 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Why don't cruise companies cater more for singles? We don't eat twice the food, we don't use twice the laundry and the cabin is quicker to clean. Yet we are charged twice the price. Surely it's more economical to have one person in a cabin than it being empty. The old argument is two people spend more but I've known couples who don't spend anything and singles who spend lots? Joan McDowell Leicester Thanks for your … [Read more...]
Why has cruise quality deteriorated so much?
July 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Why has cruise quality deteriorated so much? It used to be special and sophisticated to go cruising! I have just returned from a so-called luxury cruise, and am appalled at onboard prices for everything. Internet £20 an hour, glass of wine £10, and the food was like school dinners. A pretty rusty old over-painted boat, mediocre entertainment. Not allowed to use shore-bought duty-free drink or cigs (I use neither). And to cap it all, I am … [Read more...]
Who is the best cruise celebrity of 2011?
July 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Emma Sanger discusses the celebrities shortlisted as Best Cruise Celebrity in the Cruise International Awards Celebrity, how the meaning has changed over the years, diluted even. Years ago the celebrity tag would be the name given to Film stars, Pop stars and Sport stars. Now with the introduction of Reality TV, it seems that any Tom, Dick or Harry can be described as a ‘Celebrity’ we seem obsessed with it and The Cruise Industry have taken … [Read more...]
Are there any ships without a No Smoking policy?
May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
More and more places on land are becoming smoke free and as a smoker I find this very difficult. I've noticed the same things happening on ships. Can you tell me - are there any ships with no No Smoking policy - ie like some hotels - can you smoke in your stateroom and public places (apart from the inevitable casino)? Allan Rickard Bognor This is a hard question to answer as the smoking policies on board ships … [Read more...]
What’s the minimum age is for taking children on board, are there any cruises for babies?
May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My wife and I are keen cruisers, but we've recently had a child and we're not sure what the minimum age is for taking kids on board is. He's 4 months now. Are there any cruises for babies? Having cruised many times in the past, we are loathe to give up now and are sure that a cruise will suit the needs of our infant son. The trouble is, we can't seem to decide on which operator would cater for him the best. William Blaine Suffolk … [Read more...]
Why are some cruise ships not classified as having disabled access, when some of their cabins are wheelchair friendly?
May 12, 2011 By
Why are some cruise ships not classified as having disabled access, when some of their cabins are wheelchair friendly? I am confined to a wheelchair, and therefore find cruising the easiest way to travel the world by far. But I'm curious-Why, in your magazine ship guide, do you have luxury cruise lines Regent, Silverseas, Seabourn and Oceania as not having disabled access, when looking on their websites, they clearly have disabled suites, and/or … [Read more...]
Help me find a ship that travels back to England from the USA in Jan or Feb 2012
May 11, 2011 By
Help me find a ship that travels back to England from the USA in Jan or Feb 2012 I am keen to travel with my family on a quality cruise (ship) in the winter to and from England/ France (if necessary) and do not want to fly at all. I wish to stay on land once across the pond. I have found out that Cunard's QM2 travels to NY on the 12/13 December (great!) and would want to leave the ship to explore the US for say one or two months and then return … [Read more...]
