Cruise Escapes
The home of tips, guides
and cruise inspiration.

Christmas markets are one of the best bits of winter in Europe. Twinkling lights, wooden huts, the smell of spices in the air and a cup of something hot in your hands… it’s an instant mood-lifter, even when it is absolutely freezing. Whether you are flying in for a weekend, tagging a market visit onto a river cruise, or building a longer winter getaway, some cities just do Christmas better than others. Here are five of the top European Christmas markets worth travelling for,

The port of Valletta sits in Malta’s natural deep‑water harbour, and in fact the city was built by the knights of the order of Knights of St. John in the mid‑16th century for strategic and defensive reasons. The old town of Valletta is compact, fortified, and full of Baroque palaces, churches and narrow streets. The port itself is modern and well‑set‑up for cruise ships - the terminal sits on the waterfront and is just a short walk from the historic core.  What cruise lines v

When you’re booking a P&O Cruise, choosing the right cabin can make a big difference to your holiday. Whether you fancy being close to the lifts, want a midship cabin for stability, or prefer a quiet spot at the back with sweeping wake views – knowing how to request a specific cabin is key. Here’s how it all works and what you need to know before you book. Understanding how cabin allocation works P&O Cruises offers two main types of fares that affect how your cabin is chosen:

Barcelona offers a compelling port‑of‑call thanks to its vibrant culture, stunning architecture and close proximity from the ship to the city centre. Whether you’re stepping off your cruise ship for a few hours or planning to explore further inland, the port of Barcelona offers a rich day of discovery. Keep reading to get the most out of your visit. The Port of Barcelona is one of Europe’s leading cruise hubs, with facilities capable of handling large ships and high volumes o

From late October 2025, P&O Cruises will be introducing new pricing for their drinks packages. The good news is that the contents of each package aren’t changing – only the prices. Here’s what you need to know. New Drinks Package Prices The updated daily rates will vary slightly depending on the length of your cruise. Those sailing for 15 nights or longer will pay slightly less per day compared to shorter sailings. Package 5–14 Nights (On Board) 15+ Nights (On Board) Pre-Crui

Virgin Voyages has refreshed how Wi‑Fi works when you book. From 7 October 2025, the type of Wi‑Fi you get included now depends on the fare you choose, and there are clear upgrade paths if you need more speed or extra devices. If you’re sailing on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady or Brilliant Lady soon, this guide breaks down what’s new in plain English. We’ll cover the tiers, who gets what, how to upgrade on board, and our honest advice on when it’s worth paying fo

Worried you might feel seasick on your cruise? You’re definitely not alone. It’s one of the biggest concerns for first-time cruisers - and even seasoned travellers sometimes get a queasy moment or two. The good news is that with the right prep (and a few clever tricks), seasickness can be avoided or at least kept well under control. Let’s look at why it happens, how to prevent it, and what to do if you start to feel a bit off while you’re at sea. What Actually Causes Seasickn

If you’re gearing up for a voyage with Virgin Voyages, here’s something you’ll want to know before you sail. The cruise line has recently introduced a redesigned, fully updated app - and if you still have the old one, it’s time to make the switch. In this blog we’ll walk you through what’s changed, how to use the new version effectively, and why it matters for your next cruise. What’s changed with the Virgin Voyages app The “Original Sailor App” is being retired Virgin Voyage