Cruise Q&A: Extra Costs, Booking Cabins Together and Travelling Solo

Cruise Q&A: Extra Costs, Booking Cabins Together and Travelling Solo

Three common cruise questions answered simply. Cruise fares can be confusing, especially when you're trying to budget, coordinate travel with family, or decide whether cruising solo is right for you. In this listener Q&A episode, I answer three common questions: • What costs should you expect onboard beyond your cruise fare and travel to the port? • Can families or groups book cabins near each other? • Which cruise lines are best for solo travellers? We also talk about solo cabins, private lounges for solo guests, and why the right cruise line depends on the experience you want onboard. Whether you're planning your first cruise or your tenth, understanding these details before you book can help you avoid surprises later. If you have a cruise question you'd like answered in a future episode, send it my way. Cruisella Talks Ship is an independent cruise podcast sharing practical information, planning tips, and straightforward advice for cruisers at every stage. Follow along on Instagram: @cruisellatalksship

Beyond the Theatre — What Else Is Happening Onboard

Most people plan their cruise around the big stuff — the ports, the dining, the main theatre shows. But some of the best entertainment onboard happens in a lounge, costs nothing extra, and doesn’t need a reservation. In this episode we’re talking about three things that don’t always make it onto the planning radar — trivia, game shows and comedy — what they look like on a mainstream cruise ship and why they’re worth leaning in to. We cover how trivia works onboard and when to find it, the game show formats you’ll find on lines like Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, what the comedy club looks like on a mainstream ship and how the shows are structured, and why all three are worth leaning in to.

Norwegian Cruise Line: An Honest Brand Review- Prima vs Star vs Jewel — a real cruiser’s perspective across three very different sailings

In this episode I am reviewing Norwegian Cruise Line as a brand after sailing the Prima, the Star and the Jewel in the span of six months — with three very different travel groups. I share what I loved, what I didn’t, what the cruising community is saying about NCL right now and where I land on the brand overall. As promised in this episode — if you are travelling on the Norwegian Prima with preteens or teens and want to know what they can actually do on board, I covered it all in a previous episode. You can find it here: https://Cruisellatalksship.podbean.com/e/norwegian-prima-what-preteens-teens-can-actually-do/

Hooked: Why Cruisers Keep Coming Back - What the data says — and three myths it’s time to leave at the dock

Eighty-two percent of people who cruise say they’ll do it again. This episode looks at why — the research behind what makes cruising one of the most repeat-booked vacation formats in the world. Then we tackle three cruise myths that have overstayed their welcome: is it really too expensive? Is it just for older travelers? And will you get seasick? With information and facts from CLIA’s 2025 State of the Cruise Industry Report and independent travel research.

No Port? No Problem - A practical guide to sea days on a cruise ship

A sea day without a plan has a way of disappearing. This episode breaks down how cruise ships run on days at sea — what’s open, when it fills up, and how to use the time well. Useful for first-time cruisers and anyone building their sea day routine. Amenities, venues, and schedules vary by ship and cruise line — always check your daily program or deck plan for what’s available on your sailing.