I was absolutely blown away by the quality of service onboard, quality of the ship and quality of food. I can completely agree with Riverside’s claims that they are offer the very highest level luxury on the river. 

Having heard so many amazing reviews and feedback on the new Explora Journeys cruise brand I was so very excited to finally sail with them on Explora II from Rome to Barcelona in July 2025 for a 7 night luxury voyage.

Riviera Travel kindly invited me aboard their newest cruise ship on the Douro, MS Riviera Rose. Positioned as a premium-luxury offering, Riviera Travel is the perfect option for any keen cruiser who wants great food, fantastic service and destination immersion. Put simply, they offer a no-fuss, no-frills approach to river cruising—and I loved every second of it.

We were about to embark on a 5 day sailing from Pisa to Barcelona whilst docking in Nice when the Formula 1 was in Monaco!

I had the BEST time on board Atlas exploring Lisbon, Gibraltar and more on an Iberian Vignettes Expedition cruise.

Read all about my experience.

The team have recently returned from an extraordinary trip through the Mediterranean discovering many iconic cruise ports including the architectural city of Barcelona, the gorgeous coastal city of Nice and so many more during a hosted cruise aboard the lavish Azamara Journey ship.

Hurtigrutens Signature Voyage is more than just an ordinary fjords cruise, the 6-night voyage from Oslo to Tromso is an amazing Arctic adventure that indulges you in  breathtaking scenery, locally inspired cuisine, lively culture, and life-changing experiences.

Last weekend, the famous and the fabulous descended on Monaco, the last bastion of decadent glamour. Fans of Formula 1 just had to be seen in this sublime enclave of the world’s most desirable real estate.

Contemporary, stylish and innovative are only a few ways to describe Ponant - Take a look at James's picture diary during his stay!

Sailing with Hurtigruten on part of their Signature Voyage from Oslo to Tromo, Norway, was nothing short of incredible. From the landscapes and scenery, to the food and service everything was executed to perfection.