Top tips to getting a bargain at the best shops on the ocean

Woman Shopping

Aboard every large cruise ship is a glitzy piazza or shopping gallery featuring marbled walkways and modern boutiques. Thought you’d escaped those designer brands? Think again. Stand by to shop-until-you-drop in the middle of the sea. Watches, perfume, handbags and jewels are all available duty free at these ocean emporiums. And surprisingly, more Australian men spend … Read more

8 coolest onboard dining venues

Aqua Amazon

Celebrity chefs, locally sources ingredients and cutting edge food technology are all well and good, but spare a thought for the dining venue itself. Cruise lines are going out of their way to make the whole experience of eating exemplary, from table to tastebud. Here are eight of the coolest dining venues you can find … Read more

The most unlikely workouts at sea

Art Funnel Climb P&O

On August 15, when Pacific Pearl emerges from dry dock, she’ll be boasting an array of new activities. The P&OEdge Adventure Park – also known as ‘the world’s largest adventure park at sea’ – will feature more than 15 heart-pounding, addictive activities. Royal Caribbean also has a similar set of activities inside its SeaPlex on … Read more

How to get invited to the Captain’s Table

Get invited to the Captain's Table

The invitation often comes in a gold envelope and is slipped discreetly under your door, or propped up on your pillow. “Captain Smith would be delighted if you could join him for cocktails, followed by dinner in the Grand Ballroom. Dress: Formal.” The anticipation of an evening spent rubbing shoulders with the ship’s royalty is … Read more

Five must-sail music cruises

Pool Party

Music festivals at sea have taken off in the United States and, thankfully, cruisers Down Under are set to see an emergence of them. Earlier this year, Travel Superstore announced the very first electronic Sea ’N Beats as the first music festival in Australia, featuring DJs and artists like Alison Wonderland, Hayden James and Hot … Read more

‘My verdict on The Pantry’

P&O's The Pantry

We asked people who travel for a living to tell us what they thought of P&O’s new food court-style eatery, The Pantry, on Pacific Jewel. Carla Grossetti, travel and lifestyle writer In a dramatic overhaul, P&O has given the buffet the heave-ho in favour of an upmarket food hall dubbed The Pantry. P&O’s corporate executive … Read more

Solo travel tips and deals

Solo traveller

Want to get best out of a trip when you’re travelling alone? There are more people than ever taking holidays as singles – so you won’t be alone for long. Cruise director – your new bestie First up, if you see the cruise director floating around the ship, flag them down and let them know … Read more