Real trips, first-hand reports
Our Cruise & Travel Trip Reports
Trip series
Follow a whole trip, start to finish
Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady: Alaska & the Pacific Coast
Read the trip report →
Royal Caribbean · Asia
Shanghai & Spectrum of the Seas
Follow the whole trip →
Virgin Voyages
The Irresistible Med on Valiant Lady
Read the full review →
Canada
Canada by rail: Banff & Rocky Mountaineer
Read the review →
Princess Cruises
Majestic Princess in Europe
Read our first impressions →
River cruising
The Danube with APT Travelmarvel
Read the river cruise review →
We’ve been there
The cruise lines we’ve sailed ourselves
Virgin Voyages
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity Cruises
Disney Cruise Line
Cunard
How we report
We tell you what it’s really like
These aren’t star ratings or scorecards. They’re trip reports: what each day was actually like, written by Kieran or Phil from a trip we took, with our own photos.
Boarding, cabins, food, ports, the moments we loved and the bits we’d do differently. It’s exactly what we share with our own clients, so you can picture your holiday before you book it.
Latest trip reports
Fresh from our travels
Prefer to listen?
Our trips, on the Magically Cruising podcast
Travel with us
Don’t just read about it. Come along.
Join Shanghai to Sakura, our small hosted group trip for spring 2027: Shanghai, Shanghai Disneyland and Japan, sailing on Spectrum of the Seas with Kieran & Phil travelling alongside you.
Or tell us which trip report caught your eye, and we’ll plan your own version of it.
Your questions answered
Trip report FAQs
Have you really been on all of these trips?
Yes. Every trip report on this page is written by Kieran or Phil about a trip we took ourselves, with our own photos. Where we haven’t sailed a ship, we say so, and you won’t find a trip report for it here.
Are these reviews?
Not in the star-rating sense. They’re trip reports: day-by-day accounts of what we did, ate and saw, so you can see what the ship or destination is really like. If you want our view on whether it suits you, just ask us.
Can you book the same trip for me?
Yes. We can book the same ship and itinerary, or build your own version of any trip on this page, with flights, hotels and transfers if you need them. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll come back with options.
Which cruise line is best for first-time cruisers?
It depends on who’s travelling and what you enjoy. Virgin Voyages suits adults who want a modern, lively feel. Royal Caribbean is brilliant for families and big-ship thrills, Princess for a classic, relaxed cruise, and Celebrity for modern luxury and great food. Read the trip reports for the lines that appeal, then ask us. We’ll match you to the right one.
Do you only book the cruise lines you’ve sailed?
No, we book every major cruise line, river cruise company and tour operator. Our own sailings simply mean we can give you first-hand detail on the ships and lines we know best.
Can I travel with you on a trip?
Yes. We host small group trips, such as Shanghai to Sakura in spring 2027, with exclusive group rates and Kieran & Phil travelling alongside you.