It's Not What You Think

If your image of cruising is shuffleboard on deck with a blanket over your knees, it's time to update that picture. Modern cruise ships are like floating cities - with world-class restaurants, Broadway-style shows, swimming pools, spas, gyms and more entertainment than you could fit into a week.

When I first stepped on board the Sky Princess, I genuinely couldn't believe the scale of it. Multiple dining venues, a huge theatre, bars on every deck - it took me a full day just to find my way around, and I loved every minute of exploring.

Embarkation Day

Your first day can feel a bit overwhelming, but it's actually very straightforward. You'll check in (a bit like an airport), hand over your luggage, and then you're free to explore the ship. Your stateroom bags will be delivered to your room later in the day.

My top tip? Head straight to the buffet for lunch, then spend the afternoon exploring while the ship is quiet. Most people head to their stateroom first - so the rest of the ship is wonderfully empty for a couple of hours. Find the pool, locate your restaurant, work out where the theatre is. You'll thank yourself later.

Your Stateroom

Don't worry about spending loads of time in your stateroom - you won't! With so much to do on board, your stateroom is really just for sleeping and getting ready. That said, even the Inside staterooms are comfortable and well-designed. Every stateroom has air conditioning, a TV, a safe, a hairdryer, and plenty of storage.

If it's your first time and budget allows, I'd suggest a Balcony stateroom. Waking up, pulling back the curtain and seeing the ocean or a brand new port outside your window - there's nothing quite like it. That first morning sailing into port was one of the highlights of my whole trip.

The Food

Let me put it this way - you will not go hungry on a cruise. The main dining room serves a three-course meal every evening (included in your fare), and there's a huge buffet restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On top of that, there are speciality restaurants, a pizza bar, an ice cream parlour, room service - the list goes on.

The quality surprised me. I'd expected decent but unremarkable food, and instead I was eating beautifully presented meals every single evening. The waiters remember your name, your drink, where you like to sit. It's a level of service you rarely get anywhere on land.

Port Days vs Sea Days

A typical cruise alternates between port days (where the ship docks at a destination and you can explore) and sea days (where you're sailing and the ship is your playground).

On port days, you're free to do whatever you like - book an organised excursion, explore independently, or stay on the ship and enjoy it while it's quiet. There's no pressure either way.

Sea days were actually my favourite. The whole ship comes alive - there are quizzes, live music, cooking demonstrations, pool parties and more. And if you just want to find a quiet corner with a book, there's plenty of space for that too.

Evening Entertainment

Every single evening there's a full show in the main theatre - we're talking West End quality productions with incredible performers. Plus live music in multiple bars, comedians, game shows, deck parties - you'll never be stuck for something to do after dinner.

And if that all sounds too much? Nobody's making you do anything. Some evenings I just grabbed a drink and sat on my balcony watching the sunset. That's the beauty of cruising - it's as busy or as relaxed as you want it to be.

Will I Get Bored?

This was genuinely my biggest worry before I went. Eight nights on a ship - what on earth would I do with myself? The honest answer is that I ran out of time, not things to do. Every day the ship produces a newsletter called the Princess Patter with the full schedule for the day, and it's packed. You could fill every hour if you wanted to, or do absolutely nothing. Both are perfectly fine.

Is It Worth It?

When I sat down and worked out what was included in the fare - accommodation, all meals, entertainment, visiting multiple destinations, flights and transfers - I realised it was extraordinary value. You'd spend more on a week in a decent hotel, and you wouldn't get half the experiences.

If you're on the fence about trying a cruise, I'd say just go for it. I went in with low expectations and came back completely converted. It's the reason I'm now hosting my own cruise - because I want other people to experience what I did.

You're Never Really Alone

This is the thing that surprised me most. On a cruise, you're surrounded by thousands of people who are all in holiday mode - and cruisers are some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Within the first evening, I'd already been chatting to people at dinner, at the bar, by the pool. Nobody bats an eyelid at solo travellers on a cruise - there are loads of them.

The beauty of it is that you can be as social or as private as you want. Fancy joining a quiz team? You'll be welcomed with open arms. Want to spend the day reading by the pool on your own? Nobody's going to bother you. You set the pace entirely.

Dining as a Solo Traveller

This was the bit I was most nervous about - sitting down to dinner on my own. But here's how it actually works: in the main dining room, the waiters will seat you at a shared table with other guests. You end up having dinner with different people every night, swapping stories about what you got up to in port, recommending shows - it's genuinely lovely.

And if you're really not in the mood for company? Head to the buffet, grab a table for one, or order room service. There's absolutely no pressure to socialise if you don't want to.

Shore Excursions Solo

Exploring ports on your own is actually brilliant. You can go at your own pace, linger wherever you want, change plans on a whim. Some of my favourite cruise memories are from wandering through little towns, finding amazing viewpoints, and stopping for coffee whenever the mood took me.

If you'd rather have company, you can book a group excursion through the ship - you'll be in a group of fellow passengers and it's a great way to meet people. But honestly, some destinations are best explored with no agenda at all.

The Solo Supplement

One thing worth knowing about - most cruise fares are priced per person based on two sharing a stateroom. If you're travelling solo, some cruise lines charge a supplement for single occupancy. It's worth checking the pricing carefully.

On The John Scott Cruise, we've made sure to include solo pricing on all our stateroom options so you know exactly what it will cost - no surprises. We want solo travellers to feel just as welcome as everyone else, because you absolutely are.

Safety and Comfort

A cruise ship is one of the safest places to travel solo. You're in a controlled, well-staffed environment with security, medical facilities and your own locked stateroom. There's none of the worry you might have navigating a foreign city alone late at night - you step off the gangway and you're back in your floating hotel.

The staff are also incredibly attentive. They remember your name, your stateroom number, your favourite drink. As a solo traveller, you never feel forgotten or overlooked - quite the opposite.

Would I Do It Again?

In a heartbeat. In fact, that's exactly what I'm doing - twice. Both The John Scott Cruise sailings are set up to be brilliant for solo travellers. You'll have the added bonus of a ready-made group of people who are all there because of the same connection, which makes striking up conversation even easier. If you're a solo traveller thinking about joining us, please do. You'll be in great company.

The Essentials

Before we get into the fun stuff, let's cover the things you absolutely cannot forget. Pop these in your hand luggage rather than your main suitcase - that way you've got them from the moment you board, even before your bags are delivered to your stateroom.

• Passport (check it's got at least 6 months validity)
• Cruise booking confirmation and travel documents
• Travel insurance documents
• Any medications you need (enough for the full trip plus spares)
• Phone charger and a power adapter if needed
• A change of clothes in your hand luggage for embarkation day

Daytime on Board

During the day, the dress code is relaxed. Think poolside and casual dining. You'll want comfortable, lightweight clothes that you can layer up or down depending on the weather.

• Swimwear and a cover-up for the pool deck
• Comfortable shorts, t-shirts and lightweight trousers
• A light jacket or cardigan (the air conditioning on board can be chilly)
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Comfortable walking shoes for exploring ports
• A small daypack or bag for shore excursions

Evening Wear

Evenings on a cruise are a lovely chance to dress up a little. Most nights are "smart casual" - think a nice shirt or blouse with trousers or a dress. Nothing over the top, just a step up from daytime.

Then there are formal nights - usually one or two during a week-long cruise. For men, a suit or smart jacket and tie works perfectly. For women, a cocktail dress or elegant outfit. It's not black tie strict though, so don't panic - you'll see everything from full tuxedos to smart dark jeans. The key is to make a bit of an effort and enjoy the occasion.

• Smart casual outfits for most evenings (shirt/blouse, trousers, dress)
• One formal outfit for gala nights (suit, cocktail dress, etc.)
• Smart shoes for evening wear
• A pashmina or wrap for cooler evenings on deck

Things People Forget

After speaking to plenty of seasoned cruisers, here are the items that people always wish they'd packed:

• A magnetic hook - stateroom walls are metal, so magnetic hooks are brilliant for hanging bags, hats and lanyards
• A small power strip or multi-plug (staterooms usually only have one or two sockets)
• Seasickness remedies - even if you don't think you'll need them, it's worth having some just in case
• A lanyard for your cruise card - you use it constantly for getting on and off the ship
• Binoculars - especially for scenic cruising through fjords or along coastlines
• A reusable water bottle for port days

Extras for the Norwegian Fjords

Since we're heading to the fjords in May, a few destination-specific items are worth packing.

Morning - Rise and Shine

I'm an early riser, so most mornings I was up around 7am. If you've got a balcony stateroom, there's nothing quite like stepping outside with a coffee and watching the ocean. The ship is beautifully quiet at that time - just you, the sea and the sunrise.

Breakfast is available in the main dining room (think a proper sit-down with a waiter, cooked-to-order eggs, the works) or at the buffet if you prefer something more casual and quick. I mixed it up - some mornings I wanted the full experience, other mornings I just grabbed a pastry and a coffee by the pool.

Late Morning - Time to Explore

By mid-morning the ship really comes alive. There's a daily programme (the Princess Patter) slipped under your door each evening listing everything happening the next day - and there's a lot. Cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, art workshops, trivia quizzes, dance lessons, guest speakers - the list is genuinely impressive.

Or you could ignore all of that, find a lounger by the pool and do absolutely nothing. Both approaches are equally valid and equally popular. That's the thing about cruising - nobody's watching the clock except you.

Lunchtime

You've got plenty of options for lunch. The buffet restaurant is the most popular - a huge spread of food from around the world, always fresh, always plentiful. There's also the main dining room for a more formal sit-down lunch, a pizzeria, a grill by the pool, and various other spots depending on the ship.

I quickly discovered that the poolside grill does an incredible burger. That became my go-to sea day lunch - burger, chips, a cold drink, sat in the sunshine watching the world go by. Not a bad life.

Afternoon - Your Time

Afternoons on a sea day are pure bliss. The pool area is buzzing, there's usually live music somewhere, and the spa is calling. I treated myself to a spa afternoon on one of the sea days and it was worth every penny - a proper massage, time in the thermal suite, complete relaxation.

If you're more active, there's a gym, a running track around the upper deck, table tennis, and on some ships even a basketball court. And of course there's always the shops - duty free, designer brands, cruise souvenirs. It's surprisingly easy to spend an afternoon browsing.

Evenings - The Main Event

This is where cruising really comes into its own. There's a real buzz on the ship in the early evening as everyone heads back to their stateroom to get ready for dinner. It feels like getting ready for a night out - there's an excitement in the air that you just don't get on a normal holiday.

Dinner in the main dining room is an event in itself. Beautiful food, brilliant service, and if you're at a shared table you'll have fantastic company. After dinner, head to the theatre for the evening show - the productions are genuinely world-class. Then it's on to the bars for live music, cocktails, and however late a night you fancy.

Port Days

Port days have a different rhythm entirely. The ship usually arrives early morning, and you can be off exploring by 8 or 9am. Some people book organised excursions (which the ship arranges for you), while others prefer to explore independently.

I did a mix of both. For some ports I booked an excursion because I wanted a guide to show me the highlights. For others I just walked off the ship, grabbed a map and wandered. Both approaches have their charm - the important thing is that it's entirely your choice.

The ship typically departs in the late afternoon or early evening, so you've got a full day to explore. Just make sure you're back on board before the ship sails - they really will leave without you!

The Verdict

A typical day on a cruise is whatever you make it. That's what makes it such a brilliant holiday - whether you want non-stop activities or total relaxation, it's all there. I went expecting to be bored and came back wondering how to fit more in. It's genuinely the most flexible, most varied and most enjoyable type of holiday I've experienced.