Ben and David

Cruise with Ben and David

Welcome! We are cruise travel creators who have taken over 150 sailings to bring you the internet's most trusted, independent cruise resources. Whether you are looking for honest cruise ship reviews, deep-dive ship tours, or practical tips for first-time cruisers, we map out everything you need to plan the perfect vacation at sea.

150+ Cruises Explored | 100% Independent | As Seen on BBC, CNN & New York Times

Honest Cruise Ship Reviews & Detailed Tours

Blog
Legend of the Seas Review: What to Expect on Royal Caribbean’s Newest Mega-Ship
Ship Guides
Legend of the Seas Review: What to Expect on Royal Caribbean’s Newest Mega-Ship
Ship Guides

Our honest look at Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Legend of the Seas. From the mind-blowing technology of the Royal Railway to the chaotic reality of navigating 7,600 passengers on sea days, here is what it is really like onboard the world's largest floating resort.

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Ship Guides
Virgin Voyages Alaska Review: Is an Adults-Only Cruise Good for Alaska?
Ship Guides
Virgin Voyages Alaska Review: Is an Adults-Only Cruise Good for Alaska?
Ship Guides

When Virgin Voyages announced it was taking its adults-only, no-buffet formula up to Alaska, we had the exact same question as every other cruiser: can a line built for sunny pool parties and tropical vibes actually work in the freezing fjords? Having sailed Alaska across traditional lines like Princess, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean, we boarded Virgin’s Alaska sailing to see whether trading classic observation lounges for adults-only energy and world-class included food works among the glaciers—or if you’re better off sticking to traditional ships.

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Ship Guides
Celebrity Solstice 2026 Review: Updated after a $250 Million Makeover
Ship Guides
Celebrity Solstice 2026 Review: Updated after a $250 Million Makeover
Ship Guides

We hopped on the revitalised Celebrity Solstice in Alaska to put her $250 million "Revolution" makeover to the test. From the infamous "pasty incident" at Sunset Park to the best live orchestra we’ve heard in years, here is our honest take on whether this 18-year-old ship can now compete with the brand-new Edge-class.

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Ship Guides

Cruise Planning Essentials.

Blog
Review of Suite Benefits & Private Areas on Royal Caribbean Icon-class ships (Legend, Icon & Star of the Seas)
Review of Suite Benefits & Private Areas on Royal Caribbean Icon-class ships (Legend, Icon & Star of the Seas)

Is the exclusive suite neighborhood on Royal Caribbean’s massive Icon-class ships actually worth an extra few thousand dollars? We look past the cabin doors to review Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge, and The Grove sun deck to see if these private areas truly deliver.

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Is Upgrading to a Cruise Suite worth it? We Ranked 5 Major Lines!
Is Upgrading to a Cruise Suite worth it? We Ranked 5 Major Lines!

Is upgrading to a cruise suite worth the massive price tag? We compare the VIP perks, food, and hidden catches of Royal Caribbean, MSC, NCL, Princess, and Celebrity to find the best suite at sea.

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Cruise Mistakes to Avoid: The Errors That Cost People Thousands (and How to Prevent Them)
Cruise Mistakes to Avoid: The Errors That Cost People Thousands (and How to Prevent Them)

Missing the ship in port, getting denied boarding, surprise phone bills, and massive medical costs — these cruise mistakes happen every week. Here’s how to avoid the most expensive and stressful cruise disasters before they ruin your trip.

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Shore Excursions & Pre-Cruise Hotel Reviews

Blog
Skagway White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: Is the Luxury Train Excursion Worth It?
Skagway White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: Is the Luxury Train Excursion Worth It?

If you’re planning an Alaska cruise, there’s one shore excursion that pops up on almost every itinerary: the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad in Skagway. In this guide, David (our resident train geek) and I break down what the train ride is actually like, reveal three essential seating hacks most reviewers miss, and share our honest verdict on whether the $400+ luxury VIP carriage is genuinely worth your money or if a Yukon combination tour is the smarter pick.

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La Spezia Food Tour Review: The Best Way to Spend a Cruise Day in Italy?
La Spezia Food Tour Review: The Best Way to Spend a Cruise Day in Italy?

Our review of our three tour food tour in La Spezia, Italy. We sampled fresh Ligurian focaccia, chickpea farinata, 121-year-old family pesto pasta, fried local seafood, and artisanal gelato.

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What to Do in Juneau, Alaska on a Cruise: The Ultimate Honest Port Guide & Review
What to Do in Juneau, Alaska on a Cruise: The Ultimate Honest Port Guide & Review

Stepping out onto your cabin balcony at six o'clock in the morning to watch Juneau's snow-capped mountains drift past is pure magic. But as Alaska's isolated capital, navigating a port day here comes with a few unique logistical surprises—from eye-wateringly expensive excursions to tendering headaches. Having sailed into Juneau across Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Norwegian Cruise Line, we’re sharing our honest, real-world guide to the best things to do, what to skip, where to eat local fish tacos, and how to avoid the most common cruise mistakes.

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📸 New Zealand Photo Dump 🇳🇿 Dramatic scenery, Hobbiton, Thermal Baths and everything in between—New Zealand, you’re incredible. Swipe for the highlights. #NewZealand #TravelPhotos #CruiseLife
Wow! We had an incredible cruise onboard the beautiful Disney Wonder! Our first time in a concierge suite was an experience we will never forget. We can’t wait to bring you our videos and share our full experience. It was one of our best cruise
Hello, Australia! 🇦🇺 Melbourne greeted us with a bit of rain, but it’s the perfect start for an exciting new adventure. Stay tuned for more! #Melbourne #AustraliaTravel #RainOrShine #AdventureTime
Singapore marks our final stop before we say goodbye to family and continue our adventure to Australia. Traveling together has given us memories we’ll treasure forever—laughing, exploring, and sharing experiences that mean so much. What
Skydiving… on a cruise ship?! 🪂 Yes, it’s a thing! We took the leap (literally) and did it! Would you give skydiving at sea a go?
Our time in Penang was the perfect way to end this incredible cruise. We wandered through the charming streets of George Town, enjoyed the vibrant flavours of local dishes, and finished the day with breathtaking views from Penang Hill. A huge thank
Our time in Thailand left us with memories that will stay in our hearts forever. Spending a day at an elephant sanctuary, where these gentle giants are given a second chance after enduring years of hard labor, was beyond moving. We learned their stor
What an incredible day spent with family! We took a shore excursion from Cochin, India and sailed down the amazing Kerala rivers. Once again our tour guide Paul was so knowledgeable! A big thanks to @shoreexcursionsgroup for gifting us the excursion
Wow! Mumbai you were incredible! Thank you for the best tour of Mumbai, it was one of the best tours we’ve ever done! India is an incredible, overwhelming place but our local tour guide Dave made the whole experience so amazing! @shoreexcursion
60lbs/27kg down so far! It’s been a tough journey but I feel so much better! All done while cruising so it’s very possible to cruise and not put on weight and still enjoy good food! I was terrified that I would suffer serious health conse
We’ve just returned from a very surprising cruise on MSC’s new cruise line Explora Journeys. The first episode is live now on our YouTube channel now! Join us as we board this ultra luxury cruise ship and see how we are blown away by the
10 years ago today, we boarded the Disney Magic for our very first cruise, and honestly, it changed everything. 🌟 What started as a dream vacation turned into a passion for cruising that we get to share with all of you. Without that trip, there woul
Part 1 of our mediterranean adventure! ✅ We made stops in some of our favorite ports of Mykonos and Malta. Then, we hopped on a train and zipped through the countryside to Venice. Honestly, Venice blew us away. We didn’t expect to fall in love
What a lovely few weeks spending time with our family visiting from Dubai. We will miss them so much until we see them next time! Just a few days till we are back cruising again, we can’t wait to bring you more new and exciting content! #cruise

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