Why We Chose This Cruise
When it comes to choosing a cruise, we’re probably not your typical seasoned cruisers. We don’t usually base our decision on the itinerary. In fact, we love the whole cruise experience so much that the destinations are, for the most part, irrelevant. (The one exception: our honeymoon, which was booked purely because it stopped in New York.)
Usually, our cruise decisions come down to two factors—dates that fit and good value for money (not to be confused with “cheap”). But this cruise? It was booked for a very different reason.
We’ve known cruise vloggers Paul and Carole since 2020. We met through YouTube and have since enjoyed several UK city breaks with them. So, when they announced they were organising a group cruise, we knew we had to be part of it.
If you haven’t watched Paul and Carole before, they’re honest, down-to-earth, and full of personality. Their vlogging styles complement each other beautifully, combining facts, opinions, and plenty of humour. And having spent time with them personally, we can confirm they’re exactly as genuine off-camera as they are on it. Their integrity shines through in every video.
Sky Princess
And so we booked it—putting our faith in a couple of bumbling YouTubers from Gloucestershire. (Paul’s words, not mine, so I feel totally justified in repeating them.)
Not being familiar with many cruise lines beyond our usual Marella, I accidentally out-bumbled Paul by repeatedly telling people we were cruising with Sky Cruises.
A bit of Googling (and some confusion as to why the brand name seems to play second fiddle to the ship’s name) eventually led me to the correct announcement: we were sailing with Princess Cruises, on the Sky Princess.
Turns out, it was a great choice. Our first impression? The standard of the cabins was excellent. The food, too, was a clear step up from Marella. That said, we’ve always found Marella’s entertainment and service to be top-notch, and we were pleased to see that Princess matched them in both areas.
We’ve put together a collection of videos below to show you our cabin and the onboard facilities.
The Itinerary
Norway has long been near the top of our travel list. I remember reading Roald Dahl’s semi-autobiographical book Boy as a child, where he writes about spending summers with his grandparents in Oslo. Ever since reading it at age 11, I’ve wanted to visit. Though I suspect it’s a very different place now—modern, vibrant, and full of life.
Another destination on the itinerary that sparked nostalgia was Kristiansand, thanks to one of the classic Top Gear races. James and Richard took a ferry from Newcastle to race Jeremy’s Mercedes SLK. I even suggested to Clare that we retrace that route in our campervan. A quick Google search brought me crashing back to reality (and my age) when I found out the route was discontinued in 2003.
Kristiansand ended up being a highlight. It was flat enough for Clare to go for a run, and the sea was fresh—and chilly—enough for me to enjoy a swim.
Group Cruising
First and foremost, hats off to Paul and Carole for their contribution to the cruise community—what Paul recently dubbed The Paul and Carole Community. They've built a trusted brand that 170 people were willing to follow onto this maiden group cruise. That speaks volumes.
What’s even more impressive is how they brought together such a diverse group of like-minded individuals. While everyone had cruising in common, we came from different backgrounds, age groups, and lifestyles.
But here’s the real glue: we all liked Paul and Carole. They were the magnet that brought everyone together—and kept the vibe warm and welcoming. For us, it didn’t just mean being part of a group; it meant making genuine, lasting friendships.
We didn’t go on this cruise expecting to make friends for life. Yet we came away with six of them. We’ve already been to stay with two, in their lovely home.
Summary
This cruise was, in a word, fantastic. And we came away with three important discoveries:
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We want to do more Princess Cruises. (Already booked another.)
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We want to explore more of Norway. (Another cruise booked.)
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We want to travel with our new lifelong friends again. (Yep—booked one more)
