Emrys Thakkar

Founder, Managing Editor, Director

The founder of Cruise Hive, Emrys has been reporting on the cruise industry since 2008. Expert insights and tips featured on a number of publications including The Express, Business Insider, Fodor's Travel and more. Worked for Carnival for 8 years and traveled to more than 34 countries and been on over 100 cruises.

How did you get started in cruises?

My first-ever cruise was on the Carnival Glory in 2004 as my sister worked as part of the entertainment department onboard. Since then, I’ve been hooked on all things cruise. I decided to work for Carnival Cruise Line in 2005, with my first ship being the Carnival Sensation. I’ve worked on many cruise ships including bringing out the Carnival Splendor and Carnival Dream from the shipyard.

Take a look at the photos below from during my time as a Carnival crew member:

What makes you a cruise expert?

I’ve not only been a crew member for Carnival Cruise Line for 8 years, but have also cruised as a passenger on multiple cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and MSC Cruises.

Reporting on the cruise industry since 2008 has given me over 15 years of writing just on cruises, a dedicated experience few can match. My education includes an Advanced National Diploma in Media Studies and Journalism.

In addition to being featured across various outlets and working with brands, I’ve also been featured on the BBC One Show when cruising resumed with MSC Virtuosa in May 2021.

You can check my Muck Rack profile here.
You can find me over on the Cruise Boards too!

What’s your favorite cruise line?

As many say in this industry, my favorite cruise line is the next one I’m sailing with! But will always have a soft spot for Carnival Cruise Line, which is where I gained my passion for cruising and met my future wife Haiyan Ma on the Carnival Liberty.

What’s your top tip for new cruisers?

My top tip would be to never arrive for a cruise on the same day unless you live right next to the port of course! Flights can often get delayed and luggage can get lost, so arriving the night before and getting a hotel will provide a buffer, just in case issues arise. The cruise ship won’t wait for you.

You find out more about the Cruise Hive team right here.

2008
Started at Cruise Hive
477
Articles
Expertise
Cruises & Travel, Journalism, Media
100+
Cruises
34
Countries Visited
UK
Location Based

Articles By Emrys

Royal Caribbean Suite Perks That Make Upgrading Worth It

Royal Caribbean suite perks can save you money on WiFi, dining and drinks, but is the upgrade worth it? Here is what you get and when it pays off.

New Cruise Ships on Order (2027 – 2029)

Discover all the new cruise ships on order for 2027 to 2029, including debut dates, standout features, and which cruise lines they belong to.

Where Do Western Caribbean Cruises Go? 10 Ports Explained

A guide to 10 Western Caribbean cruise ports including Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Roatan and Falmouth, with terminal details, beaches and things to do.

Port and Starboard: Which Side Is Which on a Cruise Ship?

Confused by port and starboard? Port is the left side of the ship, starboard the right. Here is the easy way to remember it and why it matters at sea.

Norwegian Cruise Ship Classes Explained (NCL Fleet Guide)

Not sure which NCL ship to pick? Our guide to the Norwegian Cruise Line classes breaks down all 21 ships and what makes each class different.

Curacao Cruise Port Guide: Where Ships Dock and What Is Nearby

Docking at Curacao cruise port? Find out which pier your ship uses, how far the beaches are, what taxis cost and what you can reach on foot.

Norwegian Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest (2027-1998)

List of all Norwegian cruise ships by age from newest to oldest, along with ship details, their stats, and when they entered service.

Find Out How Huge Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Really Is

How big is Legend of the Seas? Royal Caribbean's newest Icon-class ship spans 248,663 GT and 1,196 feet, with room for up to 7,600 guests.

Utopia of the Seas Hit by Mechanical Issue, Forcing Itinerary Change

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas faced a mechanical issue in Port Canaveral, delaying departure and forcing changes to its 4-night Bahamas itinerary.

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