⚓ About Neil Rossetter | Cruise Consultant & Virgin Voyages Gold First Mate

Hi — I’m Neil, founder of NR Cruise. I help people plan better cruise holidays, whether they’re total first-timers, curious land-lovers, or seasoned cruisers looking for something new. I make cruise booking easy, personal, and jargon-free — with a healthy dose of humour along the way.

My own cruise obsession started while doing the four stages of Virgin Voyages’ First Mate training. By the time I earned my Gold First Mate status, I knew the ship inside-out — but hadn’t set foot on board. That changed when I sailed with Virgin for the first time, and I was instantly hooked.

What won me over? The friendliness of the crew — every single one of them made me feel welcome. I’d chosen Virgin because I’d studied it so closely during training, and I wanted to experience it for real. I was surprised by how young and fun the passenger mix was, and how smooth the sailing felt (even if the only seasickness I had might’ve been cocktail-related!).

Since then, I’ve sailed with Princess Cruises too, and I help clients compare and book across a wide range of lines — from Disney and Norwegian to boutique and ultra-luxury options. I’m not tied to any single cruise line, so I’ll always recommend what’s genuinely right for you, not what pays me best.

🛳️ How I Work

Some people come to me with a dream itinerary. Others just want sunshine and zero faff. Either way, I’ll help you:

• Pick a cruise line that actually suits your personality (not just what’s trending)
• Decide what cabin’s worth the splurge — and where to save
• Unlock exclusive perks through Virtuoso Voyages and other insider extras
• Get honest advice, based on what I’ve actually seen and booked
• Add on flights, hotels, and transfers — if you want the full thing sorted

Every trip I plan is backed by ATOL, ABTA and CLIA protection. And the only person you’ll deal with? Me — not a call centre, and not someone reading off a script.

⚽ Life Beyond Cruises

• Watching Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex (unless work or the kids call)
• Pub quizzes with mates — where I mostly offer moral support and the odd wild guess
• Catching the rest of the football on telly (it’s never just one game, is it?)
• Getting stuck into crime and thriller novels — favourites include Lee Child, Ian Rankin, Freida McFadden, Shalini Boland, and Gemma Rogers

I’m also a dad to two brilliant kids, Amy (9) and Reggie (6), who think I should spend less time booking cruises and more time helping them steal a Brainrot.

📬 Thinking About a Cruise?

If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about — or trying to make sense of the options — I’m happy to help. Whether you’re tempted by Virgin Voyages, planning a Disney Cruise with the kids, or curious about Princess or Norwegian, I’ll help you get it sorted — without pressure, jargon or faff.

And if all you want to know right now is which cruise line does the best pizza at 1am… I probably know that too.