Welcome to my blog

Hi, I’m Owen - a traveling designer and content creator redefining what it means to work from home.

You can usually find me on a cruise ship, somewhere in Europe, or sneaking a beach day. I share beautiful photos, travel tips, and the occasional ‘why did I book this?’ moment.

Photo of Owen Places stood in the British Museum in London
Mykonos, Greece | Owen Places @owenplaces
Photo of Owen Places stood on Oasis of the Seas

My Middle East Cruise on Costa Smeralda: A Full, Honest Review

I just disembarked from a 7-night Middle Eastern cruise aboard the Costa Smeralda. One Cruise Critic reviewer described it as their 'worst vacation ever,' but was it really that bad? Let’s take a closer look.
Posts by Cruise Line
Icon of the Seas Royal Caribbean @owenplaces Owen Places

Is Royal Caribbean LGBTQ+ Friendly? A Full Breakdown

Is Royal Caribbean LGBTQ+ friendly? We cover all aspects in this blog post today! Come found out.
Cruising Ducks @owenplaces Owen Places

WTF Are Cruising Ducks? Discover a Unique Cruise Tradition

If you’ve ever set sail on a cruise, you might have come across something unexpected: little rubber ducks tucked away in unexpected places around the ship. This delightful phenomenon, known as "Cruising Ducks," is one of those iykyk sort of things in the cruise industry.
Dis-loyalty Rewards programme | Owen Places @owenplaces

Introducing Dis-loyalty – The Secret Travel Membership That Changes Everything

Have you signed up to Dis-loyalty yet? The new hotel discount membership that influencers are loving.
Norwegian Star in Edinburgh, Scotland @owenplaces Owen Places

Cruising to Edinburgh? A Complete Visitor’s Guide for First-Timers

Cruising into Edinburgh? Consider this your go-to guide for getting from ship to city with ease. Whether you're joining an organised excursion or planning to explore on your own, everything you need to make the most of your day ashore is right here.
Royal Caribbean @owenplaces Owen Places

Is Royal Caribbean Still an Exciting Escape for Older Travellers?

For context, I am 30 years old, child-less, and I never cruise with larger parties. It's usually myself and my partner. Now that we're getting older (i know 30 isn't actually old), we're starting to wonder if Royal Caribbean is still right for us...
Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas @owenplaces Owen Places

5 of the Best Royal Caribbean Ships

Are you new to cruising and maybe want to give one of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships a try?! You'll be making an amazing choice.
Costa Smeralda | Costa Cruises | Costa Toscana @owenplaces Owen Places

7 Night Dubai Costa Smeralda Cruise: Complete Price Breakdown

One of the biggest draws of my Costa Smeralda cruise was the price – it seemed incredibly affordable. But once you factor in flights, drinks, and tips… is it still such a bargain?
Edinburgh Extreme Day Trip @owenplaces Owen Places

A Whistle-Stop Tour of Edinburgh: How to Spend 24 Hours in the Scottish Capital (Extreme Day Trip Edition)

Visiting Edinburgh on an extreme day trip? Fear not. Follow this quick and easy, local's guide to spending 24 hours in the Scottish capital.
Costa Smeralda | Costa Cruises | Costa Toscana @owenplaces Owen Places

10 Things to Know Before Your Costa Smeralda Cruise: Tips & Advice

I went into this cruise half uneducated, half prepared to be disappointed due to the raging reviews on CruiseCritic. So I actually wanted to put together a no nonsense list of 10 things I think everyone should know before booking or cruising onboard Costa Smeralda.