Anna Murrell
My expertise
I'm based in
Horsham
Family cruise and travel specialist
Hi, I’m Anna,
I’m a Horsham-based family travel agent with Travel Counsellors, specialising in family cruise holidays and family bucket-list trips such as Lapland holidays and Disney. I work with families across the UK to plan memorable, well-organised holidays without the stress.
Many clients initially come to me when they are planning their first family cruise, a special celebration or a once-in-a-lifetime Lapland holiday. I take the time to understand what matters most to your family, then design a holiday that feels seamless from start to finish.
Family Cruise Specialist
As a family cruise specialist, cruising is my biggest area of expertise. I’m a CLIA Cruise Master and have sailed with many of the world’s leading cruise lines including Disney Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Cunard.
Whether you are looking for your first family cruise holiday, a premium cruise experience or a no-fly cruise from Southampton, I guide you through choosing the right ship, cabin and itinerary. My clients value having clear, honest advice and a smooth booking experience, especially when there are so many options available.
I also run the Family Cruise Deals Facebook page, where I share practical tips, ship insights and advice to help families get the most from their cruise holidays.
Lapland Holidays and Magical Winter Trips
Lapland holidays are another area I specialise in, especially for families looking to create something truly magical at Christmas.
From meeting Father Christmas in a snowy forest to husky sledding, snowmobiling and searching for the Northern Lights, I help you choose the right resort, accommodation and experience for your family. Lapland holidays can vary hugely, so having expert guidance ensures you get the trip you are really hoping for.
Tailor-Made Family Holidays
Alongside family cruise holidays and Lapland trips, I create tailor-made family holidays worldwide. This could be a Florida theme park adventure, a Mediterranean beach escape, a New York city break or a multi-centre itinerary.
I work with families who want a well-planned, high-quality holiday with the perfect balance of experience and comfort rather than simply the lowest price. As a parent who travels with children myself, I understand how important the details are in making a trip run smoothly.
Travel Experience
I’ve travelled extensively throughout Europe and have personal experience of other destinations including Florida, New York, Dubai and New Zealand. I have also lived and worked overseas in France, Italy and Bermuda, giving me a deeper understanding of these destinations beyond the typical tourist experience.
Support From Start to Finish
When you book with me, you receive personal service from the moment you start planning until you return home. I take care of everything including flights, cruises, hotels, transfers and excursions so your holiday runs smoothly.
All bookings are financially protected through the Travel Counsellors Trust, giving you complete peace of mind.
Specialist Holidays I Arrange
• Family cruise holidays
• Cruises from Southampton
• Premium and mainstream cruise lines
• Disney Cruise Line holidays
• Lapland holidays and Santa experiences
• Multi-generational family holidays
• Florida and theme park holidays
• Tailor-made family travel
Let’s Start Planning
If you are thinking about a family cruise holiday, a Lapland holiday, a Disney trip or another family adventure, I would love to help you plan it.
Call or WhatsApp: 01403 473833
anna.murrell@travelcounsellors.com
Travel guides
Explore my guides and blogs
P&O Arvia - Norwegian Fjords Cruise
7-night cruise to the Norwegian fjords on board P&O Arvia from Southampton.
11 Apr 2026 5 min read
Solo Parent Travel
Solo parent holidays can feel like a lot of pressure. You are organising everything, managing the kids and trying to relax yourself - all at the same time. That’s one of the reasons cruises work so well for single parent families...
18 Mar 2026 5 min read
Adventure awaits in Alaska!
Imagine glaciers, wildlife and endless adventure – Alaska is where families can explore together and make memories that last a lifetime.
10 Mar 2026 5 min read
Multi-generational cruises – Holidays everyone will love
Children often want adventure, parents relaxation and grandparents comfort and cultural experiences. Cruises are one of the few holidays that genuinely satisfy everyone, and I know exactly how to make it work.
08 Mar 2026 5 min read
Cruising with children: Which cruise line works best for your family?
Taking your children on a cruise can be one of the easiest ways to holiday together as a family. You unpack once, everyone has space to play, and the range of activities on board keeps even the most energetic little ones entertained. If you’re thinking about your first family cruise - or planning the next - here’s a guide to three of my favourite family-friendly cruise lines and why they work so
08 Mar 2026 5 min read
The Disney Wish will arrive in Southampton in 2027
A Family Adventure at Sea In 2027, the Disney Wish will make her UK debut, sailing from Southampton for the first time. If you are interested in finding out more, please reach out: Call or WhatsApp: 01403 473833 anna.murrell@travelcounsellors.com
15 Feb 2026 5 min read
MSC Yacht Club for Families
Do you fancy upgrading your cruise experience?
15 Feb 2026 5 min read
Princess Cruises' Sanctuary Collection - Perfect for families
Princess Cruises - Top Tip:
15 Feb 2026 5 min read
Anna's Lapland Guide
Here’s my quick guide for families planning this magical once-in-a-lifetime trip.
18 Dec 2025 5 min read
Queen Victoria voyage to Amsterdam with Cunard
I recently spent four nights sailing on Cunard’s Queen Victoria to Amsterdam.
08 Dec 2025 5 min read
Disney Fantasy - Shakedown Cruise
I was lucky enough to sail on the Disney Fantasy recently on a 2-night shakedown cruise from Southampton, just after its 5-week long dry dock refurbishment. This special sailing was just for Disney staff and selected travel agents. to enable the crew to test everything ahead of the ship’s transatlantic voyage to Florida and winter Caribbean season. It was my family's first Disney cruise and it
23 Nov 2025 5 min read
Lapland Family Adventure: Essential Tips!
Lapland is THE dream destination for so many UK families, but if it’s your first arctic adventure, packing and preparing for that winter wonderland can feel a bit daunting! Here are my top hints and tips, inspired by expert advice, to help you enjoy every magical moment - warm, safe, and smiling: 🧥 Layer Up Like a Pro: Lapland’s winter is cold, but with the right layers you’ll stay toasty - e
17 Nov 2025 5 min read
Independence of the Seas - Weekend Cruise Escape
I recently returned from a 3-night weekend break on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas with my family, and I wanted to share a full review of our experience… We booked the cruise to celebrate my husband's birthday, and we chose an ocean view cabin on a guaranty basis. The cabin we were allocated was exactly as we had expected, spacious, and had plenty of storage. As much as I usually en
13 Oct 2025 5 min read
Repositioning & Transatlantic Cruises
Repositioning Cruises - A fun and cost effective way to travel to and from the USA How about taking a transatlantic repositioning cruise, as a low cost way to travel between the US and the UK? Repositioning cruises can be an absolute bargain, especially when comparing the cruise cost with the price of transatlantic flights for a family of 4. Repositioning voyages are a great way to try out a
11 Sept 2025 5 min read
MSC Virtuosa 2 Nights to Cherbourg
I recently returned from a short family cruise on board MSC Virtuosa and I am pleased to report it was absolutely fabulous. We had an amazing time, plus really appreciated the added value that came from the extras I qualified for as a Diamond member of MSC’s loyalty programme. I really feel MSC gives some of the best benefits of all the cruise line loyalty programmes. Something to bear in min
11 Sept 2025 5 min read
How Family-Friendly is Holland America Line?
I recently had the opportunity to step aboard Rotterdam, the flagship of Holland America Line, while she was docked in her namesake city - and I couldn’t wait to share more about what I saw! Here’s a closer look at how suitable this elegant ship is for families. ?? What Sets Holland America Apart? Part of the Carnival group, Holland America Line sits a step above the mainstream. Think smaller sh
30 Jul 2025 5 min read
What to pack for a family cruise?
Your passport! Plus money, insurance and cruise documentation. Water bottles for all the family and refillable coffee cups; really useful both aboard the ship and on port days. Some ships have dedicated water bottle filling stations, and on all ships you can obtain iced water and tea/coffee any time of day or night in the buffet. Magnetic hooks and bulldog clips are really useful in your cabin
24 May 2025 5 min read
Half Term Family Cruise on P&O Iona
I have recently returned from a P&O Iona 7-night February half term cruise with my family, where we visited Hamburg, Rotterdam and Bruges. We had good weather and very calm seas. It was below freezing in Hamburg and Rotterdam, but it reached a lovely 16 degrees in Bruges a couple of days later! One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, a huge model village w
25 Feb 2025 5 min read
Northern Europe Cruise on P&O Iona
I recently sailed on P&O Iona on a 7-night Northern Europe cruise with my family. Our ports of call were Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre. We stayed in a 4 berth ocean view cabin on deck 5. This was a great location, mid-ship and low down, for a winter cruise. We were conveniently close to the mid-ship stairs and lifts and it was just one deck up to the atrium on deck 6. The cabin had a love
15 Dec 2024 5 min read
British Isles Cruise on Regal Princess
I recently sailed on the Regal Princess around the British Isles in the school holidays (August 2024) with my family, including my husband and our two children aged 8 and 9. Ports of call - Cobh for Cork, Dun Laoghaire for Dublin, Belfast, Holyhead, Greenock for Glasgow, Invergordon, South Queensferry for Edinburgh and Le Havre. Our port highlights: - We absolutely loved Fota Wildlife Park, whic
11 Nov 2024 5 min read
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Why use a Travel Counsellor
Let's plan your dream trip together
Tailor-made for you
Your holiday isn’t just a trip away. It’s a longed-for escape, time to reconnect with loved ones, or a dream adventure you never thought possible. That’s why I take the time to truly get to know you and understand your hopes and expectations, then use my experience, connections and passion for the destination to create a trip that makes those dreams a reality.
Personalised service. Always
When you plan a holiday with me, you’ll be given my personal mobile number from the very first call. I’ll listen to your thoughts and ideas like I would a friend and arrange accommodation, activities, and flights that are all personalised to you. And I’ll share my personal tips and recommendations, so you can experience the true beauty of each destination.
Stress-free travel, and more time for what matters most
I believe your time away should be stress-free, easy, and seamless from start to finish. So, I take care of all the details for you - from ATOL protection, insurance, and flexible payments to access to the myTC app, which keeps everything in one place.
Support when it matters most
If the unexpected happens, you can rest easy, knowing that I’ll handle any last-minute changes, flight cancellations, or disruptions before you even pick up the phone. So you always feel happy, carefree, and ready to make the most of every moment.
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