Kelly Ranson

Journalist & Content Writer

United Kingdom

I am an award-winning journalist and content writer with extensive experience in writing, editing and PR. I have written for a variety of print and online publications, with a focus on travel, cruise travel, meetings & events and technology.
I have also worked in-house for one of the UK's most established travel brands looking after the PR, writing blogs and content.
Available for writing, editing and content/copywriting commissions.

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Portfolio

Travel News & Features

Travel Gossip
08/15/2024
Yacht cruises 101

It's not only the rich and famous who get to sail on stunning yachts, even customers who can't afford the price tag for their own ship can still travel in style...

Travel Gossip
08/06/2024
Why you should sell cruises to single travellers

Solo travel is a growing trend, especially among retired clientele, and in many ways cruising is an ideal choice for those singles who still want plenty of company and lots of organised activities...

Cruise & Travel
05/08/2024
Cruising North America's Great Lakes

A cruise around North America’s Great Lakes offers a scenic and destination-rich adventure with memorable visits to Niagara Falls, Detroit and Milwaukee...

Cruise & Travel
04/27/2024
City Guide to Cape Town

With unrivalled culture, an emerging food scene and stunning scenery, the 'mother city' is a must-visit destination...

Cruise & Travel
03/12/2024
An insider's guide to onboard entertainment

From Broadway-style shows to live-music concerts and incredible acrobatic displays, cruise lines are wowing their guests with some incredible onboard entertainment...

Cruise & Travel
09/21/2023
Port guide: Ghent

Explore the pretty Belgian city of Ghent on a relaxed river cruise...

Cruise & Travel
06/08/2023
A musical cruise along the Danube

Waltz your way along the Danube on Scenic's classical music cruise from Budapest to Vienna and Salzburg to learn about composers like Mozart and Strauss

Travel Weekly
05/17/2023
Ship review: Viva Cruises' Viva Two

From an open design restaurant and lounge to a high-tech exhaust system, Kelly Ranson takes a look at Viva Cruises’ newest vessel...

Good Housekeeping (Branded Content)
04/01/2023
Experience it all

Get the most from your next escape by learning something new

Travel Weekly
01/19/2023
From Budapest to Vienna with Scenic

Breakfast in Budapest, lunch in Bratislava and dinner in Vienna. OK, this isn't quite the itinerary for my four-night sailing along the Danube...

Cruise International Magazine
01/01/2023
Know Your Cruise Lingo

Do you know your port from your starboard? And what exactly is a tender?

Cruise International Magazine
11/11/2022
Stars of the Stage

From high-flying trapeze action to incredible aquatic stunts, cruise ship entertainers amaze and delight guests, finds Kelly Ranson

Good Housekeeping (Branded Content)
11/01/2022
Wave Hello to Luxury

Dreaming of escaping the winter chill? A Caribbean with Seabourn is the ideal opportunity...

Cruise Critic UK
09/01/2022
Ship Review: Ambience

Ambience is the debut cruise ship from Ambassador Cruise Line, and re-launched in April 2022 with Olympian Sally Gunnell as godmother...

Red Magazine (Branded content)
08/16/2022
Beat the winter blues

As the nights draw in and the temperatures drop, an off-season escape is the perfect antidote...

Cruise International Magazine
08/01/2022
Ship review: Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambience

Stepping on board the newly refurbished Ambience, cruisers will feel a sense of warmth, not only from the crew but also from the ship's welcoming public areas, each bearing the name of a British icon...

Cruise Critic UK
07/07/2022
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines vs. Ambassador Cruise Line

n the surface, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Ambassador Cruise Line appear to have much in common -- both sail from British ports, both operate classic, mid-sized ships and both are designed to appeal primarily to a mature British audience...

Travel Weekly
06/10/2022
Q&A: Expedition guide in the Antarctic

From submarine dives to meeting penguins, director of expeditions Jason Flesher leads Scenic Eclipse passengers on once-in-a-lifetime excursions. Kelly Ranson reports...

Cruise Critic UK
05/03/2022
Live From Ambience in the Norwegian Fjords

The first sailing on Ambience cruise ship was a maiden voyage to Hamburg, followed by a seven-night "Springtime Fjordland" sailing -- which we joined.

Travel Weekly
03/09/2022
How to sell no-fly cruises

Cruises that don’t require a flight are growing in popularity. Here’s how to make the most of this growing trend...

Cruise-international
01/27/2022
All of the Incredible New Cruise Ships for 2022

From the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, to MSC Cruises' trailblazing MSC World Europa, this is what you can expect from some of the best new cruise ships that will set sail in 2022.

Red Online
01/10/2022
5 things you need for a stress-free holiday

Are you dreaming of taking a holiday abroad but worried about the hassle? After a summer of traffic-light systems, cancelled vacations and last-minute staycations, feeling apprehensive is to be expected. But as we head into 2022, why not make the dream a reality and finally book that overseas trip?

Good Housekeeping
11/01/2021
6 unique experiences you must try in Canada

With the Canadian borders now open to UK visitors, it's time to start planning a trip to a country made for exploring. From its unparalleled landscapes and a rich cultural history, to majestic wildlife viewings and cosmopolitan cities packing a punch when it comes to food and hospitality, Canada really does have something for all.

Travel Weekly
09/30/2021
Exploring Florida's quieter side in New Smyrna Beach

It's 6am (a perk of jetlag), the air is warm, the sun is slowly rising through varying hues of orangey-pink skies, and the only sound I can hear is the water lapping against the wooden jetty on the banks of the Indian River...

Travel Weekly
09/08/2021
Sailing the Rhine on a Tui River Cruise

Once passengers try it, they will love it." Those were the confident words of Tui Cruises UK managing director Chris Hackney at the launch of the company's brand-new river cruise fleet...

Travel Weekly
11/08/2019
How to Sell... the Ganges

India's most iconic river lures visitors wanting to see this frenetic country at a slower pace

Travel Weekly
10/23/2019
Q&A with Tiago Monteiro

Kelly Ranson speaks to Tiago Monteiro, wellness host on board AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna...

Travel Weekly
01/24/2019
Culture in Kotor

From old-town charm to new high-end hotels, Kotor is coming up in the world...

Travel Weekly
01/16/2019
Behind the scenes with Cirque du Soleil

Arriving at Cirque du Soleil’s headquarters in Montreal, you know you’re in for something special.There’s a giant shoe sculpture outside, a cinema-style popcorn vendor serving staff snacks, and a conference room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking onto a practice area full of acrobats...

Travel Weekly
06/28/2018
Leading Lights

Tick off five countries in the heart of eastern Europe on a Danube River cruise...

Travel Weekly
11/29/2017
Cape Town: Captivating and cosmopolitan

Cape Town takes the crown as South Africa’s most alluring city. Not only is it perfectly placed – on South Africa’s Atlantic coastline, dotted with rugged headlands and long stretches of beaches, all sitting in the shadow of the majestic Table Mountain – but it’s also cosmopolitan, crammed with culture, and the ideal gateway to the rest of the country. No wonder it’s a must for first-timers.

Travel Weekly
11/08/2017
Tried & Tested: Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Mexico

Staying at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, it’s a given to live like a rock star, but now guests can amplify their skills and add ‘skateboard legend’ or ‘BMX prodigy’ to the holiday mix. The 1,264-room music memorabilia hotel is renowned for offering the ultimate in all-inclusive holidays, so it seems the perfect fit to open an activity-laden sports centre at the resort.

Meetings & Incentive Travel
Booming Baku

The capital of Azerbaijan blends bling with its rich history...

Meetings & Incentive Travel
10/01/2014
Finnish Flavour

From head-banging to high design, Kelly Ranson explores multi-faceted Finland...

Cruise Critic UK
My First Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords

Norway, so far north that I always imagined the landscape to be dominated by ice, fjords and glaciers, has always seemed like a mystical place to me...

Cruise Critic UK
Hurricane Season Cruising

Is it worth the risk to plan a cruise to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera or even Canada/New England during hurricane season?

Travel Content & Blogs

Online Travel Training
09/19/2022
Cruise Baltic launches sustainable cruise indicators

Cruise Baltic and leading consulting group COWI have joined forces to develop 'Sustainable Cruise Indicators' that can be used globally to measure environmental sustainability in different cruise regions...

Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo America
06/21/2021
Scaling up Sustainable Practices: Sustainability in the Cruise Industry

As cruise ships return to the seas after a long hiatus, cruise lines must continue to prioritise sustainability and the impact that cruise travel has on the world's oceans. The good news is that with technological advances both on and off the ship, cruise lines are addressing environmental concerns.

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo America
05/21/2021
Five of the Craziest Cruise Ship Conversions

The cruise industry is great at innovating and bringing 'firsts' to sea. Many newbuild cruise ships are designed to inspire the wow factor. However, refurbished ships and cruise ship conversions are not to be overlooked.

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe
05/21/2021
4 Modern Cruise Ships with Sails

The sail away on a cruise is always a special moment. But, setting off on a voyage on a tall cruise ship with the sails rippling in the warm breeze against a backdrop of blue skies and crystal waters evokes a sense of romance and adventure at sea.

Hayes & Jarvis
How to find your zen in the Caribbean

Perfecting your plank and push-ups on the water and sketching a beach scene aren't the usual activities which spring to mind when you think of a holiday to the Caribbean. Most of us use our holidays to escape the rat race and take some time out.

Hayes and Jarvis blog
Five reasons why I love British Columbia

A visit to British Columbia has been on my wish-list for years. I adore the great outdoors and the appeal of the wilderness, amazing wildlife and city-living of the BC region ticks every box...

General Content Work

School of Automation
01/13/2023
How the HSE adopted RPA and Partnered with SOA

The School of Automation's (SOA) CEO Marc Cooper sat down with Kevin Kelly, General Manager for their RPA Centre of Excellence at the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland to chat about the organisation's work with automation

Oasis-smartsim
Apple's Far Out Event & The Effect on eSIM - Oasis Smart-SIM

After much hype and excitement, Apple held its 'Far Out Event' in the US on Wednesday, announcing its latest product releases for its iPhone 14 line. Pre-event, there was plenty of speculation about what would be unveiled by the tech giant, including rumours of an eSIM-only device - something more carriers worldwide are beginning to adopt.

Academy Point
12/15/2021
LMS - What You Need to Know Before Investing

If you’re thinking of taking the plunge to use a Learning Management System (LMS), there are some key factors you should think about as a business before making that initial investment...

Clarendons Property
11/19/2021
Tips to Being a Sustainable Landlord

While in your own home you may take efforts to being more eco-conscious and sustainable, but is this something you consider as a landlord?

Clarendons Property
10/29/2021
Tips for Selling or Letting Your Home in Winter

As the clocks go back, the darker nights are drawing in and Christmas treats are filling the supermarket shelves. But alongside the gingerbread lattes and cosy evenings in, comes the shorter, colder, wetter days...

School of Automation
10/26/2021
Develop Technical Skills

In the third in our series of blog posts, we are exploring the work we do at the School of Automation (SOA) to achieve the four key pillars set out in our vision statement..

School of Automation
09/03/2021
School of Automation: One Year On...

Starting up a business in the middle of a global pandemic is a challenge in itself, but that's exactly what the team at School of Automation (SOA) did in 2020. One year on, SOA has gone from strength to strength; not only building the business up and expanding but ensuring young apprentices are successfully starting their careers in the ever-growing and exciting world of process automation.

School of Automation
08/10/2021
In Conversation with a SOA Apprentice

It's always great to hear how our apprentices are getting along, and this week we sat down with Fraser, 17, from Glasgow, who started his 18-month apprenticeship with School of Automation (SOA) in August 2020, to chat about all things robotic and why he chose to embark on this path...

Restore
Cloud-based Account Payable Systems Deliver Results

Accounts payable (AP) processes includes receiving, processing, and the paying of invoices. The finance team behind these actions spend a large amount of time ensuring that payments are made - largely through manual, labour-heavy processes from beginning to end. But are things changing?

52eight3.
03/26/2020
Working your way through COVID-19 in the events industry - 52eight3.

It's not often the events industry isn't running 100 miles an hour, working 14 hour plus days and making sure the next event goes off without a hitch. But it's where we are right now, and here's a starter-for-ten from the 52eight3 team on how to make use of this slightly quieter time.

52eight3.
07/29/2019
How to maximise your downtime

Summer is here! Clients are off on their holidays and the events season is taking a (slight) break. If you have a little more breathing space day-to-day, then it's the perfect time to really use it to your benefit and give both yourself and your business a boost.

52eight3.
06/25/2019
How can I support Women in Event Tech?

It's all about Girl Power (sorry we are still on a bit of a Spice Girls hype!). Yes, there are plenty of women working in the event industry in many roles from organisers through to managing directors and we salute them! However...

52eight3.
04/05/2019
52eight3's Top Tips for Entering Awards

Have you been tasked with entering your company into awards this year? Haven't a clue where to start and worry it's too much of an effort? This year's Event Technology Awards opened this week and here at 52eight3 we thought it would be the ideal time to share some top tips on awards submissions.

52eight3.
03/28/2019
Expert Views: Where will the industry be in five years?

What will have the biggest impact on the event tech industry in the next five years? We asked some of industry friends (and also chimed in ourselves) to take out their crystal ball and tell us what changes or challenges the event world will face.

52eight3.
02/18/2019
Doing the basics better

Can you believe it's February already! For those event marketers with events in the Autumn, you're probably in the midst of setting your 2019 visitor acquisition strategy. If your event is imminent, you're probably looking at a to-do list longer than a Fyre Festival's Logistics Manager.