Choosing the cruise for you
The Right Ship
The key to getting the most from your cruise is choosing the
right ship, not just the right itinerary. Think of your cruise ship
as being like your hotel. Do you prefer small, intimate, refined
hotels or the opulence of a larger hotel? Just like hotels, every
cruise line has its own personality and style of cruising, from
laid-back and luxurious to fun and feature-packed. You'll find more
information on cruise lines on the cruise lines
page.
Once you know your type of ship and your destination, budget,
facilities and what type of view you wish to wake up to every
morning our expert will narrow your choice down. Our cruise
experts have been trained by the cruise lines themselves and have
first-hand experience of many of the ships and destinations, so a
quick chat with them will help you find your perfect match.
Budget
Thomson & Island Cruises
Generally speaking the level of
activities available on budget cruise operators will not be as
extensive as on the other cruise lines, however there will be a
very relaxed atmosphere and a great freedom of choice. For example
there are no formal nights, just casual dining where you can choose
when, where and what you want to eat. Some choices available to you
will be slightly more limited and the guest to staff ratio will be
higher in comparison to higher budget cruises.
Mainstream
Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises, Fred.Olsen, Carnival,
NCL, Costa & MSC
Mainstream cruise lines (sometimes referred to as
'contemporary') offer fantastic value for money and a 4* to 4.5*
dining and lifestyle experience. New ships are packed with every
facility and activity you can think of - you can rock climb, ice
skate or surf on board Royal Caribbean's innovative fleet,
experience the best of British fine dining on board P&O Cruises
or pamper yourself amongst the elegance of an Italian MSC
cruise.
Many cruise operators in this category do not fall short on
entertainment with many offering West End-style theatre productions
and comedians.
Premium
Princess Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Holland
America and Azamara
Premium cruise lines have all the same activities and
entertainment onboard as mainstream cruise ships however the
standard is taken to the next level, with additional features. The
staff to passenger ratio is lower meaning the attention dedicated
to you gives your cruise that special touch.
The ships tend to be smaller and more intimate and some
entertainment has an educational element to it, teaching new skills
and learning about places you are visiting. For example Celebrity
Cruises offer an Enrichment Series, with a line up of experts and
destination-driven lectures and special interest programs. When it
comes to cuisine, a gourmet style and a refined service all round
sets the scene for your time on board.
Ultra luxury
Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal
Cruises
Intimate atmospheres and unrivalled service is what ultra
luxurious cruising is all about. High up on the agenda is
delicious, gourmet food and plush, comfortable accommodation.
Usually with high end cruisers, the staff to guest ratio is
extremely low sometimes as low to 1 staff member to 2 guests.
The feeling of space and exclusivity should take you to a place
you'll never want to come back from. Fine dining is a big part of
the luxury experience and menus will be varied, creative and fresh,
delivered to the highest standards of presentation by world-class
chefs.
Sommeliers will be onboard to recommend wines (included in the
price on many luxury ships), premium spirits and champagnes
(usually at an extra charge). Some of the ships in this
classification take as few as 150 guests which gives a completely
intimate feel to your time at sea.
Discovery
Hurtigruten, Silversea Expedition
Discovery cruises include cruises on very small ships to far
flung, off-the-beaten-track destinations. These cruises almost
always have exotic itineraries focusing on adventure and
breath-taking experiences.
The beauty of discovery cruising is getting to destinations that
larger ships cannot access. The destination is the main focal point
of the cruise, with the itinerary and ship life, in terms of
educational lectures for example, geared towards guests'
understanding of the destination they are visiting and seeing
sights only a handful of people have seen.
Ships tend to be small, enabling them to get close to coastal
and river gateways and into small ports. Service and comfort is
still a priority but you can expect to be woken at dawn to catch
that once in a lifetime sight of a killer whale or to experience
the thrill of watching penguins at play.
The Right Destination
You may have a wish list of places to cruise to, but it's
important to select the most suitable time of year for that
itinerary. For example, it's advisable to avoid the Caribbean in
hurricane season, or if you don't like hotter climates you may not
wish to be visiting certain countries at certain times.
The size of ship and also the type of cruise you are looking to
go on will have an impact on your chosen destination. Whilst all
cruise lines cover a vast array of destinations, you may find that
the ports of call you wish to visit might not be covered by a
particular cruise line at certain times of year. Similarly, it is
important to look at the size of ship when thinking about your
destination. For example, with certain ports within the Caribbean,
the ship may well operate a tender service ashore rather than
docking at the port due to its size. This may not be something you
are comfortable with, so is another consideration to be taken. A
quick chat with any of our specialist cruise agents and you'll find
out all you want know and find what suits you best.