Best For… The Cruise Line Round-Up

A question I get asked on a day to day basis is which cruise line is best for…? Whether you’re travelling with a family, a couple or Going solo and wanting your cruise to be a sociable experience, I hope this easy guide will help you decide on what you would like your next cruise to look like

Which Cruise Line is best for….

Families – Royal Caribbean, If Zip lines, Waterparks and Surfing Simulators are the key to keeping the family entertained then Royal Caribbean ships certainly fit the bill. 2 Ships will be based out of Southampton for 2019 – independence of the Seas and Explorer of the seas so are perfect for a summer holiday sailing from Southampton

Couples – Celebrity Cruises are perfect if you are celebrating a special anniversary, on honeymoon or just taking a well-deserved break. The newer ships in the fleet do cater more towards adults with Double pool loungers and tailor made on board spaces for 2. Top Tip – Why not head to the Lawn club on the top deck for a Romantic Picnic

Solo Travellers – Cruising alone can seem quite daunting, but ultimately you are not alone. Cruise lines do a great job of ensuring Solo Cruisers get the most out of their cruise by offering Solo meetings to ensure you mingle with fellow travellers and activities and excursions to help you get the most out of your cruise. Most cruise lines do offer Single cabins however they do get booked up quickly so ensure you book early to avoid large supplements. Norwegian Cruise line offer studio’s which give solo cruiser a more affordable and stylish way to cruise with exclusive access to the Studio lounge only available to Studio Guests

and of course, once you have seen why the cruise line is great for your individual travelling requirements there is the following to take into consideration –

Which Cruise line is best for….

Entertainment – Sing along to Tony award winning west end style shows so Boogie on down to Saturday Night Fever, We Wil Rock You & Grease.Be mesmerized at the outdoor aqua theatre display of synchronized swimming, high diving acrobatics, trampolining and breathtaking lightshows – Available on Oasis of the seas, Harmony of the Seas and Allre of the seas or relax with a trip to the movies on one of the outdoor screens in 3D!

Food & Drink – This happens to be top of my requirements list when choosing my own holiday, not only do I look for good reviews on the main restaurant but also what variety is on offer throughout the rest of the ship.  A lot of Cruise lines now offer a more flexible approach to dining and Norwegian Cruise Line really do it well with their Freestyle Dining with an array of Formal, Informal and Casual Dining and no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating! And as a standard NCL is All Inclusive so not only do you get a fantastic choice of Food but Premium drinks to wash it down with, you can choose from a broad selection of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including spirits, wines, beers, cocktails, soft drinks and more. Lavazza coffee specialties can be enjoyed during meals and kids are kept happy with unlimited juices, water and soft drinks.

Accommodation – Cunard Staterooms really are Luxury Redefined. With every cabin promising to be a personal Oasis of Calm. Ranging from Britannia staterooms Inside, Outside and Balcony. Club Balcony Cabins and the variety of suites from Princess to Queens Grill Suites. All cabins on board feature Contemporary design and soft furnishings making you feel like royalty!

Did you know – There are 15 single Staterooms on board Queen Mary 2

Itinerary – Princess Cruises really do offer some wonderful itineraries including Multiple award winners for Alaska Cruising,  Canada & New England and the Discovery at Sea Programme gives princess one of the most exciting shore excursion offerings. If you are looking for something a little closer to home MSC Cruises offer some excellent itineraries year round in the Med, Great for combining your cruise with a city stay are cruises starting in Barcelona, Venice & Rome

Home Comforts – P&O Recently remains the firm favourite with Brits With more ships operating from Southampton than any other cruise line, P & O will welcome a brand-new ship in 2020. The yet to be named ship will be their largest vessel to date, with a guest capacity of up to 5,200. Currency on board is in Sterling and entertainment is geared towards British tastes.

Value for money – Perfect for first time cruisers due to the lack of extras on board, Marella Cruises offer great Fly Cruise packages where Flights, Transfers, Accommodation, all inclusive Food & drinks, Entertainment and Tips/Gratuities all wrapped up in one cruise fare. Marella offer great service on board and operate Mid-Size ships that get you closer to the heart of the destination and with less sea days than most offer great port intensive itineraries

Comment below on your best cruise lines for….

Eliza x