01737 646412
When it comes to deciding what cruise line is best for you, it can be a little daunting, especially if you are completely new to the world of cruising.
To help, we’ve listed our favourite cruise lines depending on individual requirements, easily helping you to answer the all important question, ‘What cruise line is right for me?’
Take a look at all our cruises
Best cruise line for families with small children
Royal Caribbean
While there’s no escaping the size of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships, they are, without a doubt, one of the best cruise lines for families with small children.
From on board water parks and a Seaplex featuring roller skating, bumper cars and a circus school to adventure science labs and Xbox zones, there are so many activities for your little ones to take part in that we’re pretty sure they won’t want to go home when your cruise is over!
The cruise line introduced their award winning Adventure Youth Programme some years ago, and having proved to be such a hit with passengers, have continued to add even more activities - they even have a Royal Babies programme for the really tiny tots that step on board. While most of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are suitable for small children, our favourites are Anthem of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas.
View all Royal Caribbean Cruises
Best cruise lines for families with teenagers
Norwegian Cruise Line
If you’re travelling with teenagers, it can be difficult to get them to appreciate the finer sides of cruising, especially if they’ve already hit the ‘Kevin and Perry’ stage and the prospect of spending a week or two stuck in a confined space with their ‘boring parents’ is going to ‘ruin their life’ (we obviously speak from experience here!). However, when opting to sail with Norwegian Cruise Line, we’re sure you’ll walk away from your holiday being ‘the coolest parents’ around!
There are a selection of teen clubs available on most of NCL’s cruise ships, offering the whipper snappers exclusive parties where they can make new friends with fellow teenage passengers, gaming areas so they don’t miss their favourite Xbox games, music venues and shows aimed specifically at their age group. In addition, you’ll find a whole range of other on board activities, including waterparks and sports programmes and lets not forget the ‘Freestyle’ cruising approach, meaning jeans and flexible eating are no big deal.
View all Norwegian Cruise Line cruises
Royal Caribbean
From on board adventures including surf simulators, climbing walls, DJ academies and 3D movies to teen only nightclubs, arcades and special hideaways just for the young adults, we can guarantee your teenager will disembark raving about their experience and be nagging you to go back for more.
View all Royal Caribbean cruises
Best cruise lines for solo travellers
Saga Cruises
If you’re travelling on your own, Saga Cruises need to be considered as one of the best cruise lines for solo travellers, especially following the launch of their two brand new ships, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, where you’ll find over 100 cabins designed just for solo cruisers spread across all cabin grades, from standard to suite.
As well as having your very own cabin, complete with balcony (as all cabins on board Saga cruise ships have them as standard), you’ll also have the chance to meet fellow solo travellers at the ‘Singles Mingle’ drinks party or the exclusive singles lunch, each of which take place early on in every cruise. In addition, you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy evening entertainment with on board dance hosts, so if you love a boogie but are there alone, they’ll be a smiling staff member ready to help you strut your stuff.
While single supplements are an unfortunate side effect of travelling on your own, Saga’s are far lower than the majority of other cruise lines, and coupled with the other amazing extra value inclusions such as the VIP chauffeur service, included gratuities, 24-hr room service and included beers and wines with meals, you’ll actually be surprised at how reasonable a solo cruise with Saga is.
Fred.Olsen
As with Saga Cruises, Fred. Olsen also offers a wide selection of benefits for solo cruisers, from meet and greet events just for singles to single tables at meal times so you can enjoy the company of fellow travellers who are cruising on their own.
The cruise line also offers a number of solo cabins and dance hosts for those looking to enjoy every aspect of a cruise and as well as these benefits, also run deals throughout the year offering customers a selection of cruises with no single supplement, meaning you can avoid the additional costs normally associated with single travel.
Best cruise lines for romance
Princess Cruises
What better way to enjoy a romantic getaway than on a cruise, where stunning sunsets, the sound of the waves as the ship gently glides through the ocean and a near constant supply of champagne are all readily available. And when looking for the perfect holiday for you and your partner Princess Cruises are a firm favourite amongst our best cruise lines for romance.
Choose from a wide range of experiences and activities perfect for couples, from walking hand in hand along the 28ft glass bottomed ‘Seawalk’ which extends out over the edge of the ship, to enjoying a tranquil afternoon in the on board retreat reserved exclusively for adults, ‘The Sanctuary’, where the ‘serenity stewards’ will bring you delicious cocktails before giving you a relaxing massage.
At night, you’ll be able to dine in one of the on board restaurants where you’ll enjoy mouth watering cuisine while you sip champagne before heading back to your comfortable double cabin to watch the sunset together. Whatever you’re celebrating, whether it’s a special anniversary, a honeymoon or just your love, you’ll be sure to have a memorable experience on board a Princess cruise.
Celebrity Cruises
If you're looking for a romantic cruise with your loved one, we highly recommend Celebrity Cruises. You'll be able to spend time relaxing in the spacious on board areas or head to the ship's adult only solarium where you can enjoy a dip in the hot tub before a tranquil massage in the on board spa.
At night, you'll be spoilt for choice with the wide selection of bars and restaurants available, perfect for wooing your loved one. Choose from delicious cocktails in the Martini Bar or channel your inner sommelier and discover a world of fabulous wines. Sample exquisite cuisine in one of the on board restaurants and perhaps take in a show, or dance the night away before heading back to your cabin for a cheeky nightcap.
Best cruise lines for party animals
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Imagine the excitement you’ll experience when partying at sea! If you fancy a cruise with plenty of nightlife you won’t be disappointed when sailing with Norwegian Cruise Lines.
The cruise lines’ laid back ‘Freestyle’ ethos lends itself perfectly to the buoyant atmosphere you can expect to experience from the moment you step on board, with no set timetable for meal times or activities, meaning you can plan your day, your way. But once the sun sets, prepare to enjoy a cruise experience like no other.
Choose from one of 22 on board bars and lounges, including a specialist ice bar, where you can sip on champagne and cocktails before the real fun starts. Hit the decks and let your hair down at one of NCL’s well known deck dance parties, with popular themes including Nashville Nights and Glow! or pay a visit to one of the on board night clubs where you’ll dance the night away while meeting fellow party animals. If dancing’s not your thing, fret not, there’s still plenty of activities to keep you occupied in the witching hour, from casinos to the largest go-kart track at sea.
View all Norwegian Cruise Line cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises are a popular choice for those looking for a cruise with plenty of nightlife, with on board offerings suitable for all over 18s looking for fun and excitement once the sun sets over your ship.
Sip champagne while listening to laid back jazz in St. Michael’s Club or sample some of the cruise lines’ creative cocktail concoctions in the Molecular Bar. If you fancy yourself a bit of a wine buff, head to Cellar Masters for a large selection of delicious reds, whites and roses!
Whichever of Celebrity’s ships you choose to sail on, you’ll be guaranteed to find somewhere to strut your stuff, whether it’s at one of the designated on board nightclubs or around the roulette table in the ship’s casino, which is open late to accommodate even the latest of night owls!
View all Celebrity Cruises
Best cruise lines for food lovers
P&O Cruises
It’s a well known fact that a large proportion of a cruise’s draw is the mouth-watering cuisine you’ll enjoy whilst sailing around the world. From al fresco buffets to a la carte dining, cruises are always rated on their food and P&O are almost always amongst the top five when it comes to quality and quantity of both the cuisine and the choice available to passengers.
"From healthy to decadent, from hearty to delicate, there’s a menu and a venue for every mood” - P&O Cruises
While all of P&O’s cruise liners are perfectly placed to provide guests with a great selection of culinary delights, Britannia is by far the closest to a foodie’s idea of heaven, offering guests the opportunity to sample cuisine inspired by chef royalty including Marco Pierre White and James Martin, and offering wines selected by world renowned sommelier Olly Smith.
If you’re looking for a more laid back dining experience, head to the one of the on board informal eateries including the Grab ‘n’ Go snack bar, Poolside Grill and Pizzeria and the 'Fusion' Asian restaurant, all of which offer mouth-watering dining options which are included in the price of your cruise. If you fancy something a little more special, why not head to The Chef’s Table, where all of the cuisine is included in the price, or for a little extra, try the Epicurian where you’ll enjoy a gastronomic journey like nothing you’ve experienced before.
Saga Cruises
Just from personal experience, it was important for us to ensure Saga Cruises featured among our favourite cruise lines for foodies. You might not consider yourself ‘old’ enough to go on a Saga Cruise and even if you are over 50, you may still feel like you’ve got a long way to go before you’ll be comfortable accepting you’re now an eligible ‘Saga customer’. However, we strongly urge you to put those thoughts aside and embrace the fact that you are now able to join them in their selective little club! Sounds bizarre? OK, so hear us out…
While the number of restaurants on board both of Saga’s ships is small in comparison to bigger cruise lines such as P&O and Cunard, the quality of the food that is served up by far outweighs the quantity. From the Grand Dining Room to the Asian inspired East to West restaurant on board Spirit of Discovery to the Khukuri House Nepalese restaurant on board Spirit of Adventure, all meals are included on a Saga cruise, meaning no additional costs regardless of where you want to dine.
Saga give the head chefs carte blanche when it comes to the menus you’ll sample on board so expect some unique dishes mixed with the traditional, from delicious cuts of meat to freshly caught fish from the port you visited that morning. But a word from the wise....pack expandable waisted skirts or trousers - you’ll be glad of them when it comes to disembarkation!
Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about the cruises we offer, take a look around our website or call our knowledgeable team on 01737 646412.