Which cruise line is right for you?

Which cruise line is right for you?

Choosing a cruise is about much more than deciding where you want to go. The ship, atmosphere, dining, entertainment and style of the cruise line can make just as much difference to your holiday as the itinerary itself.

Two ships can visit exactly the same ports and offer completely different experiences.

That is why one of the best places to start is not with where you want to cruise, but with how you like to holiday.

Start with your holiday style

Think about the holidays you already enjoy.

Do you prefer a relaxed hotel with excellent food and somewhere peaceful to sit with a drink? Do you like plenty happening throughout the day? Are big shows and nightlife important? Or is your ideal holiday more about good service, interesting destinations and having time to switch off?

There is no single 'best' cruise line. There is simply the cruise line that is a better fit for you.

If you like plenty to do

Some of today's larger cruise ships are destinations in their own right.

Depending on the ship, you might find water parks, climbing walls, live entertainment, sports facilities, multiple pools, extensive children's facilities and a huge choice of restaurants and bars.

Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line are often worth exploring if you like variety and want plenty of choice onboard.

These ships can also work particularly well for families and groups where everyone wants something slightly different from the holiday.

If you prefer a more traditional cruise

Perhaps your idea of cruising is good food, attentive service, evening entertainment and relaxing days at sea rather than waterslides and adrenaline activities.

Lines such as P&O Cruises and Cunard offer distinctly different experiences, but both can appeal to travellers looking for a more traditional style of cruising.

Cunard, for example, is known for its sense of occasion and maritime heritage, while P&O Cruises has a particularly strong following among British holidaymakers.

If food matters

Food has become an increasingly important part of cruising.

Many ships now offer far more than the traditional main dining room and buffet. Depending on your cruise, you could have everything from speciality steakhouses and sushi to chef-led restaurants and relaxed outdoor dining.

Celebrity Cruises is one option often considered by travellers looking for a contemporary, more premium experience, while Virgin Voyages takes a different approach again with a wide range of restaurants and no traditional main dining room.

If dining is one of the highlights of any holiday for you, it is worth looking beyond whether meals are simply 'included' and considering the actual style and variety available.

If you want adults-only

Not every cruise needs to revolve around family facilities.

Virgin Voyages is exclusively for adults, while P&O Cruises operates adults-only ships alongside its family-friendly fleet. Other cruise lines may have adult-focused areas even when the ship itself welcomes families.

An adults-only cruise can be particularly appealing to couples, groups of friends or solo travellers looking for a different atmosphere onboard.

If the destination comes first

For some travellers, the ship is the star. For others, it is simply a very comfortable way of seeing the world.

Smaller ships can often visit ports that larger vessels cannot, while destination-focused itineraries may offer longer stays or more unusual ports of call.

If your priority is exploring rather than having endless onboard attractions, it may be worth considering smaller or more destination-led cruise lines.

Don't choose on cruise line alone

Even within the same cruise line, ships can vary considerably.

A brand's newest ship may have restaurants, facilities and entertainment that you will not find on an older or smaller ship in the same fleet. The itinerary can also change the feel of a cruise.

That means the better question is often not simply, 'Which cruise line should I choose?' but 'Which ship and itinerary suit this particular holiday?'

Finding your fit

A good cruise match brings several things together: the right ship, itinerary, cabin, departure point, atmosphere and budget.

If you have already been researching cruises, that is useful too. You do not need to start again simply because you would like some help. Bring Port & Place the cruise, ship or shortlist you have found and we can help you make sense of the options, or we can start from scratch and find something that fits.

The aim is not simply to get you on a cruise ship. It is to get you on one you will actually enjoy.