*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the Youtube video.
Choosing the right cruise for you is vital when going on a cruise. Families may prefer the very large ships with kids clubs and lots of entertainment. Couples may prefer the small luxury cruise ships, with less entertainment, but no queues at the buffet and more time in the ports. The video below is by a man called Gary Bembridge who has been on every cruise line and I find his advice very helpful. Here he briefly explains the difference between the cruise lines. You can view more of his advice on YouTube under "Tips for travellers" If you are considering booking a specific cruise line, watch his video on You Tube about it first. He does have a video about all the major cruise lines.
Of course the itinerary is the most important factor, as only a few cruise lines will do the route you are interested in. For example if you are interested in an Alaskan cruise, then Holland America is the specialist in that area and have more options for itineraries. My current favourite cruise line is Cunard which is a quintessentially British cruise line, the most formal cruise line at the moment, where dressing for dinner is compulsory, which I like, but of course that wouldn't suit everyone. Their ship the Queen Victoria is pictured above on my cruise with them.
Think about what you will do on your Cruise ship to choose the most suitable one for you. For example if you don't drink alcohol, don't want to do shore excursions and are happy just eating in the main dining room/buffet and don't need wifi then the cheaper cruise lines such as MSC that don't include any of that may be the best value for you. If you do want to have a few drinks, do shore excursions, dine at the speciality restaurants etc then maybe a more expensive cruise line like Regent Seven Seas is better for you. Also do you want a large ship with lots to do on it such as Royal Caribbean or a smaller, quieter ship, with no queues such as Seabourn? Or maybe a mid size ship such as Celebrity and Holland America where you can pay for an all inclusive option or a suite to include the extras you want, whilst still having lots to do on the ship? Generally the larger ships are cheaper, but include less than the smaller ships which have far fewer passengers, less entertainment, but everything included and no queues! One cruise line that bridges the gap between the cheaper large ships and the smaller luxury ships is a cruise line called Oceania where you pay more than a large ship and not as much as the smaller ships and still get reasonable entertainment and most things included.
Who to book through?
I recommend using a travel agent such as Iglu/Planet Cruise which are usually cheaper than booking directly with a cruise line. I have used them myself and recommend them. Make sure though when you decide on which cruise you want to book you compare the price of that cruise booking direct and through an agent. (Making sure the agent is ABTA/ATOL licenced in the UK.) Some cruise lines though such as SAGA do not allow you to book through anyone other than through them. SAGA is a very popular adults only cruise line for the over 55's. It is British themed and only sold in the UK, so most passengers are British and they cater very well for older people. Everything is included such as insurance (Very useful if you are elderly with pre existing medical conditions!), All drinks, WIFI, Tips, all restaurants and they collect you and drop you off to your home. Some cruises even include some shore excursions.
The best discounts usually are on offer when the cruise is first launched (At least a year ahead) and if any cabins are left unsold there will be discounts a month or two before departure. They also have discounts around Christmas time and other bank holidays. If you want a specific route on a specific cruise line then book early. If you are flexible with dates and destinations, then look a couple of months before departure at what is left. However if you are booking a cruise to visit a certain place, check when you book that there are still excursions available to that place as the best excursions do get booked up many months in advance.
Choosing the right cruise for you is vital when going on a cruise. Families may prefer the very large ships with kids clubs and lots of entertainment. Couples may prefer the small luxury cruise ships, with less entertainment, but no queues at the buffet and more time in the ports. The video below is by a man called Gary Bembridge who has been on every cruise line and I find his advice very helpful. Here he briefly explains the difference between the cruise lines. You can view more of his advice on YouTube under "Tips for travellers" If you are considering booking a specific cruise line, watch his video on You Tube about it first. He does have a video about all the major cruise lines.
Of course the itinerary is the most important factor, as only a few cruise lines will do the route you are interested in. For example if you are interested in an Alaskan cruise, then Holland America is the specialist in that area and have more options for itineraries. My current favourite cruise line is Cunard which is a quintessentially British cruise line, the most formal cruise line at the moment, where dressing for dinner is compulsory, which I like, but of course that wouldn't suit everyone. Their ship the Queen Victoria is pictured above on my cruise with them.
Think about what you will do on your Cruise ship to choose the most suitable one for you. For example if you don't drink alcohol, don't want to do shore excursions and are happy just eating in the main dining room/buffet and don't need wifi then the cheaper cruise lines such as MSC that don't include any of that may be the best value for you. If you do want to have a few drinks, do shore excursions, dine at the speciality restaurants etc then maybe a more expensive cruise line like Regent Seven Seas is better for you. Also do you want a large ship with lots to do on it such as Royal Caribbean or a smaller, quieter ship, with no queues such as Seabourn? Or maybe a mid size ship such as Celebrity and Holland America where you can pay for an all inclusive option or a suite to include the extras you want, whilst still having lots to do on the ship? Generally the larger ships are cheaper, but include less than the smaller ships which have far fewer passengers, less entertainment, but everything included and no queues! One cruise line that bridges the gap between the cheaper large ships and the smaller luxury ships is a cruise line called Oceania where you pay more than a large ship and not as much as the smaller ships and still get reasonable entertainment and most things included.
Who to book through?
I recommend using a travel agent such as Iglu/Planet Cruise which are usually cheaper than booking directly with a cruise line. I have used them myself and recommend them. Make sure though when you decide on which cruise you want to book you compare the price of that cruise booking direct and through an agent. (Making sure the agent is ABTA/ATOL licenced in the UK.) Some cruise lines though such as SAGA do not allow you to book through anyone other than through them. SAGA is a very popular adults only cruise line for the over 55's. It is British themed and only sold in the UK, so most passengers are British and they cater very well for older people. Everything is included such as insurance (Very useful if you are elderly with pre existing medical conditions!), All drinks, WIFI, Tips, all restaurants and they collect you and drop you off to your home. Some cruises even include some shore excursions.
The best discounts usually are on offer when the cruise is first launched (At least a year ahead) and if any cabins are left unsold there will be discounts a month or two before departure. They also have discounts around Christmas time and other bank holidays. If you want a specific route on a specific cruise line then book early. If you are flexible with dates and destinations, then look a couple of months before departure at what is left. However if you are booking a cruise to visit a certain place, check when you book that there are still excursions available to that place as the best excursions do get booked up many months in advance.
These are the cruises below that I have done so far and have written a blog on. Click on the ones you are interested in.
Alaska Cruise With Norwegian Cruise line
Norwegian Fjords Cruise With Cunard
Western France and Northern Spain With Celebrity
I am planning a couple more on different cruise lines, so watch this space next year! I would like to try some cruise lines I haven't been on yet such as Holland America, Silversea an Seabourn.
Norwegian Fjords Cruise With Cunard
Western France and Northern Spain With Celebrity
I am planning a couple more on different cruise lines, so watch this space next year! I would like to try some cruise lines I haven't been on yet such as Holland America, Silversea an Seabourn.