Big ships, little ones, or something in the middle?
Do you want to enjoy peace and quiet at sea? Or do you want non-stop fun with something to keep the entire family happy?
Size divides many cruise addicts. Some prefer the intimacy and tranquillity of smaller ships, together with the less-trodden destinations they visit. Others prefer the buzz of larger ships, with non-stop action available 24/7.
Choosing a cruise ship can make or break your holiday. Book yourself on the wrong one, and you may well end up with the holiday from hell. But book the right one for your needs, and you could be in store for the best holiday in your lifetime.
My guides will help you get a feel for a variety of cruise ships and will help you pick the right one for your next holiday.
I booked a budget no-frills cabin on Queen Mary 2 and got just that. My travel agent tried to up-sell me a bigger, more comfortable cabin. On such a short cruise, there was no need for anything other than an Interior Guarantee cabin, randomly...
Ocean liner and Royal Mail Ship, Queen Mary 2, swapped its regular transatlantic voyages for a brief jaunt to Bruges. The two-night mini cruise, particularly popular with passengers experiencing the Cunard brand for the first time, was a good excuse...
Picture the Caribbean, and you may think palm trees, luscious beaches, and a fireball in the sky. Alas, despite the namesake, Caribbean Princess sailed into Liverpool on a British Isles cruise amidst a torrential rainstorm. The terminal bustled with...
The biggest Wonderland restaurant has just opened on the world’s largest cruise ship. The experience at the two-storey topsy-turvy restaurant begins upstairs. Walking through a cave-like entrance you will find an intricate golden door standing...
Everything appeared to be perfect – until the first set of paying passengers, myself included, boarded the world’s largest cruise ship for a mini cruise to Rotterdam. The press went on a free two-night cruise alongside travel agents. Most...
The best cabins for impressive views over the AquaTheater on the world’s biggest cruise ship are the plush AquaTheater Suites, right? Cabin 8729 is one of the ten hidden gems on Harmony of the Seas known as Boardwalk balcony cabins. What makes...
Gourmet dishes meet with whimsy in Britannia‘s creative restaurant, The Epicurean. The venue promises an “extraordinary gastronomic journey to the very heart of fine dining”, and the ambience is perfect for a romantic meal for two...
Balcony cabin (F330) on Deck 9 (F Deck) was my home for a mini cruise to Guernsey. The cabin boasts a modern décor and thoughtful interior design, making the compact space feel remarkably spacious. The cabin can sleep up to four across a large...
Built in 2015 and having already covered 90,000 nautical miles, it was my turn to experience the biggest ship built for the British cruise market. Christened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II amidst a fanfare of red, white, and blue, Britannia...
I had not prepared myself for how good the food was on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral. Each dish was truly something to look forward to, and when paired with excellent company, mealtimes were enjoyable social affairs. Over the course of the...