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.
My home-from-home was Superior Ocean View cabin 6038 located on Deck 6 on the port side. This twin-bed cabin was very spacious and felt larger than those of the newer ships I have sailed on recently. But then again, Balmoral was built in an age when...
The name ‘Balmoral’ might conjure up images in your head of the grand Scottish castle used by the British Royal Family since 1852. It is also the name of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ newest and largest vessel, although at 43,537 gross...
Did you know that a quarter of Carnival Cruise Line bookings last year were for family holidays? That is 700,000 children in case you are curious. Just before Christmas, my wife, son and I joined them on our first family Caribbean cruise aboard the...
Pretending to be the captain, I spent a week aboard Carnival Breeze in Balcony Cabin 6212. My allocated cabin on the port side of Deck Six sat directly underneath the bridge. The overhang may put some people off, but it shielded me from the fierce...
Do you like Green Eggs and Ham? Head onto a Carnival Cruise Line ship to try them in the quirkiest breakfast experience at sea. Carnival’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises dates back to 2014 and features dining and entertainment...
When it comes to searching for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Norway, Hurtigruten is the obvious choice. Its fleet of working ships (cruise ships crossed with ferries) ply Norway’s coastline to a strict timetable. While a vital...
When it comes to dining aboard Hurtigruten ships, they do things a little differently. Breakfast and lunch are buffet options with counters of hot, cold, sweet and savoury choices. With a set meal, there is no need for difficult nightly decisions...
MS Nordlys is one of the several Hurtigruten ships that ply the Norwegian coastline connecting some of the remotest parts of the nation. Its “working ship” status (part cruise ship and part ferry) can be clearly seen in its cabins. My...
Norwegian Escape‘s visit to the UK was much like my time aboard: short and sweet. The two-night visit by the 165,300 gross tonne Breakaway-Plus class ship to the British Isles acted as a pit-stop between Hamburg and Miami. Over two one-night...
Norwegian Cruise Line is very proud of its food onboard its ships. The cruise line’s boss, Andy Stuart, made that abundantly clear during a press conference on Norwegian Escape. Even the food available in the complimentary restaurants is of the...