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 leapt from my seat when I discovered my allocated cabin on Norwegian Escape was to be a Spa Junior Suite. My paperwork had implied it was to be a Studio cabin, so a four-category upgrade was very much welcomed – and was the first time the &#...
I headed to Dover fully expecting to tour a floating theme park. As I stepped aboard it was clear that everything I had pictured about a Disney cruise ship was completely and utterly wrong. I expected an experience akin to visiting Walt Disney World...
There’s a cabin on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas that pays homage to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. So picture the joy on this ice cream lover’s face when I discovered that cabin 6305, the secret Ben & Jerry&#...
Boutique cruise line Azamara Club Cruises invited me to tour Azamara Quest in Southampton. Richard Twynam, UK and Ireland Managing Director of Azamara Club Cruises, led the tour during the ship’s turnaround. The purpose of the visit was to...
You cannot choose your neighbours, but in this cabin, I wished I could have. My travel agent did not give me a choice of cabins, so cabin number 10255 tucked away at the rear of Deck 10 was my only option. MSC Preziosa Balcony Cabin #10255 review The...
MSC Preziosa, Italian for ‘precious’, oozes bags of charm and glamour. The ship is classed as ‘large’ at 139,072 gross tonnes, yet somehow it rarely feels that way. Based in Genoa in the Mediterranean, I headed on board for...
Royal Caribbean describes cabin 12652 as a “Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony”. The D5 grade cabin is fairly standard on Anthem of the Seas, with a modern, stylish décor and enough space for a family. The cabin sits slightly to...
The second smart ship, Anthem of the Seas, is here. The 168,666 gross tonne ship arrived in Southampton this week, and I sailed onboard a two-night mini cruise to find out what makes this ship so smart. Smart Check-in Before you step anywhere near...
As Quantum of the Seas briefly stopped in Southampton, I toured the ship for a day. The new ship smell only surpasses the air of new technological enhancements that make Quantum of the Seas a smart ship. The all-weather ship boasts cutting edge...
Shopping on a budget meant opting for the cheapest cabin available on Independence of the Seas. Tucked towards the rear of Deck 9 was an available K-grade Interior cabin. By their nature, interior cabins are devoid of natural light. They are not the...