Cruise Guides

Choosing the Right Cruise Line for You

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Find Your Perfect Cruise Line

No two cruises are ever the same even when you’re sailing on the same ship – let alone when you start comparing experiences on different cruise lines. So if you’re finding it tricky to wade through the sea of enticing amenities, itineraries, prices, cruise durations and more to pinpoint what you want, our guide is here to help simplify everything and allow you to book the exact cruise of your dreams.

The Star of the seas — Star of the Seas - **Royal Caribbean**

Whether you're new to cruising and don't know much about the different cruise lines available, or you’re yearning for something new and exciting compared to your go-to cruises of years past, knowing what you want is the first step to finding your perfect trip. Take the time to really understand what it is that you want from your cruise, and you’ll be able to reward yourself with the perfect holiday. It couldn’t be easier!

The MSC Splendida at sea — MSC Splendida - **MSC Cruises**

How to Choose a Cruise Line: Things to Consider

People relaxing in a hot tub aboard a costa ship

Cruise lines create their fleets and build their brand based on the things that their passengers want. Some have lots of activities on offer to keep little ones entertained, while others focus more on fine dining and luxury experiences onboard. Depending on what type of passenger you are, some cruise lines are likely to be better suited to you than others.

To whittle down the list of incredible cruise lines and find the one that’s right for you, here’s our list of everything you need to consider…

Cruise Size/Capacity

When you picture your perfect cruise holiday, how big do you envisage the ship to be? Do you want more of an intimate experience where you’re likely to run into the same people throughout your sailing? Or would you prefer a larger ship with a bigger capacity? There are pros and cons to both, and your preference can depend on lots of different factors. Just remember that the bigger the cruise ship, the more activities, restaurants, bars and entertainment options there will be too.

Meanwhile, smaller cruise ships tend to have fewer onboard options, so you’ll need to make sure you’re happy with what’s available. With that being said, a lower cruise capacity also means that the staff-to-passenger ratio is much smaller, and you’ll benefit from a more personalised onboard service as a result.

Destination Itinerary

Some cruise lines tend to stick to the same region across all their itineraries, while others offer a wider selection of destinations. If you have a must-see destination in mind for your cruise, it’s important to check which cruise lines can take you there as a priority before you think about anything else. But for passengers who aren’t fussy about which ports they stop off at during their cruise holiday, this will probably be the final consideration to make when deciding which line to go with. You’ll also need to decide how many destinations you’re looking to tick off your bucket list in one go and the length of time you’d like to stay in each place.

Duration

A month-long sailing or a quick mini-break? Your ideal cruise duration can impact the choice of cruise lines available.

Of course, the destinations on your wish list can impact the length of a cruise. For instance, a Caribbean cruise sailing to and from Southampton means more time at sea since you’ll be crossing the Atlantic. So if you’d prefer to keep your holiday short but sweet, a destination closer to home or a fly cruise might be your best option, in which case you’ll need to find out which cruise lines offer these cruise types. Many cruise lines specialise in either longer or shorter cruises, although a select few offer all kinds of duration options for their cruises.

Your Budget

Cruise holidays offer a wide range of options to fit any budget. If you’re looking for an affordable option, you can choose from a variety of budget-friendly cruise lines that offer great value for money. But if you’re looking to splash out and indulge in a cruise packed with luxurious amenities and services, there are plenty of high-end cruise lines available offering premium experiences. Work out how much you’re willing to spend and use this as a starting point. You can then find out which cruise lines fit within your budget to begin your search.

Who You’re Travelling With

The people you’re travelling with can influence the choice of cruise line. If it’s a honeymoon getaway you’re after, you might prefer a cruise line with more luxurious amenities and activities you can do as a couple. Meanwhile, those looking to book a fun-filled family holiday might want a cruise line oozing with choices that suit passengers of all ages. It’s also important to note that some cruise lines and ships are adult-only, which means that if you’re planning on cruising with young children, your options are slightly more limited.

What You Want from the Cruise

Do you want a relaxing break? Or exciting onboard daytime activities and nightlife? Or would you like the option of both? The cruise line you choose to sail with can completely change the vibe of the holiday and the type of cruise experience you get, so it’s worth establishing a good idea of what you and the rest of the party you’re travelling with will want. Think about how you want to spend your time and the pace you want to take it at.

Top Tips for Choosing a Cruise Line

Once you’ve combed through your top cruise considerations, it’s time to pick a cruise line or two that match up with your pictured holiday.

To do this, follow our top tips below…

A Boat sailing through the crystal clear waters around Dubrovnik

Research online

The more you know about the cruise lines, the easier it’ll be to make a decision. Try searching for keywords like ‘family cruises’ or ‘Mediterranean cruises’ to find exactly what you’re looking for and see which cruise lines appear most often. The chances are that through this process, you’ll find a few cruise lines that stand out and seem to align with your holiday vision.

A Woman leaning on a railing looking out over the ocean

Speak with a cruise travel agent

Once you know what you want from your cruise, it should be easy to explain this to a cruise travel agent who can carefully select your perfect holiday with the cruise line that works for you.

Read reviews & message boards

What better way to learn about cruise lines than through the personal experiences of other passengers? Check reviews and message boards or speak to others who’ve recently enjoyed a cruise holiday to find out what they thought about the cruise line they chose to sail with. This is the best way to get honest opinions and find out the good and bad.

A Couple in a pool looking out over the ocean

Watch videos

Need to see things for yourself before choosing? Try taking a virtual tour of a few ships on different lines or watch videos created by passengers. This can help you understand ship layouts, accommodation options, amenities and more. Plus, you can use it to imagine what it would be like to sail with different cruise lines.

See for Yourself: Compare our Cruise Lines

From MSC Cruises to Virgin Voyages, Costa Cruises to Royal Caribbean and many more, Cruise Nation offers plenty of choice when it comes to cruise lines.

Ready to take a look at which cruise lines are available to book with us? Follow the links below to discover more about each one…

MSC Cruises

MSC's itineraries include over 300 ports of call in over 80 countries, giving you the luxury of choice. Plus, MSC Cruises offers a commitment to sustainability which is perfect for holidaymakers looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Choosing the Right Cruise Line for You

Find Your Perfect Cruise Line

How to Choose a Cruise Line: Things to Consider