A Breakdown of the Top Cruise Lines

At any one time there are over 300 cruises at sea and each is different in there own way, with there being more than 50 separate cruise lines across the world they all have their own USP’s, designs and price points.  This can make it overwhelming to choose a cruise line to sail with, so this post will breakdown my personal top 5 choices…

Royal Caribbean Cruises are perfect for everyone and the absolute favourite cruise line of mine.  They suit families, couples, Seniors and solo travellers with their vast range of entertainment, spa facilities, kids clubs and activities to ensure you are never bored on your stay.  However due to this, these cruises are known to be very busy, lots of people walking around all doing different things can sometimes be less relaxing for some, therefore if you prefer a quieter holiday with less people, Royal Caribbean may not be the cruise line for you.  However, if you like a fun filled holiday then look no further… the entertainment on these ships is among the best and includes Broadway shows, water performances and pool side entertainment all day and evenings, which includes games, dances and pool side films on show.  There are endless choices for restaurants, from fast food inspired diners to luxurious dining.  The staterooms are known to be on the smaller side but the suites are some of the most lavish at sea.  Due to the range of ships, locations, staterooms and suites, the price of an all inclusive ticket can vary massively and suit almost all.

Celebrity Cruises are a stylish and comfortable cruise line that are great for families that want a luxurious holiday but without the luxurious price tag.  There are plenty of activities on board for the children with one of the best spas on board a ship with heated sunbeds, saunas and treatments.  Accommodation on board is pretty ordinary as far as staterooms go but if you’re willing to pay a bit extra, there are some stunning suites on offer.  Specialty restaurants fill Celebrity cruises and can be used at any time throughout the evenings to suit your schedules, however the only downfall on this cruise line is the lack of entertainment compared to other modern ships.  Although the entertainment may be on offer, the standard is not quite as high as others however it’s till very good and has great reviews. So overall, this is another great cruise line.

MSC Cruise line is possibly the best for kids and families as it’snot only full of onboard entertainment and kids activities, it also is free for 3-11 year olds all year round and free for 12-17 year ols in low season.  MSC is one of the only cruise lines to offer this which is very appealing to families looking to cruise for less.  All MSC ships are ‘typical American cruises’ with the usual activities/entertainment and food.  One talked about negative is the language barriers on most MSC ships, because of this the announcements are all repeated in 4 different languages which can get old pretty quickly, and a lot of the staff may not be able to communicate with some international guests.  Finally the rooms, they are on the smaller side but very modern and elegant to still give off the luxury feel.

Virgin Voyages is known for having such unique and beautifully designed ships that are filled with luxury.  This of course does mean they are on the more expensive side of cruising but that brings luxurious suites, spacious staterooms and a large range of dining across all cultures and themes.  Virgin ships are also highly reviewed on how well their service is, with friendly and helpful staff the whole experience on a ship can be transformed into an even more wonderful place.  They are also known for unique performances and entertainment throughout the entire day and night, for everyone from children to seniors!

For more of a laid back atmosphere, Norwegian Cruise line is the perfect choice and suite solo travellers and seniors alike.  The cabins aren’t quite as spacious as other cruise lines but there are a variety of lovely suite options as well as solo traveller cabins on offer too.  There are plenty of dining options to allow you to eat wherever whenever without a set reservation time.  As well as that there are lots of upscale entertainment options throughout the evenings such as shows and musical performances to keep your evenings full after a relaxing day.  The cost of these ships varies massively dependant on the room and location you chose so can suit most budgets.

Although there are so many more cruise lines to choose from, some better, some worse, your choice will all depend on what you are looking for and what the ships have to offer.  Above I have just listed the top 5 in terms of luxury cost and Entertainment but to research further, visit their websites and dive into booking your cruise!