MAKE WAVES
Sun’s Lisa Minot reveals 10 cruises for every sailor – from family friendly and couples to first-timers and no-flyers
With the biggest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean has a dizzying array of delights
WHEN it comes to cruising, THERE’S no such thing as one sailaway suits all.
New ships are arriving month by month, so life at sea is now an option for all ages, interests and pockets.
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With Cruise Week kicking off on Monday with a host of special savings, Lisa Minot rounds up the best options for every kind of traveller.
FAMILIES
WITH the biggest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean has a dizzying array of delights.
Their latest, largest liner, Icon Of The Seas, features stellar kids’ clubs as well as the largest water park at sea, with six waterslides.
There’s an entire neighbourhood for younger kids too, with a splash playground and carousel as well as an escape room and laser tag.
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Its sister ship, Star Of The Seas, launches in August 2025.
Also next year, Independence Of The Seas will be sailing out of Southampton with waterslides on deck, tons of family entertainment and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.
A short first cruise is the ideal way to discover the fun to be had.
GO: Two nights’ full-board on Independence Of The Seas is from £399pp, departing Southampton June 7 and calling at Zeebrugge for Bruges.
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COUPLES
P&O offers a sophisticated action-packed cruise experience with a special focus on fine dining, and some top-draw entertainment thrown in.
As music director of the 710 Club, Take That legend Gary Barlow has curated the live music on P&O’s flagship new liners Iona and Arvia in a showcase of up-and-coming musicians.
Plus Gary will perform on select cruise dates too.
For those who prefer to sail without little ones, P&O Cruises’ Arcadia and Aurora ships are adults-only.
Stand-out dining experiences on the ships include The Glass House, with tapas from Spanish chef Jose Pizarro and wines specially selected by TV wine expert Olly Smith.
GO: A 12-night cruise to Norway on Aurora is from £1,099, departing Southampton on October 17, calling at Andalsnes, Romsdalsfjord, Tromso, Alta and Haugesund.
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NO FLY
AMBASSADOR Cruise Line promises affordable, no-fly sailings from eight different departure ports across the UK.
Ships Ambition and Ambience, depart from more regional ports than any other cruise line.
Sailings from three to 40 nights are on offer from London Tilbury, Bristol, Liverpool, Falmouth, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Dundee and Belfast.
This is traditional sailing with a focus on good food and entertainment onboard, with smaller ships and the chance to dock at some exciting ports.
GO: A five-night, full-board Festive Getaway on Ambience, departing London Tilbury on December 15, is from £474pp – that’s less than £95 per night, in Ambassador’s end of summer sale.
There’s stops at Rotterdam, Honfleur and Amsterdam to enjoy the Christmas markets.
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AFFORDABLE LUXURY
CELEBRITY Cruises’ latest Edge class is the perfect upgrade for your cruise experience.
The five ships in the class all feature the unique Magic Carpet – the world’s first cantilevered floating platform that transforms as it travels up and down the side of the ship.
By day it’s a lounge, bar or even a way to step aboard tenders to go ashore. By night, it’s an atmospheric restaurant.
The Sunset Bar has a beach-club ambience and the Celebrity Ascent’s Rooftop Garden is a must with live music and al fresco dining.
GO: A ten-night Greece, Italy and Croatia cruise is from £1,524pp full board.
Departing Rome on May 16, 2025, the ship calls at Katakolon and Corfu in Greece, Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Bar, in Montenegro and Sicily and Naples in Italy.
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VALUE MED
MARELLA Cruises, part of the tour operating giant TUI, are the go-to for cruisers who don’t want bills rising as soon as they get onboard.
Its all-inclusive concept, aimed squarely at the British market includes food and drink, as well as tips and flights from 21 UK airports.
The newly renovated Marella Voyager is the largest ship in the fleet and features 27 bars and restaurants, an indoor cinema, pool deck and the largest number of balconies on its ships.
Evening fun includes a secret speakeasy, a club, casino, lounge and traditional British pub.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive on the Treasures of the Mediterranean cruise is from £1,324pp including flights and transfers.
Departing Palma on May 3, the ship calls at Olbia, Sardinia; Naples for Pompeii; Civitavecchia for Rome; Corsica and Palamos, Spain.
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ADULTS ONLY
THERE is lots to celebrate as Virgin Voyages prepares to welcome a fourth vessel to its Lady Ships fleet in 2025.
Launched four years ago, it offers sophisticated, relaxed cruising for grown-ups, with ALL dining included in the base fare and a host of speciality restaurants.
Balcony cabins feature a hammock and the main pool has a beach club vibe.
By night, you set the party pace, with intimate bars and a kicking nightclub plus a casino and quirky show venue.
From next April, you’ll even be able to get married on board a Virgin cruise ship.
GO: A six-night, full-board Western Caribbean Charm cruise on Scarlet Lady, departing Miami on February 2, 2025, is from £1,378pp including wifi and tips.
Calls at The Beach Club at Bimini, Roatan and Costa Maya.
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DINING
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line were the first to revolutionise formal onboard dining with its Freestyle concept.
There’s complimentary food whenever it takes your fancy in the main dining rooms, casual buffets and 24-hour eatery.
Plus there are a host of speciality restaurants at extra cost – from Texas barbecue to Japanese, Mexican, Italian and Seafood options.
Children also eat free from a kids’ menu in all speciality restaurants.
GO: A 14-night full-board Europe cruise onboard Norwegian Breakaway is from £951pp, departing Southampton on March 14.
Calls at Zeebrugge for Bruges; Le Havre, La Rochelle, and Le Verdon, France; Bilbao, La Coruna, Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Seville, Motril, Ibiza, Palma and Barcelona in Spain.
See or call 0333 2412319.
ENTERTAINMENT
Princess Cruises’ huge range of entertainment options has been taken to the next level.
The all-new Sun Princess features an arena with Broadway-style productions, a glass dome that becomes a three-tiered venue for its Cirque Elouzie evening performances, and the central piazza, which is surrounded by bars and restaurants.
For even more night-time fun, there’s the speakeasy-style Spellbound by Magic Castle, a captivating blend of cocktail mixology and magicians.
By day and night there are interactive quizzes, shows and movies on the deck-side big screen.
GO: Seven nights’ full-board on Sun Princess on the Mediterranean with Italy itinerary is from £877pp, departing Barcelona on April 5, 2025.
Calls at Gibraltar, Marseille, Genoa, La Spezia for Florence/Pisa and Civitavecchia for Rome.
See or call 0344 338 8663.
CARIBBEAN
Carnival Cruise Line is known for its great value, relaxed Caribbean cruises, sailing out of Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida.
The Mardi Gras showcases how the ships make the most of the constant sunshine with parties by the main pool and chilled-out adults-only Serenity Retreat with its cabana beds.
There’s Bolt – the first roller coaster at sea – plus stage shows, comedy nights, karaoke and live music galore.
The plentiful food – including deck barbecues and burgers from US TV chef Guy Fieri – will astonish for the price.
GO: A seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Mardi Gras is from £509pp including full board, departing Port Canaveral on January 25, 2025, and calling at Grand Turk, Amber Cove and Nassau.
Flights are extra.
See or call 0808 234 0680.
FAMILY FIRST-TIMERS
MSC CRUISES offers great-value trips with a huge amount of fun activities for all ages – the perfect starting point for families looking to set sail for the first time.
MSC Virtuosa is big – with enough room for 6,000 passengers – and kids will adore the activities including the Lego-themed kids’ club, water park and ropes course.
Grown-ups do not miss out either, and will enjoy the spa and the array of shops, restaurants and bars on board that line the Galleria Virtuosa with its 80m-long LED ceiling.
GO: Seven nights’ full-board on MSC Virtuosa is from £699pp including meals, theatre shows, kids’ clubs and gratuities.
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The ship sails from Southampton on May 31, 2025 for La Rochelle, France; Bilbao and La Coruna in Spain and Cherbourg in France.
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DON’T MYTH OUT ON SHIP REVOLUTION
GONE are the days when cruising was just for the “newlyweds and nearly dead”.
A revolution in ship building and the huge expansion of the number and size of liners has transformed the industry.
Intense competition and ever-bigger cruise ships now offer a dizzying array of options but there are still some misconceptions about a holiday at sea.
Here we look at six common cruise myths – and reveal the reality.
IT’S JUST FOR OLDIES: Very much not!
There is a huge choice of cruise companies out there aimed at every age group and interest.
Families will love the clubs and attractions onboard P&O, Royal Caribbean and MSC.
Older couples may find they prefer Holland America or Saga.
And the young at heart of all ages will adore the quirky Virgin Voyages.
IT COSTS A LOT: Larger, newer ships mean greater competition, which drives prices down.
Your food is included and most have all-inclusive packages for an extra fee covering drinks, wifi and tips.
When you tot up the price you would pay for all the other offerings onboard it makes even more sense.
From West End-style theatre shows, live entertainment and cinemas to waterparks, ten pin bowling and even go-karting – a lot is included in the price.
YOU DON’T GET ENOUGH TIME TO EXPLORE PORTS: The joy of cruising is waking up in a different destination.
The trick is to focus on one great activity or must-see destination – so book an excursion via your cruise line or research before you go.
But there are also plenty of cruise lines that build overnight stays into their itineraries – from Virgin Voyages in Ibiza to P&O in the Canary Islands and Celebrity Cruises in the Caribbean.
I’LL HAVE TO WEAR A BLACK TIE: Some cruise lines have a formal night but there’s definitely no obligation to get dressed up.
Many enjoy the chance to dress up, but these days, a smart shirt or cocktail dress is more than acceptable and there will always be the option of at least one or two casual venues on formal nights.
I’LL GET SEASICK: On today’s modern superliners you would hardly know you were at sea, particularly in the calm waters of the Caribbean or Mediterranean.
Stabilisers reduce rocking but if you are susceptible to motion sickness, pick a larger ship and a cabin on a lower deck near the middle.
A window or balcony can also help reduce sickness.
Ask advice before you book so you are not travelling when there might be choppy waters.
The onboard medical team or shop will have plenty of remedies.
YOU CAN’T CRUISE SOLO: Like all other holiday options, if travelling alone, you can sometimes be hit with a “single supplement”, but the cruise industry has been tackling the issue for years and now plenty of ships offer single cabins.
Saga’s Spirit Of Discovery and Adventure both feature single cabins with balconies, and they make up more than 20 per cent of the ships’ sleeping arrangements.
Fred Olsen has more than 200 cabins fleetwide, as well as solo supplement promotions and hosted events onboard.
Norwegian Cruise Lines and P&O have launched single suites on the flagships Iona and Arvia.
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