Cruises have never been more cool — we’ve rounded up the best luxury ships from around the world for 2018
CRUISING is cool in 2018, as travellers cotton on to the fact they can get a great holiday for a fair price AND experience loads of incredible destinations without constantly packing and unpacking a suitcase.
In fact, all the main cruise lines are building ships to keep up with demand.
Here, LISA MINOT chooses the best cruises for the year ahead.
Symphony of the seas
THIS will be the world’s biggest cruise ship when it launches this spring.
Carrying more than 5,500 passengers, it is divided into seven neighbourhoods.
And as with all Royal Caribbean’s new liners, there is a host of innovations including a ten-storey slide and ice-skating rink.
Cruise 118 has a great package for the Western Med seven-night sailings, including direct flights from the UK, from £1,299pp.
Check out or call 0808 250 3505.
MSC Seaview
WITH its signature beach-condo styling, the aim is to bring guests closer to the sea .
There is more outdoor eating and drinking space as well as more balcony cabins and a 360-degree promenade that runs round the entire ship. Seaview will spend its inaugural season in the Med.
Cruise1st has a seven-night Western Med cruise in a balcony cabin, including all-inclusive bar and restaurant package and flights from £1,599pp.
See .
Norwegian Bliss
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line’s latest stunner has been designed for its new home – Alaska.
Custom-built for the spectacular scenery, it features an Observation Lounge to soak up every bit of it as well as a top-deck race track, waterslides that extend over the side of the ship and there’s a Texas smokehouse BBQ.
Cruise1st has a ten-night Alaskan cruise from £1,899pp.The price includes flights and hotel stays. To book, go to or call 0800 953 4963.
Carnival Horizon
CRAFT beers brewed on board, a Dr Seuss waterpark and the signature Skyride are just some of the things to look forward to on Carnival Horizon.
The ship sets sail this spring and will also include an IMAX cinema.
After launching in Europe, the ship sets sail on Med cruises from Barcelona before heading across the Atlantic to New York.
A ten-night cruise with Cruise 118, including flights, is from £629pp. Book at or call 0808 250 3505.
Marella Explorer
THIS spring Marella Cruises – formerly Thomson Cruises – welcomes its biggest ship yet, the Marella Explorer.It features the first Champneys spa at sea and is sailing the Med for its maiden season.
A seven-night Cosmopolitan Classics cruise departing from Palma, Majorca, is from £1,221pp all-inclusive, with return flights from the UK.
Ports include Palermo, Naples, Livorno, Villefranche and Palamos. See or call 0871 230 2800.
Fred Olsen Brabant
FRED Olsen is launching its first-ever river cruise boat this year, the 156-guest Brabant, and has a host of offers to celebrate including free flights from London or free dining drinks upgrade.
The Brabant will sail European waterways and deals include a five-night Springtime Dutch Discovery fly-cruise from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf departing April 5 from £749pp cruise only or £999 with flights.
To book, see or call 0800 0355 242.
Wave goodbye to five top myths
NEVER been cruising before? Don’t let your preconceptions stop you considering a holiday at sea.
We asked the experts at Cruise 118 to expose the top myths.
- It’s too expensive. Off-season cruises to the Caribbean, Mediterranean and North America often have greatly reduced fares. Look out for all-inclusive deals, perhaps with an on-board spend incentive – and swerve the pricey spa.
- I’ll get seasick. Larger ships are fitted with a stabiliser for a smoother ride. Due to their size, you will soon forget you are even at sea. If you are prone to seasickness, book a cabin towards the middle of the ship, where rocking is less noticeable.
- Cruises are only for older people. Pick the right ship and passenger ages drop fast. Lines such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, P&O and Carnival are heaven for families, with kids’ clubs, water parks, games arcades and sports activities. You might also find rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, dodgems and even skydiving simulators.
- I won’t find anything to eat. Gone are the days when cruising meant a sit-down formal dinner with little choice. These days, even boutique ships have several great places to eat. And all are embracing the pop-up on-deck food revolution.
- I’ll get bored. Not possible. You will probably find you don’t have enough time to take advantage of all the things there are to see and do.
Elbe Princesse II
EUROPEAN river cruise specialist CroisiEurope is launching a second paddlewheel ship on the River Elbe in April.
The Elbe Princesse II will be able to cruise between Berlin and the heart of Prague and host guests in outward-facing cabins with French balconies on the upper-deck.
Cruise only from £1,794pp, including all food and drinks with meals based on April 4 and October 29 sailings.For more details call 020 8328 1281 or visit .
MOST READ IN TRAVEL
Ms Robert Burns
RIVIERA Travel welcomes its latest 5* river cruiser, the MS Robert Burns, to Europe this year.The 169-guest all-suite cruiser has spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows or glass doors.
Enjoy fine food on the main deck or al-fresco in the Bistro. There is also a spa and pool to enjoy.Riviera Travel has a seven-night full-board Rhine cruise to Switzerland from £1,599pp including flights from London to Cologne.
Book at or call 01283 888 577.