Our guide below can help narrow the field of options to find you the perfect cruise just for you, and even more importantly highlight those you should avoid.
Star rating or major operators
3 Star - Avoid
CARNIVAL, MSC, P&O, COSTA
(We can get you on better ships at the same or cheaper prices)
4 Star
ROYAL, HOLLAND, PRINCESS
5 Star
CELEBRITY, CUNARD
5.5 Star
AZAMARA, WINSTAR, AMA-WATERWAYS
6 Star
PAUL GAUGUIN, SEABOURN, SILVERSEA, REGENT, PONANT, VIKING
What's the occasion, why are you cruising?
Romance
$ AZAMARA, AMA-WATERWAYS
$$ PAUL GAUGUIN, WINDSTAR
$$$ SEABOURN, SILVERSEA, REGENT, VIKING
Family holiday with kids
$ ROYAL - young kids, CELEBRITY - Older teenagers
$$ AMA-WATERWAYS
Couple with no kids
$ AZAMARA, CELEBRITY
$$ WINDSTAR, AMA-WATERWAYS, PAUL GAUGUIN
$$$ SEA, SIL, REG
Retiree
$ PRINCESS, HOLLAND, CUNARD, AZAMARA
$$ AMA-WATERWAYS, WINDSTAR, PAUL GAUGUIN
$$$ SILVERSEA, REGENT, SEABOURN, PONANT, VIKING
Young adults
$ CELEBRITY, AZAMARA
$$ WINDSTAR, PAUL GAUGUIN
$$$ SEABOURN
Singles
$ CELEBRITY, CUNARD, AMA-WATERWAYS
$$ WINDSTAR. PAUL GAUGUIN
$$$ SEABOURN
Adventure
$$ WINDSTAR, PAUL GAUGUIN, HURTIGURTEN
$$$ SEABOURN, PONANT, SILVERSEA, VIKING
Experienced and looking for the next level up
$ AZAMARA
$$ WINDSTAR, PAUL GAUGUIN, AMA-WATERWAYS
$$$ SEABOURN, SILVERSEA, REGENT, VIKING
What sort of cabin?
Do you want or really need a window/door that opens?
People often say they must have fresh air but conversely, they are super ok staying in hotels that don't have windows that open. When we cruise if our budget is tight we happily select an ocean-view cabin. For a start, from my own experience, we are hardly ever in your cabin except to sleep and change for meals or excursions. By selecting an ocean view you can save thousands of dollars that can towards other things like flights, hotels, or shore excursions. We have mates who had always wanted a balcony cabin. On a long 18-night voyage they upgraded but at the end of the cruise, they admitted they only ever used the balcony to dry their jocks. The idea of leaving the door open at night seems lovely but in reality, most people don't because of the wind at sea.
Inside cabins
If you love a super dark room to sleep in, these could be an option to consider. Again you are never in your cabin. Although we are very seasoned cruises we have sometimes chosen an inside cabin, even on long 21+ day voyages, and on those cruises, we have enjoyed the best sleep ever. Which makes for a great holiday. Back in the day, we would select a cheap inside cabin at $800 which would mean that we could book 3 or 4 cruises for the price of one balcony. So it is all relative.
We will be doing an in-depth feature on each cruise line, budgets and cabin selection over the coming weeks.
Read the next post in this series. Cruise seasons - The best tome to time to cruise by region
FAB - Step by step guide to find your perfect cruise
FAB Last Minute and Interline Cruises