How do you want to dress for dinner?
Some lines maintain an upscale level of service throughout whilst others emphasise their laid-back atmosphere. Most cruises will have one or two formal nights per week – some male passengers may wear black tie, others a suit, some jacket and tie. Even on luxury liners, true formal events may only extend to a couple of evenings of the voyage. Norwegian Cruise Line is relaxed smart casual, with more formal dining options available. Ocean Village has few dress rules.
When do you want to eat and with whom?
Traditionally, passengers were assigned fixed dining tables at fixed time – now most cruise lines have alternative restaurants (sometimes at extra charge) with more flexibility. Princess Cruises have main dining rooms offering either traditional fixed dining or Anytime Dining where you can eat when and with whom you wish. NCL offers Freestyle Cruising, with a huge number of restaurants and no fixed tables or sittings. On Ocean Village informality extends to self-service dining throughout.
Who do you wish to share your cruise with?
Some cruise lines such as Celebrity, Fred Olsen and Holland America have an older clientele than others. Young families may seek a cruise with childrens’ clubs and entertainment – certain P&O ships, NCL, Ocean Village, Royal Caribbean, Costa, or MSC where children travel free. A growing trend is more action on-board, such as Royal Caribbean with its climbing walls and ice rinks. Carnival – the ‘fun ships’ - cater for younger people enjoying the party atmosphere. Some ships such as P&O Arcadia and Artemis are ‘child-free’. When and where you go may affect the passenger style – for example, UK cruises will differ in and out of school terms.
What do you want to do when in port?
Some like the extra space when in port to make full use of the ships’ facilities. Most will go ashore to investigate the new surroundings on an excursion or go it alone. Excursions may be largely coach-based, good for those with walking difficulties, others a mixture of coach and walking at a destination. For the more active there may be water sports activities, or mountain bike rides as on Ocean Village.
How big a ship?
Even on the biggest ships it is usually possible to find your own quiet corner. But some ships, such as the massive Royal Caribbean 135,000 ton monsters, are a ‘resort’ in themselves, with everything you need on board, including a shopping mall through the centre of the ship. The more traditional 2000-passenger ships offer a more relaxed mixture, whilst smaller ships with perhaps 600 passengers will have fewer facilities but a more intimate feel.
How luxurious a cabin?
The cheapest cabins will be on the inside of the ship, with no view but at a lower price. Outside cabins may have a balcony from which to sit and enjoy the view. Suites provide more space, usually with a separate seating area. On some ships large suites may span two decks, often with personal butler service.
What entertainment do you like?
Whilst in some ships evening entertainment may be no more than a gentle musical background, the traditional cruise ship offers a Broadway style musical extravaganza with a large cast in a theatre setting such as Carnival. The more ‘laid-back’ ships may offer more alternative entertainment with ‘tribute’ bands or even more ‘pub-style’ informal comedy or variety acts.
What about your fellow passengers?
Some cruise lines attract passengers from more limited nationalities – Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Holland America are likely to have a high proportion of Americans. UK lines such as P&O or Ocean Village will have mostly British passengers whilst Costa and MSC will have a more European multi-language culture.
Do you want to fly to your cruise?
Increasing numbers of ports are being used as cruise start and end points. In the UK there are Dover and Southampton - the base for P&O, with some cruises, such as Fred Olsen, starting in Liverpool or other ports. There are over 20 cruise start points in the USA. Many fly-cruises exist – these include air travel organised by the cruise operator although ‘cruise-only’ options may be available. Additional tours or stays may be possible before or after the cruise. |
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