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Costa Cruises have a distinctive European flavour. Each ship has individual decor and its own style. These well-managed ships offer a wide range of meals, with Italian food a speciality. Entertainment is international, usually with English lyrics. Shipboard activities continue later into the evening, as is normal in the UK and Europe.
Princess Cruises offer a large ship setting with pleasing, sophisticated surroundings, decent entertainment and cuisine at a reasonable price. American standards of service attract many non-American cruise passengers to Princess Cruises great deals. Dining options cater for both traditional and more flexible dining.
The P&O Cruises fleet suits different tastes with mainly British passengers. Arcadia and Oceana are aimed at a younger clientele, Aurora and Oriana emphasise the sophistication of a traditional cruise. the smaller Artemis is more traditional. The superliners Ventura and Azura are designed to entertain the whole family. Arcadia and Artemis are child-free.
Royal Caribbean cruises are popular with active couples and families, with a wide variety of quality entertainment and high energy activity programmes. Their new ships are the largest afloat - complete resorts with shopping malls, ice rinks, climbing walls and a wide choice of eating places.
Celebrity Cruises offer a high quality cruise experience, with great service for those who like a large ship setting with sophisticated surroundings. Celebrity has a range of new Solstice class ships at cruise prices that represent very good value for money.
Cunard is best suited for travellers who enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a world-renowned travel experience. Cruises on board a Cunard vessel maintain that distinctive and distinguished quality of old, but with itineraries and cabin classes available to suit a wider range of budgets.
NCL’s Freestyle Cruising concept attracts many to its flexible dining arrangements. NCL Cruises are aimed at couples and families of all ages, particularly those looking for a less regimented cruise experience with plenty of entertainment and a relaxed approach. Newly launched Norwegian Epic offers large ship variety.
Fred Olsen Cruises are best suited to British couples and single travellers who are looking for a comfortable, value-for-money cruise on a more intimate ship that doesn’t feel like a resort. There are many repeat cruisers who enjoy the very personal nature of the Fred. Olsen cruise experience.
This fast-growing Italian company offers many new ships, and on many cruises children travel free, making for cheap family cruise. An MSC cruise best suits those who enjoy a lively cosmopolitan atmosphere with a distinct European style. Newest ships offer a premium 'Yacht Club' experience.
Holland America Line offers a premium cruise without being pretentious or expensive. Its ships blend grandeur and tasteful décor with modern comforts including spacious cabins and fine dining. They offer more space per guest than other cruise lines and the high crew to passenger ratio ensures attentive service.
Carnival Cruises are best suited to families with children and youthful adults. Carnival’s large resort ships - the ‘Fun Ships’ - promise a lively cruise with entertainment and activities to match. Cruises Online offer some great deals on Carnival cruise holidays including Northern Europe, Mediterranean and from the UK.