If you’ve never cruised before, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to choosing a cruise. With over 300 cruise ships in the ocean, how can you be sure to pick a good one?
To give you a starting point, we’ve picked out a selection of cruise ships which are great all-rounders and perfect for first-time cruisers. These ships have something for everyone to enjoy with amazing dining options, top class service and fun facilities which are great for couples, families, groups and solo cruisers alike.
1. Norwegian Spirit
Accommodating around 2,000 passengers, mid-size ship Norwegian Spirit is small enough that you won’t get lost, whilst still having plenty to enjoy on board. Kids will love the pirate themed pool at the back of the ship, whilst adults can relax on loungers on the amphitheatre-style decks, supervising their children and admiring stunning sea views at the same time.
Each ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet has freestyle dining, so you never have to worry about being ready for dinner at a certain time. There are loads of different dining venues to try, and screens which show what time each restaurant is likely to get busy so you can easily decide where to go to eat, and whether to have a glass of wine in the bar before you do.
2. Anthem of the Seas
If you fancy something bigger, bolder and more action packed, then you can’t go wrong with Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. This huge ship has so much to do that you’re guaranteed to never be bored on-board. In fact, with bumper cars, ice skating and a 300-foot-high observation podto name but a few of the on-board activities, you’re unlikely to find time to experience everything in a week.
There are lots of places to escape from the hustle and bustle too – the adults only solarium is simply blissful. In fact, there are loads of cool venues on this ship to enjoy without children. Whilst they’re having the most fun ever in the world class kids’ clubs, parents can enjoy a show in the theatre or sample cocktails in one of the many bars.
Anthem of the Seas will sail out of Southampton in 2020 – providing UK cruisers with a really easy way to join their cruise.
3. Iona
Iona is a brand-new cruise ship from British cruise line P&O Cruises. It’s expected to be unlike any other ship in existence, aimed at people who have never cruised before, or who usually take land-based holidays. In a bold move, the cruise line has moved away from their usual style, offering a refreshingly different experience.
Instead of set dining times, cruisers on Iona can dine whenever and wherever they like. Expect street food-style food outlets offering cuisine from across the globe. At the heart of the ship will be a Sky Dome, which provides a weather proof place to relax by the pool in the day and enjoy spectacular shows at night.
Iona will spend the first six months after her launch in May 2020 sailing on round trips to Norway from Southampton. If you’ve always wanted to visit the Norwegian Fjords, a cruise is certainly the best way to do this. Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world and your kroner doesn’t go far. But because so much is included in a cruise, experiencing the Fjords from the water can be the cheapest, as well as most scenic, way to do this.
4. Royal Princess
First-time cruisers can’t go wrong with a cruise on Royal Princess. Fit for a queen, Princess Cruises is a cruise line famed for world class service and delicious cuisine. Royal Princess epitomises this perfectly. Although it’s a large ship with accommodation for around 3,600 passengers, the staff on board simply can’t do enough to help.
Enjoy slices of the best pizza at sea washed down with freshly squeezed lemonade, all included in your cruise fare. In the evenings, there’s no better place to relax than the top deck where couples and families like to snuggle up under blankets and watch movies under the stars.
Whether you’d like to cruise from the UK or enjoy a fly-cruise to an exotic location, you can’t go wrong with any of these ships which are all ideal for first-time cruisers. When it comes to choosing your first cruise, it pays to do your research and choose a ship like these which is loved by couples, families and solo travellers alike.
This article was provided by Cruise118, an award-winning UK-based specialist cruise travel agent.
Comments are closed.