There are over 300 cruise ships on the water with more being built every year. If you’re looking for a cruise for the first time, it’s natural to not have a clue where to start!
Cruise ships are vastly different too, so you can’t just pick one and hope for the best. Well you could, but it certainly wouldn’t be recommended! Do you want a ship packed with water slides and kids’ splash areas? Do you want to try rock climbing, ziplining and surfing without leaving the ship? Or do you prefer to relax with a book by the adults only pool?
If you’re keen to find a cruise which ticks all your boxes, but don’t know where to start, take a look at this list of great ships for first-time cruisers.
1. Anthem of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas is a great all-rounder from one of the world’s most popular cruise lines – Royal Caribbean. One thing’s for sure with a ship like this – you’ll never be bored! Activities include a skydiving simulator, bumper cars and an observation pod which rises 300 feet above sea level. This ship sails from the UK in summer 2020 so it’s really convenient to join your cruise in Southampton. Plus, with an indoor pool, you’re covered, whatever the weather.
Cruisers rave about the food on Royal Caribbean’s ships, and the drinks are amazing too. Make your cruise all-inclusive with a drinks package and work your way down the cocktail list. With a myriad of bars and nightclubs on board and amazing activities for the whole family to enjoy, you can’t go wrong with an exciting ship like this one.
2. Iona
Brand new cruise ship Iona hasn’t even been built yet and people are queuing up to book their place on board. This P&O Cruises ship is expected to offer a refreshingly different experience from normal cruise ships – doing away with concepts like set dining times and instead offering street food style outlets offering cuisine from around the world. This ship will also sail from the UK after launch in May 2020, spending the first six months doing round trips to the Norwegian Fjords.
If you’ve never considered visiting Norway – now’s a great time to think about it. The country is notoriously expensive, so a cruise offers the best value for money, as all your accommodation and meals are included on board.
3. Queen Mary 2
Traditional cruise line Cunard has been offering cruises since 1838 and even today their ships retain a traditional elegance. If you’d like to experience the type of cruising your grandparents would have loved, savouring grand feasts served by white-gloved waiters before waltzing the night away in the ballroom, then a Cunard cruise will give you your ideal first glimpse into the world of cruising.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 would make a great choice for your first cruise. Enjoying a mini cruise of 2, 3, 4 or 5 nights from Southampton is the perfect way to dip your toe in the water, so to speak.
4. Royal Princess
Royal Princess is a ship which you can’t not like. Discerning cruisers will love the Champagne bar, adults only pool and luxurious accommodation. Meanwhile, children can have the time of their lives in the on board kids’ clubs which offer activities like treasure hunts round the ship and games console tournaments. Seasoned cruisers rave about the service aboard Princess Cruises, and the food is certainly worth writing home about too. The freshly squeezed lemonade and pizza slices by the pool are to die for!
Whether you’re planning your first cruise as a couple, with children, as a large group or solo, you can’t go wrong with any of these four fabulous cruise ships. Each is unique, but all offer something for everyone and great value for money with so much to enjoy on board.
This article was provided by Cruise118, an award-winning UK-based specialist cruise travel agent.
