Want to know the basics about companies offering cruises from the UK? Here we give you an A to Z of cruise companies:
Fred Olsen Cruises
Suitable for: Older travellers who enjoy small, traditional ships with a “Britain at Sea” feel
Average passenger capacity: 712
Cruises: from Dover and Southampton worldwide
Crew : Passenger Ratio: 1 : 1.8 - 2.7
Facilities: wraparound promenade, swimming pool(s) spa and gym.
Unusual features: Comfortable good quality décor and furnishings
Dining options: Open seating by day, allocation at night. Ships also have buffet café and poolside grills.
Extras included: Port taxes on UK sailings, coach links to Dover/Southampton on some sailings.
Tip expected: £4 per passenger per cruising day
Entertainment: Cabaret acts and small-scale shows in the ship’s main lounges, some sailings are themed.
Website: www.fredolsencruises.com
P & O Cruises
Suitable for: Families, older couples who enjoy resort style facilities, people who want to sail from the UK.
Average passenger capacity: 2,123
Cruises: Worldwide, including fly-cruises
Crew : Passenger Ratio:1 : 2.2 - 2.5
Facilities: Wraparound promenades and plenty of outdoor space, including play areas for children. Swimming pools, whirlpools and golf simulators. Elegant spas and well equipped gyms.
Unusual features: Excellent tot to teens children’s clubs, with night nurseries for under fives and slumber parties for those aged six to nine.
Dining options: Main dining rooms are huge but well designed to create intimate areas, open seating at breakfast and lunch but two sittings with allocated places at dinner. Poolside grills, bistro/pizzerias.
Extras included: Children’s Clubs
Tip expected: £3.50 to £4.00 per passenger per cruising day.
Entertainment: ranges from plays and musicals to classical concerts and cabaret, themed cruises with demonstrations from celebrity chefs and lectures from experts on football, comedy and antiques.
Website : www.pocruises.co.uk
Princess Cruises
Suitable for: A wide selection of passengers who are comfortable in an American-oriented environment.
Average passenger capacity: 2,015
Cruises: Worldwide
Crew : Passenger Ratio: 1 : 1.8-2.8
Facilities: All have pools and whirlpools, well equipped gyms and spas.
Unusual features: Wedding chapels so you can tie the knot at sea.
Dining options: All ships have at lease one alternative to the main dining-room and casual buffet areas, some ships are open 24 hours a day.
Extras included: Port and Government departure taxes
Tip Expected: Yes, around £6 per passenger per cruising day
Entertainment: Depending on the ship, ranges from big productions to cabaret acts and live music.
Website: www.princesscruises.co.uk
Radisson Seven Seas
Suitable for: Sophisticated travellers enjoying fine food and elegant surroundings
Average passenger capacity: 678
Cruises: Worldwide
Crew : Passenger Ratio: 1 : 1.65
Facilities: Swimming pools, gym spa, jogging track and golf simulators
Unusual features: All accommodation is in suites. Cordon bleu restaurant, chefs host regular culinary cruises with workshops and trips to markets ashore.
Dining options: Open seating in main dining room, buffets and room service.
Extras included: Onboard tips, wine with lunch and dinner, fully-stocked minibars.
Tip expected: No
Entertainment: Shows and cabaret in the main lounges dancing to live music. All ships have a good library.
Website: www.rssc.co.uk
Saga Cruises
Suitable for: Over 50’s who enjoy tradition ships, a predominatly british enviroment.
Average passenger capacity: 620
Cruises: Worldwide, including fly-cruises.
Crew : Passenger Ratio: 1 : 1.6
Facilities: Wraparound promenade, swimming pools, gym and spa.
Unusual Features: Looks like a classic liner with good quality fittings, high ceilings and tasteful décor.
Dining Options: One seating dining room, tables are assigned
Extras Included: Port taxes insurance and tips
Tip Expected: No
Entertainment: Dances and social gatherings, shows and cabaret acts in the ballroom.
Website: www.saga.co.uk (then click on 'holidays', then 'ocean cruising')
Silversea Cruises
Suitable for: Well- heeled travellers wanting gourmet food, luxury and exclusivity.
Average passenger capacity: 357
Cruises in: Worldwide
Crew : Passenger Ratio: 1 : 1.3-1.5
Facilities: Swimming Pool, whirlpools, gym and spa.
Dining options: Main dining-room is open seating, café serving casual breakfast and lunches and a themed dinner. Fast food at a poolside grill plus room service.
Extras Included: All drinks, tips and port taxes. One free shore excursion on some sailings.
Tip Expected: No
Entertainment: Cabaret acts and classical concerts in the show lounge, live bands and singers perform in the bar and panorama lounges.
Website: www.silversea-uk.com
Swan Hellenic
Suitable for: Well educated, energetic older travellers with an interest in the world about them.
Average passenger capacity: 838
Cruises in: Mediterranean, Baltic, North and South America, Indian Ocean, Far East
Crew : Passenger Ratio: 1 : 2.2
Facilities: Swimming pool, thalasso-therapy pool, jogging track, golfing nets and shuffleboard court, gym and spa.
Unusual features: Regency styled library. Cultural cruises with shore excursions led by expert guides.
Dining options: Elegant open-seating dining room, plus Mediterranean / Italian restaurant, steaks and chops from the grill, buffet meals and an outdoor bar and grill for casual snacks.
Extras Included: Onboard tips, shore excursions
Tip expected: No
Entertainment: In depth lectures on archaeology, zoology and other subjects. Evening concerts opera and theatrical performances.
Website: www.swanhellenic.com
Windstar Cruises
Suitable For: Young(ish) sporty and adventurous types who enjoy the romance of a sail-assisted ship visiting off beat ports.
Average passenger capacity: 214
Cruises in: Mediterranean, Baltic, Caribbean, South Pacific
Crew : Passenger Ratio: 1 : 1.8
Facilities: Computer-operated sails, small pools, passengers can sindsurf, jetboat, sail water ski and on some ships snorkel and swim. Gym and Spa.
Unusual features: Every Cabin has a video and CD player, good stock of films and CD’s in ships library.
Dining options: High quality nouvelle cuisine in either open seating restaurant or smaller reservations only bistro. Veranda cafes for buffet breakfast and lunch, also barbecue grills.
Extras included: Onboard tips
Tip expected: No
Entertainment: The aim is to provide a relaxing, peaceful enviroment. Main lounges have small dance floors, decent bands and casino.
Website: www.windstarcruises.com
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