These are the Cruise Lines that we feature.
Rating Cruise Lines and Cruise Ships is not easy because ships score differently in different areas. For example, a 6* ship would probably not be the best choice for a family with young children.
What it comes down to is this: what is the right cruise for YOU, your family and your budget.
Accordingly, these 'ratings' are merely our own subjective views, taking into account a whole wealth of factors.
Above all else, we would recommend that you speak to one or more of the cruise agents advertising on CruisePricesCompared.com. They all have the necessary expertise to guide you through your selection process and above all, to help you make the right, informed choice.
The listings below are in alphabetical order and for no other reason.
African Safari Club: 3* - this is different! First off, they have their Indian Ocean Cruises on the M.S. Royal Star. This is an older vessel and very small, they carry a maximum of just 200 passengers. As African Safari Club say:
"M.S. Royal Star is fully stabilised and air-conditioned throughout and is ideal for cruising the islands of the Indian Ocean, as she is able to cruise close to shores and visit intriguing ports often inaccessible to larger ships."
Their other ships do beautiful Nile River Cruises. Incredibly popular and just astonishing value for money. Go and have a look at their spectacular deals!
Destinations: The Indian Ocean, Africa and the River Nile
Azamara Cruises: 5* - One of the criticisms that has been made against cruise lines recently is that their ships are, well, just too big! Well if you like it 5*, a much smaller ship, fantastic food, different ports of call and a much more intimate feel, Azamara Cruises is the one for you. And, there are no children's facilities.
Destinations: Worldwide and, because their ships are small, they visit really different out of the way places, as they can get into the smaller ports. (Recently came up the River Thames and docked at Tower Bridge!)
Carnival Cruise Lines: 4* - And they are fun for both couples and families! Great value 4* product. An excellent choice if you are considering a Mediterranean or Caribbean Cruise.
Destinations: Worldwide but not The Far East and Australasia
Celebrity Cruises: 4* to 5* - Celebrity Cruises is owned by Royal Caribbean and can be defined as their premium product. Great Service, food, entertainment and attention to detail. Still a great product for families as well as couples. In our view; you can't go wrong with Celebrity.
Destinations: Worldwide; including South America and Australasia
Costa Cruises: 3* to 4* - And if you like the Italian influence, then this is the one for you. In recent years, Costa Cruises, which is an Italian Cruise Line, has built some fabulous new ships, which are extremely popular. A great value cruise holiday for couples and families.
Destinations: Best known for its Mediterranean Cruises, but their fleet of 12 ships goes just about everywhere, except for Australasia.
Crystal Cruises: 6* - One of the finest Cruise Lines in the World, in terms of luxurious living. You will be looked after beautifully. You will still receive fantastic facilities, as the ships are not small (but could best be expressed as mid-size) so you get the best of both worlds. Crystal is a terrific cruise line for couples. They do however operate kid's clubs during school holidays.
Destinations: Just about everywhere!
Cunard Line: 4* to 5* - Well we have all heard of QE2. This stately liner is about to be retired but has been replaced by two new ships. The first is the Liner, Queen Mary. It is simply enormous. In fact, when it was launched, it was the biggest cruise ship (but really it's a Liner!) in the World. It is a delightful ship and mainly does what it was built for, which is crossing the Atlantic between New York and Southampton, which is where Cunard's tradition lies. However it also sails Caribbean, Mediterranean and World Cruise itineraries.
Queen Victoria is smaller (but still vast) and is a cruise ship as opposed to a liner. Elegant and, as with everything Cunard, their service is impeccable. We would recommend Cunard mainly for couples, particularly if you enjoy the fine traditions of cruising.
Destinations: Worldwide
easyCruise: 3* - designed for independent travellers and specialising in year-round holidays in Greece and the Greek Islands. easyCruise offers great value cruise holidays. Their Greek cruises sail for just a few hours each morning and arrive at a new place every day around noon, so you have more time to see the sites, enjoy the beach and the legendary nightlife too!
Destinations: The totally gorgeous Greek Islands. (And if you have never been to the Greek Islands; you are missing out big time!) Plus a fascinating tour of Classical Greece by sea!
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: 3* to 4* - Fantastically loyal following, massive numbers of repeat bookers, which clearly means that Fred. Olsen must be doing a lot right! Traditional cruising, probably better suited to the older passenger who wants to cruise with fellow British passengers in a casual environment. Many of the cruises are ex Dover, so perfect for those that don't want to fly.
Holland America Line: 4* to 5* - So called as its headquarters were originally in Rotterdam and it provided Line Voyages to the Americas. This is a fine traditional cruise line, well suited to older couples. Old World, elegant and sophisticated.
Hebridean International Cruises: 6* - Two amazing small ships. The first, Hebridean Princess operates Scottish Island itineraries. The ship has a country house atmosphere. So far as quality is concerned, the Queen chartered the ship for her 80th Birthday celebrations (so it's probably quite nice)! Incredible food and service with only 49 passengers.
The second is Hebridean Spirit. Just as luxurious. The Spirit travels further afield to the Indian Ocean and Africa with about 90 passengers.
Destinations: The Highlands & Islands of Scotland, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean & Africa
Hurtigruten: 3* - Hurtigruten is a Norwegian line with sailings along Norway's spectacular western and northern coast. Ships sail almost the entire length of the country, completing the roundtrip journey in 11 days. The trip has been described as the "World's Most Beautiful Sea Voyage." Highlights include the City of Bergen, the spectacular Geiranger fjord and the Lofoten Islands.
Destinations: Norway
Island Cruises: 3* - A great value family or couples cruise holiday. It says exactly what it is: 'relaxed, friendly and informal'. Their prices are fantastic and you can fly from just about everywhere in the U.K. to get to their ships. They make it very easy for their customers and it is run superbly from the U.K. by a great management team.
Don't expect sophistication; just a lovely cruise holiday. Ideal for the first time cruiser on a limited budget, with or without children. (You should find some superb offers with one of the cruise agents advertising here)!
Destinations: Mediterranean and Caribbean
MSC Cruises: 3* and 4* - Bellissimo! The second of the Italian Cruise Lines! But definitely not second best.
MSC has superb ships and a lively Italian atmosphere. A great choice for couples and families alike. Just speak to one of the MSC specialist Cruise Agents (just search against 'MSC' in the search engine on the Home Page) for the best advice. Tremendous value for money. Their new ships are particularly fantastic.
Destinations: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South Africa & South America
Norwegian Cruise Line ('NCL'): 4* - First of all, they don't just sail to Norway anymore than Royal Caribbean don't just sail to the Caribbean.
NCL have some of the finest 4* ships in the World. You just wait until you see the spectacular colours inside their ships. Definitely one for the WOW factor! On some of their new ships they even have a bowling alley! Fantastic cruise for couples and families. They also have a great range of on-board accommodation, culminating with the 'Garden Villas'. And if you ever get the opportunity to see (or cruise!) in one of these, you will truly not believe your eyes!
Destinations: Mediterranean, Caribbean, South America, Alaska and Hawaii
Ocean Village: 3* - Two really lovely ships. Fabulous itineraries too, at really great value prices (as you will find out when you speak to one of the Ocean Village specialist cruise agents).
Meals are buffet style but don't be mistaken; the quality is superb. If you are just not into a more traditional cruise encounter, this is the one for you; the cruise for people who don't do cruises.
Oceania Cruises: 5* - These ships are almost identical to the Azamara ships outlined above. In fact, the ships came from the same shipyard. Just as superb as the Azamara ships and extremely popular for couples seeking a fantastically priced 5* cruise, in a country house atmosphere. (We actually rate the cuisine on board as 6*).
P&O Cruises: 4*- The U.K market leader. The quintessential British Cruise Line. Many of their cruises are 'no fly' cruises. You just embark in Southampton and you're on holiday! How easy is that! Also do fantastic World Cruises and World Cruise Sectors. They have both 'child free' ships and they also have 'family ships', so they appeal to both ends of the market. Just ask one of the agents who are advertising P&O Cruises, which one is right for you.
Destinations: All over the World on their fantastic World Cruises
Peter Deilmann Cruises: 4* plus - The first of the river cruise lines. These ships are much smaller than their ocean going cousins. But what they lack in razzmatazz, they make up for in other ways.
Because these ships are small; they can actually dock right in the heart of the city that they are visiting!
And what amazing and unusual itineraries! You can cruise from Moscow to St Petersburg. Or along the Yangtze Kiang River in China, or visit the cities along the Danube or the Rhine. River Cruises generally attract an older cruiser than the Ocean Cruise Lines and no one does river cruising better than Peter Deilmann Cruises.
Princess Cruises: 4* plus - We find Princess Cruises very much a competing product to Celebrity Cruises. They do some great long haul itineraries in the Far East and Australasia but they also have some lovely ships in the Mediterranean. Ideal for both couples and families who are looking for a better than average 4* cruise experience with excellent service and attention to detail.
Destinations: Worldwide (even to the Antarctic Peninsula) and particularly fantastic in the Far East.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises: 6*- Regent is renowned for its ultra-luxury experience and all inclusive fares. Cruising with Regent means that you will be travelling in elegance and comfort to unique and inspirational destinations.
Regent all-suite ships are intimate yet spacious and boast the highest percentage of private balconies at sea; on board there are no queues or crowds and with almost one staff to every guest you will experience the ultimate in personal service. Regent fares really are all-inclusive with no hidden extras.
Destinations: Worldwide. - Selection of short (7nights) and long (116nights) cruises
Royal Caribbean: 4* - Ultra Modern High Quality Ships. Great Innovators; with facilities such as ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls and surfing (to be seen to be believed!) on board some of their ships.
Their kid's facilities are really quite incredible. Particularly fantastic for families and 'party people'.
Destinations: Just about everywhere. Known particularly for great Caribbean, Mediterranean and Alaska cruise holidays. Recently commenced itineraries to the Far East and Australasia.
The Yachts of Seabourn: 6* - As their name would suggest, these are much smaller ships than the other 6* cruise lines. This is the perfect cruise line for sophisticated couples who expect and will receive the finest cuisine and service. Only 200 passengers on board.
Seadream Yacht Club: 6* - Even smaller ships than Seabourn but just as luxurious and fabulous. Just 100 fellow passengers. Small, exclusive and sophisticated.
Destinations: Caribbean and Mediterranean
Silversea: 6* - Another of the finest cruise lines in the World, in terms of sheer elegance, quality and service. All inclusive and all suite accommodation. These are small to mid-size ships and carry around 300 to 400 passengers in total luxury.
Both cuisine and entertainment are superb quality as you would expect.
Star Clippers: 4* plus - As the name suggests, these are true sailing ships. They are a truly magnificent site to behold. This cruise line brilliantly combines two wonderful experiences: that of being looked after on a luxury cruise and getting the true experience of sailing; with the wind, sea spray and waves all in play for you. You will find out all about how these beautiful ships work under sail and you can even help out with the ropes and sails and you may even be able to climb the mast.
This is really a 'cruise' for people who would not really do a cruise. It is perfect for energetic couples who possibly already enjoy sailing or who want to experience the thrill of sailing the ocean but still want a significant level of pampering!
The ships are of course very small and as you would expect, there is no theatre and consequently, there is little in the way of formal entertainment.
Destinations: Caribbean, French Polynesia, Mediterranean and the Far East
Star Cruises: 3* to 4* - 'Set sail on Asia's favourite cruise line'. Many British people have now cruised aboard Star Cruises. They offer a wonderful cruise experience and there are some spectacular deals to be had.
If you want to cruise to countries such as Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and China; and cruise the magical South China Sea; this could be the cruise line for you.
Just enter 'Star Cruises' into the search engine and find the specialist cruise agents, who will be able to give you the best advice.
Destinations: The Far East
Swan Hellenic: 4* - The Minerva. Country House Style, elegant and traditional cruising at its best. We call this 'destination led' cruising. Fantastic itineraries and if you enjoy lectures from world famous speakers, this is the cruise for you. Their speakers enhance the destination experience. No one does cruise destinations better than Swan Hellenic. Perfectly suited to older couples who want to explore the world but still require a bit of pampering!
Thomson Cruises: 3* - As you would expect from Thomson, this is a very acceptable, easy going, relaxed and fun cruise holiday for everyone in the family, whatever their age. You can chill out or take part in all the fun activities that they lay on so well. A superb value for money option. Very often, you will find that they have some great last minute deals too. Just speak to one of the Agents advertising Thomson Cruises for their advice.
Destinations: Mediterranean
Transocean-Tours: 3* - Along with Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery, another of the 'Destination led' cruise lines. Marco Polo, their ship, offers a traditional cruising experience, taking you to some fabulous destinations at a fantastic price. Great for singles and couples who want great itineraries but are not so fussed about limited on-board entertainment.
Viking River Cruises: 4* - Viking is the other major River Cruise Specialist. Virtually everything we say regarding Peter Deilmann River Cruises can be repeated here. So we will let Viking speak for themselves:
"Unlike a coach tour where you spend more time on the road than in your destination, or an ocean cruise with endless hours at sea, with Viking River Cruises you'll visit a port a day on virtually every itinerary. You'll be surrounded by ever-changing scenery right in the heart of your destination. And our intimate ships (averaging just 150 guests) often dock right in the town centre, allowing you to walk off your ship into the heart of your destination."
Viking delivers a superb product and if you are considering a River Cruise, please speak to one of the River Cruising specialists about how enjoyable a Viking River Cruise will be.
Destinations: The great rivers of this planet
Voyages Of Discovery: 4* - Very much a similar offering to Swan Hellenic's Minerva. 'Destination led' cruising, best suited to couples and singles that want to explore the World.
Windstar Cruises: 4* plus - Another of the sailing ship cruise lines. This is more of a traditional cruise experience than Star Clippers but nevertheless, you are still sailing under canvas. This will be an entirely different, relaxing experience for you with fine food and great service. As with Star Clippers, entertainment is very limited.
