What's the best cruise line?

One of the questions I get asked the most is: “What’s the best cruise line?”

And honestly? There isn’t one single winner, because what’s “best” depends entirely on what you want from your holiday.

Some people want luxury and quiet corners. Some want non‑stop entertainment. Some want amazing food. Some want a great deal (hi, yes, that’s me). And others just want a ship with a decent cocktail selection and a balcony that catches the sunset.

So instead of crowning one cruise line king of the ocean, here’s a look at some of the lines I’ve cruised with so far, each amazing in their own way, and each perfect for different types of travellers.

Celebrity Apex in Olden

✨ Celebrity Cruises - Modern Luxury Done Properly

If you love things that feel a bit more polished - beautiful interiors, stylish spaces, great food - but don’t want it to feel stuffy or old‑fashioned, Celebrity is a fantastic choice.

Some key features:

• Beautifully designed ships (the Edge‑class ships like Apex are genuinely stunning)

• Upscale dining and cocktails, even the buffet is incredible

• A relaxed, grown‑up atmosphere and a nice chilled vibe

• A proper holiday “treat yourself” vibe without being OTT

• Drinks can be expensive so consider a drinks package

  
  

Perfect for: Couples, friends, solo travellers who enjoy a touch of luxury but still want a chilled, modern, friendly environment. (And yes, you can find excellent deals if you time it right.)

Iona docked in Hamburg

⚓ P&O Cruises - Classic, Comfortable, and Brilliant for UK Travellers

P&O is a bit like a cruise line comfort blanket, familiar, easy, great value, with ships designed for British tastes.

What stands out:

• Great itineraries from Southampton making it easier than ever

• Great mix of entertainment and surprisingly good food

• A nice mix of families and adults

• Iona and Arvia offer a more modern, fresh feel that really compete with some of the more upscale lines

• Some of the larger ships can feel very busy

  
  

Perfect for: Families, first‑time cruisers, couples, and anyone who wants a relaxing, dependable cruise without breaking the bank. And if you like a bargain? P&O sales are your friend (and mine!).

MSC Virtuosa's Atrium

🌍 MSC Cruises - Big, Bold, Busy, and Packed With Value

MSC offers some of the most visually impressive ships at sea. They’re huge, lively, and full of energy. And a little bit fancy too.

Things to know:

• Beautiful ships with lots of things to do

• Great prices, especially last‑minute

• A very international crowd

• Big theatre shows, huge pool decks, lots of dining options

• Loads of activities for everyone, especially families and children

• Avoid shorter ‘booze cruise’ itineraries unless that’s what you’re after!

  
  

Perfect for: People who want a vibrant, resort‑style holiday with loads going on, like families, groups of friends, and anyone who likes a buzzy atmosphere. If you want peace and quiet, maybe book a Yacht Club cabin… trust me on that one, you won't regret it.

Scarlet Lady

🚀 Virgin Voyages - Adults Only, Stylish, and a Little Bit Different

Virgin does things their own way, and that’s exactly why people love them.

What you can expect:

• No kids on board. None!

• Incredible food (seriously good)

• Evening entertainment that's more edgy and modern

• A laid‑back, trendy atmosphere

• Some sailings have a real party vibe

• No dress codes, no buffets, no set dining times, just book a restaurant

• Can be a little queue-heavy sometimes due to the ship design

  
  

Perfect for: Adults who want something fun, modern, and a bit unique - couples, friends, solo travellers, and anyone who enjoys great food and a good laugh. And if you spot a Virgin sale? Run, don’t walk.

Now the following lines I haven’t travelled on myself, but I’ve done my research to give you an overview of what they can offer.

🚢 Princess Cruises - Relaxed, Refined, and Surprisingly Modern

Princess sits comfortably in that sweet spot between traditional and contemporary. Their ships feel calm, elegant, and geared toward people who enjoy good food, good service, and a holiday that feels just a little elevated without being formal. You’ll find great speciality dining, beautiful outdoor spaces, and entertainment that feels like the West End. Perfect for couples, solo travellers, and anyone who enjoys a slightly more premium experience - especially if you catch one of their very generous offers.

🎭 Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) - Freestyle Fun, Great Shows, Zero Rules

If you like flexibility, NCL is your happy place. Their whole “freestyle cruising” concept means no dress codes, no fixed dining times, no stress. Expect big, lively ships packed with restaurants, bars, and Broadway‑calibre entertainment. They’re great for friends, families, and anyone who likes their holidays upbeat and full of options. And if you want something quieter, The Haven (their ship‑within‑a‑ship suite area) is a very nice upgrade if you catch it in a sale.

👑 Cunard - Classic, Elegant, and Unapologetically Sophisticated

Cunard is what most people imagine when they think of traditional cruising - formal nights done properly, grand spaces, afternoon tea, and a dash of old‑school glamour. Their ships feel refined rather than stuffy, with beautiful decor, excellent service, and a more relaxed pace on board. Perfect for travellers who love the ritual and romance of cruising, dressing up, and a more traditional experience. And their transatlantic crossings are iconic for a reason.  I’ll be sailing on Cunard for the first time later this year, so will have more to share then!

🌊 Holland America Line - Quiet Luxury and Destination‑Focused Cruising

Holland America is all about understated quality. Not flashy, not loud; just genuinely good food, great service, elegant spaces, and incredibly well‑designed itineraries. They attract travellers who want to explore more, relax more, and enjoy a slower, more thoughtful style of cruising. Their music venues are excellent too, think live jazz, blues, and classical rather than club anthems. Ideal for couples, culture lovers, and anyone who appreciates a premium feel without the fuss.

☀️ Marella Cruises - British, Friendly, and Great Value

Marella (part of TUI) is brilliant for people who want an easy, all‑inclusive, great‑value cruise with a very friendly atmosphere. Expect relaxed ships, British touches everywhere, excellent entertainment, and itineraries that work well for first‑timers. They’re not trying to compete with the mega‑ship giants, they’re all about simplicity, fun, and good value, and they do it well.

🇬🇧 Ambassador Cruise Line - Adult‑Focused and Surprisingly Affordable

Ambassador is newer to the scene and offers adults‑only sailings (plus some family sailings during holidays), focusing on great value and no‑nonsense cruising. Their ships are smaller and more traditional, which creates a very friendly, community feel on board. Ideal if you want a quieter, budget‑friendly getaway without the chaos of huge ships.  One thing to consider is that the smaller ships do struggle a little more when the weather isn’t great, so if you’re prone to sea sickness, avoid the autumn/winter season!

🛳 Fred. Olsen Cruises - Small Ships, Scenic Routes, and a Very Loyal Following

Fred. Olsen is all about small‑ship charm. Their size means they can access ports that bigger ships simply can’t reach, which makes their itineraries genuinely interesting. Expect a relaxed pace, traditional cruise vibes, excellent service, and a ship that feels more like a friendly floating hotel than a resort. Great for travellers who enjoy culture, scenery, and a grown‑up atmosphere without the crowds.

🌟 Final Thoughts: So… Which Cruise Line Is The Best?

The honest answer? There isn’t just one! And that’s the beauty of cruising. Every line brings something different to the table, and that’s exactly why the industry works for absolutely everyone. Whether you love modern luxury, classic elegance, family fun, adults‑only relaxation, buzzing mega‑ships, or small‑ship charm, there’s a line sailing somewhere that’s perfect for you.

Celebrity nails modern sophistication.

P&O feels familiar and great value.

MSC brings big‑resort energy.

Virgin shakes things up with adults‑only cool.

Princess keeps things refined and relaxed.

NCL is all about freedom and fun.

Cunard does timeless glamour better than anyone.

Holland America offers quiet, thoughtful quality.

Marella keeps things friendly and all‑inclusive.

Ambassador brings grown‑up getaways at great prices.

Fred. Olsen shows you smaller ports and slower moments worth savouring.

Not one of them is “the best”, but each of them is the best for someone.  And these aren’t even all of them, just a snapshot.

And that’s the magic of cruising: no matter your age, your travel style, who you’re sailing with, or how much (or little!) you want to spend, there’s a ship out there that fits you perfectly. You just need to find the one that feels like home… at sea.

Who have you travelled with and do you have a favourite?