Cruise lines
People don't ask us for the best cruise line. They ask which one is right for them. These are the lines we shortlist for the families, couples and grandparents we plan for, each with our honest ratings and a plain verdict on who it suits and who it doesn't.
Modern, relaxed, generous with space, and genuinely happy to see children.
The most inclusive fare at sea, on all-suite ships that take elegance seriously.
Butler-served suites, serious destinations, and one of the strongest expedition fleets afloat.
Small, sociable, quietly luxurious ships, with a sister expedition fleet.
Hotel-style luxury on yachts of roughly 300 to 450 guests, with a surprisingly warm welcome for children.
The newest entrant at the very top of the market: hotel-brand luxury on a yacht of around 200 guests.
French small ships and a true polar icebreaker, with a children's programme in the summer holidays.
All-inclusive discovery yachts with helicopters and a submersible, plus a well-regarded river fleet.
Boutique river ships with lavish interiors and dedicated family sailings in the school holidays.
Calm, adults-only ships with Scandinavian design and an excursion included in every port.
Food-led, country-club casual ships of around 670 to 1,200 guests at an accessible luxury price.
Ways to cruise
The first decision is not the destination but the kind of ship. Each suits a different party; we will tell you which is yours.
Couples and small parties who want a private-club feel, small harbours and the least 'cruise' of any cruise. Few children's facilities.
Grandparents, couples and adult families: calm, polished, ports the big ships cannot reach. Limited provision for younger children.
Three generations at once: real children's spaces, more restaurants, connecting suites and room to disappear. Still all-suite and quiet by design.
First-timers and anyone who dislikes open sea: a new town every morning, no tenders, and the whole boat small enough to feel like a house party.
Antarctica, the Arctic and the far north with a luxury ship under you: zodiacs and naturalists by day, a proper dinner by night. Best for active grandparents and older teenagers.
The ships
Every ship we would put a client on. Ask about any of them by name and we will tell you which deck, which suite and which sailing.
Seven questions about who's travelling, how formal you like it, food, ship size and where. We'll show you the lines we'd start with, and why.
Head to head
Or see every line side by side: ship size, formality and our ratings in one table.
Explora and Silversea are both luxury, both largely inclusive, and suit quite different parties. We compare ship size, formality, children, food, destinations and price, then say which we would choose for whom.
Regent and Seabourn both sell small-ship luxury with most things included. Regent includes more and is a little grander; Seabourn is smaller, warmer and more sociable. We say which we would choose for which couple.
Both are relaxed, modern and welcome children — one is a ship of around 900 guests and the other a yacht of 300 to 450. We compare space, price, children's programmes and where each goes.
How it works
No obligation. No pressure. Just a conversation about what would work for your party.
Two to five minutes online, or a call. Who's travelling, roughly when, and what matters most.
A cruise specialist talks it through: the party, the occasion, the budget, and anything that worries you.
Not forty options. Two or three we'd actually recommend, with the reasons, and the ones we'd avoid for you.
Cruise, suites, flights, hotels before and after, transfers, excursions, dining and any celebration on board.
Nothing is booked until you're happy with the plan and the price.
Documents, confirmations, requests to the ship, and one person to call before and during the voyage.
Good to know
For families with children we shortlist Explora Journeys, Ponant and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection first. Explora Journeys is usually where we start: three-generation groups who want modern comfort and plenty of room. We would not put a family with young children on Oceania Cruises, Scenic, Seabourn and Viking; they are superb ships for adults, and each line page says so.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn and Silversea score highest with us for grandparents: generous suites, unhurried service, and ships that are easy to move around. For three generations together we weigh the children's rating too, which is why the answer is often Explora Journeys rather than the most traditional ship.
Four Seasons Yachts, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn are the lines we recommend most often to couples. Four Seasons Yachts: couples and small parties who want the most spacious suites afloat. If you want the smallest ships, look at Silversea, Seabourn, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Four Seasons Yachts.
Four Seasons Yachts, Oceania Cruises and Silversea lead on food in our experience, with multiple speciality restaurants included in the fare. Food is close across the top of the market, so we tend to decide on the ship, the itinerary and the party first and then check the dining suits you.
Most relaxed: Explora Journeys, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Four Seasons Yachts, where there is no dress code beyond smart casual in the evening. Most traditional: Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn, with optional formal nights on longer voyages. Neither is better; we ask how you like your evenings before we suggest a ship.
Ponant and Scenic for polar and remote itineraries with expedition teams on board. For Europe's rivers, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is a different proposition: small river ships docking in town centres, excellent for older travellers who want less time at sea.
We rate every line we sell on families, grandparents, couples, children, food, formality and adventure, and we publish who each one is not for. Then we match that to your party, dates and budget and shortlist two or three ships, not forty. If we think a cruise is the wrong fit we will tell you.
As a planning figure, a week on a genuinely luxury ship usually starts around £3,000 to £5,000 per person for a veranda suite, and rises with ship, suite, season and region. Expedition voyages and the yacht-style lines cost more. Every price on this site is a guide for planning; your proposal carries a firm price for your dates, suite and party.
For school holidays, Christmas or a specific suite category, nine to twelve months ahead is sensible, and earlier for connecting suites or parties of six or more. Outside peak dates there is more flexibility, and occasionally good value closer to departure.
Yes. For families and groups we plan the cabin configuration as a whole: which deck, which suites sit next to each other, and who is where.
The first conversation and first recommendations are complimentary. If a trip needs extensive research or itinerary design beyond the initial proposal, we agree any fee with you in writing first.
Yes. We know which ships welcome children well, which have kids' clubs and connecting suites, and which are better left to adults.
Tell us who's travelling, where you'd like to go and what matters most. A cruise specialist shortlists the two or three ships we'd actually recommend.