When it comes to planning your dream cruise holiday, selecting the right cruise line is crucial. There are numerous excellent cruise lines, each offering a variety of ships, itineraries, and onboard experiences tailored to different preferences and budgets. Some cruise lines cater to specific niches, while others strive to appeal to a broader audience. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to consider what you seek in a holiday, the types of activities you enjoy, the onboard atmosphere you prefer, and whether you like smaller or larger ships.
General Cruise Line Classifications
Cruise lines can generally be classified into four main categories: Luxury, Premium, Contemporary, and Specialty. Each category offers distinct experiences and caters to different types of travellers.
Luxury Cruise Lines
Luxury cruise lines are designed for the more sophisticated cruiser seeking an upscale experience. These ships boast high-end amenities, unique itineraries, and a low passenger-to-staff ratio, ensuring personalised service. Most staterooms offer ocean views and balconies, providing a serene and luxurious environment. Dining on luxury cruises is top-notch, with exquisite table settings and gourmet food and wine. During the day, attire is country-club casual, while evenings are more upscale and elegant. These cruises typically have few, if any, programs for children, focusing instead on a refined adult experience.
Premium Cruise Lines
Premium cruise lines offer an upscale experience that appeals to all age groups and interests. These ships are well-appointed and feature a unique blend of itineraries and onboard amenities. With a low passenger-to-staff ratio, service remains superb. Many staterooms provide ocean views, and dining is both upscale and well-presented. Attire is generally more reserved or casual, with specific dress requirements in the evening. Premium cruises offer programs for children, usually segmented by age, making them a great choice for families.
Contemporary Cruise Lines
Contemporary cruise lines cater to first-time and repeat cruisers of all ages and interests. These ships are often quite large, some of the biggest afloat, and offer a vast array of activities and amenities. Dining options range from upscale to casual, and attire is usually relaxed, though most lines have designated formal occasions. Children’s programs are extensive and segmented by age, ensuring that younger passengers are well-entertained.
Specialty Cruise Lines
Specialty cruise lines are ideal for travellers interested in exploring destinations in depth, visiting smaller, less frequented ports, and cruising rivers. These ships are much smaller than average cruise ships, fostering a more intimate, neighbourhood-like atmosphere. Staterooms typically have river or shore views and are well-appointed. Dining is elegant, and entertainment often includes conversing with fellow passengers, lectures, or culturally enriching shows. Attire is casual, and while most do not have children’s programs, the entertainment and excursions can be enjoyable for all ages.
Choosing a Cruise Ship
Your personality often dictates the type of holiday you enjoy. When it comes to cruise vacations, choosing the right kind of ship is vital. Cruise ships range from sleek mega-liners to small vessels, each offering a different experience.
If you thrive in a lively environment with plenty of people and fast-paced entertainment, a 12-15 story mega-liner might be perfect for you. These ships offer multiple pool areas, kid and teen venues, energising activities like surf simulators and nightclubs, and expansive dining options. Group activities span culinary and athletic classes, games, and pool-side activities. Attire is typically relaxed, with evening wear ranging from casual to formal depending on the cruise line.
Smaller ships, catering to roughly 100 to 500 passengers, provide a more intimate experience and access to quaint, unique ports. These ships often offer enhanced ambiance, such as meals on fine china, entertainment by classical musicians, and upgraded stateroom amenities. Notable guest speakers, who are experts in culinary, cultural, or nature-related subjects, enhance your appreciation for the destinations. Dress codes are often country-club casual by day and elegant by night.
Mid-sized liners, accommodating more passengers than smaller ships but fewer than mega-liners, offer a blend of both experiences. They provide a balance of group activities and intimate settings, with service typically aligning with the smaller ship approach.
A cruise holiday should complement your personality, and with so many options available, consulting a cruise expert can help you find the best match for your preferences.
Choosing a Cabin
Cabins, often referred to as staterooms, typically fall into four basic categories. Each cruise line further categorises these based on location, with higher-priced categories usually situated mid-ship and on higher decks. Here are the four basic categories:
Interior Stateroom
Interior staterooms, also known as inside cabins, are nicely appointed but space is limited. They do not have an outside view or porthole.
Oceanview Stateroom
Oceanview staterooms feature a picture window or porthole, providing added ambiance and views. These cabins can be slightly larger than interior cabins.
Balcony Stateroom
Balcony staterooms offer the convenience and elegance of a private balcony with patio furniture, allowing for fresh air and private outdoor space.
Suites
Suites can range from 1,000 to 9,000 square feet, making them ideal for families or groups of friends. Suites are beautifully appointed and often come with additional advantages such as priority check-in.
Staterooms for people with physical disabilities are also available in most categories; ask your cruise expert for further details.
Prices Can Change at Any Time
Cruise pricing is influenced by supply and demand and can change at any time without notice. If a cruise is selling well, the operator doesn’t need to lower fares. Conversely, if there is plenty of availability close to departure, prices may drop.
To secure the itinerary, ship, stateroom, and shore excursions you prefer, it’s best to book at least four to six months prior to departure, especially for peak periods like school holidays, where booking up to 12 months in advance might be necessary.
Last Minute Deals
Last-minute deals are often available for those seeking a quick cruise getaway. These deals usually reflect what is left in stateroom availability, meaning your choice of accommodations may be limited. If you’re flexible about the ship, itinerary, or cabin, you might find an excellent deal. However, if you are travelling with children or as part of a larger group and need cabins close together, booking early is advisable.
Book With Confidence
Cruise pricing can vary significantly depending on various factors. After considering all these elements and consulting with our cruise specialists, if you feel confident in your choice of price, cruise, and cabin type, go ahead and book. Whatever you pay, you can be assured it represents good value.
What’s Included and What’s Not?
Cruise fares usually include meals, entertainment, accommodation with private ensuite, use of ship facilities, and taxes. However, some websites may not include government taxes and fees, fuel surcharges, and airline taxes and fees in the published price.
Onboard extras like mini-bars, spas, excursions, internet, casino gaming, drinks/liquor (on some cruise lines), laundry service, and babysitting are typically not included in the cruise fare.
Choosing a Destination and Duration
First-time cruisers often prefer shorter cruises departing from home ports, while more experienced cruisers explore more exotic destinations. You can choose from a quick three or four-day cruise to a 180-day odyssey around the world. Most cruises, however, are in the 7-14 day range.
The time of year you travel can affect your enjoyment due to weather and crowd levels. For example, the Mediterranean is crowded and hot in summer but cooler and less crowded in spring or autumn. Alaska cruises operate from May to September, with July and August being the busiest.
Shorter cruises generally attract a younger crowd, making the average age onboard lower than on longer cruises. Many new cruisers think a 7-night cruise might be too long but often return eager for more days at sea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I purchase travel insurance even if I’m cruising locally?
Travel insurance can protect you if you have to cancel due to injury, sickness, or the death of a travelling companion or immediate family member. It also provides emergency assistance during your holiday. These benefits and risks apply to cruises from Australia to the Pacific or even within Australian ports, as Medicare may not cover you once you are in international waters.
Where can I go on a cruise holiday?
Cruises can take you to practically any destination accessible by water, including Antarctica, Alaska, North America, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Greek Isles, the Mediterranean, the Orient, Australia, Tahiti, the Galapagos Islands, South America, India, and the Panama Canal.
What does ‘run of ship’ mean?
‘Run of ship’ means your stateroom could be located anywhere on the ship, from the lowest deck to the highest, inside or outside, at the front, back, or mid-ship. You generally won’t receive your stateroom number until you arrive at the pier.
By carefully considering your preferences and consulting with our cruise experts at S.W. Black Travel, you can choose the perfect cruise line, ship, and cabin for a memorable and enjoyable holiday.