While the destinations can often overlap, no two cruise lines are the same, as each will have their own style, activities, excursions, and atmosphere on board. It’s therefore important to consider what it is you want from your holiday before you make your optimal cruise selection.

In this article we’ve put together ten tips to help you choose the best cruise line for your needs and make smart cruise decisions you won’t regret. Read on for ways to help you find your perfect cruise line match so you can set sail knowing you’ve got a fantastic holiday ahead of you.

Where’s your ideal cruise destination?

One of the first and most important cruise vacation planning decisions is where you want to go. Is your perfect destination off the beaten track, or visiting places you’ve seen lots of other people experience? Do you dream of island hopping around the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean? Exploring the capitals along the river Danube? Heading further north in search of the Northern Lights and amazing wildlife?

There’s a plethora of amazing destinations out there, so selecting the right cruise can be hard! But once you have narrowed down the destination (or at the very least, the continent), this will also help you pick the best cruise line.

Do you want to go on a river or sea cruise? 

The next of our cruise decision-making tips is whether you want to go for an ocean or river cruise. If you opt for the former, there are more cruise lines available and a wider variety of itineraries to choose between. Ocean-going cruise ships are much larger, with more facilities and activities on board. There’ll also be more passengers sharing the ship with you.

River cruises offer a different type of cruise experience due to smaller, more intimate ships and fewer people. There is a lot of choice, however – you’ll find river cruises in Europe, Africa, South America and more, so you can still enjoy exploring a range of cultures and landscapes.  One advantage is that river cruises often take you right into the heart of a city, or along waterways that are too small for ocean-going ships, which will give you a different type of cruise experience.

How much do you want to spend on your cruise?

Budget is a crucial factor when selecting your cruise line as the sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can spend. Some cruise lines deliberately market themselves as good value for money, while for others the emphasis is on luxury – the upfront price will be considerably more, but there will be a lot of perks and luxuries included in this, such as a suite, unlimited drinks, speciality restaurants, WiFi and valet service.

There are always ways you can make your money go further, even if you do opt for a more expensive cruise line. These include being flexible when you travel, where you travel to and where you travel from (see the section on no-fly cruises below). Want more cruise budgeting tips? Check out our feature on finding the best deal on your next cruise.

Who are you travelling with?

The members of your travel party are a big consideration when making your cruise line preferences. Some cruise lines are more set up for families, with specific activities for children, whereas others are particularly good for solo travel.

You’ll also want to consider who are likely to be your companions at sea. If you don’t want any children around on your cruise, for example, opt for an 18+ only cruise line and don’t accidentally book onto a multi-generational trip!

What do you want to be able to do when at sea? 

Next up in our cruise planning insights is about onboard activities. What you do when you’re sailing in between ports is just as important as the places you’re visiting, especially on longer cruises when you may have a few days at sea.

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If having lots of entertainment is important to you, check out the cruise line’s amenities guide to see what’s included. You can generally count on there being a pool, a spa and games such as deck tennis and quoits to take part in during the day, with some larger cruise lines having more varied activities such as water parks, mini golf, basketball – or even a rollercoaster! [https://www.carnival.com/onboard/bolt-ultimate-sea-coaster] Some ships have arts and crafts workshops to get involved with, so you can brush up on old favourites or learn a new skill, or there may be opportunities to join in with cookery classes or yoga sessions. Once the sun has set, most ships offer evening entertainment such as plays, music or comedy.

What excursions do you want to take?

Following on from the above point, you may also have some specific excursions you’d like to take during your cruise, such as visiting World Heritage sites, exploring specific cities or wine tasting. Compare cruise lines’ itineraries to see what’s on offer, and also check whether this is included in the fare or whether you’ll have to pay an additional fee.

What food and drink do you want to enjoy?

If what you eat and drink at sea is an important part of your holiday, do some research on what restaurants are on board before you decide on your perfect cruise line. You’ll usually find a buffet-style restaurant plus a more formal restaurant for dinner, with some cruise lines then offering speciality restaurants that serve specific cuisine such as Indian, Italian or seafood.

You’ll need to check whether the speciality restaurants are included in your fare or whether you have to pay extra for them – if you know you’d definitely like to try all the restaurants then factor this into your budget. Prices can start at around £15 per person to eat in speciality restaurants, although some cruise lines do offer a dining package that can reduce this cost.

Are you celebrating a special occasion? 

If you’re setting sail to mark a birthday, anniversary, wedding or other special occasion, this may have an impact on the type of cruise you pick. Many cruise lines offer group discounts or perks, so if there’s a group of you celebrating together then it’s worth doing your research to see whether a block booking can unlock some worthwhile bonuses.

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How long do you want to cruise for? 

Cruises vary from six nights right up to 120 nights sailing right around the world. If you’re new to cruising, or checking out a new cruise line, then it’s probably a good idea to try a shorter one before you commit to a longer (and more expensive) voyage

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Do you want a no-fly cruise? 

Opting for a no-fly cruise – one where you leave directly from the UK without having to fly to another port – can certainly make your travel plans simpler and cheaper – and help reduce the impact of your cruise, too.

Lots of cruise lines depart from ports around the UK such as London, Liverpool and Belfast to a wide range of worldwide destinations, so opting for this type of holiday doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your cruise itinerary.

Now you’ve read our cruise line selection tips you should be ready to go forth and plan the cruise of your dreams! And don’t forget, being a member of Cruise Collective gives you access to exciting offers across a range of cruise lines, as well as insider information and knowledge to help make your holiday even more fabulous.