The ultimate guide to ocean, boutique and river cruises
The open ocean has a unique way of clearing the mind, but today’s holiday options extend far beyond standard ocean travel. Modern voyages offer incredibly diverse experiences tailored to every style of traveller. You can explore historic European cities along winding rivers, relax in exclusive ultra-luxury suites, or watch your children scale climbing walls at sea.
Choosing between a boutique yacht and a massive resort ship can feel overwhelming. Finding the perfect holiday depends entirely on how you like to travel, who you are travelling with, and the destinations you want to explore. Selecting the right ship, itinerary, and cabin style ensures your holiday matches your exact expectations.
Why choose a cruise for your next holiday
The greatest advantage of these holidays is the effortless way you can explore multiple destinations. You unpack just once, and your floating hotel moves with you. While you sleep, dine, or watch a world-class show, you are transported seamlessly to a new city, island, or country.
Modern ships are designed to eliminate the standard stresses of multi-stop travel. There are no train timetables to check, no internal flights to book, and no heavy bags to drag through busy terminals. It perfectly balances the discovery of a touring holiday with the total relaxation of an all-inclusive resort. Whether you want to wake up to a new view every morning or simply relax by a pool with shifting ocean backdrops, the modern maritime world offers unmatched flexibility.
Finding your perfect style at sea
The travel market is highly specialised, with distinct cruise lines catering to very specific tastes, age groups, and paces of travel. Matching your personal holiday style to the personality of the ship is the secret to a flawless trip.
For travellers who appreciate fine dining, intuitive service, and refined spaces, ultra-luxury lines offer a sophisticated, club-like atmosphere.
- Crystal: Renowned for having one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios at sea. The onboard experience focuses on Michelin-level dining, spacious suites, and immersive cultural lectures.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: The definitive choice for an all-inclusive holiday. Your fare covers premium wines, spirits, specialty dining, flights, transfers, and unlimited shore excursions in every port.
- MSC Yacht Club: A premium “ship-within-a-ship” concept. This private enclave sits at the front of MSC’s larger vessels, offering 24-hour butler service, an exclusive lounge, and a private pool deck away from the main crowds.
If you want to avoid family pools and busy kids’ clubs, the adults-only market offers a completely different, energetic atmosphere designed for total relaxation or vibrant nightlife.
- Virgin Voyages: This line reimagines ocean travel by removing formal dress codes and traditional buffet dining. Instead, you’ll find beach-club vibes, running tracks, tattoo parlours, and diverse specialty restaurants.
- Marella Cruises: A fantastic British option that delivers exceptional value. Their adult-only itineraries offer a relaxed, friendly environment where tips and standard drinks are included in the price, making budgeting effortless.
Large-scale resort ships provide multi-generational families with world-class entertainment, supervised youth programmes, and activities that keep every age group engaged.
- Royal Caribbean: The industry leader for onboard innovation. These massive ships feature surf simulators, ice-skating rinks, Broadway-style theatre productions, and heavily structured kids’ clubs divided by age group, ensuring parents get plenty of downtime.
Smaller vessels can access unique ports of call that are physically off-limits to larger mega-ships, providing a calmer, destination-focused experience.
- Azamara: Focuses heavily on destination immersion. Their smaller ships spend more time in port, featuring late-night departures and overnight stays that let you experience local nightlife and evening culture.
- Windstar Cruises: Offers a distinctive yachting experience, featuring elegant, motorized masted sails. It provides a casual yet premium atmosphere, carrying just a few hundred guests into shallow Caribbean harbours and hidden Mediterranean coves.
The enchanting world of river cruises
While ocean liners focus on grand vistas and dramatic coastal ports, river travel offers an intimate window into the heart of historic regions. You float directly through changing landscapes, docking right in the centre of historic cities and medieval villages.
| River | Key destinations passed | Best known for |
| The Danube | Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava | Grand imperial palaces, classical music, and stunning valley views |
| The Rhine | Cologne, Strasbourg, Basel | Fairy-tale castles, steep terraced vineyards, and historic towns |
| The Douro | Porto, Pinhão, Vega de Terrón | Dramatic valleys, port wine tastings, and rugged Portuguese scenery |
| The Mekong | Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh | Floating markets, ancient temples, and vibrant rural local life |
Leading river cruise specialists
We offer cruises on many of the major river cruise lines such as A-Rosa, VIVA Cruises, AMAWaterways, Scenic, Emerald, Riverside Cruises, Avalon, Uniworld. We also offer:
- TUI River Cruises: Offers a casual, contemporary style tailored specifically for British guests. Their fleet focuses on the major European waterways, featuring flexible dining, relaxed dress codes, and excellent value.
- Riviera Travel: Celebrated for its exceptionally detailed, expert-led shore excursions. Their custom-built ships provide an elegant, traditional space with regional wines served alongside dinner.
Worldwide itineraries to inspire your next cruise
The Mediterranean: The perfect choice for first-time travellers. You can explore the ancient ruins of Rome, sample tapas in Barcelona, or watch the sunset over Santorini’s blue-domed churches.
The Caribbean: Ideal for winter sun and pure relaxation. These routes offer white-sand beaches, crystal-clear snorkeling spots, and private island resorts like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Alaska and the Norwegian Fjords: Designed for lovers of dramatic natural landscapes. These northern routes showcase towering blue glaciers, deep mountain fjords, and unique local wildlife, from breaching humpback whales to sea eagles.
Asia and the Mekong: Perfect for experienced travellers looking for cultural immersion. These exotic itineraries combine the high-tech energy of Tokyo or Singapore with the peaceful, ancient temple complexes of Cambodia and Vietnam.
Essential travel tips for British holidaymakers
- Fly-cruise versus sailing from the UK: Flying directly to a port like Barcelona, Venice, or Miami maximises your time in warmer waters. However, sailing roundtrip from UK ports like Southampton, Dover, or Liverpool eliminates luggage limits and airport stress entirely.
- Understand what is included: Look closely at the fare structure before booking. Casual lines often list lower entry prices but charge extra for drinks, tips, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining. Ultra-luxury lines cost more upfront but include almost everything, which often provides better overall value.
- Book shore excursions early: Popular tours—such as flightseeing over Alaskan glaciers or guided walks through the Vatican—frequently sell out months before departure. Review your options and book early to secure your top choices.
Frequently asked questions about cruises
Have you got a question about cruising? View our frequently asked questions.
Let us find your perfect cruise
Navigating the nuances of different ship sizes, cabin categories, and deck plans can feel daunting. That is where our dedicated travel team comes in. We take the time to understand exactly how you like to spend your holidays, matching you with the ideal ship, cabin location, and itinerary.
As proud members of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), we possess industry-accredited expertise and direct relationships with the world’s leading cruise operators. This network grants us access to exclusive fares, complimentary cabin upgrades, and added onboard spending credits that you won’t find booking directly online.
We fully manage every detail of your itinerary—including flights, transfers, and overseas hotels—giving you complete peace of mind.
Contact us today to discuss your travel plans and secure your next dream voyage.