For families
Canny cruise lines know that if your kids are happy and well-looked after, you’ll relax and are more likely to rebook, so unsurprisingly there’s a dizzying array of cruise holidays aimed at those travelling with children. It’s no surprise that Disney Cruise Line is one of the most popular. Not only are its kids’ clubs state-of-the-art (there’s even a Marvel Avengers Academy on board, plus Toy Story-themed play areas and water slides) but they also offer Broadway-quality entertainment. There are regular character appearances – including Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all the Disney princesses.
Royal Caribbean International has cornered the market in onboard attractions designed to appeal to teenagers – not only does it have the fabulous Flowrider surf simulator on board some of its ships but also a DJ academy; its new ship Quantum of the Seas even has dodgems on board, and younger children (and parents) will be enchanted by the Dreamworks characters. Carnival Cruise Lines has Dr Seuss characters on board and the Hasbro Games Show; and Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships have an impressive ropes course as well as great spaces for kids, and Spongebob Squarepants and friends.
Seven-night Southern Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean from San Juan starts at Dh4,450 per person. American Airlines flies from Dubai to San Juan via London and Miami, about Dh5,000 return.
For cool-hunters
Many cruise lines offer boutique-hotel chic at sea. Celebrity Cruises boasts some of the coolest ships around, plus its impressive speciality restaurants include the extraordinarily good Qsine, where you can order from an iPad. For a really luxurious, intimate experience, try Seabourn, or SeaDream Yacht Club – they even have Caviar parties in the Caribbean.
Seven-night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Celebrity Cruises, from Dh1,282 per person. British Airways flies from Dubai to Miami, about Dh4,226 return.
For culture-vultures
If you want to see and discover as much as possible about the places you’re visiting, it’s definitely worth booking an excursion; but many cruise lines now offer the chance to stay a little longer and experience local culture, from seeing the ballet in St Petersburg to visiting villagers’ homes in Vietnam. Azamara Club Cruises pioneered the ‘destination immersion’ concept and its award-winning AzAmazing Evenings offer some unforgettable experiences, from hanging out with the A-listers at the Cannes film festival to flamenco in the heart of Barcelona. Most cruise lines now offer at least some overnight stays so you can go out and explore.
Also popular are excursions where you can explore on your own – for example, Disney Cruise Line will take you from the port of Civitavecchia right to The Vatican in Rome, give you a map and pick you up eight hours later. Cruise lines such as Cunard and Silversea have an impressive array of onboard speakers to help bring a destination to life. Or, if you prefer culture of a different kind, choose a cruise line with award-winning entertainment on offer. On Royal Caribbean, for example, you can see shows including Hairspray and Chicago, while Norwegian Cruise Line has its dancing spectacular Burn The Floor and Legally Blonde. But even on smaller cruise lines there’s usually some sort of music in the evenings.
Seven-night Northern Europe Cruise on Disney Magic from Copenhagen, Denmark (sails May 30, 2015), from Dh40,977 for a cabin that sleeps five. Norwegian Air Shuttle flies from Dubai to Copenhagen via Oslo, about Dh3,500 return.
For adventurers
Chasing the magnificent Northern Lights is on many bucket lists, and one of the best ways to do this is on a cruise, as out at sea the sky is unpolluted. Norwegian-owned Hurtigruten has working, no-frills ships that will take you right to the top of Norway, from Tromsø to Kirkenes; travel from January to March and you’re practically guaranteed a sighting of those ethereal lights – plus during the day you can go husky sledding.
Cruises are probably also the best way to explore Antarctica; you can go to the Galápagos Islands with Celebrity Cruises to see some of the rarest wildlife on the planet. Costa Rica and that feat of engineering the Panama Canal is a must for would-be explorers.
A 12-night Hurtigruten cruise from Bergen, Norway, from Dh5,590 per person. Norwegian Air Shuttle flies from Dubai to Oslo, Norway, about Dh2,402.
For thrill-seekers
As a rule the bigger the ship, the more activities there will be for you to try while you’re sailing. But cruises aren’t just about what you can do on board – if you’re looking for an adrenaline-rush, some cruise lines offer high-energy shore excursions ranging from zip-wiring and parasailing to heli-skiing or flying over the glaciers of Alaska (yes, really). Cruise lines to try include Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Celebrity.
13-night cruise on Authentic Alaska Northbound Cruise tour on Norwegian from Vancouver starts at Dh7,000 per person. Fly British Airways from Dubai to Vancover via Heathrow for Dh4,641 return.
For land-lovers
If the thought of being in the middle of the ocean for more than a day fills you with dread, consider a river cruise. You are constantly surrounded by scenery, plus there are frequent stops and opportunities to explore. Destinations are diverse, too. For example, American Queen offers luxury paddle-steamer cruises along the mighty Mississippi river; Viking River Cruises will take you along Yangtze or Mekong in Scandinavian style, as well as stunning European itineraries.
Nine-day round trip Lower Mississippi Cruises on Mississippi Cruises from New Orleans, Louisiana from Dh11,600 per person. Fly American Airlines from Dubai to New Orleans via Heathrow and Miami, about Dh4,970.
