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The Independent
06-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
These are the best cruise lines according to passengers
With more than 50 brands sailing to a variety of ocean and river destinations across the world, choosing the best cruise can be tricky. You could pick by ship, size, the best cruise deals, facilities, timing or even based on bucket list location. Cruise lines will also point to the industry awards they have received, highlighting the onboard experience such as food, entertainment, facilities and excursions. Another way of finding a suitable cruise for you is to see what other passengers think. Consumer watchdog Which? has released its latest cruise passenger survey, helping sailors find the best line for their budget. In October 2024, it asked 2,865 members of Which? Connect and the general public about their experiences of cruise holidays in the past two years. The survey considers factors such as customer service, passenger-to-space ratio, food, cabin quality, the itinerary and value for money to give a passenger score for each cruise line. Brands are also rated by how transparent they are about prices at the booking stage. Cruise companies that score at least four out of five stars for customer service and passenger-to-space ratio are given the accolade of being a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP). The highest scoring brand this year was Saga Ocean Cruises, making it the top WRP. Silversea, Noble Caledonia Ocean Cruises, Hurtigruten, Seabourn, Viking Ocean Cruises and Oceania Cruises also got WRP status. Best cruise line Over-50s brand Saga was named best cruise line with an overall customer score of 87 per cent. Saga Cruises sailors loved its complimentary transfer to and from the port. This feature was rated five stars, as was customer service, and food and drink. The research highlighted 'brilliant service, with almost everything included'. Commenting on the rating, Nigel Blanks, chief executive of Saga Cruises said: 'I'm proud that Saga Cruises has been recognised by Which? as a recommended provider of ocean cruises for an incredible fifth year in a row. This is a great achievement that reflects our dedication to providing our valued guests with high levels of service, excellent all-inclusive value and exceptional experiences aboard our boutique ships.' Best luxury cruise line There are plenty of luxury cruise brands to choose from, giving passengers top service and facilities at sea. Silversea came out on top in the Which? research, with a passenger score of 85 per cent. Describing the line as 'ultra luxury on the high seas', the report highlighted the range of small ship sailings across all seven continents, including access to more remote ports in Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands. The consumer group said: 'Its fully all-inclusive voyages include all excursions and an around-the-clock white-gloved butler, who will even unpack your suitcase for you. 'One repeat customer told us the only thing he'd ever been billed for was his laundry. Standards are exceptionally high: all suites (rated five stars) have ocean views and many a private veranda. Food and drink are top-notch, with sushi, jazz bars and champagne on tap. 'All of this adds up to an eye-watering price per night, but passengers still awarded Silversea four stars for value for money.' With an indicative price of £720 per night, Which? said that if you can afford it, 'Silversea is well worth the splurge'. Best adventure cruise line For those seeking a cruise expedition, small ship brand Noble Caledonia was a passenger favourite, with a score of 84 per cent. Noble Caledonia was the only cruise line to clinch the full five stars for excursions and most are included in the headline price along with beer and wine during meals. Its biggest vessel sleeps just 188 passengers and onboard entertainment comprises of lectures and lounge music rather than casinos and cabaret, Which? said. The report added: 'Guests liked it this way, with one praising the 'friendly, convivial atmosphere'.' It was described as a 'solid choice' for those who favour exciting expeditions over black-tie balls. Cheaper cruises The research highlights Costa Cruises, Fred Olsen and Royal Caribbean as the best cheaper cruises. With an indicative price of £111 per night, Costa Cruises received a passenger score of 81 per cent. The Carnival Corporation brand is described as 'back to basics', with cruises around the Med, Asia and the Caribbean. For the cheap headline fare, Which? said passengers will get four-star rated Italian meals and onboard entertainment 'but not much else'. Extras such as alcoholic drinks need to be paid for. Which? said: '(Costa) gets a lot of criticism, especially from experienced cruisers who feel it doesn't deliver what's promised – it got just two stars for description matching reality. But the brand has introduced cruising to a younger, more family-friendly crowd who couldn't afford the all-inclusive cost of a traditional cruise.' Cabins are described as mediocre and the ship facilities scored three stars. It was still rated as good value for money though and was described as 'truly no-frills, but at a rock-bottom price'. Norwegian family-run Fred Olsen received a passenger score of 80 per cent, with an indicative price per night of £194. While it costs more than rivals Cunard and P&O Cruises, Which? said Fred Olsen's customer service and cabins scored better and received five stars. The research said: 'Ships are fairly small, holding around 1,300 passengers, while all have a sauna, spa and fitness centre on board. Two have a retractable roof, so you can enjoy the lido deck in any weather. If quizzes and theatre shows aren't your thing, there are art classes and stargazing to keep you entertained. Its customer base is certainly loyal – one told us they had clocked up 23 cruises with Fred Olsen so far and feel 'very at home and at ease on their ships.' Popular family-focused brand Royal Caribbean received a passenger score of 78 per cent and is included among the cheaper cruises with an indicative price of £110 per night. Passengers said it was their favourite cruise line for exploring the Caribbean. The brand scored three stars for passenger-to-space ratio, helped by its megaships such as Icon of the Seas. It also got five stars for the quality of its cabins. Which? said Royal Caribbean can't be beaten for fun-filled activities, 'if that's your thing'.
The Independent
31-01-2025
- The Independent
8 of the best Norwegian fjords cruise holidays
If picturesque views and clear waters float your boat, then a cruise along the Norwegian fjords could be worth considering for your next holiday. There are more than 1,700 named fjords in Norway, made up of mesmerising green cliffs, clear waters and dramatic waterfalls. The best views can be obtained from the water, making a Norwegian fjords cruise an ideal holiday option. You could watch the sunset on deck in the winter or stay up for the midnight sun in the summer. There will also be ample opportunities to see the northern lights, with clearer skies from a ship compared to the shore. Passengers will get to visit colourful and historic villages and take rigs to get up-close to the waterfalls. You can even hop on a cable car to the top of some of the mountains to experience dramatic aerial views. Many cruise ships visit the fjords, giving sailors choices of luxury and adult-only iteniraries or kid-friendly voyages to share the views and memories with all members of the family. Here are some of the best Norwegian fjords cruises for 2025. Southampton - Haugesund - Flam - Olden - Arctic Circle (Cruising) - Tromso - Honningsvag - Arctic Circle (Cruising) - Molde - Stavanger - Southampton Set off from Southampton for the Norwegian fjords via Bruges for a 12-night round trip. A day feasting on chocolate and waffles will help prepare for a feast for the eyes once you hit the fjords. The Nordic adventure starts in Flam on the world's longest and deepest fjord and the voyage also includes a day sailing through the Arctic Circle. This will give passengers social media-worthy pictures of both green and snow-packed mountains. The 2,900-capacity Celebrity Apex is a great ship to experience the Norwegian fjords from, especially if you grab a table in the Magic Carpet restaurant and bar. Its glass platform goes up and down on the side of the ship, providing unique scenic views. Departs 5 June. From £1,801pp. Best for: Day trips Norway and the Northern Lights, Saga Cruises Portsmouth - Ålesund - Trondheim - Tromso - Honningsvåg - Alta - Bergen - Flam - Portsmouth Start from Portsmouth for a 16-night adventure to enjoy the Norwegian fjords by day and search for the northern lights at night. Sailing aboard Saga Cruises ' Spirit of Discovery, you will get two sea days to settle in before reaching northern lights hotspot Alesund. The over-50s brand includes four excursions in its fares such as a visit to the Arctic Cathedral – an aluminium structure in the shape of an iceberg in Tromso – and entry to the Northern Lights Cathedral and borealis museum in Alta. Representatives from conservation charity Orca will also be onboard, helping guests spot and learn about local wildlife. Departs 24 February. From £4,699pp. Best for: Convenient cruising Norwegian Fjords, P&O Cruises Southampton - Stavanger - Ålesund - Olden - Innvikfjorden - Nordfjord - Haugesund - Southampton Depart from the convenient UK port of Southampton with P&O Cruises. Many of the ships in the P&O Cruises fleet visit the Nordic region. But this seven-day sailing aboard Iona gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to the fjords. Port stops include former European Capital of Culture Stavanger and Olden, where passengers can visit the biggest glacier in mainland Europe, Jostedalsbreen. The sites and scenery of the fjords can also be enjoyed on land or from Iona's 41 metre-long luminous glass-roofed SkyDome. The ship also has four pools, a multiplex cinema and eight dining venues covering international flavours such as Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. There is even a British gastropub, The Keel & Cow. As a British brand, passengers also have the convenience of English plug sockets and being able to pay in sterling onboard. Departs 3 May. From £779pp. Best for: Immersive experiences Norway to Portugal, Scenic Bergen - Stavanger - Skagen - Copenhagen - Kiel Canal - Scheveningen - Honfleur - St Peter Port - Vilagarcía de Arousa - Leixões - Lisbon Start with scenery and end in the sun on this 14-day sailing with Scenic. This voyage starts from Bergen in Norway before visiting Stavanger, where passengers can take a three-hour boat ride through the majestic Lysefjord. The cruise finishes in the warmer climate of Lisbon via Vilagarcía de Arousa in Spain. With capacity for 228 passengers, Scenic provides a small luxury ship experience with suites and a personalised butler service for every cruiser. The ship's size means it can get closer to the fjords and you can even enjoy views from the ship's bridge. Departs 11 September. From £11,004 per person. Best for: Nordic experience Lofoten to the West Fjords, Hurtigruten Svolvær - Brønnøysund - Trondheim - Bergen Fancy a whiste-stop tour of Norway? Hurtigruten has four-day sailings that visit 16 ports along Norway's west coast including the Arctic Circle. The packed schedule will take you to the picturesque fishing villages of Lofoten Islands and along the famous seascapes of the Helgeland coast. Regular departures 2025. From £517pp. Best for: Artistic inspiration Springtime Norwegian Fjords, Fred Olsen Southampton - Vikoyri - Sognefjord - Haugesund - Åkrafjord - Eidfjord- Hardangerfjord - Maurangerfjord - Stavanger - Lysefjord - Southampton Fred Olsen has Norwegian heritage, making it a great brand to visit the fjords with. This nine-night sailing from Southampton aboard Balmoral is also a good way to see the fjords. It is the smallest ship in the fleet, meaning you can get close to the clearwaters and must-see locations such as the 612 metre-high Langfoss Waterfall in Akrafjorden, You will also find the Olsen Art Studio onboard, where passengers are welcome to paint pictures of the scenery as they sail. Departs 1 April. From £1,088pp. Best for: Family fun Norway's Fjords Multi-Generational Adventure, Ambassador Cruise Line Dundee - Eidfjord- Bergen - Flam - Sognerfjord - Aurlandsfjord - Newcastle - Dundee Ambassador Cruise Line is adult-only for much of the year but does offer a few multi-generational sailings so that grandparents, parents, kids and grandkids can spend quality time together. There is no kids' club on board, with a focus on family activities. Enjoying the scenery of the Norwegian fjords is a great shared experience for all members of the family and this seven-night sailing from Dundee could be the perfect summer holiday treat. Sailing aboard Ambassador's newest ship Ambition, the cruise visits the towering mountains and cascading waterfalls of Eidfjord, as well as the colourful houses of Bergen and Flam, where a trip through the mountains on the Flam Railway is sure to generate multi-generational memories. Departs 31 July. From £1,369pp. Best for: A genuine taste of Scandinavia Viking Shores & Fjords, Viking Cruises Amsterdam - Skagen - Oslo - Kristiansand - Stavanger - Flam - Bergen Viking Cruises is another Norwegian brand bringing a genuine Nordic experience to the fjords. Its ships even have a resident historian onboard and the subjects on this eight-day sailing include lectures on the mediieval defence network known as the Hanseatic League, as well as the Vikings. That should get your imagination going as you enjoy the historical waters that these people once sailed and the scenery they saw in places such Kristiansand, Stavanger and Flam.
