Increasingly, cruise ships are becoming a tourist superpower, with the worldwide cruise market reaching $29.4 billion. Instead of hopping from one destination to another, travellers are choosing to enjoy luxurious surroundings, sail the seas, and visit some of the most beautiful cities in the world. If you’re considering a cruise this year, book your next cruise online at cruise.co.uk. You’re going to have to know your way around the luxury liners, so we’ve collated our top five cruise ships to help you along:
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas
Have you ever been on a cruise and started to miss the land on the long sea days between ports? Oasis of the Seas has attempted to placate the landlubbers with its own on-board Central Park! You can wander around the 12,000 plants and 56 trees – all of them real! It doesn’t stop there either.
This liner has five swimming pools, mini golf, clubs, theme parks, and a place to dump the children if you’ve decided to bring them along, so you can enjoy your cruise holiday in perfect relaxation. For thrill seekers, you can enjoy an aerial view of the liner by sailing across the 236 foot (above water line) ship on a zipwire. Madness!
Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas
Sister ship of Oasis, both of these liners hold the proud title of the world’s largest passenger vessels. However, the Allure can boast a superior two inches over Oasis. Allure too has a Central Park, but what makes this cruise liner stand out is its dance hall (over two decks), theatre, ice rink, and rock climbing wall. The Allure is a little more technological with its touch-screen guide and Starbucks coffee stand.
Queen Mary 2
The Queen Mary has often been called the grandest cruise liner on the seas. Just like Oasis of the Seas, The Queen Mary has five swimming pools, but she’s also got ten luxurious dining rooms, ballrooms, theatres, and lounges. Guess what? You can also visit the only on-board Planetarium and gaze at the stars! Queen Mary is one loud ship too – her whistle can be heard from a ten mile radius.
Yachts of Seabourn’s Odyssey
The Odyssey is an award-winning luxury liner, winning ‘best small ship cruise line’ for four years almost consecutively. The Odyssey could cost you a massive $50,000 per person and your voyage could last as long as 100 days. Compared to the other cruise liners in this guide, The Odyssey is tiny, and only holds 450 passengers. The ratio between crew members and passengers is almost 1:1, so you can expect first class service throughout your journey.
One of the perks of travelling on The Odyssey is all-inclusive, five star food with menus put together by famous chef, Charlie Palmer. You can also enjoy water sports and even a diamond showroom. If you miss your iPod, you can loan from Seabourn and enjoy a free pool-side massage, as well as a ‘Caviar in the Surf’ service, where waiters wade into the sea and bring you inflatable trays full of caviar and champagne. 90% of the suites have private balconies too, so you can enjoy the stunning views!
MSC Cruises’ Splendida
Ever wanted to walk on a staircase made of Swarovski crystal? Your dreams can come true on Splendida, where every step you take, you’re walking on $40,000 crystals. Even their piano is jewel-studded. If you are a member of the Yacht Club, you can snag yourself free Wi-Fi notebooks to use wherever you like. This level of luxury seems almost irresponsible!
