52 | PICKING THE PERFECT CRUISE Pick the Perfect
Cruise for You Associate Editor Sarah Pickering put her Cruise Knowledge to the Test and has Hand-Picked the Best Cruise for You...
BY SARAH PICKERING
sarah@nitravelnews.com
I’VE experienced my fair share of cruise lines over the past few years; From the world’s largest vessels to the luxury world of river, the cruise industry is one of fascination, innovation and choice. This, understandably, can be a busy world to navigate when trying to find what best suits you. After all, the world of cruising offers trips you are unlikely to find in any other state. So, let me help you navigate this wonderful means of exploration… PERFECT CRUISE FOR YOUNG FAMILIES Perfecting the first holiday as a family
can be tough and that’s exactly why I’ve chosen Royal Caribbean as my top pick for young family cruising. Across its entire fleet, families will find things to see and do across all decks at all times of the day. Its newer additions on board her brand new ships continue to excite and better what came before, enticing customers time and time again. My first experience of Royal Caribbean- of a cruise ship for that matter
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families. D es p it e having never stepped foot on board, I can only imagine the delight and magic which is displayed across its land parks spill over to its fleet of ships. Plus, hearing that disney horn is a thing of beauty. It presents itself a
as great opportunity
for those who may not be too fussed on the idea of exploring a disney park in the heat of summer or chill of winter- the perfect alternative. PERFECT CRUISE FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND MULTI- GENERATIONAL FAMILIES The multi-generational boom has grown at
rapid rates after the global pandemic. Young and old holidaying together and creating memories as a priority following a period of isolation. This is exactly why Norwegian Cruise Line falls perfectly into this category. You’ll find sophistication in the form of decoration and sculptures on board mixed with modern interactive technology. These ships are perfect for extended sailing periods and for the ultimate foodie. For the adults, check out the vast range of cocktail bars and restaurants on board , for the kids, find fun in its VR station on board its Prima class ships. What makes it great for multi-generational is you can make your sailing anything you want it to be. Want to spend the day making your own fun and play across its range of interactive activities and shows? You can. Want to lounge about like a saturday at home, catch the latest American football
September/October 2025
two cruise lines mentioned above, Oceania Cruise Line boasts features which focus on the luxury feel for the customer. 1 chef for every 8 guests, vast relaxation space, calm
- was Harmony of the Seas. At the time, she was the largest ship in the world. These ships are built in such a way that young and old meld into one. Exploring hidden nooks and indulging in its bright and bold thinking. Royal Caribbean has a way of making child- like fun exclusive for all who sail with her. Sorrentos after dark for a slice of pizza before bed- invoke childhood memories of staying up late and sneaking a treat. These memories mirror the new memories made on board and I find that the greatest selling point of this company. With its splash park, central park area, extensive kid-only areas, young families will find so much to do on board. You may never want to get off! Despite this, Royal Caribbean covers great itineraries across the year, docking in show- stopping ports in popular destinations across the Mediterranean and USA (good luck trying to get your children to leave, though!). Its newest waterpark edition to it’s icon class ships is the ultimate fun day out for the family, with thrills of theme park standard, with mellow, slow-paced water fun. I am also giving an honourable mention to Disney Cruise Line in regards to young
game and sip a cold pint? You can. Want to hop off and check out amazing sights such as the Norwegian fjords? Guess what? You can! One of my favourite discoveries from my
time on board Norwegian Prima had to be its marketplace foodhall - reminiscent of a European food market, take a seat and order directly from your table via its exclusive tablet and enjoy a range of foods from around the world. Again, perfect for a mix of family members and friends. You’ll also find a range of adults-only areas on board which suits a vast range of age groups. I loved the idea of keeping the entire family entertained yet not necessarily together. Kind of like an extravagant holiday park at sea. Great itineraries, excellent food choices and modernly elegant suites. NCL is high on my list! PERFECT CRUISE FOR THE LUXURY TRAVELLER For those who are looking for the finer
things in life, whether that be through food, itineraries, service or comfort, my go-to would be Oceania Cruise Line. Also featured in this edition where I delve into my time on board her latest addition, Allura, you’ll read of how impressed I was with the overall feel of the ship. Much smaller in scale to the
atmosphere with sophisticated sounds and laid-back outdoor areas; perfect for those looking for the elevated luxury feel. Most notably, this small series of ships can access ports unavailable to the bigger ships. This highlights itineraries and shore excursions not possible with others which I believe, again adds to that luxury element. Not to mention, the food on board is genuinely some of the best I’ve had at sea. Spoilt for choice in terms of elevated casual dining, indulge in renowned restaurants with menus curated by some of the best chefs in the world. It’s no wonder its godmothers focus on this industry. I also loved the element of learning on board. I will touch on
this later, but similar to expedition ships , these ships give guests the opportunity to learn something new; pick up a brand new recipe within the culinary centre, or master the perfect shot within the media centre. I think Oceania has really thought about their customer demographic and it’s beautifully demonstrated across the fleet. PERFECT CRUISE FOR VALUE FOR MONEY I believe costs eat into a lot of potential cruisers thoughts. It may be a make-or- break decision. In fact, I think it plays a part in most holiday decisions. Hear me out though- this is why I think cruising is different. Here, I am highlighting APT Cruises which is an Australian river cruise company who I most recently sailed with down the Douro river on board MS Estrela. Having spent a couple of days on board, I very quickly understood why river-cruising is an extremely popular choice when it comes to cruising. The value for money on board a sailing here is beyond what I could have imagined. Not only are all of your meals included in the cruise fare, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner, plus the entertainment on board is all included. This alone takes a huge chunk of that initial payment and
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