Compare & book Ocean cruising(6,569)
What is ocean cruising?
Ocean cruising is mostly an industry term to differentiate these sailings from river voyages. For most people, ocean cruising is, well, just cruising. The term is even slightly misleading: voyages on the Mediterranean Sea (or any other sea, for that matter) are categorised as ocean cruising. Go figure.
Ultimately, ocean cruising is the original style of holidays at sea. Once upon a time, the purpose of passenger ships was to transport people from A to B. A few companies eventually realised that ships could also be used for leisure travel. The rest is, as they say, history.
The shift started in the 19th century when some lines, including Cunard and the Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (which would eventually become separate entities, including P&O Ferries and P&O Cruises), started adding leisure elements to their sailings.
Prinzessin Victoria Luise from the Hamburg-America Line (HAPAG) was the first ship purpose-built for the leisure market (as opposed to transportation ships with leisure facilities) when it launched in 1900.
Nowadays, ocean cruising is big business, with hundreds of ships and millions of guests sailing the world’s oceans and seas.
What are the best ocean cruise lines?
Experts like to explain that there’s a cruise for everyone – and nowhere is this truer than with ocean cruising.
You can find all types of voyages from intimate sailing on small ultra-luxurious ships carrying a few hundred guests to trips on mega ships with more restaurants than a small town.
All that to say, settling on the best ocean cruise lines is hard, as it will vary depending on what style of voyage you’re interested in. Instead, why not check some of our expert guides highlighting the best cruise lines for:
You can also check our selection of the best luxury, adults-only and all-inclusive cruises.
What are the best ocean cruise destinations?
The world is, quite literally, your oyster. From the warm waters of the Caribbean to the culture-rich cities of the Mediterranean and anything in between, the options are – if not endless – plentiful.
If you’re looking for natural beauty, you can’t go wrong with the Norwegian fjords or Alaska. Trip of a lifetime? The Panama Canal, Antarctica or the Galapagos are sensational choices. Want to stay nearer to home? How about the British Isles or the Canaries?
We have created guides with the best cruises for a range of destinations, including:
Ocean cruising: frequently asked questions
How much does an ocean cruise cost?
It depends on the duration, date and cruise line you select. You can find week-long sailings from £500 to £600 when cruising with a mainstream cruise line. At the other end of the spectrum, longer cruises with ultra-luxury lines can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
Are ocean cruises family-friendly?
Here again, it depends on the cruise line you select. Adults-only operators like Virgin Voyages and Viking are – it goes without saying – a no-go when travelling with kids. But many lines have made the family market a key target.
The likes of Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines and – obviously – Disney Cruise Line spend millions of dollars creating experiences to keep the little ones and their parents happy.
For more information, check out our guide to the best family-friendly cruises.
Are ocean cruises good for solo travellers?
Too often, solo travellers are still expected to pay the full-cabin price that a couple would share between two. Saying this, things are slowly evolving. A growing number of lines are either designing ships with solo cabins or offering discounted solo supplements.
Some lines do a better job than others – we’ve rounded up the best lines in our guide for solo travellers.
What is the dress code for an ocean cruise?
Some lines, such as Cunard, are more formal than others, but cruising has become more casual in recent years.
Don’t fancy packing a tux for your next holiday? Don’t worry – most cruise lines have abandoned the idea of formal nights. And for those who have kept the tradition, they often offer alternative dining options if you’re not in the mood.
Of course, for many, a night dressed up to the nines is still part of the appeal of cruising. If that’s you, check out the likes of Cunard, Holland American Line, Seabourn or Silversea.
