Best Cruise Lines - My Top 6

I have sailed on over 50 cruises now (lost count!) on a wide range of cruise lines and cruises ships. Of course, still more to go, but here's my tops cruise lines and experiences so far. May be a surprise or two in this list and some notable cruise lines missing. My list changes now and then and who knows, with new cruise lines and ships on the horizon, maybe this year will see some changes to the list again? Who are currently at the top of your list?
Next week I will be bringing you my WORST cruise experiences - there are 3 in particular that immediately spring to mind! Make sure you like, subscribe and turn on notifications for my bi-weekly travel vlogs! You can also follow me on instagram and twitter @travelblogjamie and Facebook "jamiewrobins". My website is travelblogjamie.com.
#cruise #cruiseship #cruiselife #pando #cunard #disneycruise

[@margaret-horsham9396]

Thanks Jamie, this is so reassuring as I’ve booked my first cruise (on my own) on Borealis in two weeks time. A little nervous but very excited. Really enjoying your vlogs. xx

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh they will look after you on Fred!

[@markwright349]

Love seeing Carole at 17:53 !!! made me chuckle

[@TravelBlogJamie]

👍👍

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Let’s talk ship! Every emotion running through this vlog - you’ll see! ❤

[@marcuswilks4137]

Have just come off our first cruise and it was borealis. Can fully agree with all your views on the experience. Looking forward to trying some other cruise lines.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Fred Olsen is such a great cruise line

[@clintwinfindale1467]

Hi Jamie my name is Clint and I liked your take on your 6 best cruise lines. I am a great fan of Marella cruises a very friendly crew, excellent food also if you want to dress up you can and I prefer casual. butlins it isn't it is British and one of the best cheers Jamie we have met before your blogs with Matthew are brilliant clint

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@heatherfrench7722]

My dad was an independent cruise agent from the 80s until the 00s. He passed away in 2012. I never had an opportunity to do a cruise with him on account of me also being a teacher until recently,, and only having school hols, which he avoided!! He once did a agent/press day on the Disney Magic, and I was so jealous!! It did however give me a very teary embarkation on the Magic (Aug 22 Southampton) thinking I was finally seeing what he had. I would totally recommend a DCL WB transatlantic. Am waiting for release of Fantasy's WBTA 2025. You guys would love it ❤ Thanks for all the vlogs xx

[@TravelBlogJamie]

🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@barbaraoreilly5456]

Really love your cruising Vlogs. Thank you Jamie! I have cruised with Fred Olsen, P&O Venturer (Least enjoyed), and Cunard Queen Victoria (Beautiful), BUT…the BEST cruise was a 25 day trip from Southampton down around the Caribbean and back to Southampton on Fred Olsen’s Black Watch in 2013. EVERYTHING was fabulous and my sister and I will never be able to surpass the experience. Thanks Jamie, keep the videos coming and Every Good Wish for your future after teaching etc❤️.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much for your kindness ❤️ Fred Olsen is a fantastic line!

[@23oakhill]

I love you Jamie, not only a very nice passenger but an informative and funny guy. You make me smile and give me lots of ideas for future cruising. I have booked an Iona cruise because of your vlog and now I am off to look at booking a Marella cruise. Thank you

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh you are so so so kind to me! Thank you so much 😊

[@susannixon5806]

As always, love your vlogs!! Hope you have some great trips planned for this year🥰

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh thank you! Have a look at my vlog about trips coming up this year!

[@tinawebber8223]

Great review as always…. In fact I’m going back to rewatch the FO vlog on Borealis again as I’m definitely considering this ship for a big birthday next year 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Lovely ship and crew ❤️❤️❤️

[@charlotted9157]

Always have a chuckle when watching your vlogs! Agree with you ref Iona, such a lovely ship. I think being at sea, evokes so many emotions. Keep the vlogs coming and enjoy every minute. Thanks Jamie....🤗

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much 😊

[@alandavies1054]

Great review…thank you 👍🇬🇧 Myself, wife and daughter sail on the Explorer 2 in July ‘23 and are doing the Eastern Med…we are beyond excited 👍🇬🇧😎

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh have the best time ! ❤️

[@sarahjames2555]

Thank you for all the amazing videos you make. You have inspired us to book a P&O to the Fjords next July and hopefully Marella discovery to the Caribbean in March. Hope to bump into you day and say Hi Thank you 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hoorah!! Yes, please come say hi!!

[@elainekirkham8215]

Really enjoying your vlogs. Picked up some tips for our med trip on arvia later in the year. Just booked Queen Anne for next year. Hope to bump into you and Maffoo

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh thank you so much! Can’t wait to sail on Queen Anne!

[@sistersontheseas]

Totally agree with your opinion on Iona, such a great value ship!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

😎😎😎

[@daisycharles440]

😊 Another great video, thank u 🙏 Jesus. Booked on to QM2 to New York ! Never tried Cunard before and found the Queen Victoria info v helpful, also I have never thought of trying Fred Olsen but the Borealis looks like my kind of ship 🛳 - you make me smile Jamie

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much 😊

[@70PaulK]

I've had 12 trips with Marella (Thomson) and can thoroughly recommend their service, choice of itineraries & dining. The Explorer ships are very comfortable. Will try the P&O Ventura next month and hope it matches up.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

They are indeed great! My last cruise on Ventura a bit disappointing to be hi eat so I hope they’ve cleared up some of the issues

[@nettlewarrior8627]

First cruise ever next month, Marella Explorer followed by P&O Iona in June. Glad you rate both lines.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hope you have a great cruise on both!

[@lizrichadonu]

Have only cruised with P & O so far, about 4 cruises. Watching your vlogs has given me the cruise bug again so hope to increase that number. Going on Iona in April 24, really looking forward to that. My husband is not a fan of the formality of our previous cruises, watching your Iona vlog, he will be much more comfortable, thank you😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I much prefer more informal too ❤️❤️❤️

[@SDU1969]

I am going to sail on Cunard Victoria next year and P&O Ventura next month. I am excited.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Have a great time!

[@cafsixtieslover]

We were on Iona two years ago on one of the first cruises after the pandemic. We did not stop anywhere and we had to wear masks all the time but we loved it. Beautiful ship and the food was great and although a big ship it was really easy to walk from one end to the other. We had an accessible balcony cabin and it was amazing - huge with self opening doors and pull down racks in the wardrobe. We have booked the same cabin for this year to the Fjords and next year to Northern Europe. We are also booked to do the Med on Arvia next year. We never had to queue due to the virtual queue app. We also had a fabulous time on the Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 is my favourite ship and we had hoped to do the maiden voyage on Queen Anne but the accessible cabins sold out in less than a day although we tried to book first thing in the morning on the first day of bookings. Hopefully we can sail on her soon. Would like to try Fred Olsen Disney and Marella too. Virgin does not appeal - I think it is more for younger people.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I loved Virgin and I have to say I think they have something for everyone. Thanks for your comments.

[@cjcrawford7443]

Previously sailed Celebrity and have tried Princess ( which I hated) ..Changed to Marella and love it..Looking forward to my meeting cruise with them in 3wks time..18 Wonderful days..🎉

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Another Marella Fan 🤩 We enjoy Princess but some tweaks needed for us to really enjoy them

[@janethoughton6094]

We also love Marella P&O ships Cunard QM2 and Queen Victoria and Tui Rivercruises Skala

[@TravelBlogJamie]

River cruising as good as ocean cruising imo

[@abiday5577]

Love your blog's but as I have only sailed on p&O not much to compare. Azura is my favourite, going on Arvia in May.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you Abi ❤️❤️❤️

[@craigbryan9402]

Great video

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thanks Craig!!

[@sandrarice2762]

What an interesting read, thanks Jamie. Our go-to has always been Cunard in the past, though we are looking at other options now, after high wifi, gratuity and wine charges came as a bit of a shock at the end of our Iceland cruise on Queen Victoria last year (and only wine at dinner every night for one of us, as I don't drink and had water). Some like Celebrity look better value but some like Seabourn are so expensive!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Aha now celebrity makes an appearance on my next vlog this weekend actually! Seabourn? Yup ££££££££

[@sandrarice2762]

@@TravelBlogJamie I'll look forward to learning more about Celebrity then, thank you. Yes Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas are all ££££££££ - Oceania look similarly costly. We're looking for something for 2024 starting or ending in Athens and around some of the Greek islands.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@sandrarice2762 how about Azamara? They good some nice Greek itineraries

[@sandrarice2762]

@@TravelBlogJamie ooh thank you, we haven't really looked at Azamara but will take a look

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@sandrarice2762 ❤️

[@TheSpanishChannel]

❤❤❤

[@StephenSmith-ge1qf]

Interesting to hear your opinions. I've never been on a cruise as I'm basically an unsociable old git (I don't even have any neighbours). But, next July, all being well, I shall embark on Fred Olsen's Bollette (which, by the way, is Italian for gas or electricity bill), for a 27 night adventure to Canada, Greenland and Iceland. I'd never venture aboard anything which promised excessive entertainment or, heaven forbid, Mickey bloody Mouse, but a hopefully sedate and very comfortable holiday aboard with a rather more sedate demographic somehow appealed. I hope I enjoy it. And refrain from gorging myself excessively.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I hope you enjoy it too! I am a big fan of Fred!

[@irenemanning3322]

Strange how different people’s experiences…well..differ! We were on Iona last July and I would say to for us the ship had the ambience of a municipal swimming pool. It’s just too big with not enough crew, at least when we sailed. I can see now that the two larger ships are being marketed at family groups ( we couldn’t get near the jacuzzi’s for kids) nothing wrong in that of course but if you’re used to a more sedate type cruise then it’s not for you. Also I could reel off at least 16 “cutbacks” that we noticed which I felt were a bit mean. The cabins were nice as they were new but the biggest no no was the change of itinerary as it turned out that the ship is just too large for some ports which they must have known beforehand as after doing some research some ports are consistently cancelled. This too may happen with Arvia? The best cruise I ever had was with Fred Olsen and I agree about what was Tui cruises. They are very good but sadly don’t sail from Southampton. All in all cruises aren’t cheap and it appears that they always have the upper hand no matter what. My advice is the smaller the ship the better the ports. Also not applicable on P&0 (as included in fare) but what is your opinion on rising gratuities?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes very different experiences! Iona was great for us in both occasions. We haven’t experienced any changes to itinerary on either Iona or Arvia - we are heading to some fabulous ports in the Mediterranean right this moment. The price of our Iona and Arvia cruises was very cheap and much cheaper than prices of cruising 10 years ago! We paid £800 more pp for a similar cruise on Azura 10 years ago. Gratuities will always vary between cruise lines - these are notably nighter on American lines. I don’t have a problem paying them tbh. Do I think lines should pay staff more though? Yes.

[@travelswithlizzylou]

QV was my 1st cruise ❤😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Beautiful ship

[@v28bed]

Another great vlog as always also I’m curious which Marella cruises you have booked for this year ?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Heading to USA and Mediterranean ❤️ More info here kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn6ln6pvlLmAfLM

[@v28bed]

@@TravelBlogJamie oh shame ….was hoping to bump into you and say Hi the Adriatic in July never mind 😎

[@carolesmith2619]

Haha I love the sound of the Marella cruise lines, I'm not a fan of formal Jamie 😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Marella is a great casual cruise line - we love it

[@carolesmith2619]

@Travel Blog Jamie is it reasonably priced too lol 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@carolesmith2619 true!

[@carolesmith2619]

@Travel Blog Jamie thanks so much for replying. Have a pleasant day from a wet and windy Oxfordshire 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@carolesmith2619 🙏🙏🙏

[@maffoo1]

🎉🎉🎉

[@TravelBlogJamie]

✨✨✨

[@carmelshepherd6739]

Love Cunard❤ wanting to go on Queen Anne 🤞

[@TravelBlogJamie]

We can’t wait for Queen Anne

[@carmelshepherd6739]

@@TravelBlogJamie hi she looks beautiful I'm going to look for a good deal 🤗

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@carmelshepherd6739 good luck 🤞🏼

[@travelswithlizzylou]

😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

🤩

[@austinhedley5474]

hi Jamie, me and my now wife are going on our first cruise on the 2nd of April this year on arvia. we are both very excited and don't quit know what expect, do you have any tips for us? and will you be on this cruise too? if so we would love to meet you and perhaps grab a drink? look forward to you nest video thank you 😄

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Strangely enough we will indeed be on this cruise! How exciting! Have you watched my 1 week on P&O Iona video? This will give a very good insight as the ships are very similar (a few new features on Arvia) but also I have vlogs on dress code for P&O and also use of their ‘my holiday app’ whilst onboard. Have you booked any dining / shows ahead of the cruise?

[@austinhedley5474]

@@TravelBlogJamie that is brilliant! i did think it might be the same one as us! and yes we have seen your Iona video, and has given us an idea of whats to come. we have book most if not all of the shows in the headlines theater, but there are couple that we have not manged to book because of the "my holiday app"didn't seem to be working correctly, or its just us 😂we have also book dining, the first night we have played it safe and gone for the MDR do not know if this is the best idea, but we will see?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@austinhedley5474 honestly we always avoid the mdr on night one whilst everyone finds their feet - can be a little more chaotic than usual

[@austinhedley5474]

@@TravelBlogJamie oh right okay well I think that my wife has changed it now so that we are in the 6th Street diner

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@austinhedley5474 I think this is a good move!!

[@gregadams4374]

Hi Jamie, a couple of questions on a Marella theme, as we're travelling on Explorer 2 in December. How would you categorise the formal nights in terms of dress code. Regarding the premium drinks package, is this something you would recommend, or are the drinks provided in the all inclusive package of sufficient variety and quality?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

We upgraded drinks package for £50 and worth it for us (I liked some of the other cocktails / wines and I drink gallons of iced coffee too)

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It’s a dress to impress night on Marella - anything goes though (and 1 per week).

[@gregadams4374]

@@TravelBlogJamie Thanks...

[@gregadams4374]

@@TravelBlogJamie Thanks for the advice..

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@gregadams4374 welcome 🙏

[@carolhewitt2221]

How many time a year do you cruise thank 13:57 14:21

[@TravelBlogJamie]

9 this year

[@vss519]

Here for the thank you Jesuses!!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Blessings to you

[@matthewthurlow1204]

US viewer here, What is Buttlint?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It’s like a holiday camp resort type place 😂

[@debbiem3146]

Can I just ask, You say thank you, Jesus, so often in your vlogs. do you have faith? Or is it just something you say?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It’s what I say when I’m very thankful for something

[@debbiem3146]

@@TravelBlogJamie Can I say, hoping I Don't offend you, but every time you say it, I go eeeek inside. I do have a relationship with the Lord and although I may be in a small minority group, so must others. And when you say 'Thank you Jesus,' it comes across as very insincere. You seem a very nice person, and I am sure you don't mean to upset anyone, but it does! I know all the haters will love to jump on my back with this one, and they and maybe you will say, 'Don't watch then'. Maybe I should just do that, but it would be such a shame as I enjoy your vlogs. I am not a touchy person, with anything else. You can call me fat, old, ugly or anything you wish, and I wouldn't give a monkey's. Away you can block me if you wish, I don't mind.However, I may not be the only one who's nerve it touches ? Kind regards.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@debbiem3146 I totally understand your viewpoint

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@debbiem3146 I also only block people for rudeness by the way - voicing an opinion is absolutely not rude!