Disappointed?

Have you been disappointed by your cruise? It didn’t live up to the description in the brochure?

Been let down with the experience or just did not live up to your expectations?

It is crucial when choosing your cruise that you make the right choices or you could end up having a holiday from hell!

Choosing the right destination and cabin are important but the biggest decision to make is the right cruise line and ship

Whilst cruising is not a ‘one size fits all’ experience if you do your research there will be a cruise out there perfectly suited to your needs, message boards, review forums and cruise.co staff are great sources of information, hear are a few pointers to make sure you get it right!

If you are hoping for a traditional cruise with afternoon tea, gentleman hosts and ballroom dancing Holland Americas’ mid sized ships offer 5* cruising and Cunard offer Classic White Star formal cruising with luxury cabins and Club dining, both lines are best suited for more mature cruisers

Royal Caribbean are great for families and older children offering everything from rock-climbing walls and on board surfing to DJ classes, zip lines, high-energy shows and late-night free pizza. Teen clubs feature the latest in video games plus disco and lounge space.

Carnival and NCL have mega water slides to keep the kids occupied and more casual dining makes them a good choice

If you don’t want to pile on the pounds during your cruise take a look at the Gym and fitness facilities on board

Boxing? Check. Ice skating? Got it. Surfing, rock climbing, basketball, jogging track and huge gyms with cardio machines, free weights and weight machines, and class space for Pilates, cycling and aerobics? It’s all there. Add in active shore tours (kayaking, hiking and more) and plenty of space for dancing the night away, and you’ve got a fitness lover’s dream cruise with Royal Caribbean

If you don’t want to break the bank MSC are great value and low cost flights to Med embarkation ports make them a good choice for budget conscious cruisers plus kids go free except for port charges when they share a cabin with 2 adults

For true Luxury 6 star Ultra All Inclusive cruising including shore excursions, gratuities, alcohol and soft drinks, fine dining in main and specialty restaurants, attentive service and suite accommodation Regent Seven Seas is the cruise for you if you want to blow the budget!

If your choice is for Gourmet and Speciality dining venues on board, Celebrity and Oceania get my vote for menus from French-continental cuisine, Italian steakhouse and Asian Fusion with equally fine wines from their cellars

If you prefer Pathfinder itineraries and more culturally immersive ports of call the smaller 5* Luxury Azamara and Oceania could be the best choice.