If you were to design your own cruise ship.. what would it look like?

This week has seen the commencement of building the new ships for Richard Branson’s new cruise line, Virgin Voyages. There will be 3 brand new ships built to start cruising in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The ships will carry 2500 passengers and 1150 crew members. I am not sure what market the cruise line is aiming for but it promises to be different! Different? Is that different – good? Maybe they are aiming at a completely different market. I am curious to find out. I think we will be waiting a while before we find out more details.

The size and staff ratio seems similar to the older style Celebrity ships.. Constellation, Millennium and Infinity.

So if you had the job of creating a brand new cruise product, what would it look like?

Here are some of my thoughts…

My ship would be big, about 3000 passenger but with 1500 staff members to increase the service levels. I cruised Azamara and the service level was perfect! A drink was waiting for you before you even asked for it!

There would be a pool for everyone… a big pool for swimming, an adult only pool with a swim up bar, a kids mini water park with water jets – this would be for the parents to drench the children!

Princess have lovely adult only pools with relaxing area. Lovely and quiet. The water parks on Royal Caribbean and NCL are fantastic.

Gratuities would just be included in the cruise fare – no hidden costs – most of the luxury brands include the tips in the price and so do Thomson Cruises.

No single supplements – cruising is safe, sociable and adventurous so absolutely perfect for single travellers.  NCL have some ships with studios especially designed for singles with a designated area on the ship to socialise but most importantly they have no supplements. Some Royal Caribbean and P&O ships have also followed with special single cabins with a lower supplement. Whatever happened to single shares? Would you share if the cruise would work out cheaper?

Finally I would have a family restaurant on-board. Nothing worse than a long meal sitting with children. They get bored and then start to irritate the other guests on the table. Royal Caribbean have family dining with their anytime. Not all families like to eat at different times. It is nice to all dine together. I love going out to a family restaurant with my 4 year old. We find that Italian restaurants are the best to cater.

Would you book on my cruise ship?

What would your cruise ship look like?

Which is your favourite cruise line?

Thanks for reading!

Love Rosie xxx