If you are considering a cruise, you may be considering a British cruise line.
British cruise lines are not only a great option for people from Britain, but they’re also popular with Americans, Canadians, Australians – and anybody who wants to have British a experience onboard a cruise ship.
British cruise lines have a lot to offer that differs from American and other European cruise lines.
In this article, we will explore the best British cruise lines and learn a little about what it’s like to cruise with each.
Which Are The Best British Cruise Lines?
The most popular British cruise line is P&O cruises, followed by Cunard Line. You may also like Marella Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Ambassador and Saga Cruises.
All provide a quintessentially British experience and are well-loved by many.
There is a lot of variety between the British cruise lines. Some have large modern ships, and some have older, smaller ships that have previously sailed for other cruise companies.
Some hold onto a traditional way of cruising – such as dress codes and formal nights, but you’ll also find others that are far more relaxed.
You’ll find a wide variety of passenger ages on board, but the primary passenger nationality onboard all lines mentioned is British.
Best British Cruise Line For First-Time Cruisers: P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises are the largest and most popular cruise line in the UK. They are owned by Carnival and have seven cruise ships in their fleet.
The oldest ship currently in the fleet is Aurora, built in the year 2000, and the newest is Arvia, launched in 2022.
All P&O ships have a Union Jack on the bow, and you’ll find British touches throughout. There are Yorkshire puddings in the buffet, UK plug sockets in the cabins, and afternoon tea served with cakes and scones.
P&O cruises out of the UK year-round and usually has a number of ships in Southampton.
They do cruise further afield, but they’re well known for their cruises from the UK and are popular with cruisers of all ages.
Find out about the cruise I took on P&O’s largest and newest ship, Arvia here:
My Experience Cruising With P&O Cruises
I’ve been on many P&O cruises. They have seven ships, and the only ones I haven’t tried so far are Azura and Arcadia.
I loved the food, the service, the ships, and the entertainment onboard. They offer great value for money, as all gratuities are included.
I am very impressed with the way that P&O cruises dealt with food intolerances. The ship’s cabins, particularly on the newest ship, are lovely.
When I cruised on Britannia, I had the opportunity to learn to cook with Celebrity Chef Marco Pierre White which was a lot of fun!
How do P&O Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?
The atmosphere on board a P&O cruise is generally speaking relaxed with less on the itinarary than you’d find on a big American cruise line like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line. P&O is actually one of the more lively British lines though. This is particularly true of their largest family ships, Iona and Arvia.
You won’t find go-kart tracks, laser quest or flow riders, but you will find ships with plenty of top-deck space and a friendly atmosphere onboard.
There is plenty to keep you busy if you want to be doing things throughout the day.
The food is designed to cater to British passengers, so you’ll find British favourites onboard – like Beef Wellington, Toad in the Hole, and Fish and Chips!
There is a lot of variety when it comes to food onboard, with food from all over the world being served.
Who Would Like a P&O Cruises Cruise?
P&O Cruises are great for families and cruisers of all ages. The atmosphere onboard is fairly relaxed and friendly.
A P&O cruise is great for somebody who wants to relax by the pool and enjoy high-quality food.
I’d strongly recommend a P&O cruise to first-time cruisers, as P&O makes the whole process of cruising very easy.
The fact that all gratuities are included within the cruise fare is an added bonus!
Who Are Typical P&O Cruises Passengers?
On a P&O cruise, you’ll find a variety of passengers. On the older, smaller ships, you’ll generally find an older crowd than on the newer, bigger ships like Arvia and Iona.
The smaller older ships tend to provide a more traditional cruising experience, and in 2019, Arcadia and Aurora became adult-only.
Find out about the short cruise I took on Aurora below. I was surprised how much I liked this older, smaller ship:
P&O do advertise heavily to the family market and often have discounted children’s rates. That said, you won’t find things like waterslides or rock-climbing walls on P&O ships.
The ship designs are fairly traditional but the ships do have kids clubs that cater to children of varying ages. The groups are split by age and children are able to attend the activities as they wish.
What is P&O Cruises Dining Like?
P&O Cruises offers both flexible and fixed dining, which I love. We’ve never had to wait for a table in the main dining room, and the food is always of high quality.
I never found anybody who had any problem finding something that suited them.
I have eaten in many of the speciality restaurants on board and found that all were very good. If you’re a fan of Indian food, visiting Sindhu is a must.
Top tip: If you’re having breakfast in the buffet lookout for the bread rolls with icing on the top. They’re great! Probably not very nutritious and they are literally covered in sugar – but they’re very very good!
On most P&O ships, you’ll find a mixture of fixed and flexible dining. I usually opt for flexible dining, and you are still able to share tables if you want to do this. Equally, if you want a table for 2 or 3, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Can You Book a P&O Cruise From Outside The UK?
If you are from outside of the UK it can be difficult to book a P&O cruise. Some Agents are able to book P&O cruises, but it’s sometimes easier to book directly with P&O.
My partner travel agents are able to help though, so fill in the form below if you would like some help.
P&O cruises currently include gratuities in the cruise fare, all meals are included and your entertainment is too.
Drinks cost extra and there are specialty restaurants that come at an additional charge if you’d like to try them too – but they are not mandatory. There is no need to spend extra on food if you don’t want to.
To learn more about gratuities, including how they also affect drinks and spa treatments, check out this post so that you don’t have any nasty surprises on your cruise:
Cruise Gratuities: A Simple Step by Step Guide For First Time Cruisers
I personally feel that P&O cruises offer some of the best value-for-money cruises around – so they are great for first-timers or budget cruisers.
Best British Cruise Line For Traditional Cruisers: Cunard Line
Cunard Line is a British cruise line also owned by Carnival. They were founded 180 years ago and focus heavily on the traditional cruising market.
Cunard currently has four ships in the fleet, including the last remaining Ocean Liner at sea, the Queen Mary. She is a wonderful ship, and regularly makes Transatlantic voygages, which, as an Ocean Liner, she was designed to do.
Find out the difference between Ocean Liners and cruise ships here:
Cruise Ships vs Ocean Liners – Measurable Differences You Need to Know
Cunard cruises have strictly enforced formal nights, dress codes, and the best afternoon tea at sea (in my opinion).
A Cunard cruise is actually the reason why I started this website. I took my first Cunard cruise and sat onboard thinking, why did nobody tell me that it would be like this?
I had no idea about quite how strictly the dress codes were enforced or what a Cunard cruise would actually be like.
I did really enjoy it, but it’s very important that anybody cruising with Cunard knows what to expect before the cruise. They’re much more traditional than the majority of other lines.
Find out how I got on when I sailed onboard Queen Mary 2 here:
My Experience With Cunard
My first cruise was on the Queen Victoria and I loved the elegant feel of the ship, the relaxed atmosphere, and the most amazing afternoon tea!
I was definitely the youngest person on the cruise by 20 or 30 years (apart from my younger brother) but that didn’t bother me.
I found the entertainment a little limited compared to cruising with other lines, and I was not a huge fan of the enforced dress codes.
That said, I had a great time and have enjoyed cruising with Cunard a couple more times since then, and look forward to doing so again.
Find out more about the enforced dress codes on Cunard here:
Cunard Dress Code – (Mens, Womens, Childrens – Real Examples)
How do Cunard Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?
The atmosphere on board a Cunard cruise is much more chilled than what you’d expect on most American cruise lines. The atmosphere is pretty quiet, even by British standards.
It isn’t uncommon for there to be gaps in the daily schedule, and most events onboard are pretty relaxed.
You won’t find things like silent discos, flowriders or gameshows onboard, that is for sure. You’re more likely to find lectures in the theatre, afternoon tea in the ballroom, and a quiz in the pub.
The decor onboard is very traditional and the ships are designed to be very elegant.
Below are a few photos from my first Cunard cruise onboard the Queen Victoria.
Who Would Like a Cunard Cruise?
A Cunard cruise would appeal to guests who enjoy traditional elements of cruising such as formal nights and dress codes.
Cunard cruises are perfect for those who want to enjoy afternoon tea, relax in the conservatory, or learn to ballroom dance.
There isn’t much nightlife on a Cunard cruise, so the line would suit passengers who would like to go to bed relatively early.
Given the Cunard’s incredible 180-year history, their cruises would suit people interested in maritime history and those who appreciate classic cruise ship design.
The cruise line sails frequently from the UK, and the Queen Mary 2 regularly completes transatlantic voyages to New York.
Dogs are actually allowed on transatlantic Cunard cruises which makes it a very popular choice for passengers wishing to relocate their pets across the Atlantic.
Ed Sheeran actually recorded part of his “Divide” album on the Queen Mary 2 while making a transatlantic crossing.
What Are Cunard Cruise Line Passengers Like?
Cunard does tend to attract an older market. That said, if you are younger, you won’t feel out of place on a Cunard cruise. I’ve cruised with Cunard in my 20s and enjoyed it very much.
It is usually the older, more traditional cruisers that enjoy the enforced dress codes and set dining times.
The atmosphere onboard is quite quiet, and you’ll find things like draughts and knitting in the daily schedule.
What is Cunard’s Dining Like?
All dining on Cunard cruises is fixed and we always found the quality very high.
There is also a buffet and a pub onboard where you can have your meals if you’d like to.
My favourite part about my Cunard cruise was the fact that room service is free onboard! If you are taking a Cunard cruise, make sure that you try it at some point.
To learn more about the included food options, check out this post:
Do Cunard Cruises Include Meals? Your Guide To What Is Included
Room service is a great option if you don’t want to take part in formal nights.
To learn more about how to skip formal nights (if you’d like to), check out this post:
You Can Skip Formal Nights on a Cruise: Here’s How
Best British Cruise Lines For Families: Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises are a British cruise line formerly known as Thomson.
They currently have five cruise ships in their fleet. All ships had previous lives for other cruise lines.
Find out more about that here:
How Marella Cruises Transformed Ex-Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Ships
All ships have been very well looked after and renovated to a high standard.
Marella is one of my favourite cruise lines due to the relaxed, lively atmosphere on board.
Cruises with Marella are all-inclusive as standard, but they offer good value for money
Gratuities, soft and alcoholic drinks are included in the cruise fare on all Marella cruises.
They are popular with families, young cruisers, and older cruisers alike. They are probably the most lively of the British cruise lines and I thought that the onboard entertainment was brilliant.
My Experience With Marella
I’ve been on lots of Marella cruises, and I always really enjoy them.
Find out about my latest cruise with Marella here:
On most cruises, your included food options are the main dining room, buffet, and possibly a poolside grill.
With Marella, there were other included restaurant options too, and all of the food was great.
The food definitely is geared towards British tastes but as I’m British that suited me perfectly.
Marella also run themed party cruises. I went on a 90s-themed cruise on board the Marella Explorer. This was my first themed cruise, and we had SO much fun.
The cruise felt like a three-day festival at sea with famous artists from the 90s playing concerts on the pool deck.
The all-inclusive pricing structure made the whole cruising process very easy and I left the cruise without a single charge on my onboard account. Amazing!
How do Marella Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?
Marella is probably the most lively of the British cruise lines, with the youngest average age.
The daily schedule is relatively busy and I really enjoyed the entertainment onboard.
This does, of course, depend on the cruise. Shorter cruises tend to have a younger passenger demographic, but most Marella cruises are popular with families and cruisers of all ages.
The ships are mostly from the 1990s, so they aren’t the biggest or most exciting, but that said, they have been incredibly well-renovated. I’ve been on much newer ships, which felt much older.
The food and entertainment on board is geared towards a British audience. The majority of passengers on board are British. That said, if you are from elsewhere, you’ll be welcomed on board!
What is Marella’s Dining Like?
The dining on a Marella cruise is completely freestyle and there are loads of options.
On the Marella discovery, there were a number of free options, including the main dining room, an Italian restaurant, a Pizza/Tapas restaurant, a grab-and-go style restaurant, and a buffet.
Marella do have a formal night of sorts but the dress codes are quite relaxed. If you are a man it’s recommended that you wear a shirt with a collar – this could be a polo shirt.
For women as long as you are wearing a smart (ish) dress or trousers/top you’d be fine. I never saw anybody be turned away from the main dining room for not being adequately dressed.
Find out more about dress codes onboard here:
Marella Cruises Formal Nights – Everything You Need To Know
Best Small Independent Cruise Line: Fred Olsen Cruise Line
Fred Olsen are a relatively small independent cruise line.
They currently have four cruise ships in their fleet all of which were built before the year 2000.
The experience onboard a Fred Olsen cruise is fairly traditional and the onboard schedule is quite quiet.
Due to the smaller size of the Fred Olsen ships, they are able to visit ports that other larger ships can’t visit– and they actually offer “mystery cruises!“
A mystery cruise is basically a cruise where you know the start, end, and how long the cruise will take – but don’t know any of the ports along the way.
To learn more about mystery cruises (including just how much of it is a mystery) check out this post:
What is a Mystery Cruise? (Cruise Guide and Examples).
Find out about the cruise I took with Fred Olsen to Norway, “In search of the Northern Lights” here:
How do Fred Olsen Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?
The experience on a Fred Olsen cruise is much quieter and more relaxed than that which you’d find on most American cruise lines.
The experience is geared towards British guests with most passengers being from Britain. The Britishness of the cruise line is evident in the onboard food and entertainment.
Who Would Like a Fred Olsen Cruises Cruise?
A Fred Olsen cruise would suit a passenger who wanted a relaxing traditional cruise on small ships.
The typical passengers on a Fred Olsen cruise tend to be older than some other lines.
Fred Olsen cruises would suit guests interested in visiting unique ports and are destination-focused.
When I was on Fred Olsen’s Bolette, I was surprised by how well the crew looked after their guests! Nothing seemed to be too much trouble…
Best British Cruise Line For 50+ Cruisers: Saga Cruises
Saga are a 50+ cruise line that focuses on the luxury market. Saga cruises are more expensive than the other lines mentioned in this post, but in my opinion, the cruises are well worth it.
You’ll find more included on a Saga cruise than most other cruise lines and I recently spent a few nights onboard the Spirit of Discovery. It was GORGEOUS!
You do have to be 50+ to cruise with Saga, so I’ve got quite a while to wait. If you’re 40+ you’re able to cruise with somebody 50+.
My Experience With Saga
I was lucky enough to spend a few days on board the Spirit of Discovery before her naming ceremony in Dover, UK. I was blown away by the ship, and I stayed in a ‘solo’ cabin, which was HUGE – and so beautiful.
It felt as though everything onboard had been really well thought out, and the ship felt very luxurious. I’m not too sure what I expected from a Saga cruise, but it definitely wasn’t anything as gorgeous as this ship.
I visited the ship as part of a press cruise so the ship was busy late into the night. We had parties by the pool and drag queens in the theatre!
Have a look at Spirit of Discovery in this video:
How do Saga Cruises Compare to American Cruise Lines?
The experience on a Saga cruise is much quieter than that on the majority of American cruise lines.
The ship felt much more spacious than the ships owned by lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line.
The experience of taking a Saga cruise is undeniably British. You’ll find UK plug sockets in the cabins, kettles, and even photos of the King onboard!
Who Would Cruise With Saga?
A Saga cruise would suit somebody who wants a touch of luxury when they cruise, all while being surrounded by British comforts.
Saga passengers do have to be 50+, which does mean that the cruise line has an older-than-average age demographic.
As a result, the onboard daily schedule and atmosphere aren’t as lively as that which you’d find on some other lines.
That said, a Saga cruise is perfect for those who want to enjoy good food, great service, and beautiful ships.
Britain’s Newest Cruise Line: Ambassador : Best For Budget Cruisers
Ambassador is Britain’s newest cruise line, and their first ship, Ambiance, set sail in April 2022.
They have only two ships, Ambiance and Ambition. Both had previous lives sailing for other cruise companies.
Ambience previously sailed as Regal Princess and Pacific Dawn for P&O Australia.
Ambition was previously Costa neoRiviera for Costa Cruises and AIDAmira for Aida Cruises.
They offer no-fly cruises from a range of British ports and say they are “offering affordable quality and the warmest welcome at sea”.
My Experience With Ambassador
My experience with Ambassador hasn’t been great. I booked a short cruise to visit the Christmas Markets – and although we embarked the ship, the cruise was cancelled before we set sail!
Find out more about that here:
How do Ambassador Compare to American Cruise Lines?
Ambassador cruises offer good value for money onboard older cruise ships.
Don’t expect to find water slides or rock climbing walls onboard.
They offer more of your traditional small ship experience. Some sailings are adult-only, others are marketed to families.
They offer a range of themed cruises – comedy cruises, cricket legends cruises, greatest hits radio cruises, etc.
They are able to visit smaller and more unusual ports than the large American ships.
Who Would Enjoy Cruising With Ambassador?
Guests who want a good value cruise and prefer to sail from a local cruise port.
The age demographic onboard does tend to be older.
People who like a traditional cruise experience don’t need all the amenities a big cruise ship offers.
Before You Go
Find out why you shouldn’t avoid cruising on older, smaller cruise ships here:
9 Reasons You Shouldn’t Avoid Cruising on Older, Smaller Cruise Ships
Find out if you can expect to feel the cruise ship moving when you cruise here:
Can You Feel The Cruise Ship Moving When Onboard?
Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide
Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.
This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.
Whenever I take a cruise I order a print of my trip. It uses the real satellite data from the cruise and is always a great conversation starter!
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