Big-name cruise lines compared

Looking for a trusted cruise line for your next ocean voyage? They may be household names, and most-used by members, but not all of the big industry players are created equal. 

There is a huge difference in the quality of experience and the facilities, so make sure to do your research before booking. 

We asked thousands of guests to rate their cruise holidays on everything from the cabin, to the quality of the excursions and the food and drink on board.

Here we compare the big-name rivals so you know where you’ll get the most bang for your buck - and the most space without being crammed in with hundreds of other passengers. 

See the full results of our best and worst cruise lines to compare more brands, including luxury small-ship operators.

P&O Cruises 72%

Indicative price/night  £171

The UK’s oldest and biggest cruise line, with year-round departures from Southampton. It’s owned by Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, which is separate from P&O Ferries. P&O cruise ships have more than doubled in size in the past two decades, and some passengers complained about understaffing and slipping standards. Passengers told us that the cabins and on-board facilities are up to the mark, but customer service, passenger-to-space ratio and food were merely average. 

Our verdict It remains readers’ most sailed-with cruise line, but it probably shouldn’t be. You’ll have a better time on many of its competitors.

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Cunard 73%

Indicative price/night  £224

Famous for its transatlantic crossings, this 180-year-old line remains popular thanks to its black-tie galas and afternoon tea served by white-gloved waiters. Your cabin grade even determines which restaurants you dine in. It’s owned by Carnival Corporation, but its 2,000-capacity ships are still named after British queens and sail from Southampton to New York, Norway and the Med. Guests enjoyed the good food and congenial atmosphere. 

One told us: ‘The staff treat you very well, the boats are classy, as is the entertainment.’ But some passengers felt Cunard didn’t live up to its upmarket reputation and were unhappy about uninspiring port excursions, high drinks prices, service charges and $11.50 daily gratuities per person.

Our verdict If you’re after big-ticket attractions and American-style entertainment, this is better than rivals

Virgin Voyages 80%

Indicative price/night £296

Launched in 2021, Virgin Voyages’ 2,700-capacity vessels are probably the only ocean liners with a tattoo parlour, while entertainment ranges from drag nights to Shakespeare-themed acrobatics. On ‘Scarlet Night’, everyone is encouraged to wear red for a ship-wide party. One customer told us: ‘It’s aimed at younger people, but I still enjoyed the atmosphere and party vibe.’

It’s the food that really stood out, getting a full five-star rating in our survey. There are no buffets or set mealtimes, and dining options include a Korean barbecue restaurant, molecular cuisine and a veggie diner. They’re all included in the upfront price (as are tips and wi-fi), but drinks cost extra. Virgin’s ships currently sail from Athens, Barcelona, Miami, with more set to launch soon. 

Our verdict Virgin’s cruise line is rated highly by passengers, but traditionalists might want to steer clear.

Disney Cruise Line 78%

Indicative price/night  £478

The entertainment firm’s ships are floating theme parks. On Disney Cruise Line's newest vessel – 4,000-capacity Disney Wish – you can dine in restaurants inspired by The Avengers and Frozen, whizz down a flume in an inflatable raft and watch Broadway-style shows in the vast theatre. 

The range of family-friendly activities includes a kids’ club, while adults can take refuge in child-free areas including a Star Wars-themed cocktail bar. Guests loved the ships’ five-star facilities and friendly atmosphere. The cabins (complete with Disney artwork) and food were good too, but customer service was less magical, scoring only three out of five stars. 

Even lifelong Mickey fans might baulk at the fantastical ticket price, and you pay extra for drinks, wi-fi, tips and some restaurants. One cruise-goer said: ‘The entertainment is first-class, but they’re much more expensive than similar cruises with other lines.’ 

Our verdict If you haven’t set your heart on meeting Elsa, you can save a bundle by booking with a cruise line with facilities and entertainment just as good, such as Carnival. 

Fred Olsen 72%

Indicative price/night £323

Fred Olsen is significantly more expensive than both Cunard and P&O Cruises. For this you get a sprinkling of three and four-stars ratings. They add up to a good score for Fred Olsen; just nowhere near as good as many other rival brands.

Founded in 1848, the Norwegian firm now run cruises from five British ports, with three relatively small ships (the largest, Borealis, has 702 rooms and suites). It visits destinations around the world, from the fjords of its homeland to the warm waters of Africa and the Indian Ocean. All ships have a spa, fitness centre and sauna.

The largest vessel carries 1,350 guests - but customers didn’t think that ships felt busy, awarding it five stars for the passenger-to-space ratio. However, you may want to give the excursions a miss - they were described as ‘dull’ and ‘ridiculously expensive’. ‘Where we stopped there was literally nothing to do and nowhere to go,’ described one passenger.

Our verdict Fred Olsen beats rival P&O Cruises on customer service, passenger-to-space ratio and the quality of food and drink. But there are better and cheaper cruise lines out there.

See if a drinks package is worth the money. We compare pre-purchased prices for major cruise lines.

Princess Cruises 67%

Indicative price/night  £178

This American cruise line’s enormous ships have decent facilities but almost everything else is mediocre, according to our survey. The long list of add-ons also irked passengers, who had to pay extra for everything from performances by special guests to better food. Several were disappointed by the ‘lacklustre’ buffet and ‘useless’ app, which is supposed to make ordering and embarkation simpler. 

Around four in 10 of the Princess passengers we surveyed had to make a complaint, and only half were happy with the outcome. No wonder its value for money rating was joint lowest.

Our verdict The alternative options are better