When you’ve been in the industry as long as Cruise Nation have, it’s only natural that we’ve heard every misconception about cruises.
‘Cruises are only for older travellers.’ Wrong. ‘Cruises are restrictive.’ Wrong.
This might have been true decades ago, but the cruise industry has come a long way since then. Cruise holidays are a premium and exclusive experience that was once reserved for the rich and famous but are more accessible than ever.
Whether you’re after a relaxing getaway across the Caribbean islands or a party cruise around Northern Europe, there’s a cruise for you. And, luckily, you’re in the right place to bag the best price possible with Cruise Nation’s Smart Packages.
Why choose a cruise?
With a Cruise holiday, you’ve got unparalleled access to a range of itineraries and activities, allowing you to explore swathes of the world, rather than just one location, like a traditional package holiday.
You can truly relax during the travel days, enjoying the incredible food and entertainment available on board while the team sail the ship without you having to lift a finger.
There are endless possibilities aboard a cruise that will keep you coming back for more.
The modern cruise ship: A floating luxury resort
When the Prinzessin Victoria Luise was launched in 1900, it revolutionised luxury travel. It’s generally considered to be the first vessel that was purpose-built for cruising, focusing on the leisure and entertainment of guests, instead of aiming for pure speed when travelling across the Atlantic.
It featured a large gym, a social hall, a ballroom, and even a darkroom for amateur photographers to develop their film.
While they might not feature the same traditional rooms and activities, modern cruise ships still encapsulate the luxury that was first experienced at the beginning of the 20th century, often taking luxury to a whole other level.
On board, you can expect the same laid-back, luxurious ambience that you’d experience in a 5-star hotel. Immaculately vacuumed fluffy carpets, mirror-shined hand railings, and the delicious aroma of freshly cooked gourmet food are just some of the sensory delights that you can experience aboard a cruise. And that’s without mentioning the first-class service from staff who always go above and beyond, no matter what ship you’re travelling on.
So, how large are cruise ships? Well, they differ massively. Lines like Oceania Cruises, Azamara Cruises and Silversea, which offer an intimate, luxurious experience where the staff-to-passenger ratio is near 1:1, are hugely different from larger liners like Royal Caribbean, which resemble cities at sea, providing you with everything you could ever need or want, and some things that you’d only ever experience onboard a cruise. From water parks to world-class dining experiences, Broadway-style shows to skydiving simulators, there’s truly nothing like a cruise.
Smaller ships are also able to access ports that aren’t accessible on a huge cruise ship, as well as providing amenities like alcoholic beverages and speciality dining as standard.
Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, and manages to pack in eight neighbourhood districts packed with restaurants and cafes, seven pools, six waterslides, and the famous AquaTheater, which features high-diving, aerialist, and robotic performances. Icon of the Seas sails across the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida.
MSC World Europa is the largest cruise ship not owned by Royal Caribbean International, so it’s full of unique features that you might not find on a Royal Caribbean cruise. One of the standout features of MSC Cruises is the Broadway-style shows, including the incredible Dirty Dancing in Concert, which launched in 2025.
The Queen Elizabeth 2, which has been repurposed as a floating hotel in Dubai, was a cruise liner that became known as a symbol of luxury and elegance during its over 40 years of service for Cunard Line cruises. Since then, cruises have gotten bigger and more luxurious, focusing on getting to your destination in style rather than as fast as possible.
Unmatched value for money
When comparing a cruise holiday to a holiday including multiple destinations, multiple flights, and multiple hotels, a cruise holiday becomes a no-brainer in terms of the value for money.
Even if you can get a good deal on flights or hotels, it’s such a hassle to skrimp and scrape all to save a few quid when you could have booked a cruise holiday with Cruise Nation, and we’d take away all the guesswork.
Our Smart Packages make booking a cruise holiday simple. They include your flights, and you can even benefit from FREE extras like hotel stays in a massive range of worldwide destinations, giving you even more value for money. Using a Cruise & Stay package, you can have two holidays in one by enjoying a stay in a hotel before or after your cruise holiday, squeezing even more value from the package.
Cruise lines often run limited-time promotions such as drinks packages, cabin upgrades, or onboard credit—perfect for enjoying premium beverages during your trip. These special offers are clearly marked on our cruise deals, so you can easily see what’s currently available.
Curated experiences and world-class dining
A cruise isn’t just a way to get from A to B; some of the best experiences of your holiday will take place during your travel days. While the Captain is busy steering the ship to your next port, you can enjoy a meal from a celebrity chef or indulge in a touch of wine tasting.
If you don’t fancy leaving it to the professionals, there are even cooking classes for you to learn how to cook your favourite dishes.
Cruise & Stay: Offering the best of both worlds
You might be wondering: What is a Cruise and Stay holiday? Well, it’s the best of both worlds when it comes to holidays. You’ll experience the luxury, variety, and worry-free nature of cruise travelling, coupled with a free hotel stay before or after your cruise so that you can see the sights at your own pace, without needing to be back at the ship.
For example, if you’ve booked a cruise around the Mediterranean, a Cruise and Stay package will give you a free hotel stay in Rome, giving you some extra time to see the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, or Trevi Fountain. It will also allow you to see a different side of the city once the sun has set or is rising.
In essence, a Cruise and Stay cruise holiday is two holidays rolled into one: one on land and one at sea!
Changing demographics: Cruising for everyone
The target demographic of cruises has drastically changed over the years. Cruising used to be seen as a holiday exclusively for older travellers, but that simply isn’t true anymore.
The activities and entertainment on board a cruise are now for everyone! Solo travellers would have just as much fun as a family of four because of the range of activities that caters to every group of people. Certain lines tend to cater to different demographics, so as a younger adult-only passenger, Virgin Voyages might be ideal, while families might find that Royal Caribbean’s entertainment and amenities are the way to go.
It could be a romantic getaway or a well-deserved summer holiday with the kids; it really doesn’t matter, what matters is having as much fun, relaxation, and good times as you can while you’re on one of our cruise holidays.
If you’re looking for a holiday that does it all, a cruise holiday is right up your street. There are countless options for cruise holidays with length, destinations, and cabins that can be adjusted to suit your needs and budget. We’ve curated the best deals from a range of cruise lines, securing deals that you cannot find anywhere else.
