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Selecting a Cruise Line

Who should I cruise with?

This is where you should seek the most advice and information on the vast array of options waiting to tempt you.

With more than 50 mainstream cruise companies all vying for attention, plus another half dozen or so specialising in river voyages, your choice can appear overwhelming at first. Choice varies from boutique-style 4,000-tonners carrying just 50 guests to the vast mega-ships such as Royal Caribbean 's Oasis of the Seas which will weigh in at 220,000 tons when she launches in late 2009, being able to carry a massive 5,400 passengers.

There is also the option of the all-American atmosphere of Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, to the Italian ambience of MSC Cruises, the German influences of Peter Deilmann Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, and the more conventional British approach of P&O Cruises, Fred.Olsen Cruises, Ocean Village and Island Cruises.

You also need to decide if you are looking for the more energetic style, with plenty of on board choice, as provided by the bigger ships, or if you prefer the quieter, more refined approach of the smaller vessels, which tend to do things with more style and feature the true deluxe touch.

This is also where the expert knowledge of The Cruise Line 's staff comes into play, proving an in-depth break down of the choices on offer and advising which line might be the right match for you.

You can also seek out other sources of information to help do your 'homework' and take advantage of the great online resources to refine your selection.

Europe's top magazine on the subject is World of Cruising, which is published quarterly and can also be viewed at their website . Editor Simon Verness has also written a cruise guide in the Brit's Guide series called "Choosing A Cruise", which is available in most bookshops, plus at www.amazon.co.uk. The best annual guide to cruising is produced by American expert Steven B Stern, who also writes for World of Cruising - called Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation, which is available from www.pelicanpub.com.

If you have any questions regarding selecting the right cruise line, please contact us on 0800 008 6677 where one of our Cruise Experts will be delighted to help you. Alternatively, you can contact us here .