The four cabin types, honestly compared
Inside cabins are the price leaders — no window, but on a port-heavy itinerary you'll barely be in the room. Oceanview adds a sealed window for roughly 15–20% more.
Balconies are the sweet spot for most first-timers: morning coffee over the sea, and typically 35–45% above inside pricing. Suites add space, priority boarding and often a butler — lovely, but save them for a special occasion.
Our live cruise search shows real cabin availability and per-date pricing for every sailing, so you can compare all four grades side by side.
What your fare includes (and what it doesn't)
- ·Included: accommodation, main-dining-room and buffet meals, entertainment, kids' clubs, pools and the gym
- ·Not included: gratuities (typically £12–£16 per person per night), alcohol and speciality coffee, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, speciality restaurants
- ·Drinks packages usually break even at 5–6 drinks per day — do the maths before boarding, they're cheaper pre-cruise
- ·Some premium lines (Virgin Voyages, Silversea) bundle gratuities, Wi-Fi and dining — the headline fare looks higher but often wins overall
Picking your first itinerary
Mediterranean 7-nighters from Barcelona or Rome are the classic starter: a new city most days, short sea legs, and no long flights from the UK. Southampton no-fly cruises to the Norwegian fjords or the Canaries remove airports from the equation entirely.
In the Caribbean, Miami and Port Canaveral departures reach the most ports; pair the cruise with our flight desk and we'll protect the connection — if your flight delays, the cruise line is obliged to get you to the ship when both are on one booking.