Cunard
For me, Cunard is probably the closest thing to how I always imagined cruising should be. Before cruising became almost a form of mass tourism, I pictured ships that were a decent size rather than enormous floating cities, with a bit of style and occasion about them, but without having to spend the entire holiday dressed up and behaving like you've wandered into a five-star hotel.
Cunard gets that balance about right.
The ships are big enough to give you plenty to do, but they don't have quite the overwhelming feeling you get on some of the modern mega-ships, where you can spend half the day trying to remember which lift or corridor leads to your cabin. There is still a sense that you are actually on a ship, rather than in a holiday resort that happens to float.And then there is the Cunard atmosphere. Yes, there is a certain amount of formality, particularly around dinner, but I rather like that. It gives the whole experience a feeling of occasion without becoming stuffy. You can dress up for the evening if you want to, enjoy a proper dinner and perhaps have a drink afterwards, but during the day things are considerably more relaxed. You can sit on deck, wander around, watch the world go by and generally do as much or as little as you please.
That balance between traditional cruising and modern comfort is what really appeals to me. Cunard hasn't completely thrown out the old idea that a cruise should be a special occasion simply because everyone now has a smartphone and a pair of trainers.
Of course, this sort of cruising isn't cheap. Cunard is very definitely not at the budget end of the market, and you can find cheaper cruises if price is your main consideration. But I tend to think you get what you pay for. The surroundings, service, food and general atmosphere all contribute to making it feel like a more considered experience rather than simply buying a floating all-inclusive holiday.
One of the highlights for me is the specialist Steakhouse restaurant. If you're prepared to pay the extra, it is seriously good. The steaks are excellent and the whole experience feels like a proper restaurant rather than just another dining option bolted onto the ship. It's one of those places where you finish the meal thinking that, yes, the extra cost was actually worth it.Cunard also understands something that some cruise lines seem to have forgotten: you don't necessarily need to be entertained every minute of the day. Sometimes sitting somewhere comfortable with a drink and watching the sea is entertainment enough. There is something rather civilised about that.
It isn't perfect, of course. The price will put some people off, and the more traditional approach won't suit everyone. If you want water slides, a constant stream of activities and the atmosphere of a giant holiday camp, there are plenty of other cruise lines competing for your money.
But if, like me, your idea of cruising involves a smart ship, good food, comfortable surroundings, a little bit of formality and plenty of opportunity to simply relax, Cunard comes remarkably close to the picture I had in my head all those years ago.
Not the cheapest cruise line, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
(prices quoted correct as at August 2026)
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