Thomas Cook Cruises

People choose to go on a cruise for a number of reasons, not least the element of both freedom and holiday value.

And now is great time to enjoy the experience, especially one of the Thomas Cook Cruises.

Because there are a large number of ships available, and the market has expanded so rapidly, value for money and high standards are the hallmark of modern cruising. And because the cruise companies put a great emphasis on entertainment, cruises are nowadays one of the most stress free ways to have a holiday.

The biggest consideration for people is what cruise line and what ship to pick. The choice might seem daunting at first, but it's no more difficult than say choosing the right resort, or country.

And there are two basic steps when choosing the right cruise. You first think what you want from a cruise and then you contact Thomas Cook and they will select the right package for you.

You should bear in mind that ships tend to be categorised into groups depending on what you want from the cruise experience. First are the Budget ships, then the Contemporary ships, and then Premium ships, and then Luxury.

Budget ships appeal to traditional 'bucket and spade' holidaymakers and the vessels are usually older and mid-sized, and place a great emphasis on keeping costs down. Operators within this sector are Island Cruises, Ocean Village and Thomson Cruises. But budget does not mean without style, and these ships will appeal to families looking for more intimate vessels, that offer great value for money.

Next up are the Contemporary ships which, although slightly more expensive than the budget vessels, still concentrate on a value for money experience. But the ships are usually far larger than the Budget ships, built specifically as floating resorts. They might accommodate upwards of 4,000 people and offer large scale facilities, including multiple bars and restaurants, gyms, spas, swimming pools and sports areas. Some of the lines offering ships in this range include Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.

The Premium range of ships, as the name implies, offers passengers a little more in the way of an exclusive cruise, with less emphasis on value for money at all cost, and a higher standard of accommodation and food. The ships within this category do vary in size; some can be huge, or mid-sized, or indeed, can be comparatively small, offering a very defined service. Ships in this category also have 'up-market' services including concierge and butler services, designer bathroom toiletries and cabin suites.

Operators in this sector include Celebrity, Cunard Line, Fred Olsen, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Star Clippers and Windstar Cruises.

At the upper of the cruise marker are the Luxury ships. These, as the title suggests, offer a very grand cruise experience. They tend to range from ships just over 4,000 tons, to over 70,000 tons. They might be built for less than 100 passengers, or more than 1,000. All ships in this bracket boast elegance in the form of top-class accommodation, food, service and facilities. Lines operating in this sector include Crystal Cruises, Hebridean International, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Lines and Silversea Cruises.

With Thomas Cook Cruises you can experience all types of ships.

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