The best cruise lines for every age

BEST FOR KIDS
You’d be hard pressed to find a cruise company better suited to little ones than Disney Cruise Line. Being on board is akin to sailing on a floating Disney resort, with musicals, fireworks and roaming Star Wars, Marvel and Disney-Pixar characters.

BEST FOR TEENS
If you struggle to convince your teenager to join you on a cruise holiday, namedrop MSC Cruises. Its Teen Club, designed for 15 to 17-year- olds, hosts gaming tournaments, dance competitions and discos.

BEST FOR 20 TO 40-YEAR-OLDS
New kid on the block Virgin Voyages took the industry by storm when it launched in 2021. The adults-only line offers nightclubs and tattoo parlours as well as 80s aerobics classes and fitness centres with boxing rings, running tracks and personal trainers.

BEST FOR 40+
Activities such as pickleball and glass- making – as well as a casino with more than 2,000 slot machines and 150 table games – make Celebrity Cruises a great choice for mid-life travellers. Small groups travelling on Celebrity Ascent can also book a private room with a golf simulator, karaoke, drinks and snacks.

BEST FOR 50+
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has been targeting travellers aged 55 and over since 2018. Its activities range from painting classes and singing in a choir during the day to cabaret shows and optional formal dinners at night.

BEST FOR 60+
Even though a Silversea cruise may set you back a handsome sum, if you’re retired then you’ve earned it. The line warrants a higher ticket price, as it includes premium wine, gourmet cuisine excursions and private verandas on all suites, and the 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio ensures you are never left unattended – unless you want to be, that is.