Sea Cruising

I like Cunard best. P&O is slightly cheaper. If you prefer a small ship Adonia will soon be returning to P&O. The benefit of a smaller ship is going to less well known ports.

The entertainment on the larger ships is very good. Particularly the Queen Mary.

The food is good on all of them these days. Shame about the extra pounds (weight) you come home with!

Just turn up at Southampton with all the clothes you want at any time of the day of departure. No stress.

Also, free wine and all tips included in price. No hidden extras.

Saga for us. Wouldn't go with anyone else now. Pick up from home, crew fantastic, nothing to much trouble. Wonderful food, small ships, sail from Dover or Southampton which is great for us and if you don't fly, you can take as much luggage as you want. Perfect . Can't wait for the next one!

Fred Olsen ships are smaller. I took my mum on "Black Watch" a few years ago now. There was a lot of hanging around between check in and boarding but once on board the ship and the cruise was great.
H and I have done P&O. Only critisism there being the shore excursions are damn expensive.
Galen is the expert though

Where is Galen when you want her?

Packing the dresses and pearls for the christmas cruise.

If you don't like flying there are plenty of cruises that go from Southampton around the Meditteranean (and back!).
We always go for a balcony cabin - there's nothing like sitting on your own balcony having breakfast and watching the sea go by....
We have cruised with several different cruise lines and have never had bad food, and the staff are always extremely helpful.
Good luck with your search - there's no other holiday like it!!! (But that's just my opinion from our own experiences over the past 15 years of cruising)