One aspect of cruising that can put some people off, and that I have personally sometimes wished could be different, is that the bulk of cruise lines are owned by giant corporations who all offer a similar onboard experience and one that is far from the region that you are cruising.

Ambassador Cruises

Ambassador Cruises are an English based cruise line that operate out of United Kingdom to popular destinations such as the Norwegian Fjords, Northern Europe the Mediterranean and the Canaries.

What does separate them from other larger lines offering similar trips is that they use departure ports around the UK and will often have 2-3 pick-up ports on an itinerary allowing you to visit parts of the UK often overlooked and also meet people from across the British Isles.

If you are wanting to start your cruise holiday from the UK and want to see parts off it as part of a wider European adventure, they offer the chance to do just that and the onboard experience is based on the traditional British holiday park getaway, but just at sea.

Fred Olsen Cruises

This is another British based line that offer a traditional British style of holiday at sea who like the number 1 line on this list, they offer the chance to set sail and spend time in smaller ports of departure.

If you want to add on a British holiday to your cruise and keep that experience going even when you set off on an adventure to nearby destinations such as the fjords, they are a good option.

Celestyal Cruises

If you are looking to explore either the Greek Islands or the Eastern Mediterranean this could be the line for you as Celestyal Cruises have developed a reputation of giving a immersive holiday that just cannot be match.

The food and drink onboard is based on the Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, so you don’t get that disconnect between been onshore and been on your ship which really helps as they are known for their ultra-port intensive holidays where you can often spend the morning on one island before exploring another destination in the afternoon.

Hurtigruten Cruises

For this entry, I am not talking about the new Hurtigruten Expedition line but the traditional coastal route line that when so many think about cruising Norway, think of this line.

If you have visiting any of the port towns and cities in Norway, you will have seen the red, black and white livery of the Hurtigruten ships, and if you have visited the country on a traditional cruise ship, you will have seen them come into the same port of you, and set off before you have even had your breakfast.

That is because, they operate as a ferry service for locals but those from afar can take advantage of seeing so much more of the stunning Norwegian fjordlands and coastal regions whist enjoying a Norwegian experience onboard.

Havila Voyages

Although technically a ferry as they offer that service to those living across the coastal regions of Norway, the rest of us can take advantage of the large cruise ferries to enjoy visiting port after port after port along the beautiful Norwegian coast and down the incredible fjords of west Norway.

Onboard, the ship is more relaxed than a regular cruise, but you are never far from Norwegian touches, especially at mealtimes to help keep you connected to your surroundings.

UnCruise Adventures

UnCruise Adventures aim to be the cruise line for those who don’t like cruising and who are looking for a more adventurous getaway.

Based in the north-west of the United States, they excel in offering Alaskan getaways that get you close to the natural beauty that surrounds you when sailing the inside passage and that includes a relaxed Pacific northwestern experience onboard their ships.

Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions are easy ships to sport thanks to the huge Q that features on the side of the ships.

Whilst most expedition cruise lines will head to out of the way places across the globe, Quark have developed as a specialist in polar regions which keeps your exploration happening onboard just like when you are ashore thanks to a range of onboard scientists and regional experts.

Margaritaville at Sea

Trips between Florida and the Bahamas as known in the industry of booze cruises, or where you spend a few days in the sun, drinking, eating and having fun.

Whist many lines offer these short getaways, no line continues the booze cruise experience for the entirety of your getaway as Margaritaville at Sea.

Love by some, loathed by others, the line offers a unique experience and plenty of moments probably best left at sea.

Ecoventura

Ecoventura are a Galapagos Island specialist that use small, luxury yachts to take you around the archipelago.

As they only operate in the Galapagos, they have become experts in getting people close to the beautiful wildlife that call the islands home but even hen you are not onshore, local experts keep you up to date and well versed on island life to keep you immersed in all things Galapagos from the moment you board your ship to the moment you disembark.

Celebrity Cruises Expeditions (Islas Galapagos Turismo y Vapores C.A.)

This one is in 10th place as it’s a bit of strange one really.

Technically it is not a separate line as it is just a part of the Celebrity Cruise line and can be book via their website in the usual way, but it is a separate company behind it that is based in Ecuador and that is operated by the Islas Galapagos Turismo y Vapores C.A. company.

The line combines the cruising experience of the Celebrity and the Royal Caribbean Group with the local knowledge of the Galapagos tourism agency to give those wanting to explore the remote pacific archipelago a journey to remember.