British Cruise Lines Have Many Quirks. As I Recently Rediscovered!

Why don't more international cruise passengers choose to cruise on British cruise lines? Why do most stick to American and European cruise lines? Cruise passengers can cruise pretty much anywhere in the world they want to on a British line, with the possible exception of Antarctica, and yet very few book on British cruise lines. I realised that I, as a Brit living in Britain, don't cruise on British cruise lines and so I booked myself on a series of British cruise line cruises to find out why. This is what I found out....

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00:00 Start
01:00 No British Lines
02:56 All The Same
04:44 Rule Britannia
09:43 No Foreigners

[kbalch]

As a lifelong Anglophile, taking a British cruise will be a priority for me once life returns to normal, post-pandemic. All other cultural aspects aside, the tendency onboard ship toward formality in dress and comportment is a major attraction.

[mangomd]

What an interesting and unique subject. Gary, you are the best.
As an American I’ve always especially enjoyed cruises with a good proportion of Brits, Aussies, and Kiwis.

[marygiles]

I am British, but it doesn't define me. I dont want to waste my holiday flag waving . Sailed on QE2 twice, years ago and had to endure rampant snobbery and class consciousness. Sounds like it's got worse over the years, rather than diminishing. Give me RCI or NCL every time for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, international dining and lots of interesting shipmates. I can buy fish and chips from my local chippy anytime and I cook a mean roast dinner.

[webstermitchell]

We traveled on a German line, Aida, we're American. It was VERY difficult to book, the crew and fellow passengers always wondered why we chose the line...we LOVED it, loved the "German experience" and would absolutely do it again. We are very interested in taking a P&O cruise!

[christineshearer]

Another great video. We love the ‘dressing up’ as in our normal day to day life there is never a reason to dress so up so much. Cannot wait to get back to cruising. For us they are so relaxing but that said, they are not for everyone.

[mammaneedsabreak]

This was very interesting. I love cruising for the diversity of people I meet, so I wouldn’t be excited about taking a cruise that excludes people. But that’s just me.

[ApeApes]

Gary, Currently, Saga is only open to Uk residents due to Covid, but I had reservations for back-to-back cruises for July-August 2021 and was able to move my deposit to another pair next spring. I will be flying into Heathrow from the US West Coast.
I am SO looking forward to cruising on the Spirit of Discovery because I am a solo traveler and Saga appears to be one of the only — if not the only — cruise lines that truly welcomes solos. And the huge ships on other lines have no appeal to me. I am more of a Francophile than an Anglophile, but I am eager for the British cruise experience.
Making the initial reservation is a challenge. I have to email Saga and ask them to call me. But they have been very accommodating. And I have to buy my own (expensive!) American travel insurance. Just 9 more months and I will at long last be on my SoD cruise!
-GerryL

[Jenesis]

Didn’t know Saga’s policy is not open to international travelers because I really want to board a Saga cruise. To me cruise always has an Edwardian feel, something very British colonial. I have not been attracted to party boat like atmosphere of cruise vacation. But the more stately and subdue British style would definitely be my cup of tea (pun intended).

[callioscope]

If we were ever going to go on a cruise again, a British cruise would be at the too of my list, or a river cruise. But we don’t think we will ever go on a cruise again. We were thinking to do a Canadian rail and cruise, but next summer, which is when we were likely to have done so, is almost already sold out. Until we change our minds, I will just watch your videos, which I find oddly delightful given our stance.

[Jay-vrir]

I am sorry sir, but I have crossed on The Queen Mary 2, three times, it was just too dull . On my last trip, I returned home on The Norwegian Escape, it was fantastic, so much more fun than Cunard, the variety alone was great . It had more clubs, more places to eat, a better recreation area, better food and nicer crew, so many choices at a cheaper price .

[jpbpds]

Very thorough! Until this last year or so, I wasn’t even aware of all of the other cruise lines around the world. Following channels like yours and Morgan O’Brien’s Very Unofficial Travel Guide introduced me to British, German and Italian lines.

[christinejones]

Interesting Gary, I have cruised Cunard and loved it but have been put off P&O, Fred Olsen, and similar ones as they are too British. I have cruised several times with Princess and also Celebrity and love the American vibe to those lines, and also meeting lots more international travelers not just the Brits. Thanks.

[paulchesney]

Thanks Gary for your comprehensive report which has convinced me even more that I do not need to look for any other cruise line than P&O. Whilst you emphasise the 'Britishness' of P&O, you don't have to be that way inclined. You don't HAVE to eat fish and chips. You don't HAVE to wave your flag around. You don't HAVE to get dressed up, you just can't use those areas designated on that particular evening, your choice. We like that opportunity to get dressed up like people used to, that's our choice. What is good is that the currency is the pound so no exchange rate to worry about. No additional service charge on each drink to worry about. Only one language on tannoyed addresses. We all like what we like and we are all different, but for me no flying and quick embarkation at Southampton is a big big plus.

[zzzland]

Good one, Gary. My main gripe would be paying in UK pounds. It’s already a pain paying in USD, (We are from Canada). We have been on all the three Queens and we enjoyed our experience. Ranking: 1-QE, 2-QM2 and 3- QV.

[jillp]

Interesting. I used to (pre pandemic) take (mostly N. American) people on private tours on their way to and from Southampton. Invariably when I'd point out the P&O ships in port, they never knew they existed! You've actually put me off travelling with P&O because I don't WANT that 'British island mindset'. I enjoy the international flavour of cruises, and meeting people from around the world. I just wish more American lines would have kettles in their staterooms though ;-)

[walterplant]

Great video ; a factor in it being predominantly British passengers on round trips on Cunard out of Southampton is that people simply prefer not to fly, nit that they are avoiding other nationalities. A regular topic of conversation is always what trip are you hoping to book when the next voyages are released for sale ? The higher grades are regularly sold out in days if not hours in spite of the price .

[markeaston]

Interesting analysis thanks Gary. I think for us the lack of visibility of UK lines is probably the major reason that we haven't tried them yet. Also, the nationalism might wear a little thin after a while. Having to endure the Barmy Army every 4 years is always a bit of a challenge but on a ship there would be no escape from it.

[victoriasmith]

Great to hear you including New Zealanders Gary!

[jdhsingi]

What a very interesting perspective on their business model. Thank you for sharing.

[PatJ]

What a fascinating topic. Thank you! It would be interesting to know the crew's perspective on British cruise lines vs. American cruise lines. While I'll probably never sail on a purely British cruise, I can't imagine meeting up with more pleasant people than you, Paul and Carole, and Emma.