Cruise Metrics: Honest, Data-Led UK Cruise Guides

I built Cruise Metrics because I was tired of choosing a cruise from a brochure photo. Travel agents love the word “vibrant”. It usually just means crowded. This site is a growing set of UK cruise guides. Real data and firsthand experience shape every one, not a sales target.

I’m a Data Analyst by trade. I’m also a cruiser by habit, with around 15 years and five or six cruises a year behind me. I don’t sell cruises. I don’t earn a commission if you book one either. So every guide here answers one simple question: what would actually help you before you sail?

Here’s what you’ll find on the site so far, and where to start.

Planning Your First UK Cruise

New to cruising? Start with the basics before you start comparing ships. My first-time cruiser guide covers what to expect on board. A companion piece helps with picking your first destination. Ready to think about cost? My guide on how much a UK cruise costs breaks down real prices, not “from” headline fares.

Booking raises its own question, too. My guide on travel agents versus booking direct sets out exactly when each option earns its keep.

Getting To Your Cruise Port

Most UK cruises leave from Southampton or Dover. Getting there is often more stressful than the cruise itself. I’ve built detailed, step-by-step transfer guides for this reason. They cover routes from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh and London, by train, coach and air. Start with the UK cruise ports hub. Or head straight to the Southampton or Dover port guides to find your terminal.

Cruise Line Guides

Every cruise line markets itself a little differently. So I write a dedicated guide for each one. Right now, that covers Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Marella Cruises. Each guide covers what the drink packages and dining plans actually include, and what they leave out. More lines are on the way. Browse them all from the cruise lines hub.

The Numbers That Actually Matter

This is where Cruise Metrics started. It’s still the heart of the site. Two figures tell you more about a ship’s real feel than any brochure ever will.

The Passenger Space Ratio shows how much room you’ll actually have. The crew-to-passenger ratio tells you a lot about the service you can expect. I pull these figures from sources like class society filings and cruise line investor reports. That’s the same kind of data industry bodies such as the Cruise Lines International Association track, rather than marketing copy. I’ve also covered whether drink packages are worth it more generally, alongside the line-specific breakdowns above.

Packing Guides By Ship

Every ship has a different cabin size and layout. A generic packing list only gets you so far. I’m working through individual cruise packing guides for specific ships. So far, that includes Carnival, Celebrity, Azamara and Ambassador vessels, each pairing real cabin specs with practical packing advice.

Why Trust Cruise Metrics?

I don’t take commission. I don’t accept payment to favour one cruise line over another. Every statistic on this site traces back to a public, verifiable source, not a press release. You can read more about how I check the numbers on the about page.

New UK cruise guides go up regularly, so it’s worth bookmarking this page. Got a ship, port or cruise line you’d like covered next? The about page has a way to get in touch.

None of this tells you which ship is “best”. That’s not really the point. It’s here so you can weigh the data against what you actually want from your holiday, then book with your eyes open.