Editorial Policy
CruiseCompass publishes cruise guides, line reviews, and destination content for UK readers. This page explains how editorial decisions are made, how we research what we publish, and how we handle the commercial relationships that help fund the site.
Our independence
CruiseCompass is editorially independent. No cruise line, affiliate network, or commercial partner pays for placement in our guides, influences the outcome of a review, or has any say in which ships or itineraries we cover. Where we earn affiliate commission — which we do, when readers book through certain links on this site — that commission is paid out of the operator's own margin. It adds nothing to the price a reader pays, and it does not fund or influence the editorial judgement that precedes any recommendation.
Our full affiliate relationships are disclosed on the affiliate disclosure page.
What we cover and how we choose
We cover all major cruise lines that sell meaningfully to the UK market, regardless of whether they run an affiliate programme or any commercial relationship with us. Coverage is editorial-led: we add lines, ships, and ports because our editorial team believes they are relevant and useful to UK cruisers, not because they offer a higher commission rate or have asked for inclusion.
We do not accept payment for coverage. If a cruise line, travel agent, or PR agency asks to purchase editorial space, we decline.
How we research
Our content draws on the following sources:
- Operator websites, brochures, and published fare sheets
- The Widgety industry data feed for ship specifications and pricing (see below)
- Direct contact with cruise-line PR and sales teams — we do not accept embargoed information that restricts what we can publish
- Reader feedback submitted via our contact form
- Sailings taken by members of the editorial team, paid for independently or declared in the article footer if hosted
- Reputable industry trade press
Where we cite a specific figure or statistic, we link to the source. Pricing data sourced from Widgety is noted with a snapshot date.
Our rating methodology
We do not currently publish numerical star ratings. Reviews are descriptive rather than scored, because we believe a considered paragraph tells readers more than a number taken out of context. When a sailing shows a price-from figure, that figure comes from the operator's stated lead-in fare as supplied via the Widgety data feed, refreshed daily. All prices are subject to availability and may differ at the point of booking.
Corrections
We aim to be accurate. When we get something wrong, we will correct it promptly. Where a correction is material — a wrong date, an incorrect price, a factual error about a ship or itinerary — we will note it at the bottom of the relevant page with a brief description of what changed and when.
To report an error, email [email protected] or use our contact form.
Conflicts of interest
We will declare any commercial relationship that could reasonably be seen as bearing on our coverage. This includes all affiliate partnerships, which are listed on our affiliate disclosure page. It also includes any free travel or hosted sailings: none have been accepted to date, and should that change, the article footer of any content arising from hosted travel will say so plainly.
Author identity
Most articles are published under the “CruiseCompass Editorial” by-line, reflecting work produced or reviewed by our editorial team collectively. Articles attributed to a named individual are signed by that person. Overall editorial responsibility rests with the editor-in-chief, reachable at [email protected].
Contact
Questions about editorial decisions, concerns about accuracy, or requests for clarification can be sent via our contact page or directly to [email protected].
Last reviewed: May 2026