How to Choose the Right Cruise Line for You
By Jim Hoover, Cruise Planners Travel Advisor
If you’ve decided you want to take a cruise, congratulations—you’ve made the easy decision.
Now comes the harder one:
Which cruise line should you choose?
Royal Caribbean? Celebrity? Princess? Holland America? Norwegian? Carnival? MSC? Virgin Voyages? Disney? Viking?
Ask ten cruisers which cruise line is the best and you may get ten different answers. And the funny thing is, they may all be right.
That’s because there really isn’t one “best” cruise line.
There’s only the best cruise line for you—and for this particular vacation.
The cruise line you choose for a family vacation with the grandkids may be completely different from the one you choose for an anniversary trip. And the cruise you take with six friends may be different again.
Instead of asking “Which cruise line is the best?” start by asking: “What kind of vacation do I want?”
1. Royal Caribbean: When the Ship Is Part of the Destination
If you want a cruise where there is almost always something happening, Royal Caribbean should be near the top of your list.
Their largest ships can feel like floating resorts, with everything from water slides and surf simulators to entertainment venues, specialty restaurants, neighborhoods, pools and activities for practically every age.
For families and multigenerational groups, that can be a huge advantage.
Grandparents can relax by the pool, teenagers can disappear into activities, younger kids have programs of their own, and everyone can come back together for dinner or a show.
Royal Caribbean is also a good choice for travelers who aren’t necessarily cruising primarily for the destinations.
On some ships, the ship itself is one of the destinations.
The experience on one of Royal Caribbean’s newest mega-ships can be very different from sailing aboard one of its smaller or older ships.
Two cruises with the same Royal Caribbean logo can feel like two completely different vacations.
2. Celebrity Cruises: Upscale Without Feeling Stuffy
Celebrity is a great fit for travelers who want something a little more refined without moving all the way into the luxury-cruise category.
Think modern ships, excellent restaurants, stylish public spaces and a generally more relaxed adult atmosphere.
Celebrity can be particularly appealing to couples who like many of the amenities of a larger ship but don’t necessarily need water slides, go-karts or dozens of children’s activities.
Their newer Edge-class ships have also introduced some very different ideas about ship design and outdoor spaces.
Families are welcome, but the experience tends to be more adult-oriented than family-oriented.
That distinction can make a big difference.
3. Princess Cruises: Classic Cruising Done Well
Princess is one of those cruise lines that can work for a surprisingly wide range of travelers.
The experience tends to be more traditional than some of the newer resort-style cruise lines, with an emphasis on good food, comfortable ships, entertainment and the destinations you’re visiting.
Princess is especially well known for Alaska, where the cruise line has decades of experience and offers both cruises and land-based extensions.
It’s a strong choice for couples, adults traveling together and multigenerational families who don’t need the ship to feel like an amusement park.
Look at the itinerary.
Which glaciers will you visit? How much time will you have in port? Does the cruise include Glacier Bay? Do you want to add time on land before or after the cruise?
In Alaska especially, where the ship goes can matter as much as which ship you’re on.
4. Holland America Line: Don’t Let the Stereotypes Fool You
Holland America has a reputation for attracting an older, more traditional cruising audience.
And yes, depending on the sailing, that can certainly be true.
But that doesn’t mean you should cross Holland America off your list—especially if you enjoy good food, live music, comfortable ships and destination-focused itineraries.
Holland America has a particularly strong presence in Alaska and offers some excellent longer and more interesting itineraries around the world.
And sometimes that supposedly “older” crowd can actually be an advantage.
Don’t automatically rule out a cruise line like Holland America because you’ve heard it attracts an older crowd. That can actually work in your favor.
Later in the evening, some of the bars and lounges may be considerably less crowded than you’ll find aboard the big nightlife-focused ships.
If you’re traveling with a group of friends, you might find yourselves practically taking over a bar or lounge and creating your own party.
Sometimes having the nightlife to yourselves is a lot more fun than fighting your way through a packed nightclub with hundreds of other people.
“Older Crowd” Doesn’t Mean “Boring Ship”
Sometimes it just means you get the bartender’s undivided attention.
5. Norwegian Cruise Line: Keep It Casual
Norwegian helped popularize the idea of cruising without the traditional structure that used to define a cruise vacation.
The emphasis is on flexibility.
You generally don’t have to structure your day around formal nights or rigid dining schedules, and the ships offer plenty of restaurants, entertainment and activities.
Depending on the ship, you might find go-karts, waterslides, elaborate production shows and a wide selection of bars and restaurants.
Norwegian can be particularly good for people who say: “I want to cruise, but I don’t want to feel like I’m on a traditional cruise.”
As with Royal Caribbean, make sure you’re comparing the specific ship, not simply the cruise line.
6. Carnival Cruise Line: When You Want the Vacation to Be Fun and Social
Carnival calls itself the “Fun Ships,” and that’s actually a pretty good description of what the cruise line is trying to deliver.
Carnival tends to have a casual, energetic and social atmosphere. Depending on the ship and sailing, you’ll find deck parties, comedy, live music, nightclubs, pools, waterslides, games and plenty happening throughout the day and into the evening.
It can be an especially good fit for families, groups of friends and travelers who want to meet people and have fun without worrying too much about formality.
Carnival can also offer strong value, particularly for travelers who want plenty of casual dining, entertainment and activities included in the overall cruise experience.
And just like Holland America, Carnival sometimes gets unfairly reduced to a stereotype.
Yes, Carnival can be lively.
That doesn’t mean every Carnival cruise is a nonstop spring-break party.
A short weekend getaway can have a very different atmosphere from a seven-, ten- or fourteen-day sailing.
Look at the actual cruise you’re considering, not just the name painted on the side of the ship.
7. MSC Cruises: European Style, Great Value—and a Secret Weapon
MSC is one of the world’s largest cruise companies, but many American travelers are still discovering it.
The experience has a distinctly international flavor. You’ll often hear multiple languages spoken onboard, and the food, service and entertainment can feel a little different from what you’ll find on the major American-focused cruise lines.
MSC can also offer some very attractive pricing.
But there’s another reason MSC deserves serious consideration.
The Yacht Club.
MSC’s Yacht Club is essentially a luxury cruise experience tucked inside a much larger ship.
Guests staying in the Yacht Club have access to private areas such as their own lounge, restaurant and pool or sun-deck area, along with upgraded service and other benefits.
But when you want all the restaurants, entertainment and excitement of the big ship, you simply walk out the door.
A Ship Within a Ship
You get the privacy and more intimate atmosphere of an exclusive area while still having the entertainment, dining and activities of a large resort-style cruise ship just outside the door.
You get the small-ship feeling when you want it and the big-ship amenities when you want those.
It’s one of the best examples of why choosing the right experience can be more important than simply choosing a cruise line.
8. Virgin Voyages: Definitely Not Your Parents’ Cruise
Virgin Voyages decided to throw out quite a few traditional cruise conventions.
There are no kids.
There isn’t a traditional main dining room.
The restaurants are included rather than simply funneling everyone into one large dining venue.
The entertainment can be unconventional, the atmosphere is decidedly adult, and the entire experience is designed to feel different from traditional cruising.
For couples or groups of friends who want nightlife, interesting food and a more contemporary atmosphere, Virgin can be a great choice.
But it isn’t for everyone.
And that’s exactly the point. A cruise line doesn’t need to appeal to everyone. It needs to appeal to you.
9. Disney Cruise Line: It’s Not Just for Kids
Disney is an obvious choice for families with young children—but don’t assume that’s the whole story.
Disney puts enormous effort into entertainment, service, ship design and creating spaces for different age groups.
There are dedicated children’s areas, but there are also adult-only restaurants, lounges and pool areas.
And, of course, Disney knows a thing or two about entertainment.
The biggest hesitation for many travelers is price. Disney can command a significant premium compared with other mainstream cruise lines.
For a Disney-loving family, that premium may be completely worthwhile.
For someone who doesn’t care much about Disney? There may be better places to spend the money.
Compare what you’re getting for that price and, more importantly, how much you value those things.
The cheapest cruise isn’t necessarily the best value—and the most expensive cruise isn’t necessarily the best vacation.
10. Viking: When the Destination Comes First
Viking offers a very different experience from the giant resort-style ships.
There are no water slides.
No casinos.
No children under 18.
And that’s exactly how Viking’s guests like it.
The focus is much more heavily placed on destinations, culture, enrichment and the places you’re visiting.
Viking’s ocean ships are also considerably smaller than today’s mega-ships, which creates a quieter and more intimate atmosphere onboard.
If your idea of a great cruise involves exploring an interesting destination during the day, having a nice dinner and enjoying a relaxing evening rather than riding a roller coaster at sea, Viking may be much closer to your style.
11. What About Luxury Cruise Lines?
Once you move into luxury cruising, the experience changes again.
Cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Explora Journeys generally offer smaller ships, higher levels of service, more space per passenger and a more inclusive experience.
Depending on the cruise line, things like drinks, gratuities, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and even shore excursions may be included.
That makes comparing prices a little tricky.
A luxury cruise can look dramatically more expensive at first glance, but once you add all the extras to a mainstream cruise, the difference may not be as large as you expected.
A $2,000 cruise with another $1,500 in drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities and other extras isn’t really a $2,000 cruise.
But Which Luxury Cruise Line Is Right for You?
Just like mainstream cruise lines, luxury cruise lines aren’t all the same.
Some focus heavily on all-inclusive luxury and personalized service. Others put more emphasis on destinations and expedition-style travel. Some are very traditional, while newer luxury lines offer a more contemporary and relaxed atmosphere.
Choosing between Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys and the other luxury options deserves more than a couple of paragraphs.
We’ll look at the differences in ships, dining, service, inclusions, destinations and onboard atmosphere—and, most importantly, which type of luxury traveler each cruise line is best suited for.
12. Before You Choose a Cruise Line, Ask Yourself These Questions
Who Am I Traveling With?
A romantic trip for two is very different from taking three generations of your family.
Do I Want the Ship or the Destination to Be the Star?
Some people could happily spend seven days without getting off the ship. Others view the ship primarily as a comfortable way to get from one destination to another.
Do I Want Lots of Kids Around—or Almost None?
There’s no wrong answer. But there are definitely cruise lines better suited to each preference.
What Does Nightlife Mean to Me?
A packed nightclub? Live music? A Broadway-style show? A piano bar? Or sitting with six friends and practically having the lounge to yourselves?
How Important Is Food?
For some travelers, dinner is simply something that happens between activities. For others, it’s one of the highlights of the vacation.
Do I Prefer Casual or Upscale?
Do you want shorts and a T-shirt most nights, or do you enjoy dressing up occasionally?
How Much Activity Do I Want?
There is an enormous difference between spending your sea day riding waterslides and spending it reading a book on a quiet deck.
Both sound pretty good to us. Just maybe not on the same vacation.
13. The Ship Matters Almost as Much as the Cruise Line
This may be one of the most important things for a first-time cruiser to understand.
Cruise lines aren’t uniform.
A cruise line may operate dozens of ships built over several decades.
The newest ship may have restaurants, activities, entertainment and cabin types that simply don’t exist on an older ship in the same fleet.
That’s why someone might tell you:
“I sailed on that cruise line and didn’t like it.”
Our next question would be: “Which ship?”
Because that can completely change the conversation.
14. Don’t Choose Your Cruise Based on Someone Else’s Perfect Vacation
Your neighbor loved their cruise.
Your brother-in-law hated his.
Someone in a Facebook group says you should never sail one cruise line.
Someone else says it’s the only cruise line they’ll ever sail.
Cruise advice can get a little crazy.
The problem is that none of those people are you.
A family traveling with two teenagers has different priorities than a retired couple celebrating their anniversary.
A group of eight friends has different priorities than a couple taking their honeymoon.
And even your own preferences can change from one vacation to another.
You might choose Royal Caribbean when traveling with the grandkids, Holland America for Alaska, Virgin for a getaway with friends and Viking when you want to explore Europe.
You don’t have to have a favorite cruise line. You just need the right cruise line for the trip you’re planning.
Think about who you’re traveling with, the type of atmosphere you enjoy, how important the ship is compared with the destinations, what you like to do at night, and where you want to spend your vacation budget.
The best cruise line is the one that fits the way you like to travel.
15. That’s Where a Good Travel Advisor Makes a Difference
With so many cruise lines, ships, cabin categories, itineraries and promotions, it’s easy to spend hours online and end up more confused than when you started.
That’s where we come in.
At Vacay Dreams, Jim and Christine don’t start by asking which cruise line you want to book.
We’d rather start by learning how you like to vacation.
- Who are you traveling with?
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What’s important to you?
- What don’t you care about?
- What’s your budget?
Then we can help match you with the cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin that make sense for your vacation.
Because the goal isn’t to put you on the “best” cruise line. It’s to put you on the cruise that’s best for you.
What Should You Read Next?
How to Choose the Right Cruise Cabin
Once you’ve found the cruise line and ship that fit your vacation style, the next decision is where you’re going to stay onboard.
Our cabin guide walks through inside, oceanview, balcony and suite cabins, along with cabin location, noise, motion, upgrade bidding and other details that can make a big difference.
Read: How to Choose the Right Cruise Cabin →
How to Choose the Right Luxury Cruise Line
We’ll take a deeper look at Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys and other luxury cruise options—and explain how their ships, service, dining, inclusions and onboard atmosphere differ.
Ready to Find the Right Cruise?
Choosing the right cruise involves much more than finding a destination and comparing prices.
The cruise line, ship, itinerary, onboard atmosphere, cabin and even who you’re traveling with can completely change the experience.
Jim and Christine Hoover at Vacay Dreams can help you compare cruise lines, ships, itineraries and cabins so you’re not simply booking a cruise—you’re choosing the right cruise for your vacation.
Contact Jim & ChristineBecause there isn’t one best cruise line—there’s only the cruise line that’s best for you.
CP Vacay Dreams 