How to Choose the Right Cruise Line
Choosing a cruise can feel surprisingly complicated. Cruise lines can visit many of the same destinations, but the experience onboard can be completely different.
The best cruise line isn't necessarily the most expensive or the one with the newest ship. It's the one that fits how you actually like to vacation.
Before comparing individual ships and itineraries, start with the questions below.
Before comparing cruise lines, decide what matters most to you:
Overall vibe:
Lively and activity-filled
Relaxed and quieter
Upscale and refined
Adults-only
Family-focused
Ship experience:
Big ship with lots to do
Smaller, easier-to-navigate ship
Great entertainment
Quiet pools and adult spaces
Lots of dining choices
Your priorities:
Food and restaurants
Interesting ports
Entertainment and nightlife
Family activities
Relaxation
Value for money
Budget:
Don't compare the cruise fare alone. Check what's included and what costs extra, especially:
Drinks
Wi-Fi
Specialty dining
Gratuities
Activities
Shore excursions
Itinerary
Consider the ports, number of sea days, time in port and departure city. If exploring destinations is your priority, the itinerary may matter more than having the newest ship.
One last thing: Compare the specific ship, not just the cruise line. Ships within the same company can offer very different experiences.
Start With Your Vacation Style
Find the Cruise Line that suits you best!
What's your priority for travelling? Activities, relaxation, or food? Do you want to travel as a family, a couple or an individual? Here are different cruise line suggestions to suit your needs.
🎉 Activities & Entertainment
Good starting points if you want lots happening on board: entertainment, activities and nightlife.
Royal Caribbean • Norwegian (NCL)
👨👩👧👦 Families
Worth considering for kids' programs, family entertainment and activities for different ages.
Good options to explore if you prefer relaxation, comfortable adult spaces, dining and a somewhat quieter atmosphere.
🌴 Relaxed & Refined
🥂 Adults Only
Designed exclusively for adults, with dining, entertainment, nightlife and wellness replacing the traditional family-cruise experience.
🍽️ Food-Focused
Good places to start if dining is one of the most important parts of your vacation. These cruise lines are known for their excellent food!
👪 Multigenerational
Lots for different age groups, allowing families to do things separately and come together throughout the trip.
Find Cruise Lines That Fit Your Vacation Style
Once you know what matters most, you can start narrowing down the cruise lines worth researching. These aren't rigid rules — individual ships and itineraries vary — but they're a useful place to start.
I want lots of activities and entertainment
Start with Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line. Royal Caribbean is particularly strong for travellers who want the ship itself to be part of the attraction, with large ships offering waterslides, surf simulators, rock climbing, shows and numerous onboard activities.
I'm travelling with children or teenagers
Start with Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line. Both offer dedicated programming for different age groups, family entertainment and activities, while still providing spaces and experiences for adults.
I want an adults-only vacation
Start with Virgin Voyages. Its ships are exclusively for adults 18+, with a strong emphasis on dining, nightlife, entertainment and wellness rather than traditional family attractions. Holland America and Celebrity tend to be more adult focused, but beware of travelling during school breaks as there are often more kids on board during these times.
I want a more relaxed, traditional cruise experience
Start with Princess Cruises or Celebrity Cruises. These are good lines to investigate if quiet spaces, dining, relaxation and a less attraction-heavy ship are higher priorities. Princess, for example, offers adult-focused relaxation areas such as The Sanctuary alongside more traditional onboard activities.
I'm taking a multigenerational family vacation
Start with Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line. Both provide children's programming and family activities while also offering adult spaces, which can make it easier for different generations to enjoy the same vacation.
Food is one of the most important parts of my vacation
Put Virgin Voyages and Celebrity Cruises on your research list. Virgin is particularly distinctive because its ships have 20+ eateries and no traditional buffet, with specialty-style dining included rather than treated as an occasional add-on.
I want quiet adult time but don't necessarily want an adults-only ship
Look at Princess Cruises, Holland America and Celebrity Cruises, and compare the adult spaces on the specific ships you're considering. Princess's Sanctuary, for example, is an adults-only retreat designed specifically around quiet and relaxation.