Choosing a cruise line can be surprisingly difficult, especially for someone planning their first cruise. With so many ships, destinations, fare options and onboard experiences to compare, it is easy to focus on the wrong things.
A traveller might hear that one cruise line has the biggest ships, another has better food, another is great for families and another offers lower fares. None of those things necessarily answers the most important question:
Which cruise line is right for you?
After helping travellers compare cruises, I have found that choosing the right cruise line has much less to do with finding the “best” cruise line and much more to do with matching the experience to the traveller.
A family travelling with young children may have a completely different idea of a perfect holiday than a couple celebrating an anniversary. Someone who loves nightlife may be miserable on a quiet ship, while someone looking for relaxation may quickly become overwhelmed on a ship built around nonstop activity.
The same principle applies to budget. A lower cruise fare is not necessarily better value if the ship does not offer the experience you want or you end up paying extra for features you expected to be included.
Before choosing your next cruise, consider these factors.
1. Decide Whether the Ship or Destination Matters More
This is one of the first questions I ask when thinking about which cruise might suit someone.
For some travellers, the ship is the holiday.
They want waterslides, entertainment, restaurants, pools, nightlife and activities from morning until late at night. A large modern ship can work extremely well for this type of traveller, particularly on Caribbean itineraries where sea days are part of the attraction.
Other travellers barely care about the ship.
They are cruising because they want to visit Alaska, explore Mediterranean ports or see several European destinations without constantly changing hotels.
Neither approach is wrong, but it can lead you towards very different cruise lines and ships.
Travel hack: Look at the itinerary and the ship as two separate decisions. If you are excited about spending time onboard, prioritise the ship’s facilities. If the ports are the main attraction, spend more time comparing the itinerary, port times and shore excursions.
2. Be Realistic About Your Feelings Towards Crowds
Modern cruise ships can carry thousands of passengers.
Some people love the energy that creates. They enjoy busy pool decks, large shows, active promenades and having dozens of things happening around them.
Other travellers find that exhausting.
If you strongly dislike crowds, choosing a ship primarily because it has the most attractions may backfire. Those attractions can also attract large numbers of families and active travellers.
Someone who prefers reading on a quiet deck, having a leisurely dinner and listening to live music in the evening may be happier on a ship with fewer high-energy attractions or more dedicated quiet and adult spaces.
Don’t choose the experience everyone else seems excited about. Choose the one you will actually enjoy.
Travel hack: When researching a ship, look beyond the marketing photos. Read recent reviews and check the deck plan to see where pools, children’s areas, nightclubs and other busy venues are located. Your cabin’s position can make a noticeable difference to how much noise and foot traffic you experience.
3. Consider Who Is Travelling With You
A cruise that works beautifully for a couple may be a terrible choice for a family with three children.
Families often place a higher value on children’s programmes, pools, water attractions, flexible dining and activities that keep different age groups entertained.
Couples may care more about dining, service, adult spaces and evening entertainment.
Solo travellers have another set of considerations, including solo cabins, social activities and whether the onboard atmosphere makes meeting other passengers easy.
Multigenerational families may have the hardest decision of all because the cruise needs to work for grandparents, parents and children at the same time.
This is one reason large mainstream cruise lines can be appealing to groups. Having a wide range of activities allows different members of the family to do their own thing during the day and meet again for dinner.
Travel hack: For multigenerational groups, compare cabin locations and dining arrangements as carefully as the entertainment. Being close to lifts or having cabins on the same deck can make the trip easier for travellers with different mobility needs.
4. Don’t Look at the Cruise Fare Alone
Cruise pricing can be deceptive.
A low advertised fare does not necessarily mean you will have the least expensive holiday.
Depending on the cruise line and fare, you may eventually add costs for drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, excursions and other extras. Taxes, port fees and other charges can also affect the final amount you pay.
Another cruise may initially appear more expensive but include some of those things.
Think about total holiday cost, not simply the number you see in the advertisement.
Also think about your own behaviour.
If you don’t drink alcohol and rarely use specialty restaurants, paying more for an inclusive package may provide little value. If you want drinks, Wi-Fi and specialty dining every day, a package may be worth considering, but calculate the likely cost of buying those extras separately first.
Travel hack: Create a simple comparison sheet with the cruise fare, taxes and fees, gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, excursions and transport to the port. Comparing the estimated total rather than the headline fare gives you a much clearer picture of value.
5. Think About How Important Food Is to You
Food is another area where travellers have dramatically different expectations.
Some people are perfectly happy with a buffet, pizza, burgers and a decent main dining room meal.
For others, dining is one of the highlights of the holiday.
If you fall into the second category, investigate the cruise line’s dining programme before booking. Look at what restaurants are included, which require an additional charge, what types of cuisine are available and whether reservations are recommended or required for popular venues.
The cheapest cruise isn’t a bargain if you spend the entire week disappointed with something that matters greatly to you.
Also check how your preferred dining arrangements work. Some cruise lines offer more flexible dining, while others may have assigned or scheduled dining options depending on the ship and booking.
6. Decide How Much Entertainment You Actually Want
Cruise entertainment has expanded far beyond traditional production shows.
Depending on the ship, you might find theatre productions, comedy, live music, casinos, nightclubs, water shows, game shows, go-karts, escape rooms and other attractions.
Again, more isn’t automatically better.
Someone who loves nightlife may want a ship where things are still happening well after midnight. Another traveller may prefer dinner, some live music and a quiet drink before bed.
Think about what you actually do on holiday rather than what looks impressive in a cruise advertisement.
Travel hack: Check the daily programme or recent passenger reviews for the ship you are considering. A long list of activities does not necessarily mean you will enjoy them or that they will be available at the times you prefer.
7. Consider Your Feelings About Children
This is a factor people sometimes hesitate to discuss, but it matters.
Some travellers love being around families and enjoy the lively atmosphere of a family-oriented ship.
Others would strongly prefer a quieter, more adult-oriented holiday.
If you are travelling with children, family programming may be one of your highest priorities.
If you aren’t, you may place greater value on adult-only spaces or an adults-only cruise such as Virgin Voyages, rather than simply choosing a family-focused ship with adult areas.
There are options for both types of travellers. The important thing is recognising which environment you prefer before you book.
Keep in mind that passenger mix can also vary by itinerary, sailing date and school holiday periods. A cruise line’s general reputation does not tell the whole story about every sailing.
8. Casual or Traditional?
Cruise lines also differ in how traditional the experience feels.
Some travellers enjoy dressing for dinner, assigned dining times and some of the customs associated with classic cruising.
Others want almost none of that.
They want to wear comfortable clothes, eat when they feel like eating and avoid rigid schedules.
Many modern cruise lines have moved towards increasingly casual experiences, but meaningful differences still exist.
If you hate dressing up, don’t choose a cruise because someone tells you it is more sophisticated. Likewise, if elegant evenings are part of what makes cruising special to you, don’t assume every cruise will provide that atmosphere.
Check the current dress guidance for your specific cruise before packing. Requirements can vary between cruise lines, ships and dining venues.
9. Compare Individual Ships, Not Just Cruise Lines
This is one of the most important things to consider when comparing cruises.
Two ships operated by the same cruise line can provide very different holidays.
A cruise line’s newest ship might have dozens of restaurants, major attractions and enormous entertainment venues, while one of its older ships may offer a much simpler experience.
Ship size, age and class matter.
This is particularly important when someone tells you, “I sailed with that cruise line and loved it.”
Ask them which ship.
Their experience may have been substantially different from the ship you are considering.
Travel hack: Once you have narrowed down a cruise line, compare the exact ship, not just the brand. Look at the deck plan, recent reviews, cabin locations, dining venues, entertainment and refurbishment history where available.
10. Stop Looking for the “Best” Cruise Line
Travellers frequently ask which cruise line is best.
There really isn’t one.
Cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Costa, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Virgin Voyages, Disney and Oceania target different types of travellers and experiences. Even then, the best fit can vary between individual ships and itineraries.
The better question is:
What do I want my holiday to feel like?
Once you can answer that, narrowing the choices becomes much easier.
If you are still unsure after comparing your priorities, an independent comparison tool can be useful for narrowing the field. For example, a Cruise Match Quiz that asks about factors such as budget, travel party, dining, crowds, entertainment, destinations and onboard atmosphere, then provides cruise-line matches based on those preferences.
You can use the Get Cruise Info Cruise Match Quiz as a starting point, then research the recommended cruise lines and specific ships yourself before making a booking.
The quiz is best treated as a comparison aid rather than a definitive answer. Your final choice should still take into account the exact ship, itinerary, sailing date, cabin and total holiday cost.
Final Thoughts
One of the easiest ways to have a disappointing cruise is to choose the wrong cruise for the right reasons.
The fare may have been excellent. The ship may have fantastic reviews. Your friends may have loved it.
But none of that guarantees it fits you.
Before spending a significant amount of money on a cruise, think about your budget, who you are travelling with, how much activity you want, whether crowds bother you, how important food and entertainment are and whether you care more about the ship or the destinations.
Then compare the individual ships that fit those priorities.
It is also worth checking the cancellation terms, what’s included in your fare and any important booking deadlines before you pay a deposit. These details can vary by cruise line and fare type.
The goal isn’t to find the cruise line everyone else says is best.
It’s to find the one that makes the most sense for the way you like to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by considering your budget, preferred destinations, travel companions and the type of onboard experience you want. Think about whether you prefer family-friendly activities, nightlife, relaxation, cultural experiences, fine dining or a quieter atmosphere. It is also important to compare the specific ship and itinerary, as experiences can vary within the same cruise line.
There is no single cruise line that is best for every family. Look for ships with age-appropriate kids’ clubs, family activities, pools, entertainment and cabin options that suit your group. Families should also check the itinerary, sailing length and total cost before booking.
Compare the cruise line and ship, itinerary, cabin location, dining options, onboard activities, inclusions and total holiday cost. Also check cancellation terms, payment deadlines and any additional charges such as gratuities, drinks or excursions. Reading recent reviews and checking the ship’s deck plan can help you make a more informed decision.
