I get this question a lot! There are so many cruise lines out there, and each has its own personality and specialties. This is your comprehensive guide that will help you decide which cruise line is right for you!

As an Advanced Travel Advisor with Fora Travel, I can help you plan your dream vacation, and I specialize in cruises! Contact me today to get started. Comment below or email me at [email protected]. 

Here is a quick reference chart, then I’l dig deeper! Grab your mask and snorkel and jump in!

🌴 Ocean Cruise Lines

🌊 Combined River/Ocean & Specialty Cruise Lines

❄️ Expedition & Adventure Lines

Factors to Consider

Budget

It would be nice not to have to consider cost, but let’s be realistic here! Most of us have to give significant weight to budget. In general, the cruise lines listed below under “Mainstream Cruise Lines” are going to be more budget-friendly. This corresponds with kid-friendly as well- the two go hand in hand. The four mainstream cruise lines I’ve listed below are comparable in price, but have vastly different personalities.

For a balance of cash and class, look to the “Premium Cruise Lines” listed below. These can have a significant variation in price, and I’ll start from those that are generally least pricey to the most expensive ones. Keep in mind that some of these lines do not allow children, which can be a deal breaker for some and a huge selling point for others.

The “Luxury Cruise Lines” tend to see an older demographic, partially because they are the most expensive. You will see more inclusions, and there are often deals which will include airfare (sometimes even business class). Accommodations are more upscale, and cuisine rivals that of land-based find dining establishments.

The “Expeditionary Lines” mentioned below tend toward more expensive, often include land-based portions, and will take you to some of the most amazing places on earth. Unique offerings include the Galápagos Islands, Northern Lights cruises, and Antarctica. These ships tend to be smaller, so they can get into smaller waterways and get you closer to the attractions. A smaller guest capacity follows, which lends an exclusive feeling to these ships.

Vibe

Are you looking for a party atmosphere? Look to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin. More family-oriented? Royal Caribbean and Disney earn top spots! Are you a “thinking cruiser” and want to gain in-depth knowledge of the ports you are visiting? Try Viking, Scenic, or AMA.

Are you interested in cruising with lots of Americans and seeing familiar brands like Johnny Rockets, Starbucks, Emeril, and Guy Fieri? Stick with Carnival, Royal, Princess, Norwegian, or Virgin. Craving a more European flair? Go for MSC or the river lines. The expeditionary lines tend to have guests from all over the world. With that said, geography played a large role in the population onboard. Caribbean cruises tend to have more Americans, while Mediterranean cruises tend to have more Europeans. We’ve cruised Royal and Celebrity in Asia, and they had a predominantly Asian crowd.

Is an elegant, upscale, chic atmosphere more to your liking? Look toward Azamara, Cunard, and Oceania. River cruises overall tend to provide a more refined, elegant experience, so consider Viking, Scenic, and Ama Waterways. Any of the lines with this vibe tend to emphasize culture and landscapes over ship entertainment and parties.

More interested in digging deep and learning? Viking and Scenic are great bets. If you want to combine this with a little adventure, Viking is still great, but also consider Hurtigruten, Quark, and Lindblad (Nat Geo). They offer lectures, renowned guides, and libraries, with less night life. Gotta get to bed to get up early and explore!

Style of Travel

Ocean or River? In general, the crowd on ocean cruises is younger, there is more night life, and activities take place all day long. Kids clubs are popular, and there’s always a bar or dance club to haunt. River cruises tend to focus more on the ports, with each often a unique European city or cultural site. You’ll find an older crowd, more upscale cuisine, and no huge stage productions. You may see small cultural demonstrations and lectures.

A picture is worth 1000 words:

Cruise Line	Ocean	River	Expedition / Special
Celebrity Cruises	✅	❌	Expedition small ships via partners (e.g., Galápagos)
Princess Cruises	✅	❌	❌
Virgin Voyages (Adults Only)	✅	❌	❌
Disney Cruise Line	✅	❌	❌
Holland America Line	✅	❌	❌
Azamara	✅	❌	❌
Cunard	✅	❌	❌
Oceania (Adults Focused)	✅	❌	❌
Viking (Adults Only)	✅ (ocean)	✅	Both – river + ocean
AmaWaterways	❌	✅	❌
Scenic	✅ (ocean)	✅	❌ (ocean + river)
Hurtigruten	✅	❌	Expedition / coastal
Quark Expeditions	❌	❌	Polar expedition only
Lindblad Expeditions (Nat Geo)	❌	Yes	Yes

Stay tuned, because some cruise lines like Celebrity are adding river cruises in the near future.

• The First-Timer: Carnival, Royal, or Norwegian.

• Looking to expand your portfolio: Princess or Holland America

• The Luxury Traveler: Oceania, Cunard, Scenic

• The Family Vacationer: Royal, Disney or Princess,

• The Adult-Only Crowd: Virgin Voyages, Azamara

• The Culture Buff: Viking, Scenic, or Holland America

• The Adventure Seeker: Quark, Lindblad, Hurtigruten

Looked at a different way:

🧠 Who Should Choose Which?

👍 Best for Budget Travelers:
Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean

🍾 Best for Upscale Adult Vacations:
Celebrity, Oceania, Azamara

🧒 Best for Families:
Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian

📚 Best for Culture & Scenery:
Viking, AmaWaterways, Scenic

❄️ Best for Adventurers & Nature Lovers:
Quark, Lindblad/NatGeo, Hurtigruten

🛳️ Best Classic Cruise Experience:
Princess, Holland America, Cunard

Desired Ports of Call

There is a ton of overlap, but each line has its region of specialty. As I mentioned, we have had great cruises on Royal and Celebrity in Asia and Europe. A few of these visit South America as well. I have found really cool worldwide itineraries on Norwegian, although it is not my personal favorite line (read about my experience here). That would fall to Royal Caribbean, because it balances energetic fun with good food (sometimes excellent) and class.

IMO, Carnival tends to focus mostly on energetic fun, be it partying or family-oriented activities. I am also really excited to try Virgin and Viking- Virgin because of the cool decor and open-minded vibe, Viking because it seems like a great value with tons of inclusions, has amazing itineraries, and focuses on teaching about the ports of call.

You can find posts about all my cruises here.

🌍 Typical Regions Covered

Location

Cruising out of Florida (or other US ports) is going to be easier and less expensive if you live in the US or other American countries, while Mediterranean cruises will be easier and cheaper if you live in Europe. Airfare can add a significant cost to your trip. With that said, it does not have to! Get into the points game and fly your whole family to Europe in business class for nearly nothing! Check out my post on how to get started in the points game here. 

Mainstream Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival is the life of the party—loud, colorful, and proudly unpretentious. If you like poolside DJs, comedy shows, casual food at all hours, and a vacation vibe that feels more like a floating beach festival than a luxury retreat, this is your line. It’s budget-friendly, high-energy, and ideal for first-time cruisers or anyone who thinks “relaxing” includes karaoke at midnight.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is for people who like their vacations supersized. Think rock-climbing walls, surf simulators, zip lines, Broadway-style shows, and ships so big they feel like small cities. It balances family-friendly fun with solid dining and entertainment, making it a great choice if you want constant “wow” moments and never want to hear the words, “I’m bored.” This one is my personal favorite at this point in my life. I have my “Masters of Adventure” degree with Royal and can help you book today! Message me to get started!

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Line champions “freestyle cruising,” which basically means no rigid schedules and far less pressure to dress up or be on time. It’s relaxed, modern, and perfect for travelers who want flexibility—eat when you want, wear what you want, and do your own thing. It’s not the wildest or the fanciest, but it’s comfortably in the sweet spot. Bonus: They have some great itineraries!

MSC

MSC Cruises brings strong European flair—sleek ships, stylish lounges, and a vibe that feels more international than most mainstream lines. It can feel a bit more formal and multilingual, with later dinners and subtler entertainment, but the value is excellent for the level of ship design and itineraries offered. If you like modern aesthetics and a cosmopolitan atmosphere, MSC might surprise you in a good way. Plus, you can find some great deals!

Premium Cruise Lines

Celebrity

Celebrity is where mainstream cruising puts on a tailored jacket. It’s polished but not stuffy, with excellent food, stylish ships, and a calm-but-cool atmosphere that appeals to couples and grown-up travelers. Think spa mornings, craft cocktails, and evenings that feel chic rather than chaotic.

Princess

Princess is classic cruising done right—traditional, reliable, and quietly elegant. It attracts travelers who value itineraries, enrichment talks, and solid service over flashy attractions. If you like your vacations smooth, scenic, and well-organized (with a side of nostalgia), Princess delivers.

Virgin- Adults Only!

Virgin Voyages is cruising with a wink and a playlist. Adults-only, modern, and unapologetically different, it ditches buffets and dress codes in favor of included dining, edgy entertainment, and a nightlife-forward vibe. It’s perfect if you want a cruise that feels more like a boutique hotel party at sea. As a certified First Mate, I can book you on a Virgin Cruise today! To find your voyage, click here.

Disney

Disney does family cruising better than anyone—and yes, adults still have fun. The service is outstanding, the ships are immaculately run, and the entertainment is top-tier whether you have kids or not. You’ll pay more, but you’ll also wonder how everything runs so smoothly (spoiler: magic).

Holland America

Holland America is refined, music-loving, and destination-focused. The ships feel elegant without being flashy, and the onboard experience leans toward enrichment, live music, and thoughtful dining. It’s ideal for travelers who want substance, scenery, and sophistication over waterslides.

Azamara

Azamara is all about the ports—longer stays, overnights, and destinations the big ships skip. The ships are small, the vibe is relaxed and upscale, and the focus is firmly on immersive travel rather than onboard spectacle. If you cruise to explore, not escape reality entirely, Azamara shines. We took a New Year’s cruise on Azamara in South America and LOVED it! Read about it here. 

Viking- Adults Only!

Viking is calm, cultured, and deliberately adults-only. There are no casinos, no kids, and no pressure to do anything loud. With a strong emphasis on history, enrichment, and destination-focused design, Viking is perfect for travelers who like learning as much as lounging.

Ama Waterways

AmaWaterways delivers river cruising with polish and personality. The ships are intimate, the food is excellent, and the included excursions (plus bikes onboard) make it easy to explore actively or leisurely. It’s ideal for travelers who want comfort, culture, and zero crowds.

Scenic

Scenic is unapologetically ultra-luxury—nearly everything is included, from fine dining to private excursions. The ships are sleek, the service is attentive, and the experience feels more like a floating five-star resort than a cruise. If you like indulgence without micromanaging your vacation, Scenic delivers.

Cunard

Cunard is timeless, formal, and proudly traditional. Afternoon tea, ballroom dancing, and elegant evenings are part of the charm, especially on transatlantic crossings. It’s not trendy—but if you love old-school glamour and ocean-crossing romance, that’s exactly the point.

Oceania- Adults Only!

Oceania is a foodie’s cruise line—adults-only, refined, and quietly luxurious. The ships are mid-sized, the atmosphere is relaxed but upscale, and the dining is consistently excellent. If your vacation priorities include great cuisine, thoughtful itineraries, and a peaceful onboard vibe, Oceania is a standout.

Luxury Cruise Lines

Regent Seven Seas

Regent is luxury with a capital “L” and an all-inclusive philosophy that actually means all. Suites with balconies, fine dining everywhere, shore excursions, gratuities, and even airfare are wrapped into the price. It’s elegant, effortless, and ideal for travelers who want zero nickel-and-diming and maximum pampering.

Silversea

Silversea blends classic luxury with serious exploration chops. You’ll find butler service and gourmet dining alongside polar expeditions and far-flung destinations. It’s refined without being boring, adventurous without being rough—perfect for travelers who want five-star comfort while going way off the beaten path.

Windstar

Windstar feels like yachting, not cruising. Small ships (some with actual sails), open decks, and intimate ports create a relaxed, upscale experience that’s more about atmosphere than attractions. It’s ideal if you value charm, access, and a breeze-in-your-hair vibe over big-ship spectacle.

Expeditionary

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten is expedition cruising with Nordic practicality and purpose. Known for Norway’s coastal routes and polar exploration, it’s science-forward, sustainability-focused, and refreshingly no-nonsense. This is less “luxury escape” and more “meaningful adventure”—and that’s exactly why fans love it. This unique cruise line has a “Northern Lights Guarantee!” If you sail with them during Auroral season on a cruise of 11+ nights and don’t see the lights, you get a free second cruise.

Quark

Quark is for travelers who want bragging rights and ice in their selfies. Specializing exclusively in polar regions, it prioritizes landings, wildlife encounters, and expert guides over fancy frills. It’s rugged, thrilling, and unforgettable—definitely not for the faint of heart or the cocktail-by-the-pool crowd.

Lindblad

Lindblad Expeditions is expedition cruising for curious minds. With a strong focus on education, conservation, and expert-led exploration, it attracts travelers who want context as much as scenery. It’s adventurous but comfortable, and deeply rewarding if you like learning while you travel.

National Geographic

National Geographic-branded cruises (operated with Lindblad) bring the magazine to life—photography, science, and storytelling included. Expect naturalists, historians, and photographers onboard, plus itineraries designed to inspire awe and understanding. It’s ideal for travelers who want their vacation to expand their worldview, not just their photo library.

Packing for Your Cruise!

Now that you’ve decided which cruise line is right for you and chosen an itinerary, you’ll need to know what to pack! Check out my cruise packing list here. Want to do it in carry-ons? I can’t for a cruise, but here’s my list.

Bon Voyage!

Now that you have all that info to digest, which cruise line are you leaning toward? Message me below, email me, or check out my Fora profile and lets get you booked today!