A comprehensive guide for beginners on selecting a cruise line.

Are you considering taking a cruise?

Let me assure you, you’ll likely love it. After nearly 30 years of cruising on nearly every line available, I can confidently say it’s an incredible way to explore.

However, cruising isn’t for everyone. Many have tried it once or twice and decided it’s not for them. There are also those who are staunch "never cruisers" — individuals who, for various reasons, wouldn't even contemplate a ship vacation.

Yet, as numerous surveys indicate, most first-time cruisers rate their experiences highly — and many return for more. The chances are that you’ll enjoy it just as much.

However, before you find yourself enthusiastically recounting your adventures at sea, you must tackle a significant choice: Which cruise line should you choose?

This is no simple choice. With numerous cruise lines available, each one offers a unique experience. Some focus on large ships, while others operate smaller vessels. Some sail exclusively in North America, while others navigate global waters. Certain lines are tailored for family enjoyment, while others restrict access to children altogether.

Furthermore, cruise lines span a wide range of pricing options. Similar to land-based resorts and hotels, there are cruise lines that accommodate the strictest budgets and those designed for travelers for whom cost is not a concern.

Ultimately, there’s a cruise line for everyone. However, not every line will suit your tastes. The challenge lies in discovering the ideal cruise line for you.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the various options available.

A summary of cruise lines

As mentioned earlier, numerous cruise lines operate vessels globally. To date, I've cruised with 42 different companies, and I still haven't experienced every major brand, even though exploring cruise ships has been my full-time profession for years.

It's important to recognize that the lists of cruise lines featured here at TPG and on other travel websites showcase companies that provide an astounding variety of experiences.

When you picture a cruise ship, you might envision the enormous floating resorts run by companies like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, as seen in TV commercials — those ships that accommodate thousands of passengers and boast a plethora of exciting attractions on their upper decks.

However, the cruising world also encompasses companies that operate much smaller, more intimate vessels, carrying anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred guests. These ships exude a completely different atmosphere, resembling cozy boutique hotels that drift from one destination to another.

Moreover, there are adventure-driven "expedition" cruise lines that offer yet another unique cruising experience — venturing to remote destinations like Antarctica on small, rugged ships built for exploration. Some cruise lines focus on river travel, while others feature sailing vessels.

If you hear someone claim they would never go on a cruise because the ships are "too large" or "too crowded," you’ve encountered someone who hasn't yet explored the diverse options available.

You can choose to sail on a large, lively ship that accommodates 6,000 guests or a small, yacht-like vessel that hosts just 60 — and everything in between.

The cruise industry tends to categorize its offerings with various oddly named labels, such as "contemporary" and "premium" lines. To me, this is largely just marketing jargon. Feel free to overlook it. After three decades of covering this industry, I prefer to categorize offerings into six main groups, along with a few subset categories that cater to different types of travelers.

The major players

Seven major cruise lines represent the bulk of cruises taken by North Americans. Here they are, listed by size based on passenger capacity:

• Royal Caribbean: 28 ships; 105,319 berths
• Carnival Cruise Line: 27 ships; 89,010 berths
• MSC Cruises: 22 ships; 77,832 berths
• Norwegian Cruise Line: 19 ships; 56,780 berths
• Princess Cruises: 16 ships; 50,116 berths
• Celebrity Cruises: 16 ships; 29,993 berths
• Holland America: 11 ships; 22,810 berths

If you’re cruising for the first time, you’ll likely choose one of these brands, as they dominate the cruise market among North Americans and globally. As detailed in our ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean, this single brand represents nearly 20% of all cruises taken worldwide. When you add Carnival, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian into the mix, they collectively account for over 50% of the cruise industry.

The cruise industry categorizes these seven lines as either "contemporary" (the first four) or "premium" (the last three). This classification implies that the latter three offer a "premium" experience compared to the first four. However, this terminology harks back to the early cruising days and seems less relevant today.

All these brands have evolved over the years, and the old distinctions have faded. For example, you can enjoy a "premium" experience in The Haven, an exclusive area on Norwegian ships, that surpasses what you might find on many so-called premium vessels. Similarly, the experience on a Royal Caribbean ship can be just as sophisticated — if not more so — than what you’d find on a Princess ship.

What these brands share is their operation of relatively large, mass-market vessels with starting prices that are quite reasonable. Just remember, the term "large" is relative. There’s significant variation in ship sizes across these brands. For instance, Holland America’s largest ships are less than half the size of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships and accommodate far fewer guests.

While Holland America ships are considered "large" compared to many luxury, expedition, and river vessels I’ll discuss later, the brand is often categorized as a "midsize" operator to distinguish it from those running the largest ships.

You'll notice that the sizes of ships within each brand's fleet can differ dramatically. For example, Royal Caribbean’s largest vessels are three times the size of its smallest ones.

The crucial point about the seven major lines, as I refer to them, is that the experiences they provide can vary significantly. If you’re booking your first cruise, keep in mind that these seven lines are not interchangeable — even if they have similar prices and itineraries. You may find one brand suits you perfectly, while another may not, depending on your personal tastes and preferences.

I categorize them into three main groups, each targeting a different type of traveler.

The floating megaresort brands

Do you enjoy expansive, vibrant megaresorts packed with every possible attraction? If so, you’ll likely be drawn to Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC Cruises. I refer to these three as the "floating megaresort lines" — cruise lines that feature extraordinarily large ships, akin to land-based megaresorts like Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

These vessels boast an almost limitless variety of top-deck entertainment options, ranging from water parks and surfing pools to go-kart tracks and laser tag arenas, alongside a plethora of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, spas, casinos, and more. These ships can accommodate as many as 5,000 or even 6,000 guests, not counting the crew.

One of these massive ships, Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, can host an incredible 7,600 passengers when fully booked, and it frequently sails with nearly every berth occupied.

These brands are designed to cater to a broad audience, including families with children of all ages. They offer accommodations ranging from $100 per night to $1,000 per night, with plenty of options in between. The best way to characterize them is as the large Las Vegas resorts of the sea, except they float.

As previously mentioned, the size of the ships in these brands’ fleets can differ significantly. Generally, the newer vessels are the largest and most reminiscent of megaresorts.

The anti-floating megaresort brands

If a cruise ship resembling an amusement park isn’t your idea of a good time, your best options among the major lines are Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity. I refer to these as the "anti-floating megaresort lines."

Each of these brands operates medium to large ships that are not equipped with water parks, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, or other features typical of floating megaresorts. These are more traditional cruise ships suited for those who prefer not to experience a floating theme park or Las Vegas-style resort.

Rather than bustling attractions, the upper decks of these lines' ships provide numerous tranquil and relaxing pool and lounge spaces where you can savor the experience of being at sea without much commotion. Inside, the atmosphere typically centers around dining, classic entertainment, and an elegant bar and music scene.

In contrast to the floating megaresort brands, these lines attract more couples and fewer families, catering to an older demographic. For example, at Princess, the average passenger age is 57, with many couples in their 50s, 60s, and 70s onboard.

At Holland America, the average passenger age is closer to 70.

The budget-friendly option

Then there's Carnival. This "fun ship" line is also the budget-friendly choice among the major cruise lines, focusing on providing excellent value.

When you calculate the cost of a cruise for a family of four, you'll often discover that a trip on a Carnival ship can be as low as half the price of a similar cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship. The price gap is even wider when comparing a Carnival cruise with a Disney Cruise Line vacation, assuming similar accommodations and itineraries.

Beyond being incredibly affordable, Carnival ships are laid-back, casual, fun-oriented, and yes, a bit loud and lively. After all, this is the brand known for hosting a hairy chest contest by the pool deck on every voyage, drawing a rowdy crowd of cheering spectators.

Like the "floating megaresort lines" mentioned earlier, Carnival is famous for its array of attractions on board, including water park areas, pedal-powered "sky rides," and — on its newer ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee — the first roller coasters at sea.

However, Carnival generally doesn’t operate ships that are as large and packed with venues as those of Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC Cruises. Until the debut of Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, it hadn’t had any vessels among the top 30 largest cruise ships in the world.

Carnival also doesn’t appeal to as broad a demographic as the floating megaresort lines — particularly in terms of income levels. Its ships don’t offer the variety of high-priced suites aimed at upscale travelers that you’d find on a Royal Caribbean ship. Among the major lines, Carnival truly stands alone.

Other major players

There are several other relatively large, mass-market cruise lines that I didn’t include in the biggies list, as they mainly cater to vacationers outside the U.S.

These lines feature Germany’s Aida Cruises and TUI Cruises, both targeting German-speaking travelers with onboard programming conducted in German. Aida, in particular, is quite substantial — larger than Celebrity or Holland America in terms of passenger capacity. However, unless you reside in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, you likely haven’t heard of it and probably wouldn’t consider sailing with them.

Italy's Costa Cruises also attracts around 80% of its clientele from Europe, but it does cater to American travelers as well. Additionally, there's P&O Cruises based in the United Kingdom, which primarily serves a U.K. audience, drawing about 98% of its customers from there.

When I mention berths in this context, I'm referring to the number of beds available on a ship, calculated based on double occupancy per cabin — traditionally known in the industry as "lower berths." This count excludes additional sleeping arrangements like pull-down bunks and pullout sofas that some cruise lines include in their total berth figures.

Luxury cruise lines

If your ideal getaway involves being spoiled at every turn and you have ample funds to spend, you should begin your search for a cruise line among the luxury cruise operators.

There are more than half a dozen prominent luxury lines that target North American travelers, including:

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Seabourn
• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
• The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Explora Journeys
• Crystal

Luxury cruise ships generally feature more spacious cabins (often all suites), exquisite dining options, and superior service. It's common for these vessels to have nearly as many crew members as there are passengers.

In addition, luxury ships typically provide more onboard space per passenger compared to mass-market ships, with a "space ratio" that can be twice as generous. This results in ample room to relax without feeling crowded. Moreover, luxury ships are usually smaller than their mass-market counterparts, offering a much more personal experience.

Within the luxury cruise segment, there's a wide range of ship sizes and styles. For example, five of Regent's six vessels are notably large and elegant, featuring grand spaces with plenty of marble and crystal chandeliers, accommodating between 700 and 750 passengers. The line also has one significantly smaller ship that carries 490 guests.

Among Seabourn's seven ships, five accommodate between 450 and 600 guests, making them significantly smaller than Regent's larger vessels. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which launched in 2022, started with a ship designed for just 298 passengers.

As the size of the ships decreases, you can expect a reduction in onboard options like restaurants and lounges. However, this often leads to a more intimate experience, and smaller vessels can reach unique ports that larger ships cannot.

A common trait of all luxury cruise lines is their high cost. It's not unusual for a luxury cruise to be several times more expensive than a mass-market option, with cabins often priced at $1,000 or more per person, per day.

That said, comparing luxury cruise prices to those of mass-market cruises can be deceptive. Luxury lines usually bundle nearly all extra costs—such as drinks, tips, Wi-Fi, and even flights to the ship—into their base fares.

One of the luxury lines previously mentioned, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, is a German company that primarily operates its cruises in German. However, in recent years, they have begun to offer select sailings for English speakers on a bilingual basis. Though relatively obscure in North America, Hapag-Lloyd is known for operating some of the most elegant, spacious, and service-oriented cruise ships globally.

It's worth noting that several new small luxury cruise lines are set to emerge. The luxury hotel brand Four Seasons is developing a fleet of intimate cruise vessels, scheduled to debut in 2026. Additionally, luxury brand Aman Resorts plans to venture into the cruise market in the coming years, alongside the Orient Express brand.

Upscale-but-not-quite-luxury lines

There are several other cruise lines that provide an upscale, refined experience that falls just short of the luxury standard, yet still offers a wonderful journey. These include:

• Oceania Cruises
• Viking
• Azamara
• Windstar Cruises
• SeaDream Yacht Club

Generally, these lines operate ships that are nearly as small and intimate as those of luxury lines. For example, Oceania vessels accommodate around 700 to 1,250 passengers, while Viking ships carry 930 guests. (This refers to Viking's ocean ships; they also have river vessels, which we'll cover later.) Windstar offers even smaller ships, with capacities ranging from 148 to 342 passengers, and SeaDream's two yacht-like ships each hold just 112 guests.

Similar to luxury lines, these brands maintain a high staff-to-passenger ratio, though it may not be as elevated as in luxury cruising. They also tend to provide more space per passenger than mass-market lines and larger cabins, though still not quite as spacious as those on luxury ships.

These lines typically come at a lower price point than luxury brands, but they may not include as many amenities in their base fares. For example, gratuities and certain drinks may incur additional charges aboard these ships.

When compared to the mass-market giants, the entry-level rates of this group are still considerably higher. Frequently, an entry-level cabin on these ships can rival the price of a suite on mass-market lines.

It's important to note that defining which lines fall into the "luxury" category versus those that are "upscale but not quite luxury" can be challenging. For instance, rapidly growing Viking is careful not to label itself as a luxury line, yet it offers an experience on its ocean vessels that some might consider luxury, with outstanding onboard service, high-end dining options, and various inclusions in the base fare, such as a shore excursion at every port. In my view, it occupies a space between both categories.

Viking boasts a completely new fleet of ocean ships, with every vessel constructed within the last nine years. This is quite rare among the lines in this category.

Among the lines mentioned here, Azamara, Windstar, and SeaDream operate fleets made up entirely of vessels that are at least a couple of decades old. Many of these ships were originally built as luxury liners and were considered cutting-edge in their day, but they now offer fewer amenities compared to newer luxury ships.

It’s worth noting that many cabins on Windstar and SeaDream ships do not feature balconies — a rarity on older cruise ships but now a standard offering. The four Azamara ships and the oldest four Oceania ships have relatively smaller cabins compared to today’s luxury standards.

Upscale line trivia: The four Azamara ships and the four oldest Oceania vessels are sister ships, having all previously belonged to the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises. Cruise enthusiasts often refer to them by their class name, the R Class, from their Renaissance lineage.

Expedition Lines

One of the most rapidly expanding sectors in cruising is "expedition cruising," which involves journeys to remote and challenging locations like Antarctica, using small, robust vessels equipped with their own landing crafts for shore excursions.

This style of cruising is so distinct from what mainstream mass-market lines provide that it could be viewed as a completely different travel experience.

Expedition cruising focuses on taking you to unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations that often lack any land-based infrastructure. These locations can only be accessed by seagoing vessels, making the cruise the sole means of arrival.

Expedition cruises prioritize exploring remote wilderness and the diverse wildlife that thrives there. Knowledgeable expedition leaders accompany you, and scientific experts such as biologists, geologists, ornithologists, and historians may join to lead excursions and provide engaging talks.

Major expedition cruise destinations include Antarctica and isolated regions of the Arctic, like the frigid islands of Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, and Canada’s Northwest Passage. The wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands, known for their uninhabited areas and unique regulations, also serve as a classic expedition market.

Expedition cruise ships are also active in remote areas of South America, Asia, and the South Pacific, along with more familiar locales like Alaska.

The remote and rugged Kimberley region of Australia is experiencing a surge in popularity as an expedition cruise destination.

Key players in the expedition cruising industry include:

• Aurora Expeditions
• Atlas Ocean Voyages
• Lindblad Expeditions
• Hurtigruten
• Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
• Ponant
• Quark Expeditions
• Scenic Luxury Cruises
• Seabourn
• Silversea Cruises
• Oceanwide Expeditions
• Poseidon Expeditions
• Viking

Observant readers may recognize that four of the lines mentioned—Silversea Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Seabourn, and Viking—also feature in the earlier section on luxury and near-luxury lines. These brands play significant roles in both the traditional luxury cruise and expedition markets.

There's an increasing trend of traditional cruise lines venturing into the expedition sector. Notably, Seabourn and Viking launched their first expedition vessels in 2022.

Moreover, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, known for its luxury river cruises, has recently introduced its first two expedition ships. In the last three years, a new luxury expedition cruise line, Atlas Ocean Voyages, has also emerged.

I also consider UnCruise Adventures as part of this category. This unique line specializes in adventurous, nature-oriented journeys in remote Alaskan regions. It operates some of the smallest vessels, with the largest accommodating just 86 passengers, focusing on activities like hiking, kayaking, whale watching, birding, and exploring by skiff.

Traditionally, expedition ships have accommodated fewer than 200 passengers, a manageable size for vessels exploring remote areas like Antarctica. However, an increasing number of expedition ships now carry more guests. For instance, Viking's latest expedition vessels are designed to hold 378 passengers, while some new Hurtigruten ships can accommodate around 500 people.

It's important to note that expedition cruises tend to be pricey, often comparable to traditional luxury cruises. The construction of expedition ships is costly on a per-berth basis, and they require a higher staff-to-passenger ratio compared to mass-market cruise ships.

River cruise lines

All the cruise lines previously mentioned share a common trait: they operate oceangoing vessels. In contrast, another distinct segment of cruising focuses on river travel.

Similar to expedition cruising, river cruising has seen rapid growth in recent years, with major river cruise lines expanding their capacity significantly.

The surge in river cruising can largely be attributed to the marketing strategies and ambitious shipbuilding plans of one particular line, Viking. Established in 1997 with just four river vessels, Viking has transformed into a cruising giant over the past 15 years, launching over 60 new river ships. (In 2015, they also began introducing ocean ships, as noted in the "upscale" section above.)

Currently, Viking represents roughly half of all river cruises taken by North Americans, but it isn't the sole major player in the market. Other key brands offering river cruises to North Americans include:

• AmaWaterways
• Avalon Waterways
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• Tauck
• Emerald Waterways
• Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
• American Cruise Lines
• American Queen Voyages
• Grand Circle Cruise Line

As illustrated, there is no shortage of companies in the river cruise industry. The above list doesn’t even encompass river lines that primarily serve European clientele, such as the France-based CroisiEurope and Germany's Nicko Cruises.

Due to specific size restrictions imposed by locks and bridge heights, vessels operated by river cruise lines tend to be similar in size, resulting in less diversity among river ships compared to their ocean counterparts. However, the brands listed above provide a variety of experiences and price ranges.

Although the exteriors of river ships may appear alike, their interiors can differ significantly, with some providing a more luxurious and indulgent experience than others.

A useful way to gauge the luxury level of European river lines is by examining the passenger capacity of their 135-meter vessels, which is the standard size for river ships on European waterways due to lock dimensions.

For example, Viking designs its 135-meter vessels to accommodate 190 passengers, while Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways fit 166 and 156 passengers, respectively, onto ships of the same length. Tauck, on the other hand, accommodates just 130 passengers on similar-sized vessels.

Generally speaking, ships with fewer passengers provide a more upscale experience, reflected in their pricing. For instance, sailing with Tauck is significantly more expensive than with Viking.

Niche lines

There are many smaller (and sometimes very small) cruise lines that fall under what I refer to as "niche" lines. These companies offer specialized experiences, often with just a few vessels in their fleet.

Some of these lines operate exclusively in specific regions, like Alaska or the South Pacific, while others cater to particular audiences, such as sailing enthusiasts.

While you might come to appreciate these lines, they're not likely to be your go-to choice all the time, primarily because they don't cover every type of cruise experience you may desire.

Among these lines, I include the following, along with their specialties:

• Disney Cruise Line (family-friendly cruises for Disney enthusiasts)
• Virgin Voyages (adult-only cruises for those looking to unwind)
• Paul Gauguin Cruises (cruises in the South Pacific)
• Star Clippers (sailing-focused cruises)
• Sea Cloud Cruises (sailing-focused cruises)
• Cunard Line (ocean liner cruises for Anglophiles and globetrotters)
• American Cruise Lines (cruises on U.S. waterways)
• Alaskan Dream Cruises (Alaska-focused cruises)
• Celestyal Cruises (cruises in Greece and Turkey)
• Grand Circle Cruise Line (small-ship sailing adventures)
• Victory Cruise Lines (small-ship sailing on the Great Lakes)

Even Disney, the largest of these lines, is just a fraction of the size of industry leader Royal Caribbean when looking at passenger capacity. Brands like Paul Gauguin Cruises and Alaskan Dream Cruises are only about 1% the size of the biggest players.

Paul Gauguin operates a single vessel, the 332-passenger Paul Gauguin, specializing in a distinct selection of itineraries in French Polynesia, departing from Tahiti to romantic destinations like Bora Bora and Moorea, attracting many honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries.

Some lines, like American Cruise Lines and Grand Circle, may seem familiar as they were mentioned earlier in the river cruise category. They operate both river vessels and a few small oceangoing ships that offer specialized itineraries.

All of these lines cater to niche markets within the industry. However, they are often quite recognized in the travel sector for their specialties. For instance, Disney might have just five cruise ships compared to Royal Caribbean's 28, but when the term "family cruise" is mentioned, Disney is likely the first name that pops into people's heads.

Star Clippers and Sea Cloud Cruises, which both run sailing ships, appeal to those wanting to relive the experience of travel from the era before steam engines. Meanwhile, American Cruise Lines has carved out a significant niche by providing small-ship journeys along U.S. coastal waterways and rivers, such as trips along the coast of Maine, the Hudson River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Founded in the 1800s, the U.K.-based Cunard is especially renowned for its transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, England. These iconic journeys, operated by the legendary Queen Mary 2, harken back to the grandeur of ocean liner travel. Cunard also hosts annual around-the-world cruises that stop in numerous countries.

In summary

The cruise industry boasts a multitude of lines, each offering a unique experience. No two are identical. To find the cruise line and ship that suit you best, it's essential to do your research beforehand. Consider the type of vacation you envision and explore the lines and ships that align with your travel preferences.

At TPG, we provide an expanding selection of guides for individual cruise lines, along with detailed reviews of specific ships.