Which Cruise Line is Best?

Cruising is an exciting and popular way to travel! It can be overwhelming though. There are so many choices and the biggest of those starts with which cruise line to choose.

Choosing the best cruise line for you can make your vacation the best it can be. That being said, choosing the wrong cruise line for you can potentially ruin your trip and give you a bad taste for cruising in general. So, which Cruise line is best? The answer is different for everyone. Read on to see which cruise line is best for you!

As a frequent cruiser and travel advisor, I have experience with many different cruise lines and have become an expert on helping my clients choose the best cruise experience for them. I can help you too!

Not all cruise lines are created equal. In this post, I’ll break down the differences between the most popular cruise lines and hopefully be able to give you better insight into which cruise line is best for you.

Carnival Cruise Lines

The background:

In 1972 Ted Arison purchased a second-hand ship, the Mardi Gras, and began sailing from Miami. The first voyage ended with Mardi Gras running aground on a sandbar. A few years later he bought out his partner for $1 and acquired the 5 million dollar debt that was attached to Carnival Cruise lines.

In 1984 Carnival became the first cruise line to advertise on TV. The line has grown immensely since its humble beginnings and now boasts a fleet of 24 ships.

They sail out of 21 departure ports and visit numerous ports worldwide. Some popular and exciting ports include Bimini, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan, and Belize.

The vibe:

Carnival Cruise Line has dubbed itself the “Fun Ship”. There is definitely a more relaxed vibe onboard than with other lines. There is music on the lido deck, silly games and competitions, and plenty of activities and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

They do have a reputation for being a “party ship”, but honestly I think that has a lot to do with the fact that they offer a lot of 3-day cruises to the Bahamas and Ensenada. 3day cruises are notoriously labeled as “booze cruises”. I’ve been on plenty of Carnival cruises with longer itineraries and never felt like I was surrounded by belligerent drunks.

There are formal nights for dinner (2 on a 7-day cruise, 1 on a 5-day) but other nights the dining room has a more casual atmosphere. They have outstanding kids programs for kids of all ages.

There is an adult-only area (serenity), as well as areas specially made for families. There are plenty of activities for all ages and personality types.

The cost:

$

The base cost of Carnival Cruises is normally a bit less than the other cruise lines. Keep in mind, that adding drinks, wifi, or, photo packs or specialty dining packages will cost you extra. Be sure and add everything you might want into the price to see if it is still the lowest price.

Best Cruise line for:

First-time cruisers, Families, Couples, Girls Trips. Carnival is great for those who want to have fun, in a more laid-back environment. If you want a fancy Titanic-like experience, you won’t find that here.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

The Background:

Royal Caribbean Cruise line started in 1968 in Norway. They are now based in Miami and are the world’s largest cruise line (revenue) and the 2nd largest cruise line in terms of passengers sailed.

Royal Caribbean has some of the world’s largest ships. The fleet currently has 24 ships, with 6 more on the way. Royal Caribbean has 32 departure ports worldwide.

The Vibe:

Family fun with high-tech, innovative entertainment. Rock wall climbing, ziplining, flo rider surf simulator, bumper cars, and ice skating. Shows have an edgier more dramatic appeal to them than Carnival.

Not quite as loud and bold as Carnival, but not stuffy or uptight either. Royal Caribbean comes with many dining options. They have an incredible number of ports and destinations with something for everyone.

The cost:

$$

You can get great deals on Royal Caribbean. With so many ships and sailings, you are sure to find the itinerary right for you and your family. You’ll need to add in gratuity, alcohol packages, wifi, photos and some of the activities are additional charges too.

Best Cruise Line for:

Active families, or energetic fun-loving people. If you want to try the newest toys or sail the biggest ships, this is for you. Be sure and check out itineraries with stops at Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royals Private Island.

Princess Cruise Line

The Background:

Princess Cruises first set sail in 1965. They had one ship and sailed to Mexico. Currently, they are the world’s 3rd largest cruise line with 14 ships in their fleet. Princess offers more than 170 different itineraries with sailings to seven continents that call at more than 380 ports and destinations around the world.

Princess became famous in 1977 when one of its ships the Pacific Princess became the setting for “The Love Boat”. Fun fact, when we sailed Princess and were leaving Skagway Ak, they captain played the love boat theme song with the ship’s horn. Speaking of Alaska, Princess is especially known for its Alaska itineraries. They really do it well, and you’ll never regret going!

The Vibe:

Think Titanic (minus the sinking). Very elegant, upscale decor. Fine dining. Laid back, sophisticated vibe. On Princess, you’ll find less noise and more relaxation than some other lines.

Don’t let elegance fool you into thinking these ships are “old-fashioned”. Princess has some of the most modern and innovative technology that I’ve seen on a ship. Their Medallion Class ships are nothing less than incredible. The medallion ships to you before sailing, and is wearable. This allows all of your passenger information to be stored in the medallion.

This makes getting onboard the easiest process I’ve ever seen. Onboard, the medallion is used to check you on and off the ship for port days, allows staff to know your name and face at restaurants and bars, and makes buying things a breeze.

Your cabin door will unlock when you approach it, so you can keep both of your hands free to carry other things and not dig around for your key card. The medallion as well as interactive screens in elevator hallways can help you not get lost, and show you how to get from place to place, and even help you locate your travel maps.

The cost:

$$$

Best Cruise Line for:

Older couples and groups. Cruisers who enjoy quiet, refined beauty instead of conga lines and deck parties. I’d definitely consider them for Alaska itineraries. They have permission to visit Glacier Bay National Park which a lot of cruise lines do not. They really know Alaska, and how to show you the best of it.

Norweigan Cruise Line

The background

Norweigan Cruise line started in 1966 in, you guessed it, Norway. Originally this was started as a partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines and was to be called Norweigan Caribbean Cruise Line.

In the 1980’s the Line changed its name, added more ships and itineraries to become more of a global cruise line. Currently, they sail to numerous locations globally, including Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, South America, Africa, and Antarctica.

The Vibe:

Norweigan Cruise Lines prides itself on being the “freestyle cruise”. They have taken the traditional cruising method and busted it wide open with any time dining and activities instead of the strict set times many lines have for meals. Their goal is to provide a more relaxed “resort-style” environment.

They also have been innovated in ways that have forever changed the entire cruise industry by being the first line to offer a private island as a destination, offering accommodations for solo travelers, the first wifi at sea, the first bowling alley at sea, and the first ice bar at sea!

The cost:

$$

Norweigan Cruises are relatively the same price as Royal Caribbean. You can also include your airfare, pre and post hotels, and transfers in your cruise booking. They run sales frequently that allow you to get wifi, specialty dining, drinks, and excursion credits for “free”. Know, that by accepting these offers, you will still be charged gratuity and taxes for these services, so the cruise price will go up.

Best Cruise Line for:

Families, couples, solo travelers. If you like the laid-back vibe, and don’t like feeling locked into certain meal times or routines, you’ll love Norweigan. Norweigan offers incredible itineraries that other lines do not, with sailings that go to just about any place you can imagine.

Virgin Voyages

The background:

The new kid on the block. Richard Branson and Bain Capital started Virgin Voyages. After a pushed-back start due to COVID 19, the line has just begun its North America sailing in September 2021. There are 3 ships in the line Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, and Valiant Lady.

The Vibe:

Adults ONLY! Passengers must be +18 to sail on Virgins yacht inspired ships. 86% of cabins on board the ships will be balcony cabins, and 93 % percent will have an ocean view. According to Virgin “Well-being will be at the forefront of the onboard experience, activated through a mix of high-energy moments coupled with relaxation and rejuvenation”

Itineraries will be the Caribbean out of Miami and the Mediterranean. All Caribbean itineraries will include a stop in Bimini, where Mr. Branson has built the Resort Beach Club at Bimini.

Virgin claims to be the “cleanest ships” at sea. They have banned all plastic bottles, straws, and packaging from their ships emphasizing recyclable reusable products. They have worked on technology to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by converting engine waste heat into clean electricity becoming the only carbon-neutral cruise line to date.

The cost

$$$

These cruises are slightly more expensive than others, but are a really fun vibe. There are also no drink packages available so you’ll be adding on 8-15 dollars per drink. Add in coffee as well. The spa area costs extra as well, even if you have booked a spa treatment.

Best Cruise Line for:

I think this will be a good fit for 18-30 ish year-olds who love the edgy rock and roll vibe Virgin is putting out there.

Disney Cruise Line

The background:

In 1998 Disney started a cruise line with one ship, The Disney Magic. Currently, there are 4 ships with 3 additional to be released in the next 3 years. With 17 departure ports worldwide, you can get unique experiences in incredible destinations worldwide.

The Vibe:

Disney magic everywhere! From kids clubs to gourmet adult dining options, character meetings, and incredible shows, all are dusted with a bit of pixie dust and the legendary Disney hospitality you have come to know and love.

Disney does what Disney does, and they do it impeccably. Every time. You cant get better service than at any Disney property and the cruise line is no different. Geared heavily toward a complete family experience, the Disney Cruise line still offers exceptional child care options so that parents can have some downtime as well. You’ll be surrounded by Disney magic including fireworks on some sailings.

The cost:

$$$$$

Pricey. As with all things Disney, expect the Disney Cruise to be a bit more costly than other lines catering to families. Is it worth it? YES. Soft Drinks are included at Disney which is different from some cruise lines. You’ll still pay extra for alcohol, specialty dining, photos, and wifi.

Best Cruise Line for:

Choose the Disney Cruise line if you want an incredible cruise geared specifically for families. If you are a Disney lover, or an adult looking for a little magic to break away from your busy life. Choose Disney Cruise lines if you love the parks, and are looking to level up your next vacation.

Viking Cruise Line

The background

The line was started in 1997 in St Petersburg Russia as Viking River Cruises. The company grew quickly and by 2007 it had a fleet of 23 ships and operated in Europe, China, and Russia. Currently, there are 3 divisions to Viking which are River Cruises, Ocean Cruises, and Expeditions. Viking has 76 river vessels and 6 ocean ships. They sail North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, and Southeast Asia. Viking is most known for its River Cruises, which is where I will focus this review on.

The Vibe:

Viking cruises are known for being elegant, intimate, and beautiful. The destinations are incredible as river cruises can access cities and attractions that large ocean ships cannot. All food eaten on board is regionally sourced and representative of the area you are visiting. The ships are smaller and that means fewer passengers. Usually around 200 vs the 3500+ on large cruise ships. Don’t let smaller lead you to believe they aren’t just as nice, if not nicer than the larger ships though, these ships are beautiful. Think personal, intimate luxury.

The cost:

$$$$$

The cost is expensive. But you do get what you pay for this in this instance. Having the ability to visit, incredible sights via river cruise is an incredible experience. Included in your fare is 1 shore excursion in every port of call, WiFi, UNESCO site entrances, enrichment lectures and destination performances, beer wind and soda, coffee tea, and water.

Best Cruise Line for:

Those looking for a more intimate personal experience. Those who enjoy the finer experiences with less noise and chaos than a larger ship environment. Seasoned travelers looking for unique destinations and experiences.

Which Cruise line is for you?

There are so many options between cruise lines, and I know there are many lines I didn’t cover here. As I cruise more lines and learn more, I’ll definitely update this. The bottom line is that cruising can be for everyone, but not every line is for everyone. Cruising offers an incredible value and a way to see many unique destinations in one vacation. If you haven’t tried it, I encourage you to give it a shot. If you need help deciding which line is best for you, please let me know in the comments, and I will help you. When you are ready to book, I can do that too!

If you have cruised before, what do you think is the best cruise line?

Bon Voyage!