Which Cruise Line Is Best for You? | Cruise Travel Advisor Guide

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Which Cruise Line Is Best for You? | Cruise Travel Advisor Guide

WHICH CRUISE LINE IS BEST FOR YOU? A TRAVEL ADVISOR’S GUIDE TO FINDING THE PERFECT CRUISE

If you’ve ever started looking for a cruise and suddenly found yourself with 27 browser tabs open trying to figure out which cruise line, ship, cabin and itinerary is “best,” you’re definitely not alone.

Disney Cruise Line. Royal Caribbean. Norwegian. MSC. Princess. Holland America. Celebrity. Virgin Voyages. And that’s before we even start talking about individual ships, destinations and cabin categories!

Here’s the thing: there really isn’t one “best” cruise line.

There is, however, a cruise line that’s a better fit for YOU.

As a travel advisor specializing in cruises, that’s one of my favorite parts of planning a cruise vacation. I don’t believe in automatically recommending the same cruise line to everyone. I want to know how you actually like to vacation and then help match you with the cruise line, ship and itinerary that make sense for you.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE: FOR MORE THAN JUST DISNEY FANS

Disney Cruise Line will always have a special place on my list because I’ve personally sailed with Disney multiple times and experienced firsthand what makes these ships different.

Yes, there’s plenty of Disney magic onboard, but I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that Disney Cruise Line is only for families with young children.

It isn’t!

Disney does family cruising extremely well, but there are also adults-only spaces, elevated dining options, fantastic entertainment, beautiful ships and the level of service Disney is known for.

Families may especially appreciate Disney’s rotational dining, kids clubs, character experiences and Broadway-style entertainment. I also love some of the thoughtful cabin features Disney offers, including the split-bathroom design available in many staterooms.

If you want a vacation where the ship itself feels like part of the experience—not simply transportation between ports—Disney Cruise Line can be a great fit.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN: FOR TRAVELERS WHO WANT BIG THINGS TO DO

If your idea of cruising includes waterslides, surf simulators, rock climbing, entertainment, tons of restaurants and enough activities that you couldn’t possibly do everything in one trip, Royal Caribbean deserves a look.

One important thing to know about Royal Caribbean is that the ships can offer very different experiences. Choosing the right ship can be just as important as choosing the cruise line.

Some of the newest and largest ships are practically destinations themselves, making Royal Caribbean especially appealing to active families, multigenerational groups, couples and travelers who want plenty to do onboard.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE: FOR TRAVELERS WHO LIKE FLEXIBILITY

Norwegian Cruise Line can be a great option for travelers who don’t want their vacation to feel overly scheduled.

Norwegian is known for a more flexible approach to cruising, particularly when it comes to dining, while offering a variety of restaurants, entertainment and onboard activities.

Depending on the ship and itinerary, Norwegian can work well for couples, families and groups of friends who like having plenty of choices and the freedom to vacation at their own pace.

MSC CRUISES: A DIFFERENT STYLE OF CRUISING

MSC Cruises offers something a little different from many of the traditional American cruise lines.

I’ve personally sailed aboard MSC Seascape, so I’ve been able to experience MSC for myself rather than simply reading about it.

MSC can offer attractive pricing, beautiful modern ships, an international mix of passengers and a distinctly European-influenced cruise experience.

And my MSC experience reinforced something I tell travelers all the time: not every cruise line is going to be the right fit for every person.

There were things I really enjoyed about my MSC sailing and other things that weren’t necessarily my personal preference. But something that bothered me may not matter at all to you, and something another traveler absolutely loves may not be important to you.

That’s why I’d rather help you understand those differences before you book instead of simply telling you a certain cruise line is “the best.”

CELEBRITY CRUISES: FOR A MORE UPSCALE FEEL

Celebrity Cruises is worth considering for travelers who want a more refined atmosphere while still enjoying the amenities and entertainment of a larger cruise ship.

Think contemporary ships, elevated dining, interesting itineraries and a more sophisticated onboard feel.

Celebrity can be especially appealing to couples and adults who want something a little more upscale without necessarily moving into the luxury-cruise category.

PRINCESS CRUISES: FOR TRAVELERS FOCUSED ON THE DESTINATION

Princess Cruises is well known for destination-focused cruising and is especially popular for destinations like Alaska.

For travelers who want beautiful itineraries, a more relaxed onboard atmosphere and fewer of the high-energy attractions found on some mega-ships, Princess may be a strong match.

It can be especially appealing to couples, adults and multigenerational travelers who want the ports and scenery to play a starring role in their vacation.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE: CLASSIC CRUISING AND GREAT ITINERARIES

Holland America Line is another cruise line I like to consider when the destination is an especially important part of the trip.

With a long history of cruising destinations such as Alaska and Europe, Holland America may appeal to travelers looking for a more traditional cruise experience, strong itineraries and a generally relaxed atmosphere.

You aren’t choosing Holland America because you need the biggest waterslide at sea—and for the right traveler, that’s exactly the point.

VIRGIN VOYAGES: ADULTS ONLY, PLEASE

No kids.

For some travelers, I probably don’t need to say much more! 😂

Virgin Voyages offers an adults-only cruise experience with a very different personality from traditional cruising. Dining, entertainment and the overall atmosphere are designed to feel modern, social and less traditional.

It can be a great option for couples, groups of friends, celebrations and adults who want to cruise without the family-focused atmosphere found on many other lines.

SO…WHICH CRUISE LINE IS BEST FOR YOU?

This is where cruise planning gets interesting.

Two people can take the exact same cruise and come home with completely different opinions.

That’s because choosing a cruise isn’t only about finding the lowest price, the newest ship or whichever cruise line happens to be all over your social media feed.

When I’m helping someone narrow down their choices, I want to know:

Who is traveling?

Do you want a relaxing vacation or a packed schedule?

Are you cruising primarily for the ship or the destinations?

How important is food?

Do you want nightlife?

Are waterslides and onboard activities important?

Would you rather have a quieter atmosphere?

Are you traveling with children or multiple generations?

What kind of cabin experience matters to you?

Where do you want to cruise?

And, of course, what budget are we working with?

Those answers can completely change my recommendation.

A family with young children wanting nonstop entertainment may need something entirely different from a couple celebrating an anniversary. A group of friends looking for nightlife may need something different from someone dreaming about Alaska. And a first-time cruiser may have completely different priorities from someone taking their tenth cruise.

THE BEST CRUISE ISN’T NECESSARILY THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE

This is one of the biggest things I want travelers to understand.

Paying more doesn’t automatically mean you’ll enjoy your vacation more.

Sometimes the perfect match is the newest ship with all the bells and whistles. Sometimes it’s a smaller ship with an incredible itinerary. Sometimes upgrading your cabin is worth every penny—and sometimes I’d rather see you put that money toward excursions, specialty dining or another part of your vacation.

My job isn’t to automatically sell you the most expensive cruise.

It’s to help you find the cruise that fits the way YOU want to travel.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHOOSING A CRUISE LINE

What is the best cruise line for first-time cruisers?

There isn’t one cruise line that’s best for every first-time cruiser. Royal Caribbean may be a great fit for someone wanting lots of onboard activities, while Disney Cruise Line may appeal to families and Disney fans. Celebrity or Princess may be better for someone wanting a more relaxed experience. The best choice depends on your travel style, budget, destination and who is traveling with you.

What is the best cruise line for families?

Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are both popular family choices, but they offer very different experiences. Disney brings its characters, entertainment, kids clubs and signature service, while Royal Caribbean offers ships packed with activities and attractions. Other cruise lines can also be great for families depending on the ages of the kids, itinerary and type of vacation you’re looking for.

What is the best cruise line for adults?

It depends on what kind of adult experience you want. Virgin Voyages is exclusively for guests 18 and older, while Celebrity, Princess and Holland America may appeal to adults looking for a more relaxed or refined atmosphere. Adults can also have a fantastic experience on Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, especially when choosing the right ship and itinerary.

Is Disney Cruise Line worth the higher price?

For the right traveler, absolutely. Disney Cruise Line includes many features and experiences that families and Disney fans value, along with excellent entertainment and service.

But that doesn’t mean Disney is automatically worth the additional cost for everyone. Comparing what’s included and what matters most to you is much more useful than comparing the cruise fare alone.

How do I choose between Disney, Royal Caribbean, MSC and Norwegian?

Start with how you want to spend your vacation—not the cruise-line logo.

Think about who is traveling, your budget, preferred destinations, dining style, entertainment, nightlife, activities and how much time you plan to spend enjoying the ship.

From there, you can narrow down not only the cruise line but also the specific ships that best match your vacation style.

Can a travel advisor help me choose the right cruise line?

Yes—and this is one of the biggest reasons to work with a travel advisor who understands cruising.

Instead of sorting through hundreds of sailings and trying to figure out all the differences yourself, a travel advisor can help compare cruise lines, ships, itineraries, stateroom categories and overall vacation experiences based on what actually matters to you.

READY TO FIND YOUR CRUISE?

Whether you’re planning your very first cruise or trying to decide which cruise line to experience next, I’d love to help you sort through all of those options.

I’m Krista Rettig, an Independent Travel Advisor with Vincent Vacations, specializing in cruise vacations as well as Disney and Universal destinations. One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping travelers compare cruise lines, ships, itineraries and staterooms to find a vacation that actually fits the way THEY want to travel.

Because there are a LOT of great cruise ships out there.

The goal isn’t finding the “best” cruise.

It’s finding the best cruise for YOU.