From the moment you step onto a cruise ship, the fun begins. Whether you’re an experienced traveler of the seas or a nautical novice, deciding how to choose a cruise line that meets your itinerary and personal preferences can be tricky.
Even though 2020 saw a massive decline in cruise ship popularity (thanks to COVID-19), the cruise industry is growing faster than other tourism forms. Per Statista, the number of cruise passengers totaled almost 32 million, with the forecast for 2024 being just over 39 million.
Join us as we dive into the things to consider when booking a cruise and some of the best types of cruise lines for your situation.
1. Evaluate Your Budget and Prices
The very first step in choosing a cruise line is evaluating your budget. Whether you have a modest or a lavish spending limit, you’ll surely find something that fits your financial constraints. Remember to set a realistic budget—there’s no need to put yourself in a bind for this trip.
Once you’ve set a budget that works for you, it’s time to start researching the different cruise lines that will fit within that budget. Luxury cruise lines top the lavish scale, but budget-friendly cruise lines can offer discounted rates, especially when it's not peak travel season (more on this later).
2. Consider Destinations and Itineraries
The next step in deciding how to choose a cruise line is to determine where you want to go and what you want to do. Cruise ships go to many destinations, depending on the cruise line. Some common cruise destinations include:
- Alaska
- Florida
- Antarctica
- Black Sea
- British Isles
- Caribbean
- Mediterranean Sea
- New England
- Scottish Highlands
- Mexico
- Italy
Some cruise lines go to multiple destinations—these are typically longer cruises. Other, shorter cruises may make just one or two stops.
In tandem with considering where you want to go, you'll also need to decide what excursions you want to do, if any. For example, booking one of the around-the-world cruises is your best bet if your goal is to see as much as possible.
3. Determine Ideal Cruise Ship Size
The atmosphere you want while cruising—whether convivial or quiet—will determine your ideal cruise ship size. The ships you can expect to sail include:
- Small cruise ships, which hold 799 passengers or less
- Small to midsized ships, which hold between 800 and 1,499 passengers
- Midsized ships, which hold between 1,500 and 2,499 passengers
- Large ships, which hold between 2,500 and 3,499 passengers
- Mega ships, which hold 3,500 or more passengers
In the cruising world, the larger the ship, the larger the party. Mega cruise ships have the most restaurants and entertainment offerings, expansive kid zones and fun attractions like water slides. Large ships still offer plenty of restaurants and things to do, but the offerings aren’t as extravagant.
Smaller cruise lines are often the most upscale (and most expensive), offering the most exotic itineraries. These are more intimate cruises, so you won’t likely find children aboard. Instead, you’ll be met with gourmet dining options, spacious cabin space and more fare inclusion.
Small and medium-sized cruise ships are often the ones offering river cruises in Europe, whereas large and mega-sized ships usually sail to the Caribbean and Mediterranean areas.
4. Access On-Board Amenities and Activities
There are many things to do on cruises that can provide hours of entertainment for all age groups. From relaxing activities like pools and spas to thrill-seeking activities like the casino, there’s always something to do. Kid-friendly cruises have kid zones featuring splash pads, mini golf courses, activity stations and kid-friendly shows.
It’s important to consider other on-board amenities while choosing a cruise line. Cruises have several dining options, including buffet-style and specialty restaurants. Kid-friendly cruises also offer themed dining, making the whole experience memorable. Other amenities featured on cruises include nightclubs, arcade games, shopping and art galleries.
5. Read Cruise Line Reputation and Reviews
You’ve decided on a budget, chosen your destination and researched the cruise ship options for your vacation. The last step in your journey of choosing a cruise line is to read reviews to ensure that you will enjoy your vacation and that it’ll be everything you envisioned.
Some things to pay attention to when reading cruise reviews include:
- Customer satisfaction: are other cruisers happy with their experience? And if they had a bad experience, was the customer service resolution adequate?
- Staff friendliness: How does the on-board staff treat guests?
- Cruise value: Do cruisers find that their experience was worth the cost?
- Ship condition: What is the condition of the ship? Are there areas that are under construction or unusable?
- Food quality: How did the food options taste? Was the quality worth the cost?
- Specific interest value: Does the cruise align with your interests (kid-friendly, luxury, value, etc.)?
Best Cruises for a Romantic Getaway
Ah, the romance of the seas — nothing quite beats an evening spent on the top deck of a ship sipping on a cocktail with the one you love. Cruise ships are a popular choice for a romantic getaway with the wide variety of couples' activities available. While it is hard to go wrong when booking a romantic cruise, the following two are the best cruise lines for couples.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Cost: Luxury
The Regent Seven Seas Cruises is known to be one of the best cruises to go on for an elegant and luxurious experience. Setting sail on a Regent ship is the perfect way to show that special someone you care about. With unlimited drinks, fine dining and exclusive excursions all included, all that’s left to do is spend time enjoying the company of the one you love. It’s no wonder why Regent Seven Seas is one of the top-recommended cruise lines—it’s a dream on the seas.
Princess Cruises
Cost: Mid-Range
Princess Cruise Line gained fame as a romantic getaway when the 1970s show The Love Boat set sail on a Princess ship. Today, Princess continues to deliver onboard opportunities for the ultimate romantic vacation, including the option to upgrade to romance-themed packages. Amenities like deck-side movie screenings and deluxe spa treatments make Princess Cruises one of the best cruise lines for adults.
Holland America Line
Cost: Mid-Range
With over 140 years of cruising experience, Holland America Cruise Line has mastered luxury cruising. Their staff-to-guest ratio exceeds industry standards, making every guest feel special with personalized service. Couples can bond over morning yoga sessions, sample dishes from specialty restaurants and wind down with a couple’s massage.
Best Cruises for Family Activities and Onboard Entertainment
Set sail with the whole family when you pick from one of the best cruises for kids and families. These cruise lines are designed to please any age group and will keep young and old smiling every second.
Carnival
Cost: Budget
Carnival Cruise Lines is perhaps the best cruise company if you want ample opportunity to have fun and embrace your inner child. Carnival is a beloved choice for families, particularly those cruising with young kids. Onboard activities include daily kids camps, water slides, splash pads and arcades. Entertainment is geared toward family-friendly fun with theater shows and outdoor movies, making this the best cruise for first-timers.
Royal Caribbean International
Cost: Mid-Range
For those who love activity, Royal Caribbean International delivers. Royal Caribbean has some of the largest ships sailing the ocean waters, many of which feature incredible all-age activities, such as rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, go-kart tracks and massive water slides. Throughout the day, the entire family can take part in games or attend family-friendly shows. With all of the fun, it’s no wonder why Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines for teens.
Disney Cruises
Cost: Budget
Do you wish to have tea with your favorite princesses or get a picture with Spider-Man himself? On Disney Cruises, you can do that and more. Hands down a favorite of kids both small and big, the Disney Cruise ships have something for everyone. Beyond characters, families can enjoy themed restaurants, several on-deck pools and Kids Clubs for children of all ages. And if you need a reprieve from the chaos, there are some adult-only getaway spots to enjoy some alone time.
Best Cruises for Excursions
For some, cruising is less about the ship and more about the destination. If you find yourself dreaming about exploring remote locations or diving into local customs, the following are the best cruise lines for delivering unique.
Azamara
Cost: Luxury
Azamara is a premier luxury cruise line that features smaller ships than many commercial cruise lines. This allows Azamara to take guests to ports larger ships cannot reach. With Azamara, you’ll often be provided with extended stays, overnights and unique night touring opportunities. Excursions sponsored by Azamara focus on experiencing the arts, cuisine, history and customs of the region you visit.
Celebrity Cruises
Cost: Mid-Range
Celebrity Cruises focuses on providing its guests with access to wonder and adventure. In addition to focusing on LGBTQ+ friendly cruises, Celebrity is a perfect pick for those focused on exploration or wanting a truly luxurious experience. Visiting more than 280 destinations worldwide, Celebrity offers cruisers the ability to book stunning excursions, including the option to upgrade to a private journey. Celebrity offers ample opportunity for adventure, from climbing mountains to ziplining through jungles.
Hurtigruten Cruises
Cost: Luxury
Look no further than Hurtigruten Cruises for an exclusive cruise opportunity. With over 100 years of cruising experience, Hurtigruten takes you to swanky locations that major cruise lines don’t often travel to, like Greenland, the Arctic and Oslo. Don’t forget about the on-board entertainment, which includes specialty lectures and local food tasting. Undoubtedly, this is the best cruise to go on for well-versed travelers.
Book Your Next Cruise With AAA
Whether sailing around the U.S. or taking a bolder and more adventurous vacation, booking through AAA Cruises can help get you there. Say “Bon voyage!” as you plan your next vacation and if you’re embarking on your cruise of a lifetime in a city that’s not your own, book your hotel with AAA Travel Services for a smooth sail.