Can't Decide On A Cruise Line? We've Got You!

Fear not! We’ve narrowed down the options.

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Published June 14, 2024
gif of photos of cruise ship and various activities

You’ve narrowed your vacation options to a cruise — but that’s when you realize that you haven’t whittled down much at all. You still have to figure out which cruise line to take, which can make or break your trip. Fear not! We’ve narrowed down the options:

You want: A romantic couples cruise.

Try: Seabourn Cruise Line

Seabourn’s ships are smaller (usually just a few hundred people onboard), so they’re an intimate experience. And while children are technically allowed to sail, they don’t tend to have too many, as Seabourn doesn’t cater to kids (they don’t have waterparks, an abundance of games or Broadway-style shows). What they do have, however, is incredible food and over-the-top service. At any time, you can order caviar delivered to your room, poolside or anywhere you happen to be. The food and service are highlights of this cruise line. Every afternoon, the spa team descends on the pool area to offer mini massages. Everyone on board knows your name by Day 2, and the food is high-end. Another bonus: The drinks, gratuity and all specialty restaurants on this ship are included in your fee.

You want: A multi-generational cruise.

Try: Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean cruises offer a little of everything (or a lot of everything if you opt for one of the bigger ships, like Icon of the Seas). They do an excellent job of catering to all ages. Their ships are packed with pools, slides and entertainment for kids, with most of their ships containing virtual reality areas, flying apparatus ranging from zip lines to iFLY Indoor Skydiving and tons of alternative options like go-carts and ice rinks. Their evening entertainment is among the best we’ve seen, and their Broadway-style shows snag some of the top performers you’d typically see on Broadway itself. The entertainment staff also runs plenty of trivia games for kids and adults throughout the day and evening. Not in an extroverted mood? Royal Caribbean has adult-only areas, coffee bars and dozens of restaurants on each ship to suit your mood. They also have pool spaces for small children and kids’ clubs for all ages.

You want: An adult party cruise.

Try: Virgin Voyages

Don’t expect to sleep much during your Virgin cruise — especially if you’re aboard the Scarlet Lady, which has a blow-dry bar to help you get ready and a tattoo studio for nights you really want to remember. This cruise is for adults only, so there’s no need to keep anything PG-13. For an extra fee, you can snag a Time to Play Kit, which contains a sex toy, condoms and lubricant. Entertainment includes a sex advice cabaret show. Yes, it’s that type of cruise.

You want: A family cruise.

Try: Princess Cruises

Let’s start with the boring part, which may not be so boring if you have young children. Princess Cruises offers a pretty unbelievable amenity: Free laundry machines on every floor with complimentary detergent. Every time I checked, washers and dryers were available — and it was nice to throw in clothing the second it inevitably got food on it so we didn’t ruin anything. Beyond this, Princess is a standard but fantastic line. They do a very good job with their shows, the food is creative and they have nice, expansive pool areas and games for the whole family. Beware, however, that they charge extra for many things, such as Wi-Fi, drinks, coffee and ice-cream shops. Consider paying for these ahead of time to save money (they offer discounts and sales — so keep your eye out before you travel).

You want: A budget cruise.

Try: Carnival Cruise Line

You can snag a great deal on nearly every cruise line by booking far in the future, by booking off-season travel, or by being regulars on that specific line (frequent guests usually receive discounted rates and free perks). One cruise company whose deals are lower than the rest is Carnival. Dig just a little, and you’ll find prices as low as $50 per person per night — especially if you sail on an older vessel. Perhaps due to its cost, Carnival has a reputation for being more of a party ship and tends to cater to families with small children. But their entertainment team works very hard, keeping everyone busy dancing and having a great time, and the food is decent for the price.

Have you ever been on a cruise? Where did you go? Let us know in the comments below.

Danielle Braff is a Chicago-based writer who knows how to find the heart (and humor) in everyday life. When she’s not reporting or crafting smart, relatable stories, she’s juggling life with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and one very lucky dog. A devoted traveler, lifelong reader, and unapologetic ice-cream enthusiast, Danielle brings curiosity, empathy, and joy to everything she writes. Discover more of her work at Daniellebraff.com.