Picking the best cruise isn't as easy as sorting the price from "low to high." With that mindset, you'll likely end up disappointed, with cruising leaving a sour taste in your mouth.
I've been cruising since I was 5 years old, and over 20 years (and 30 cruises) later, I've mastered how to choose the best cruise line and ship.
I'm a firm believer that there's the perfect ship, destination, and line for everyone — even those adamant that cruising isn't right for them.
However, finding that right fit isn't as simple as selecting the newest, flashiest ship. Instead, you need to evaluate your priorities and budget.
For example, the best cruise line for families will be different than the one ideal for couples seeking an adult-oriented getaway.
Think of this as your ultimate guide to navigating all the options so you can pick a cruise that you will love.
How to book a cruise for the first time?
First things first, one of the easiest ways to lessen the burden of spending countless hours on Google, YouTube, and Royal Caribbean Blog is to work with a travel agent.
Not only can they help narrow down your search based on your preferences, but they can also help save you money with exclusive group rates. Plus, you never know when you'll be gifted perks like complimentary gratuities, a bottle of champagne, or a free dinner in one of the ship's specialty restaurants.
For years, I thought that working with a travel agent meant giving up control over my vacations. However, after booking over 15 sailings with MEI Travel, I realized that having a trusted agent means gaining insider knowledge and access to special deals.
Travel agents will also contact the cruise line on your behalf if you have any issues before or during your cruise. For example, if you need to change your sail date, they’ll handle the request so you only cover the standard change fee.
How to pick a cruise?
Regardless of whether you use a travel agent, 6 key factors will help you choose a cruise for the first (or 20th) time.
First, you'll need to establish a budget. While the cruise fare will likely consume most of it, don't forget to account for extras like transportation, drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and specialty meals.
For example, if you find a too-good-to-be-true fare for a sailing out of Port Canaveral, consider how much you'll have to shell out in airfare. If flights from your small-town airport start at $400 per person to Orlando, that "deal" may be more costly than you think.
Next, determine your destination. Are you dreaming of sailing through Alaska's picturesque Inside Passage, or do you want to spend your days lounging on beaches in the Caribbean with a cocktail in hand?
Most mainstream cruise lines sail globally, though some regions may be seasonal, such as Europe and Alaska.
In the end, your destination will shape the cruise line, ship, excursions, and overall vibe of your vacation, so it's a crucial step in narrowing down options.
As an example, I prefer sailing with Celebrity Cruises in Europe due to the laid-back, adult-focused experience. However, if I'm eyeing a vacation to The Bahamas or Caribbean, Royal Caribbean is my go-to for its entertainment, variety of dining options, and endless onboard activities.
Moving on, consider how much time you want to be at sea. Some first-time cruisers start out with short sailings, while others might opt for longer voyages that explore multiple destinations.
Your work schedule, available vacation days, and kids' school calendar will play a role in the length of your cruise, too. A 7-day Caribbean cruise may be feasible, while a 14-night transatlantic cruise would be more challenging to make work.
Keep in mind that the longer the cruise is, the more you will pay in daily add-ons, such as drink and internet packages. Whereas you may pay around $195 for an unlimited drink package on a 3-day Royal Caribbean cruise, that same package could cost $450 per person or more on a 7-night sailing.
After that, you can begin to think about which cruise line will meet your needs. Generally speaking, nine mainstream cruise lines offer sailings in the major markets, including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe:
- Royal Caribbean International
- Celebrity Cruises
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Holland America Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
- Virgin Voyages
Each cruise line has its own personality, target audience, and onboard experience. For example, Disney Cruise Line is ideal for families with young children who love the magic of Disney. Highlights of the experience include character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber shows, themed dining, and immersive kids' clubs.
That said, one of the cons of a Disney Cruise is that they're more expensive than competitors, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian — all of which also offer tons of family-friendly fun.
Comparatively, Celebrity Cruises is geared more towards adults, with craft cocktail bars, fine dining experiences, port-intensive itineraries, and upscale spas. While families are welcome, the atmosphere is more refined.
Enter Royal Caribbean, Celebrity's sister brand. Royal Caribbean is known for building the world's largest cruise ships, including Icon and Star of the Seas. However, they've technically held the title since Freedom of the Seas debuted in 2006.
That means that, for decades, they've been at the forefront of cruise ship innovation, and their ships are packed with amenities for every type of traveler.
That said, their older ships lack the same jaw-dropping features as the line's newest vessels, which is why it's important to thoroughly research the cruise ship you're considering before booking.
Icon of the Seas, for instance, is vastly different than Vision of the Seas. The former has a record-breaking waterpark, surf simulator, ice skating rink, mini-golf course, countless dining options, and cutting-edge entertainment (think high diving aqua shows and a Broadway-style production of "The Wizard of Oz").
In contrast, Vision of the Seas offers a more traditional cruising experience with smaller public spaces and fewer adrenaline-pumping attractions.
If you don't want to sail on the newest or oldest ships in the fleet, check out Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Freedom Classes. These vessels continue to be popular amongst cruise enthusiasts because they strike a balance between modern amenities and value.
Onboard, you'll find everything from rock climbing walls to ice skating rinks, surf simulators, spacious public areas, multiple pools, an elegant dining room, a specialty steakhouse, and more.
Similarly, newer Carnival cruise ships will feel vastly different than older ones. I've sailed on Carnival Celebration and Carnival Elation, and prefer the sleek cabins, dining variety, and entertainment on Excel Class ships.
Another important consideration is what cruise cabin you want. Most ships have four standard categories of staterooms: inside, ocean-view, balcony, and suite.
Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide
Interior cabins are usually the cheapest. However, they're also the smallest and lack natural light. Ocean-view rooms have an exterior-facing window, but it doesn't open. If you want access to fresh air directly from your cabin, you'll want to book a balcony.
There are more balcony rooms on newer ships compared to older ones. Also, some of Royal Caribbean's vessels have inward-facing balconies, so make sure you're careful when selecting a cabin on Oasis and Icon Class ships.
Moreover, Icon Class ships have infinite verandahs, which are somewhat controversial. Unlike traditional balconies, infinite verandahs don't have a private outdoor area. Instead, the entire stateroom turns into a balcony with the press of a button, which lowers the top half of the floor-to-ceiling window.
If you're looking for the most spacious accommodations on the ship, suites are the way to go. The perks vary based on the cruise line and ship. For example, Royal Caribbean's suite program is more robust than Carnival's.
However, the benefits aren't consistent fleetwide. Royal Caribbean's newer ships (i.e., Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class vessels) feature the Royal Suite Class, which categorizes cabins into three tiers — each with its own set of perks.
The suite program on older ships (i.e., Vision, Voyager, Radiance, and Freedom Classes) is more limited and offers fewer exclusive amenities. While you’ll still enjoy extra space and some perks compared to standard cabins, the experience isn’t as luxurious as what’s offered in the Royal Suite Class.
Read more: I stayed in 3 mega cruise ship suites this year. 6 surprises made it better than I expected
Cruisers staying in top-tier suites within the Royal Suite Class enjoy benefits like an unlimited drink package and Wi-Fi, access to the suite-only dining room, a Royal Genie (essentially a butler), and more.
Other cruise lines also have lavish "ship-within-a-ship" experiences with private areas, exclusive restaurants, and outstanding service.
For example, I stayed in MSC's Yacht Club and was blown away by my spacious suite, the upscale Topsail Lounge, private pool deck, and more. Plus, it was not as pricey as Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class.
To recap, the key factors to consider when picking a cruise are:
- Budget
- Destination
- Length
- Cruise line
- Cruise ship
- Cruise cabin
The perfect cruise for you won't be the same as your coworker, best friend, aunt, uncle, cousin, or neighbor
With over 100 mainstream cruise ships sailing globally, there's a cruise to match every travel style, budget, and bucket list destination.
Some travelers thrive on mega-ships packed with the industry's latest technology and amenities, while others prefer cruising on smaller vessels to off-the-beaten-path destinations.
At the end of the day, picking the right cruise isn't just about the itinerary. After all, the ship serves as your floating hotel, so you want to make sure that the onboard experience is just as memorable as your shore excursions.
