Choosing your first cruise can feel overwhelming. With a wide array of cruise lines available to North Americans, each offering unique experiences, the decision requires careful consideration. From well-known giants like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line to smaller, more specialized operators such as Windstar Cruises, the options are plentiful and diverse.
Some cruise lines, notably Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line, are famous for their massive ships that resemble floating resorts, complete with numerous pools, water parks, and extravagant attractions. Conversely, other lines focus on providing a more intimate, boutique hotel atmosphere on smaller vessels.
The price spectrum is equally broad. Carnival caters to budget-conscious travelers, while others, like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, offer luxury experiences comparable to high-end land resorts. Certain luxury lines even feature lavish suites costing upwards of $11,000 per day.
So, where should you begin your quest for the ideal cruise? This guide offers a concise overview of some of the most popular cruise brands. It’s designed to provide you with a foundational understanding to help identify which cruise operators might best suit your preferences and needs.
Once you have narrowed down your choices to a few promising brands, we recommend delving deeper into their specific ships, itineraries, home ports, and pricing. You can conduct your own research or consult a travel agent specializing in cruises for expert guidance. Remember that The Points Guy provides extensive guides to many individual cruise lines, accessible through the cruise line hub pages linked in each section below.
Related: TPG’s ultimate guide to picking a cruise line
Azamara
Azamara, with its fleet of just four ships each accommodating fewer than 700 guests, is a smaller player in the cruise industry. However, it has cultivated a devoted following among travelers who appreciate its upscale ambiance, inclusive amenities—including gratuities and alcoholic beverages—and strong focus on destinations.
A key differentiator for Azamara is its emphasis on longer port stays, often including overnight visits, allowing for deeper immersion into the local culture. The ships offer an intimate, boutique-hotel feel, and while pricing is higher than mass-market lines, it remains below the ultra-luxury segment.
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Related: 5 things to love about Azamara’s newest ship
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line, often called the “fun ship” line, dominates the market for short, budget-friendly, and entertainment-rich cruises departing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and beyond.
Choosing Carnival means joining roughly one in five cruisers who are drawn to its lively, vibrant atmosphere and abundance of fun features like expansive water parks with multiple slides. However, it’s important to set expectations accordingly—Carnival prioritizes fun and affordability over high-end luxury.
Alt text: Carnival Dream cruise ship at sea, showcasing its vibrant and fun atmosphere.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is positioned as a step above mainstream lines like Carnival, offering a more refined experience while maintaining relative affordability. This Miami-based “premium” line is recognized for operating some of the most stylish and contemporary large ships in the cruise industry.
Passengers can anticipate sophisticated design, curated art collections, and trendy dining venues. In essence, Celebrity appeals to a discerning clientele seeking a more polished cruise experience than the typical party-centric atmosphere, although it is not classified as a luxury line.
Celebrity’s newest ships—Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent—feature innovative “infinite veranda” cabins. These cabins blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces with a glass wall that opens from the top, creating a balcony-like extension of the living area.
Alt text: Modern and sleek exterior design of the Celebrity Beyond cruise ship at sea.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises, a previously beloved luxury line, has recently resumed operations under new ownership after an 18-month hiatus. Historically regarded as the epitome of luxury cruising, Crystal’s relaunch has been met with acclaim, with post-restart voyages considered even better than before.
Currently operating with two ships, Crystal has ambitious plans for rapid expansion, aiming to add four more ships within the next six years, further solidifying its position in the luxury cruise market.
Alt text: Crystal Serenity cruise ship sailing into Sydney harbor with the Sydney Opera House in the background.
Cunard
Cunard, a cruise line steeped in history dating back to the 1800s, is renowned for its flagship, Queen Mary 2, a 2,695-passenger vessel. Queen Mary 2 lives up to its reputation as a genuine ocean liner, providing regular transatlantic crossings between Southampton, England, and New York.
Cunard enthusiasts appreciate the line’s more formal ambiance, which includes nightly dress codes, and its dedication to ocean liner traditions, such as evenings featuring ballroom dancing. Cunard’s fleet expanded with the addition of Queen Anne, its fourth ship, which debuted this year.
Related: Our take on Cunard’s new Queen Anne
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line offers a uniquely enchanting experience, particularly for families and Disney enthusiasts. Character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber Disney-themed shows, and extensive children’s activity areas are just a few of the family-focused attractions on a Disney cruise.
For Disney fans, no other cruise line can truly compare. However, if the Disney theme doesn’t resonate with you, this line might not be the best fit. One notable aspect of Disney Cruise Line is its pricing, which, similar to Disney’s land-based parks, tends to be on the higher end.
Alt text: Exterior view of the Disney Wish cruise ship featuring the AquaMouse water coaster attraction.
Related: Disney Wish: 9 things to know about Disney’s newest ship
Holland America
Holland America Line, with its heritage tracing back to 1873, has long been associated with tradition. It’s known for its meticulously planned, worldwide itineraries on mid-sized ships.
However, Holland America has been evolving in recent years, introducing more contemporary venues like the B.B. King’s Blues Club. The line primarily caters to couples and retirees, while families with children might find other cruise lines more appealing due to fewer dedicated kids’ facilities.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises, a dominant force in European cruising based in Switzerland, is significantly expanding its presence in North America. It deploys newer, larger ships year-round from Florida to the Caribbean and Bahamas, and also offers sailings from New York City.
Similar to Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, MSC Cruises operates large, resort-style ships designed to attract a broad range of passengers. A highlight of MSC Cruises’ North American itineraries is their private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Alt text: Aerial view of the large MSC World Europa cruise ship showcasing its expansive decks and pools.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s massive, resort-like ships are packed with thrilling attractions. Multistory waterslides, ropes courses, and even go-kart racing tracks are among the standout features.
These vessels also boast a wide selection of dining options, bars, casinos, and entertainment venues. Norwegian is particularly recognized for its entertainment, including full-scale Broadway productions like “Beetlejuice.” If you seek a Las Vegas-style resort experience at sea, Norwegian Cruise Line is a strong contender.
Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line
Alt text: Aerial view of the Norwegian Prima cruise ship highlighting its upper deck attractions and design.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises has carved a unique niche in the cruise market by offering relatively small, upscale ships. It provides a step up in experience from mass-market lines without reaching the formality or price points of ultra-luxury brands.
Oceania’s fleet of seven ships exudes a relaxed, country club-like atmosphere and emphasizes inspired dining, appealing primarily to a mature demographic.
Itinerary-wise, Oceania is known for destination-focused voyages, typically lasting 10 nights or longer, with some extensive world cruises spanning up to 180 days.
Related: Take a look at Vista, Oceania’s stunning new ship
Ponant
Ponant, a French cruise line, specializes in expedition cruising. This type of cruising involves journeys to remote, less accessible destinations on smaller, robust ships equipped with their own landing craft for exploration.
Operating a growing fleet of upscale expedition ships, none carrying more than 264 passengers, Ponant is known for voyages to regions like Antarctica and the Arctic. If your ideal cruise includes waterslides and laser tag, Ponant is likely not the right choice.
Related: This epic Ponant trip will take you to the North Pole
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises, often referred to as the “Love Boat” line, is popular among middle-aged couples, retirees, and multigenerational families. Its ships are generally less extravagant and not as large as those of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, which aligns with its customer base’s preferences.
Princess Cruises’ appeal also lies in its diverse range of itineraries, including voyages in Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean. It has long been a leading cruise line in the Alaska market as well.
Alt text: Discovery Princess cruise ship sailing in the Mexican Riviera showcasing sunny weather and ocean views.
Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a Miami-based luxury line, operates some of the most luxurious ships at sea. This includes their Explorer-class ships, which are marketed as the most expensive luxury vessels ever built based on cost per berth.
Regent is particularly known for its exceptionally opulent suites—some larger than average homes—highly inclusive fares, and exceptional service levels. The premium experience comes at a premium price; fares typically start around $1,000 per person per day and can reach up to $5,500 per person per day.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is the go-to cruise line for fans of mega-resort experiences. Its largest ships surpass all others in size (with MSC Cruises ships being the closest in scale) and offer an unparalleled array of attractions. From rock climbing walls and surfing simulators to Broadway shows and ice skating rinks, the entertainment options are vast.
Families are particularly drawn to Royal Caribbean due to the abundance of family-friendly activities and dedicated spaces on board. Royal Caribbean ships sail globally, with a strong presence in the Caribbean and Europe.
Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean
Alt text: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship during sea trials, demonstrating its massive size and innovative design.
Seabourn
Seabourn is another leader in the luxury cruise sector, offering all-suite ships, top-tier service, and refined cuisine across its seven-ship fleet.
Like other luxury lines, Seabourn provides a wide variety of global itineraries. It has also expanded into expedition-style cruising with two new 264-passenger ships designed for polar regions such as Antarctica and the Arctic, catering to the growing demand for adventure-focused luxury travel.
Related: This 10-night Seabourn adventure in Australia will wow you
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises, based in Monaco, is synonymous with exquisite service, refined dining, and elegantly appointed accommodations. With a fleet of over a dozen vessels, Silversea is also recognized for its industry-leading selection of unique, off-the-beaten-path itineraries.
Its expanding fleet of smaller expedition ships enables travelers to explore destinations ranging from the Arctic to Papua New Guinea in luxurious comfort and style.
Alt text: Elegant Silver Dawn cruise ship at sea representing the luxury and sophistication of Silversea Cruises.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection extends the renowned luxury hotel brand’s experience to the sea. Launched just a couple of years ago, Ritz-Carlton’s cruising division operates two relatively small, yacht-like ships designed to appeal to Ritz-Carlton loyalists with a sophisticated, residential ambiance.
These ships offer itineraries worldwide but primarily focus on the Caribbean and Mediterranean regions. Pricing aligns with the Ritz-Carlton brand, positioning it at the high end of the cruise market.
Related: The ultimate guide to the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Alt text: Luxurious pool deck on the Ritz-Carlton Ilma ship featuring elegant design and premium amenities.
Viking
Viking has become a dominant name in river cruising for North Americans and has also established a significant presence in upscale ocean cruising in the past decade. Viking’s extensive fleet of over 80 river ships operates on nearly every major river globally, while its ocean fleet of 11 ships (up from just one in 2015) serves an increasing number of destinations.
Viking is known for its impeccably designed ships featuring modern Scandinavian interiors and unique, port-intensive itineraries. It also operates with a largely all-inclusive model, adhering to a “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy. Notably, Viking cruises are adults-only, with guests under 18 not permitted.
Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cruises
Alt text: Viking Sky cruise ship sailing off the coast of Tromso, Norway, showcasing scenic fjord landscapes.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages, backed by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, is a relatively new cruise line reinventing mainstream cruising with a more contemporary, inclusive, and youthful vibe. Designed as adults-only, Virgin Voyages aims for a hipper experience with features like tattoo parlors, karaoke rooms, and inclusive pricing covering gratuities and dining at all eateries.
Virgin Voyages’ first three ships—Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady—feature suites designed by renowned designer Tom Dixon. Destinations include the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and a private beach club in the Bahamas, as well as parts of Europe and Australia. A fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, is scheduled to debut later this year.
Related: I’ve been on more than 150 cruise ships; here’s why I loved my first Virgin sailing
Alt text: Vibrant main pool deck on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady cruise ship with modern design and lively atmosphere.
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises is a specialist in small-ship cruising, ideal for those who find large ships less appealing.
Its six vessels carry between 148 and 342 passengers, offering a significantly more intimate experience. For those seeking a romantic sailing experience, Windstar offers three ships with sails—a unique feature in modern cruising. Food enthusiasts can also opt for James Beard-themed cruises, which include market tours and cooking demonstrations with James Beard Award-winning chefs.
More guides that will help you plan a cruise:
