Which Cruise Line Is Best for You?
The right line depends on who is going, where and how you like to travel. Here is how to match them.
Match Me to a Cruise LineWhich Cruise Line Is Best? It Depends on You
“Which cruise line is best?” is the most common question our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise hear, and the honest answer always starts with another question: best for whom? The lines are built for different people. Some are designed around children, some ban them; some put a dozen restaurants on one ship, others serve everyone in one dining room; some sail the same Caribbean loop every week, others visit places the big ships cannot reach. Here we match the main types of traveler to the kinds of line that suit them — and explain why.
Find Your Match
Best cruise line for adults
Adults-only lines, and adult spaces on family ships.
Cruising without kids →
Best for solo travelers
Single cabins, solo lounges and avoiding the single supplement.
Sailing on your own →
The Four Questions That Decide It
- Who is going? Ages, interests and any mobility needs narrow the field faster than anything else.
- What makes a good vacation day for you? Pools, shows and nightlife point to big ships; lectures, quiet decks and long dinners point to smaller ones.
- Where do you want to go? Some lines are strong in Alaska or Europe and barely present elsewhere.
- What do you want included? A low fare plus extras, or a higher fare that covers drinks, tips and Wi-Fi.
Once you have answers, the choice usually comes down to two or three lines. For a feature-by-feature look at how lines differ, see Cruise Compares.
Cruise Line Styles at a Glance
| Style | Typical feel | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream / contemporary | Big ships, many restaurants, pools, shows and activities; extras sold separately | Families, first-timers, groups |
| Premium | Mid-size to large ships, more refined dining and service, still plenty to do | Couples, multi-generation trips |
| Luxury | Small ships, few guests, most extras included | Travelers who value space and service |
| Adults-only | No children on board at all | Couples and friends traveling without kids |
| Expedition | Small ships with naturalists and landing craft | Wildlife and remote-places travelers |
Cruise Line Questions We Hear Every Day
Which cruise line is best overall?
There is no single answer, and anyone who gives you one without asking about you is guessing. A line that is perfect for a young family can be wrong for a retired couple. Start with who is traveling, where, and what kind of days you enjoy.
Which cruise line is best for first-timers?
A large, mainstream line on a short Caribbean or Bahamas sailing is the easiest introduction for most people: lots of choice on board, simple itineraries, and many departure ports.
Which cruise line has the best food?
Food is personal, and every line has fans. As a rule, smaller premium and luxury ships cook for fewer guests and include more in the fare, while big ships offer more variety and more extra-charge restaurants. Tell us what you like to eat and we will suggest ships that match.
Is a luxury line worth the higher fare?
For some travelers, yes, because drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and often excursions are included and the ships are calmer. Compare total cost, not headline fares.
Before You Choose
New to cruising? First Time Cruise walks through a first cruise step by step, and Ask the Cruise Expert answers the practical questions about cabins and documents. Current offers from every line are gathered on Cruising for Less; the Official Cruise Directory lists lines and ships, and the Official River Cruise Directory covers river lines. Get new offers in the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter, and if helping people choose a cruise line sounds like a good job, Be a Travel Agent explains how to become a travel agent.
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
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Ask Which Line Fits You
Tell us who is going, where and when. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest the lines that fit and send free quotes.
Match Me to a Cruise Line