6 Best Cruise Lines And 6 You Should Avoid

Planning a cruise vacation should be exciting, not stressful. With dozens of cruise lines sailing the world’s oceans, choosing the right one can make or break your experience at sea.

I’ve compiled this guide to help you navigate the waters of cruise selection, highlighting six stellar options that consistently deliver amazing experiences and six others that might leave you wishing you’d stayed on shore.

1. Royal Caribbean: Adventure Seekers’ Paradise

Royal Caribbean stands tall as the go-to cruise line for thrill-seekers and families craving action-packed vacations. Their innovative ships feature rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators, and even ice skating rinks!

What makes them special is their perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Their newest vessels like Wonder of the Seas offer neighborhood concepts where you can find whatever vibe matches your mood.

Staff members consistently deliver friendly service that makes guests feel valued, not just another booking number.

2. Disney Cruise Line: Magical Family Experiences

Mickey Mouse and friends transform ordinary cruising into extraordinary memories aboard Disney’s fleet. These ships blend classic Disney magic with premium cruising amenities that appeal to both kids and adults.

Adults can escape to exclusive areas while children enjoy supervised clubs with Disney-themed activities. The rotational dining concept lets families experience different themed restaurants each night with the same serving team following you.

Character interactions happen organically throughout the ship rather than just at scheduled times, creating those priceless moments of childhood wonder.

3. Viking Cruises: Sophisticated Cultural Immersion

If you’re looking for an adults-only cruise experience focused on destinations rather than onboard distractions, Viking delivers beautifully. Their elegant ships carry fewer passengers than similarly sized vessels, creating an uncrowded, serene atmosphere.

Each voyage includes complimentary shore excursions that dive deep into local culture. The Scandinavian-inspired design features light-filled spaces with clean lines and comfortable furnishings that feel more like boutique hotels than cruise ships.

Did you know Viking includes free wine and beer with meals? This all-inclusive approach eliminates the constant nickel-and-diming found on other cruise lines.

4. Silversea: Ultra-Luxury Small Ship Experience

Silversea epitomizes luxury cruising with its fleet of intimate ships carrying between 100-600 passengers. Your personal butler unpacks your luggage while you sip champagne on your private veranda – just the beginning of the pampering.

Gourmet dining rivals the finest restaurants on land, with menus crafted by top chefs and ingredients sourced from premium suppliers worldwide. Their expedition fleet combines this luxury with adventures to remote destinations like Antarctica and the Galapagos.

The all-inclusive pricing covers everything from premium spirits to gratuities, creating a truly stress-free vacation experience.

5. Celebrity Cruises: Modern Luxury With Style

Celebrity strikes the perfect balance between premium experiences and reasonable pricing. Their Edge-class ships revolutionized cruise design with innovations like the Magic Carpet – a cantilevered platform that transforms from tender loading area to specialty restaurant as it moves between decks.

Foodies rejoice at Celebrity’s culinary offerings, which consistently earn industry accolades. Their commitment to sustainability shows in everything from eliminating single-use plastics to advanced wastewater treatment systems.

The Retreat, their ship-within-a-ship concept, offers suite guests exclusive spaces and perks while maintaining the vibrant atmosphere that appeals to their diverse passenger base.

6. Holland America: Refined Traditional Cruising

Holland America embraces traditional cruising values while evolving to meet contemporary expectations. Their mid-sized ships attract passengers seeking enrichment through cooking demonstrations, history lectures, and classical music performances rather than waterslides and casinos.

The culinary program shines with partnerships featuring America’s Test Kitchen and wines selected by Wine Spectator experts. You’ll find spacious public areas that never feel crowded and cabin designs that prioritize comfort over flashy gimmicks.

Many crew members have served with the line for decades, creating a warm, familiar atmosphere that keeps guests returning year after year.

7. MSC Cruises: Inconsistent Service Undermines Beautiful Ships

MSC’s vessels dazzle with crystal staircases and European design flair, but the experience often falls short where it matters most. The predominantly European cruise line struggles with service consistency when sailing in American markets.

Language barriers frequently lead to miscommunications between staff and English-speaking guests. Their aggressive sales tactics for drink packages, spa treatments, and excursions create a constant pressure that detracts from relaxation.

While their newer ships feature impressive technology and beautiful public spaces, the basics of comfortable beds, quality food, and attentive service don’t always meet expectations.

8. Costa Cruises: Cultural Disconnects for American Travelers

Costa primarily caters to European passengers, creating a challenging experience for Americans expecting familiar cruise conventions. Announcements come in multiple languages with English often feeling like an afterthought.

Smoking is permitted in more areas than on American-focused lines, which can be uncomfortable for non-smokers. The dining schedule follows European patterns with later dinner times and different food preferences that might not satisfy American palates.

Entertainment often transcends language barriers but lacks the production value found on mainstream American cruise lines. Unless you’re specifically seeking an immersive European experience, better options exist.

9. Norwegian Cruise Line: Nickel-and-Diming Diminishes Value

Norwegian pioneered the “Freestyle Cruising” concept with no fixed dining times, but this freedom comes with hidden costs. Their base fares appear attractive until you realize how many experiences carry additional charges.

The best restaurants require cover charges ranging from $20-50 per person. Want to skip lines or access certain amenities? That’ll be another upcharge for their “Free at Sea” perks which ironically aren’t free at all.

Constant sales pitches from photographers, art auctioneers, and shop staff create a mall-like atmosphere rather than a vacation sanctuary. The core experience feels deliberately diminished to drive revenue from add-ons.

10. Carnival Cruise Line: Party Atmosphere Overwhelms Relaxation

Carnival bills itself as the “Fun Ships” line, but their interpretation of fun often translates to crowded pools, constant loudspeaker announcements, and a spring break atmosphere. If you’re seeking tranquility, you’ll find it in short supply here.

Their ships pack in maximum passenger capacity, creating congestion at buffets, elevators, and entertainment venues. Drink packages encourage overindulgence, leading to rowdy behavior that can make family travelers uncomfortable.

While their newest ships offer improved experiences, much of their fleet consists of older vessels showing wear and tear despite superficial refurbishments.

11. P&O Cruises: Dated Fleet and Underwhelming Cuisine

P&O struggles to keep pace with industry innovations while maintaining an aging fleet that lacks the amenities modern cruisers expect. Many cabins show visible wear with outdated furnishings and plumbing issues.

Food quality rarely rises above cafeteria standard, with bland preparation and limited variety compared to competitors. Their predominantly British passenger base means entertainment and activities cater specifically to UK tastes, which may not resonate with international travelers.

Shore excursions often cost significantly more than similar experiences booked independently, with little added value to justify the premium pricing.

12. Pullmantur Cruises: Budget Experience at Premium Cost

Pullmantur markets itself as a value option, but delivers an experience that feels cheap rather than economical. Their fleet consists entirely of hand-me-down ships from other cruise lines, often with minimal updates to furnishings and technology.

Maintenance issues frequently plague their voyages, from air conditioning failures to plumbing problems. The predominantly Spanish-speaking crew provides limited assistance for English-speaking guests, creating frustration when problems arise.

Food safety concerns have been reported more frequently than industry averages, with outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness tarnishing their reputation for basic health standards.