Cruise Lines
Mainstream, premium, luxury, expedition and river: the style of line matters more than anything else.
Get Up to 5 Free Cruise QuotesWhich Kind of Cruise Line Is Right for You?
There are more than 50 ocean and river cruise lines, and the differences between them are bigger than most first-time cruisers expect. The style of line — more than the ship or even the destination — usually decides whether a cruise feels right for you.
Below are the main categories, with some of the best-known lines in each. Every line links to its profile, deals and specialists on our Official Cruise Directory. Not sure where you fit? That is exactly the question a cruise specialist answers first.
Mainstream (contemporary) lines
Big, lively ships with the widest choice of dining, entertainment and activities, and the lowest starting fares. Great for families, groups and first-time cruisers.
| Cruise line | Known for |
|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Casual “Fun Ships” sailing from more US homeports than any other line. |
| Royal Caribbean International | The largest ships at sea, packed with attractions, plus Perfect Day at CocoCay. |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Freestyle cruising with no set dining times; Pride of America sails Hawaii. |
| MSC Cruises | European style, a fast-growing fleet and the MSC Yacht Club suites. |
| Disney Cruise Line | Family entertainment, characters and private islands in the Bahamas. |
| Virgin Voyages | Adults-only (18+) ships with a modern, boutique feel. |
| Costa Cruises | Italian-style cruising, mostly in Europe. |
| P&O Cruises | Britain’s best-known cruise line, sailing from Southampton. |
Premium lines
A step up in food, service and design, with a calmer atmosphere and more destination-focused itineraries.
| Cruise line | Known for |
|---|---|
| Celebrity Cruises | Modern design and dining; the Edge-class ships and Galapagos expeditions. |
| Princess Cruises | MedallionClass technology and a big presence in Alaska and worldwide. |
| Holland America Line | Classic mid-size ships, strong in Alaska and on longer voyages. |
| Cunard | Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings and British ocean-liner tradition. |
| Viking Ocean Cruises | Adults-only (18+), destination-focused, with a shore excursion included in each port. |
| Oceania Cruises | Food-focused, country-club-casual ships on port-intensive itineraries. |
| Azamara | Smaller ships with late nights and overnights in port. |
| Windstar Cruises | Small ships, including sailing yachts, that reach smaller harbors. |
Luxury lines
Small, spacious all-suite ships with high staff-to-guest ratios and fares that include much more: drinks, gratuities and, on some lines, excursions and air.
Compare them side by side on Luxury Cruise Search, and read about suites and butler service on Cruise Butler.
| Cruise line | Known for |
|---|---|
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Among the most inclusive fares at sea, including shore excursions. |
| Seabourn | Intimate all-suite ships plus purpose-built expedition ships. |
| Silversea Cruises | Luxury and expedition voyages to every continent. |
| Crystal Cruises | Relaunched in 2023 with Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. |
| The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | Superyacht-style ships with hotel-brand service. |
| Explora Journeys | The MSC Group’s luxury brand, with spacious ocean-front suites. |
| SeaDream Yacht Club | Two small mega-yachts with a relaxed, social atmosphere. |
| Paul Gauguin Cruises | Luxury cruising in Tahiti and French Polynesia. |
Expedition lines
Small, ice-strengthened ships with naturalists, Zodiacs and kayaks, built to reach Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galapagos and remote coasts.
| Cruise line | Known for |
|---|---|
| Lindblad Expeditions | Expedition pioneers, in partnership with National Geographic. |
| HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) | Norwegian expedition heritage in the polar regions. |
| Quark Expeditions | Polar specialists for Antarctica and the Arctic. |
| Ponant | French luxury yachts and expedition ships, including an icebreaker. |
| Aurora Expeditions | Small-group expeditions with a strong science focus. |
| Atlas Ocean Voyages | Small yacht-style expedition ships. |
| UnCruise Adventures | Active small-ship adventures in Alaska and beyond. |
River cruise lines
Riverboats carrying roughly 100 to 200 guests, docking in the center of town, with most excursions, wine and beer with meals and Wi-Fi typically included. Europe’s Rhine, Danube, Seine and Douro are the classics; the Mississippi, Nile, Mekong and Amazon are growing.
See every river line on the Official River Cruise Directory and RiverCruiseLines.com.
| Cruise line | Known for |
|---|---|
| Viking River Cruises | The largest river fleet, mostly in Europe. |
| AmaWaterways | Active options and wine-focused sailings. |
| Avalon Waterways | Suite Ships with wall-to-wall windows. |
| Uniworld | Boutique, all-inclusive river cruising. |
| Scenic | Luxury “Space-Ships” with butler service. |
| Emerald Cruises | Modern ships at a moderate price. |
| Tauck | Escorted, fully inclusive river journeys. |
| American Cruise Lines | US-flagged small ships on American rivers and coasts. |
Fares: What Is Included?
| Style | Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream | Cabin, main dining, buffet, entertainment, pools | Drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, excursions |
| Premium | As above, often with better dining; some lines bundle drinks or Wi-Fi in packages | Gratuities and excursions on most lines |
| Luxury | Suites, most drinks, gratuities, often Wi-Fi; some lines include excursions and air | Premium wines, spa, some private tours |
| River | Most excursions, wine and beer with meals, Wi-Fi; gratuities vary | Optional tours, premium drinks, gratuities on some lines |
| Expedition | Landings, Zodiac cruises, naturalist program; often parkas | Kayaking or camping on some lines, flights to the start port |
Inclusions change often, so compare quotes on the total cost of the trip, not just the fare. Best Cruise Quote explains how.
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