Cruise Matchmaker: Which Cruise line is Best for You
- Angel Martin
- 18 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Finding Your Perfect Way to Watch the World Go By
Cruising is one of those travel styles people feel oddly defensive about. Here’s the truth: most people don’t hate cruising… they just haven’t found the right one.
I remember thinking about cruising — and even though I had been on one as a kid and enjoyed it — I still associated it with White Out parties, seafood and chocolate buffets, and a way to extend a Bahamas vacation.
Then I sailed Royal Caribbean out of Singapore to Thailand and Malaysia… and I was hooked. Yes, there was a buffet, and a very good one. But there was also a main dining room with delicious entrées (also unlimited, thank you very much). Spectrum of the Seas had a Hot Pot restaurant, a Chicago-style steakhouse, and a Sichuan restaurant.
Yes, there was shuffleboard and ping pong. But there was also archery, an arcade, and a full-on laser tag alien invasion.
And that wasn’t even the best part. The best part? I unpacked once and visited three different countries. I danced 'til dawn, stumbled back to my room, and woke up in an entirely new place.
That’s when I realized cruising isn’t one thing. It’s oceans, rivers, and even rail journeys. And while they aren’t cheap, they can absolutely be reasonable — especially when you understand what you’re actually getting.
Getting into cruising isn’t as hard as you think. Like anything else, you just have to find the one that matches your vibe and your budget. You just need to figure out which cruiseline is best for you?
So consider this your Cruise Matchmaker — written by someone who’s sailed, researched obsessively, has a bucket list a mile long, and knows her limits.
Ocean Cruises: Let’s Be Honest About the Vibes
Not all cruise lines are created equal, and pretending they are doesn’t help anyone. Here’s how I actually think about them — based on experience, curiosity, and a healthy dose of self-awareness.
Carnival
Status: I know my limits
Probably the most polarizing of the cruise lines. Carnival is fun-forward, high-energy, and unapologetically social. For short trips, large groups, and travelers who want to party without overthinking things, it works.
Carnival is also one of the most affordable entry-level cruise lines. If you’re looking to get lit for the weekend… this is your ship. If you’re looking for an affordable family holiday… also your ship.
For me? Too many rowdy humans and, comparatively, subpar food. That’s not judgment — it’s self-awareness.
Prime itinerary: Short Caribbean sailings for celebrations and groups.
MSC Cruises
Status: European energy at a strong value
MSC is just built different. It’s a European cruise line with a more international passenger mix, later dinners, multilingual announcements, and a slightly less hand-holdy vibe than many American lines.
The only consistent complaints I’ve heard recently stem from cultural differences — expectations around service style, dining times, and pacing.
The ships themselves are sleek, modern, and often newer. Pricing can be surprisingly competitive for the hardware you’re getting.
MSC works well for:
Travelers who enjoy European style and pacing
Guests who don’t need constant structure
People who care about aesthetics but also about budget
I jokingly call MSC the love child between Carnival and Princess — Carnival pricing on a Princess-style ship.
Prime itinerary: Caribbean. If you want island hopping without the hefty price tag of some competitors — and without Carnival-level energy — this is a strong compromise.
Princess Cruises
Status: On my radar.
If there’s one place where I have a strong opinion, it’s this: Princess Cruises owns Alaska.
Not because the ships are flashy — but because the itineraries are smart.
Princess has been in Alaska forever, which means prime port locations, access to Glacier Bay, and some of the best cruisetours in the region. These combine a traditional cruise with scenic rail travel and time in Denali. You get coastal views and the wilderness — without stitching together flights, trains, and hotels on your own.
Now, I personally haven’t sailed to Alaska. Unfortunately, I watched Titanic at a very impressionable age and was mildly traumatized. I have no desire to vex God by sailing among the ship killers.
I’m kidding. There hasn’t been a catastrophic iceberg incident since 1912.
Prime itinerary: 7–10+ day Alaska Cruisetour. If you’re doing Alaska once, do it right.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Status: Strong contender, especially for flexible travelers
Their “Freestyle Cruising” concept is built around flexibility — no assigned dining times, no rigid formal nights, and more control over your schedule. For travelers who don’t want to feel managed on vacation, this is appealing.
The ships lean modern. The vibe is social but not chaotic.
Especially great for:
Solo travelers (they do solo cabins well)
Couples who want independence
Travelers who don’t love traditional cruise structure
The biggest draw is the Free at Sea package, which bundles a drink package, specialty dining, internet, and shore excursion credit. It may not always be the cheapest upfront fare, but it’s often the best value overall.
Prime itinerary: Hawaii. Pride of America has one job and one job only — sailing the Hawaiian Islands.
Celebrity Cruises
Status: Elevated, but not stuffy
Celebrity feels like the older sibling who studied abroad and came back with better taste — which is why I call it Royal Caribbean’s "bougie big sister".
It sits comfortably between mainstream and luxury: modern design, stronger dining, and a refined atmosphere without feeling formal or sleepy.
Less waterslides and belly-flop contests. More wine tastings and thoughtful design.
Prime itinerary: Greek Isles or Southern Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean
Status: Very Loyal to Royal
Royal Caribbean was my re-entry point into cruising as an adult, and honestly? I get the appeal. Big ships, tons of dining options, Broadway-level entertainment, and itineraries that make sense.
Yes, the newer Icon Class ships are massive. If crowds stress you out, that might give you pause.
I recently sailed Star of the Seas — the largest ship in the world — home to 26 eateries, 18 bars, 7 pools, a water park, mini golf, and Crown’s Edge. I was thrilled (especially after snagging an amazing deal), but I did wonder if I’d feel crammed.
Happy to report: even on a sold-out sailing, I never felt overwhelmed. No long waits. No chair-hunting wars. Elevators weren’t chaos.
That surprised me — in a good way.
Prime itinerary: Caribbean, duh!
Disney Cruise Line
Status: Interested (and not just because of the mouse)
I don’t have kids — but I’m not blind.
Disney’s service reputation is earned. Separate adults-only areas, elevated dining, Broadway-level shows, and an overall feeling that someone thought through every detail.
Great for:
Multigenerational trips
Families traveling with grandparents
Adults who love nostalgia and impeccable service
Now, let’s be honest — if you thought visiting Disney parks was expensive, don’t casually browse these prices. However, Disney excels at exclusivity. Fireworks at sea, character experiences, and entertainment you truly can’t get elsewhere.
Prime itinerary: Caribbean or Mexico with a stop at one of Disney’s private islands.
Virgin Voyages
Status: Very intrigued
Virgin looked at cruising and said, “What if we did this differently?” Adults-only, design-forward ships, flexible dining, no traditional buffets, and an atmosphere that feels relaxed but intentional.
High on my personal list — especially their Mediterranean sailings. It’s the only cruise itinerary I’ve found that hits both Mallorca (hello, Indiscreet) and Corsica (Tamasha) — but they only sail in July.
Wanna come along?
Prime itinerary: Mediterranean or Southern Caribbean.
Holland America
Status: Respectfully…not my vibe
Let me be clear: Holland America is not bad. It’s just not for me. Holland is calm. Classic. Enrichment-heavy. And yes — what I lovingly call the Retirement Home of the Seas.
If you want lectures, formal nights, and quiet evenings, this might be perfect for you.
I, however, require a little more life onboard.
Prime itinerary: Northern Europe or longer Alaska sailings.
Cunard
Status: Classic. Dramatic. Not casual.
Cunard is not trying to be trendy. It is leaning fully into its legacy. White-glove service, formal evenings, ballroom dancing, transatlantic crossings, this is cruising as it existed in another era.
For some travelers, including me, that is the dream. I can't wait to live out my Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, An Affair to Remember, and Royal Wedding fantasies. I want to cross the Atlantic, siting out on my balcony in a fancy bathrobe reading a book. No buffet for me dahling, I will dine with the Captain at his private table!
But if you:
Love tradition
Appreciate ritual
Want to cross the Atlantic the old-fashioned way
Cunard does that better than anyone.
Prime itinerary: Transatlantic Crossing This is less about ports and more about the experience of the crossing itself.
River Cruises: Why They’re Growing on Me
Ocean cruises are great for coastal exploration. But if you want that same ease of travel with inland immersion, river cruising might be your move.
City-center docking. Walkable ports. Slower, thoughtful pacing.
Yes, they’re pricier. But they’re typically adults-only and largely all-inclusive — including excursions. You wake up in the heart of the destination, not an hour outside of it.
Best first-time river cruise:👉 Christmastime on The Danube (Budapest, Vienna, Passau)
It’s scenic, culturally rich, and packed with recognizable cities — a great way to celebrate the holidays with your family or even solo.
Land Cruises: Trains for People Who Hate Boats
Here’s where things get interesting. Another alternative if you want the adventure of multi city travel but also want to see everything in between, consider what I like to call "Land Cruises", or Rail Cruises. You will have to get off the train so don't over pack, but your hotel stays and most "excursions" are included. Not to mention you will be able to see the amazing sites of your destination while still traveling in style.
These trips can be simple and easy like London to Paris, with three included nights at each end or travel through Spain for 2 weeks. These itineraries are destination based, customizable, and on the cheaper end. However if you are in the market for the ultimate in luxurious travel you may want to venture on some of the luxury rails. The Orient Express is once again traveling from London to Rome. Or if you want something a little closer to home, the Rocky Mountaineer features Glass-dome cars to better showcase the dramatic landscapes of the Canadian Rockies.
Which Cruise line is Best for You?
I don’t recommend from a brochure. I recommend from experience, research, and knowing how different people travel. Choosing a cruise line without context is like booking a hotel without knowing if you want a resort, a boutique stay, or somewhere you’ll never leave the lobby.
My job isn’t to sell you a ship ( or train). It’s to match you to the right way of moving through the world.
Ship. River. Rail.
So tell me, which cruise line is the best for you? Or if you are an avid cruiser, which is your favorite?
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