Cruising has become one of the most exciting ways to travel! After all, a cruise combines travel, relaxation and adventure in one seamless trip. With so many cruise lines, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. (Where do you even begin, right?) The frogtastic news is that whether you're craving luxury, adventure, family fun or a relaxing adults-only escape, there’s a cruise line that fits your needs. Let’s jump in and help you find the perfect one for your next getaway!
Okaaaay, we have to keep it real here. Cruising is pretty amazing and most frogs are hooked after their first sailing. And not to seem like we're taking a shortcut, but you almost can't go wrong with any cruise line. Sorry, not sorry, but it's true. (Now there are some folks who could NEVER do a cruise, but we find that's the minority and we toadally respect that.) Generally speaking, it really boils down to finding the cruise that matches your style, budget and wish list regarding destination and special experiences.
There are countless cruise lines around the world, each being unique, so for today, we’re focusing on the heavy hitters — the most popular cruise lines in North America. (It would be almost impossible to cover them all!) Also, this list is not definitive, but an overview to help guide you in the right direction as you're doing your research. To help, you'll notice that we’ve linked our popular cruise blog posts (mostly Disney Cruise Line — it's our family's favorite!) and landing pages for other cruise lines, complete with ship guides throughout for easy reference. And, of course, when you're ready to book your voyage, Undercover Tourist has you covered with savings on your next cruise vacation with no booking fees. You can even score up to $1000 in onboard credit on select cruises! Ribbit!
What's Your Cruise Style?
We think it's smart to start by considering what kind of experience you want. Think about the following:
- Are you traveling with family, or are you looking for an adults-only retreat?
- Do you prefer large, activity-packed ships or smaller, more intimate ones?
- What kind of destinations are on your must-visit list?
Narrowing down your travel style will point you in the right direction.
Family-Friendly vs. Adults-Only
Knowing the crowd you want to be around is key when choosing your cruise line. If you're traveling with kids or teens, you’ll want a cruise line that has entertainment, activities and dining options for everyone in your crew. Our top two recommendations for families are Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.
Disney Cruise Line is the gold standard for family cruising. All the ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet have magical experiences such as their unique rotational dining system, Broadway-style live shows and recreation activities, just to name a few. With immersive kids clubs, deck parties, waterslides and character interactions, Disney Cruise Line truly has something for everyone. You might even want to make your Disney Cruise a land and sea expedition, by adding a visit to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland before or after your cruise.
Wondering when you should start booking your Disney Cruise? Read more here!
Royal Caribbean is ideal for families who prefer to be on the go. Ships like Icon of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are home to attractions like water parks, bumper cars, laser tag, mini golf and even ice-skating rinks. Surfside, on Icon of the Seas, is a neighborhood made just for families. The dedicated area includes its own splash park for kids and a pool for parents. There's even a carousel and playground. Additionally, the Royal ships offer kids' clubs and teen lounges.
Your favorite frogs have some hoppin' Royal Caribbean cruise deals going on right now. Sail away with kids 12 and under for free on select sailings. And, book a balcony or suite on a six+ night cruise and receive a specialty dining experience for two on select sailings for a limited time!
Looking to escape the kids and enjoy a more serene vacation? Opt for an adults-only cruise. Several cruise lines focus on an elevated experience for adults. A newer player in the cruise industry, Virgin Voyages brings a modern, edgy vibe to cruising. Like the Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, their ships feature chic designs, trendy restaurants and unique nightlife options. Mommy Frog is dying to get her photo in front of that iconic sparkly mirrored wall before entering The Manor nightclub.
Similarly, Viking Cruises are known for their sophisticated, adults-only (18+) voyages. Viking’s smaller ships provide a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere with cultural insights from onboard experts and scenic itineraries.
Big Ships vs. Small Ships
Ship size can drastically affect your cruising experience. Naturally, larger ships offer more onboard activities, while smaller ships tend to have a more intimate feel.
Royal Caribbean’s massive ships, such as the Utopia of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, are practically floating cities. You’ll find everything from casinos, music halls, arcades and live high-energy entertainment. Also known for their large ships, MSC Cruises feature high-tech entertainment such as the Roboton roller coaster at sea (um, what?!), water parks and a wide range of dining options.
A smaller option (and this one is a standout!) is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Their ships such as the Seven Seas Navigator and Seven Seas Voyager, provide a more intimate and luxurious experience. The service feels more personalized with fewer passengers, and there’s no need to battle crowds.
What’s Your Budget?
Budget plays a BIG role in choosing the right cruise line. Some lines are known for being more affordable, while others have a more luxurious atmosphere with a price tag to match. Whether you're scrapping pennies together or it's a drop in the bucket for you, it's always nice to save when you can. In case you missed it, don't froget we offer savings on the most popular cruise lines in North America!
Budget-Friendly
If you’re looking for value, these cruise lines offer great experiences without breaking the bank:
- Carnival Cruise Line is well known for offering affordable cruises with fun activities for all ages. If you're looking for a lively, party-like atmosphere without costing a fortune, Carnival is a top choice. Carnival's slogan "Fun For All" definitely rings true here.
- Norwegian Cruise Line is popular for its relaxed “freestyle” cruising, Norwegian is a great mid-range choice. Ships like Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Breakaway are home to a variety of dining and entertainment options, all while being budget-friendly. Very demure, very mindful.
- For a European vibe at a lower price point, MSC's ships, like the MSC Seascape and MSC Meraviglia, offer stylish surroundings, diverse dining and family-friendly activities. Do a Google search and just LOOK at their ships. Talk about ballin' on a budget!
Luxury Options
For those who want to splurge, these cruise lines exude elegance, service and exclusivity. Hey, who doesn't want to feel a bit bougie while on a cruise vacay?
- Regent Seven Seas' smaller ships, like the Seven Seas Grandeur, deliver top-tier dining, service and excursions. The best part? Everything is included in your fare. And we mean just about EVERYTHING, including excursions. alcoholic beverages and specialty dining!
- Cunard is synonymous with luxury. Ships like the iconic Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria offer grand ballrooms, formal dinners and white-glove service. Cunard blends tradition with modern amenities, making it a great choice for travelers who want an elegant and refined cruising experience.
- Seabourn Cruise Line also offers an all-inclusive luxury experience with high-end, personalized service. Ships like Seabourn Ovation and Seabourn Encore are smaller and have an intimate atmosphere. Imagine sleeping in a spacious suite and indulging in gourmet dining and relaxing spa services. Ahhh!
Where Do You Want to Go?
The destination is often the most important part of choosing a cruise. Each line specializes in different itineraries, so it's worth picking a cruise that checks a location off your travel bucket list. Here are a few popular itinerary examples.
Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises both dominate the Caribbean scene. Their larger ships are ideal for cruising to popular destinations like The Bahamas, Mexico and Jamaica, with plenty of water activities and beach days built into the itinerary. For European cruises, Viking Cruises and Regent Seven Seas provide cultural immersion with smaller ships and more time in ports. Holland America is also great for in-depth European itineraries, especially for exploring the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
If Alaska is on your list, Princess Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises are known for their Alaskan voyages. You’ll experience stunning landscapes, glaciers and wildlife with immersive shore excursions. Want to explore the Hawaiian islands? Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the few major lines that has a dedicated ship, the Pride of America, sailing year-round Hawaiian itineraries. Holland America and Princess Cruises have great options for cruising along the western coast of Mexico, typically leaving from California ports and stopping in places like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.
Psst! Book your Princess Cruise with us frogs and save up to 40%, plus enjoy $99 deposits on select cruises!
Both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International also offer some fun Bahamian island stops. Both Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point are Disney Cruise Line exclusive stops, with special character interactions, snorkeling and food. CocoCay is RCI's island waterpark stop — they don't call it a Perfect Day at CocoCay for nothing! If an island destination stop is on your list, both cruise lines offer up a day of fun on select Caribbean itineraries.
How Long Should You Cruise?
The length of your cruise is another factor to consider when choosing which cruise line is right for you. Shorter cruises (3-5 days) are a solid place to start for first-timers or those looking for a quick getaway. These tend to sail to popular destinations in the Caribbean or Mexico. Longer cruises (7-10 days or more) allow for deeper exploration and are often best for destinations like Europe, Alaska or the Panama Canal.
When planning, you'll have to think about your family's schedules and when you want to travel. To avoid crowds, consider booking during the shoulder seasons. Spring and fall are ideal when families aren't traveling for school holidays. Summer and winter holidays tend to be the busiest times, especially for Caribbean and family-friendly cruises.
Hop over to read more on the best time to take a Disney Cruise.
Do You Want a Themed Cruise or Special Experiences?
When it comes to cruising, the fun doesn't stop at the ports. What happens onboard can be just as exciting as the destinations themselves. Cruise lines are constantly outdoing each other with bigger, better and more thrilling onboard experiences. If you’re all about the experiences, here's a breakdown of some highlights the cruise lines offer.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie or traveling with thrill-seekers, Royal Caribbean does not disappoint. This cruise line is famous for its larger-than-life ships packed with high-energy activities.
- FlowRider Surf Simulator: Catch a wave without leaving the ship on the surf simulator available on almost all of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
- Skydiving simulator: Ships like the Quantum of the Seas feature RipCord by iFly, a skydiving simulator that lets you experience the thrill of free-fall while safely enclosed in a wind tunnel.
- Rock climbing walls: Available on nearly all Royal Caribbean ships, including Oasis and Quantum classes, these 40-foot rock walls challenge both beginners and advanced climbers.
- Ice-skating rinks: Many Royal Caribbean ships, like Harmony of the Seas, have ice-skating rinks where you can lace up your skates or enjoy incredible ice shows. Specifically, all ships in the Voyager, Freedom, Oasis and Icon classes have ice rinks.
- Aqua Theater shows: The Oasis Class ships have the Aqua Theatre onboard. These shows feature jaw-dropping performances with high-diving and aerial acrobatics. It's where water meets drama!
Disney Cruise Line brings the magic of Disney to the high seas with its one-of-a-kind, family-friendly onboard experiences.
- Rotational Dining with themed entertainment: Venues like Animator’s Palate and Worlds of Marvel offer themed dining rooms, blending storytelling and entertainment seamlessly.
- Pirate Night Deck Party: On select sailings, Disney holds its famous Pirate Night, where you’ll experience a deck party with fireworks at sea and character appearances in full pirate attire. Aye, me hearties!
- Unique waterslides: Disney Cruise Line has exciting water slides across its ships. On the Disney Wish, and soon the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny, guests can catch a ride on the AquaMouse, Disney's first "at-sea attraction," that combines storytelling with a water slide. The AquaDuck, found on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, is a water coaster with incredible ocean views. AquaDunk on the Disney Magic is a one-of-a-kind drop slide. Tadpoles will love the Twist 'n' Spout on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.
- Themed cruises: Disney also features special sailings with unique experiences based on fan-favorite characters and holidays:
- Marvel Day at Sea: Meet your favorite Marvel super heroes and participate in Marvel-themed entertainment. This special day at sea is packed with character meet-and-greets, Marvel movie marathons and action-packed deck shows.
- Halloween on the High Seas: Celebrate the spooky season with Disney’s special Halloween cruises, featuring festive décor, trick-or-treating, costume parties and specialty treats.
- Very Merrytime Cruises: Sailors can experience a tree lighting ceremony, holiday parties, special décor and even meet Santa Claus. Disney characters in their holiday best will make this a cruise you’ll never froget.
One of Norwegian's claims to fame is their “freestyle cruising,” meaning there are no set dining times or rigid schedules. But don’t think that means a lack of excitement — Norwegian ships are jam-packed with activities and entertainment.
- Go-kart racing: Ships like Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Encore have go-kart tracks that race around the top deck of the ship, perfect for some friendly competition at sea.
- Laser tag: Battle it out in open-air laser tag arenas with epic themes like the Lost City of Atlantis on the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy.
- Broadway-style shows: Norwegian is also known for its high-caliber entertainment, featuring full-scale productions of Broadway favorites like Jersey Boys on Norwegian Bliss and Beetlejuice on Norwegian Viva.
Virgin Voyages has really redefined what it means to cruise. Adult-only and filled with hoppin' nightlife, it’s a great option for adult travelers looking for something toadally different.
- The Manor nightclub: Virgin’s ships come alive at night, with The Manor, a two-story nightclub that feels straight out of a chic city. Think curated parties, live DJs and themed events.
- The Aquatic Club: Lounge poolside or take a refreshing dip while sipping cocktails at this stylish club that feels more like a trendy rooftop bar than a cruise ship pool.
- Outdoor gym spaces: For fitness lovers, Virgin’s ships feature massive gyms, including boxing rings and yoga decks with views of the ocean — the ultimate way to stay ship-shape while sailing.
- Themed evenings: Virgin Voyages amps the fun with unique themed nights like Scarlet Night, where guests are encouraged to dress in red and enjoy spontaneous, ship-wide celebrations.
MSC brings a European flair to its onboard experiences.
- MSC Starship Club: On board the MSC Virtuosa, you’ll find Rob, a robotic bartender serving up futuristic cocktails. It’s a sci-fi dream come true with holograms and LED screens that make you feel like you’ve stepped right into space.
- Zip Line at Sea: MSC Seaview and MSC Seaside feature one of the longest zip lines at sea, giving you a bird’s-eye view as you fly over the top deck.
- Cirque du Soleil at Sea: MSC’s partnership with Cirque du Soleil brings jaw-dropping performances onboard ships like MSC Meraviglia.
Princess Cruises is all about blending traditional cruising with modern luxuries — a perfect mix of entertainment and relaxation.
- Movies Under the Stars: Watch blockbuster films poolside on a massive outdoor screen with cozy blankets and complimentary popcorn.
- The Sanctuary: Need some quiet time? The Sanctuary is a peaceful, adults-only space on Princess ships, where you can relax on plush loungers, enjoy spa services and take in the ocean view.
- Broadway-style shows: Princess also offers live productions that bring Broadway to sea with shows like "Magic to Do" by Stephen Schwartz, the composer of "Wicked."
Viking isn’t just focused on luxury — it’s all about enhancing your travel experience by offering rich cultural activities onboard.
- Enrichment lectures and classes: Viking’s small, elegant ships offer lectures, cooking classes and demonstrations that tie in with the destinations you're visiting.
- LivNordic Spa: Enjoy one of the best spas at sea with traditional Nordic features, such as a snow grotto and hot saunas.
If luxury is your priority, Regent Seven Seas is the ultimate choice. Its smaller ships allow for personalized service and lavish amenities.
- All-inclusive experiences: Regent prides itself on including nearly everything in your fare — from shore excursions to gourmet dining and premium drinks, so there’s no need to worry about additional costs.
- Culinary Arts Kitchen: On board the Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer, you can join a hands-on cooking class in a professional kitchen, learning new skills from expert chefs while at sea.
Dining Options and Food Preferences
Food is a big part of the cruise experience (it's our favorite part of ANY cruise), and some cruise lines just take dining to the next level. Whether you're a casual snacker or a foodie who lives for culinary adventure, we promise it won't be hard to find what you're craving
For high-end, luxury dining, Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn top the list. Both feature gourmet restaurants curated by renowned chefs. Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer has Pacific Rim, a standout for Pan-Asian cuisine, while Seabourn's The Grill by Thomas Keller offers a fine dining experience directed by the Michelin-star chef.
For unique dining experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers a rotational dining system where guests enjoy a different themed restaurant each night. Guests can experience restaurants such as Animator’s Palate, where dinner is paired with interactive animations, and Rapunzel’s Royal Table, which transports you to a fairytale setting. For adults, there are exclusive options like Palo, available on all Disney ships, featuring Italian-inspired dishes. The Disney Wish offers Enchanté, a fine dining experience by three Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement. On the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, adults can also enjoy Remy, an elegant French restaurant.
Virgin Voyages has really flipped the script with its no-buffet rule. Their ships have a variety of modern eateries, from Korean BBQ at Gunbae to experimental fare at The Test Kitchen. If you want a mix of high-end dining and casual, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises strike a great balance. Royal Caribbean’s ships include a balance of fine dining such as Hooked Seafood and 150 Central Park and casual favorites like Johnny Rockets and Sorrento's.
On some of Celebrity’s ships, Le Petit Chef is a mind-blowing dining experience. This innovative restaurant offers fine dining with a 3D projection show that hoppens right on your table! Believe it or not, a tiny animated chef prepares each dish before it’s served. The visuals are paired with a menu created by Michelin-starred chefs. Whoa!
And there you have it — how to choose the best cruise line for you! We know there's a lot to think about when it comes to booking your cruise vacation. Hopefully, this post gave you an idea of where to start in your search. Still have questions? Drop them in the comments below. We are hoppy to help!
Related: Top Five Cruise Lines for Families
Related: How to Choose the Right Disney Cruise Stateroom for Your Family
Keep hopping!
