Cruise Line / Ship Types
There are cruise lines to fit every vacationer’s needs (budget, trip duration, amenities and activities, ship size and number of passengers)
| Category | Example Cruise Lines | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary | Carnival, Costa, P&O, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean | • Well-suited for families with children or multiple generations, quick getaways, or young couples • Larger ships (2-6k), with more activity options (rock climbing, ice skating, water slides, parties, etc.) • Most itineraries are 2-7 days |
| Premium | Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Viking | • Well-suited for couples or families with older children • Mid-range ships (1-3k), often with more sedate activity options (shows, casino, live music, etc.) • Most itineraries are 7-14 days |
| Luxury | Azamara, Cunard, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea | • Best suited for couples (some do not allow children) and seasoned travelers • Small ships (500-1k), often with few activity options but excellent service • Most itineraries are 14-21 days |
| Expedition | Hurtigruten, Lindblad, Saga, Tauck | • Adventurous travelers can be immersed in unique destinations (Arctic, Antarctic, Galapagos, South Pacific) • Very small ships (100-500) |
The main focus of this advice page will be on Contemporary and Premium cruise lines.
Destinations and Schedules
Most cruise destinations are only available during part the year. In general, cruise ships don’t sail to destinations during the local wintertime due to risk of ice. The rough schedule shown below can vary +/-1 month between different cruise lines.
If you can only sail during a certain time (i.e. due to work or school schedules), know that your destination options may be limited.
Cruise Ship Cabins
Cruise ship cabins have:
- A bed (usually a queen or king that can be spit into two twins)
- A sitting area (with a chair or a loveseat and a desk/vanity)
- A bathroom (with a sink, toilet, and shower)
The main differences between cabin types are:
- Overall square footage
- Room configuration (i.e. separate bedroom and living space, shower and tub in bathroom)
- Outdoor view or space
- Associated amenities
Before you book, make sure to look at the cabin options (and perks) for your specific cruise line & ship.
When picking a specific cabin, check what is above and below it to avoid potential irritants (i.e. chairs scraping on the pool deck or carts rolling in the buffet above, music playing at a club or a smoking area out on the deck below). Also look for nearby items such as stairwells or elevators (noise from other passengers) or crew access doors (noise from carts/equipment or doors banging).
Onboard Activities
There’s an ever-growing list of things that can be done onboard a cruise ship. Not all are available on every ship, so if there’s something you’d love to try, keep that in mind while planning your vacation.
| Outdoor | Indoor |
|---|---|
| pools & hot tubs sunbathing water slides surfing simulators rock climbing mini golf go karts dance classes zip lines walking/running track outdoor fitness equipment basketball shuffleboard ping pong lawn games movies | pools & hot tubs casino shopping craft classes galley tours wine and spirit tastings escape rooms ice skating educational lectures the spa (massages, salon, steam rooms, etc.) culinary demonstrations or classes movies theater shows (from Broadway-style productions to comedians to musicians) gym (equipment and classes) cigar/smoking lounges For the Kids: Arcades, ‘Camp’ at sea, parties, baby-sitters |
Deposits
Deposit policies vary between cruise lines; make sure you understand and agree to the terms of the deposit before you book.
- Some are a fixed amount (e.g. $250 pp), some are a percentage of the total fare (e.g. 20%).
- Fixed amount deposits may vary by cruise length or cabin type (i.e. larger deposits requires for longer curises or for a suite)
- Some are refundable, some are not.
- There may be a fee to have a refundable deposit; check if the math makes sense. (i.e., if it costs $600 to protect a $200 deposit, would non-refundable be better? Can you switch to non-refundable closer to the cruise date?)
- The meaning of “non-refundable” varies. Some cruise lines allow part of the funds to become a credit that can be used on another sailing