Ocean Cruising
Ocean cruising combines the excitement of discovery with the simplicity of unpacking only once. Visit multiple destinations while your hotel, dining, entertainment, and transportation travel with you — whether you are island hopping through the Caribbean, exploring Alaska’s glaciers, crossing the Atlantic, or sailing the Mediterranean.
Today’s ocean cruises range from large resort-style ships filled with entertainment and activities to elegant luxury vessels focused on personalized service, fine dining, and immersive destinations. Some travelers love the energy and variety of larger ships, while others prefer smaller vessels with quieter atmospheres and more included experiences. The right cruise depends less on “best” and more on finding the experience that fits your travel style, priorities, and pace.
find the style that best fits you
Select Your Cruise Style
Today's ocean cruise experiences vary dramatically -- from large ocean ships filled with entertainment and options to intimate, exclusive, all-inclusive ultra-luxury ships and EVERYTHING in between. Choosing your cruising style is critical to selecting the right cruise line.
Each section will provide general pricing information, but please note that prices change holiday sailings, newer ships and premium suites can add significantly to the price. Also, solo-travelers will generally pay for the entire double occupancy rate of the cabin ("solo supplement") EXCEPT when the cruise line has a special discount or a special rate. Some cruise lines are much more "solo friendly" than others.
My guide has divided cruise lines into four categories:
- Entry Level Cruise Lines
- Premium/Mainstream Cruise Lines
- Luxury/Upper Premium Cruise Lines
- Ultra-Luxury Cruise Lines and Yachts
Most of the cruise lines have a variety of classes of ships of varying sizes, ages, and amenities. For example, the photo, above, are all Celebrity cruise ships. This page will give you a general guide to select your style. I will help narrow the choices even more.
This guide cannot provide all information for all cruise lines. I intend it to give you an understanding of the general experience level and value differences between cruise styles.
approachable & Affordable
Mainstream Cruise Lines
Mainstream Cruise Lines, ofter referred to as "Entry Level" offer an approachable and affordable way to experience life at sea, combining lively atmospheres, entertainment, dining, and a wide variety of itineraries. They are especially popular with first-time cruisers, families, friend groups, and travelers looking for a relaxed, social vacation experience. While the focus is often more on fun, value, and onboard activity than luxury or enrichment, many travelers love the energy, convenience, and variety these cruises provide.
Typical ship size: 2,000 - 7,000 guests
Examples of cruise lines in this category include:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
- Costa Cruises
- Margaritaville at Sea
While each cruise line has multiple categories of cabins and suites to choose from, and have extra charges for beverage packages and specialty meals and shore excursions, a general guide for two people in a cabin is:
- Inside Cabin: $150 - $350/day
- Balcony Cabin: $250 - $600/day
- Suite: $500 - $1200/day
Who Is This Best For?
Travelers looking for a fun, affordable vacation with lots of activity, entertainment, dining choices, and family-friendly energy. These cruises are ideal for first-time cruisers, multigenerational families, friend groups, and travelers who want to maximize value while visiting multiple destinations.
Intimate and Slow
Premium Cruise Lines
Premium Cruise Lines offer a more refined and relaxed experience while still providing many of the amenities travelers enjoy about larger ocean cruising. Guests often appreciate upgraded dining, more attentive service, thoughtfully designed ships, and itineraries that balance popular destinations with time to truly enjoy the journey.
These cruises are well suited for travelers who want a comfortable and polished experience without moving fully into the luxury category. Many premium lines appeal to couples, experienced travelers, and those looking for a quieter onboard atmosphere with fewer crowds and a stronger focus on enrichment and destination experiences.
Typical ship size: 1,500 to 4,000 guests.
Examples of cruise lines in this category include:
- Princess Cruises
- Disney Cruise Lines
- Holland America Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Virgin Voyages
While each cruise line has multiple classes (sizes) of ships and categories of cabins and suites to choose from, and have extra charges for beverage packages and specialty meals and shore excursions, a general guide for two people in a cabin is:
- Inside Cabin: $350 - $700/day
- Balcony Cabin: $500 - $1,000/day
- Suite: $1,000 - $2,400/day
Who Is This Best For?
Travelers who want a more refined experience with upgraded dining, better service, thoughtfully designed ships, and a more relaxed atmosphere — while still enjoying a wide range of entertainment and amenities. A great fit for couples, experienced cruisers, and travelers seeking comfort without stepping into luxury-level pricing.
explore your bucket list
Luxury Cruise Lines
Luxury Cruise Lines, also referred to as "Upper Premium," place the focus on service, cuisine, comfort, and destination immersion rather than onboard spectacle. Ships are smaller, calmer, and more intimate, often allowing access to ports unavailable to larger vessels. Guests can generally expect spacious accommodations, attentive service, thoughtful enrichment programming, and a more relaxed onboard atmosphere. Luxury cruises are especially appealing to travelers who value sophisticated experiences, longer port stays, and a more destination-focused style of travel.
Typical ship size: 600–1,500 guests
Examples of cruise lines in this category include:
- Viking Ocean Cruises
- Cunard Line
- Oceania
- Windstar Cruises
- Azamara
Luxury lines often include far more in the fare, such as beverages, specialty dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi, excursions, and transfers. These cruise lines have mostly similar ships but a variety of categories of cabins and suites to choose from. Inside cabins are rare on these ships. Generally there are options for premium beverage packages and and special/optional shore excursions, a general guide for two people in a cabin is:
- Balcony Cabin: $500 - $1,200/day
- Suite: $1,800 - $5,000/day
Who Is This Best For?
Travelers who value personalized service, exceptional dining, elegant accommodations, and a more inclusive experience. Luxury cruising is ideal for travelers who prefer smaller ships, fewer crowds, immersive itineraries, and a more sophisticated onboard atmosphere.
Exquisite and personal
Ultra Luxury & Yacht Cruising
Ultra-luxury cruising emphasizes highly personalized service, exceptional cuisine, spacious suite accommodations, and an elegant, uncrowded atmosphere. Many fares include premium beverages, specialty dining, gratuities, excursions, and other amenities that are often additional costs on mainstream lines.
With fewer guests and a higher crew-to-guest ratio, these voyages deliver a quieter, more personalized experience that feels closer to a luxury boutique hotel or private yacht than a traditional cruise ship. These cruises are ideal for travelers seeking comfort, exclusivity, and a highly curated travel experience.
Typical ship size: 100–750 guests
Examples of cruise lines in this category include:
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Seabourn
- Silversea Cruises
- Crystal Cruises
- Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Ultra-luxury lines often include far more in the fare, such as beverages, specialty dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi, excursions, and transfers. These cruise lines have mostly boutique ships and many a variety of categories of cabins and suites to choose from. with all shore excursions and beverages (and typically gratuities) included in the cruise fare. A general guide for two people in a cabin is:
- Balcony Cabin: $1,800 - $5,000/day
- Suite: $4,000 - $12,000/day
Who Is This Best For?
Travelers seeking an exceptionally personalized and highly inclusive experience with spacious suites, attentive service, gourmet cuisine, curated excursions, and intimate ships. These journeys are ideal for travelers who see the cruise itself as part of the destination and want a seamless, elevated experience from beginning to end.
Curious Whether Ocean Cruising Might Be Right for You?
Choosing the right cruise line, class of ship, itinerary, and amenities matterts. Some travelers love the energy, entertainment, and variety of larger ships immediately. Others prefer smaller vessels focused on relaxation, enrichment, personalized service, or immersive destinations. I help clients compare cruise lines, destinations, ship styles, cabin options, onboard atmosphere, included amenities, and overall value to find the experience that best matches their interests, travel style, and budget.