If you've ever started looking at cruises, you've probably realized something pretty quickly:

There are a LOT of cruise lines.

And honestly, this is where cruising can start to feel like homework.

You can find two cruises going to the same destination, on completely different ships, with completely different prices, and wonder:

What's actually different?

The answer isn't always just the ship.

You're paying for the experience, service, dining, entertainment, what's included, the type of traveler the cruise line attracts, and ultimately how you want your vacation to feel.

That's why I don't think there is one cruise line that is simply "the best."

There is a cruise line that is the best fit for you.

In this guide, I'll break down the cruise lines into a few broad categories to help you understand where I'd start looking based on the type of vacation you're after.

These categories aren't official industry classifications. They're simply how I think about cruise lines when helping travelers compare their options.

Ocean cruising gives you the widest range of choices.

You can find everything from huge ships with thousands of passengers and seemingly endless entertainment to small, intimate ships where the service and destination are the main event.

If you're looking for a cruise that offers a lot of vacation for your money, this is where I'd start.

These cruise lines generally offer larger ships, plenty of onboard entertainment, multiple dining options, pools, activities, and a wide range of itineraries.

Cruise lines I'd look at:

These lines can be especially appealing to families, groups, first-time cruisers, and travelers who want the ship itself to be part of the vacation.

Royal Caribbean, for example, can feel almost like a floating resort.

Carnival has a more casual and energetic atmosphere, while Norwegian is known for its more flexible approach to cruising.

Frederick's Tip: Don't automatically assume that a lower cruise fare means you're getting a worse vacation. If you actually want a lot of entertainment, activities, and flexibility, a mainstream cruise can be an excellent value.

Premium cruise lines are where I'd start looking when someone wants a little more refinement without moving all the way into luxury cruising.

You'll generally find a more upscale atmosphere, strong dining and service, and ships that still have plenty to do.

Cruise lines I'd look at:

There can be a lot of differences between these lines.

Princess is particularly strong for Alaska, while Holland America offers a more traditional and relaxed cruise experience.

Celebrity leans more upscale and contemporary.

Virgin Voyages takes a very different approach, with an adults-focused experience and a more modern feel.

Frederick's Tip: This is one of the categories where I'd really want to know what you actually enjoy. Two premium cruise lines can have very different personalities, so I wouldn't choose based on price alone.

Now we're getting into a different type of cruise experience.

Luxury cruise lines generally have smaller ships, fewer passengers, higher service levels, and more included in the fare.

The ship is still important, but the experience becomes much more about the combination of service, dining, destination, and overall atmosphere.

Cruise lines I'd look at:

These can be particularly appealing to travelers who want something more intimate without necessarily jumping straight into ultra-luxury.

Azamara, for example, puts a strong emphasis on destinations and longer stays in port.

Oceania is especially well known for its dining.

Windstar offers a much smaller-ship experience and can be a great fit for travelers who want something different from a traditional large cruise ship.

This is where cruising becomes a very different experience.

We're talking about very small ships, high crew-to-guest ratios, exceptional service, premium accommodations, and a much higher level of inclusions.

Cruise lines I'd look at:

These cruises are not about finding the cheapest way to get from one destination to another.

They're about the experience of the journey itself.

For the right traveler, the higher price can make sense because so much more is built into the overall experience.

Frederick's Tip: Don't compare an ultra-luxury cruise to a mainstream cruise purely on price. Look at what is included and what kind of experience you're getting. The difference can be much bigger than the number on the cruise fare suggests.

River cruising is a little different.

As I mentioned in my Ocean vs. River guide, you're generally choosing a river cruise because you want to focus on the destinations, scenery, culture, history, and experiences along the river.

And while there are different levels of river cruising, I wouldn't think about them exactly the same way as ocean cruising.

The fares are generally higher to begin with, and what's included can make a huge difference when you're comparing options.

This is where I'd start for travelers who want the classic river cruise experience.

Cruise lines I'd look at:

Viking is one of the biggest names in European river cruising and is a natural place to start for travelers interested in destinations along rivers like the Danube and Rhine.

American Cruise Lines gives you something completely different, with smaller-ship cruising in the United States.

AmaWaterways and Avalon offer a wide range of European river itineraries and can be excellent options depending on the itinerary and what you're looking for.

Frederick's Tip: Don't assume that "river cruise" automatically means Europe. American Cruise Lines is a great example of how you can have a river and small-ship experience without leaving the United States.

This is where I'd look when someone wants a more upscale river experience with strong accommodations, service, and inclusions.

Cruise lines I'd look at:

Both offer a more refined experience while still keeping the focus on the destinations you're visiting.

This is also a good reminder that the line matters just as much as the itinerary.

Two ships could visit many of the same places but give you a noticeably different experience once you're onboard.

If you want to move into a more luxurious river experience, this is where I'd start looking.

Cruise lines I'd look at:

Uniworld is known for its highly designed ships, boutique-hotel feel, service, and attention to detail.

Tauck approaches river cruising as part of a broader luxury travel experience, with included excursions and experiences playing a major role.

I've had clients basically tell me:

"Once you sail Tauck, you don't sail anything else."

That's obviously not an official Tauck slogan.

But when clients come back from a trip that excited about a cruise line, I pay attention.

And then there are cruise experiences that don't really fit neatly into the traditional categories.

UnCruise Adventures is one of the companies I'd put here.

UnCruise focuses on small ships, fewer passengers, and more active destination experiences.

This is much less about sitting on a giant ship and more about getting out and experiencing the destination.

Depending on the itinerary, that can mean kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring places that larger cruise ships simply can't reach.

Frederick's Tip: If you tell me you want to be active, see wildlife, get away from crowds, and explore places that larger ships can't reach, I'm probably going to have a very different cruise conversation with you than if you tell me you want five restaurants and a waterpark.

This is where I think it helps to stop thinking about cruise lines as a ranking.

Instead, think about what you want from the vacation.

I'd start with Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Norwegian.

I'd look at Princess, Holland America, or Celebrity.

I'd look at Oceania, Azamara, or Windstar.

I'd look at Seabourn, Regent, or Silversea.

I'd start with Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld, or Tauck, depending on your budget and the type of experience you want.

I'd look at UnCruise Adventures.

You don't necessarily need to know which cruise line you want before you start planning.

In fact, I usually think it's better if you don't.

If you come to me and say:

“I want to go to Alaska next summer”

That's a great starting point!

You don't need to know whether you want Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, or something else.

We can start with what you want the vacation to feel like, and then narrow down the cruise lines, ships, itineraries, and cabins that make the most sense.

Maybe you want a quiet trip with great scenery.

Maybe you want your kids to have enough activities that they barely notice you're on vacation together.

Maybe you want incredible food.

Maybe you want luxury.

Maybe you want to spend as much time as possible exploring the destination.

Those answers matter more than simply picking the "best" cruise line.

And that's one of the reasons I think working with a Travel Advisor can be helpful. You don't have to become an expert on every cruise line just to figure out which one might work for you.

If you're not sure where to start, I'm happy to be a resource and help you narrow down the options!

Now that you have an idea of which cruise lines might fit your travel style, there are still plenty of questions to answer.

What cabin should I book?

What's actually included?

How much does a cruise really cost?

Should I book the ship's excursions or explore on my own?

When should I book?

And perhaps most importantly:

How do I make sure I'm booking the right cruise for the way I actually like to travel?

That's what I'll be covering throughout my Cruising 101 series.

Have a cruise line you're curious about or aren't sure which one fits you? Let me know. I'm happy to help you figure it out