With so many cruise lines sailing to the world’s most exciting destinations, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
From luxury touches and adults-only atmospheres to family-friendly fun and budget-friendly fares, each cruise line offers a unique experience tailored to a specific type of traveler.
To make your decision easier, we’ve analyzed the top options and compiled a list of cruise lines ranked from best to worst.
Whether you’re dreaming of sipping champagne in a swanky suite or partying poolside with a piña colada in hand, it pays to know which cruise lines stand out and which ones fall flat. Not to mention, you wouldn’t want to spend your time and money with a cruise line that isn’t a good fit.
In this guide, we’ve ranked ten of the most popular cruise lines from best to worst: Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Margaritaville at Sea.
Here’s how I’d rank them based on a mix of overall guest satisfaction, product quality, amenities, reputation, and value.
| Rank | Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celebrity Cruises | Premium experience without ultra-luxury cost |
| 2 | Princess Cruises | Classic cruising with comfort and value |
| 3 | Virgin Voyages | Adults-only, trendy, modern cruising |
| 4 | Royal Caribbean | Families and thrill-seekers |
| 5 | Disney Cruise Line | Families with kids who love Disney magic |
| 6 | Holland America | Mature travelers and cultural cruisers |
| 7 | Norwegian Cruise Line | Casual cruisers who like flexibility |
| 8 | Carnival Cruise Line | Budget-conscious travelers, party-lovers |
| 9 | MSC Cruises | International travelers and value seekers |
| 10 | Margaritaville at Sea | Day cruisers and Jimmy Buffett fans |
Use this guide to confidently choose the cruise line that best fits your travel style, preferences, and budget. Our rankings are based on ship quality, service, food, amenities, value, overall guest experience, and many of our own personal experiences.
Best: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is our top choice for 2025-2026 cruise lines. The cruise line earns our top spot for offering a consistently refined experience without the sky-high luxury price tag.
You’ll find upscale, modern cruise ships in the Edge series, along with attentive service and culturally rich itineraries for destination-focused cruisers. This cruise line is ideal for adults, couples, and travelers who want elevated comfort without sacrificing value.
Celebrity Cruises has an adult-centric experience onboard, with a heavy emphasis on upscale dining, themed bars, live music, and lounges. You won’t find rollercoasters, zip-lines, miniature golf, or any other kid-friendly attractions onboard Celebrity’s fleet.
The ambiance is not centered around partying, but that doesn’t mean the experience is stuffy or boring either. Entertainment is still a highlight for Celebrity cruisers, along with the quality cuisine, higher-end specialty dining, and well-designed cabins.
For our team, Celebrity Cruises is the perfect balance between quality, comfort, food, service, and modernity without being exorbitantly pricey. If you want a cruise that feels premium but not over the top in cost or excess, Celebrity often hits that sweet spot.
For the best experience, consider booking an Edge class ship – these are the newest and most modern ships in Celebrity’s fleet!
2. Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is a classic choice for travelers who want a comfortable, mid-priced cruise experience that doesn’t skimp on quality.
The line is known for its warm service, tasteful decor, and thoughtfully designed ships. Many Princess cruisers love the newest Sphere-class, including the brand-new Sun Princess, which debuted with new dining venues and lounges.
Princess excels with destination-rich itineraries, particularly in Alaska, Europe, and Japan. Onboard, you’ll find a more laid-back crowd with a focus on enrichment activities. The dining experience is another highlight, including partnerships with chefs like Curtis Stone.
While the entertainment and nightlife may not be as flashy as some competitors, Princess Cruises wins a top slot for its consistency and relaxing atmosphere. It’s a fantastic choice for couples, multigenerational families, and seasoned cruisers who want a step up from the party-focused lines but without breaking the bank.
Princess Cruises is a top choice for many people, especially families or couples who want a more traditional cruise experience with reliably good food and excellent itineraries. Princess tends to deliver good value, and is often regarded as the best option for Alaska itineraries.
3. Virgin Voyages
If you’re tired of traditional cruising or out-of-control kids, Virgin Voyages might be your best option. This adults-only cruise line (18+) has turned the industry on its head with bold design, elevated wellness offerings, and a no-tipping, no-buffet philosophy.
All of the dining is included aboard Virgin Voyages — and it’s far superior to standard cruise fare. Consider trendy restaurants with menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs, from Korean BBQ to vegetarian tasting menus and creative brunches.
The ships are sleek and modern, designed to be more like boutique hotels than mega cruise ships. Entertainment is edgy, with immersive performances, drag shows, and late-night dance parties. While its fleet is still growing and itinerary choices are limited compared to other mainstream cruise lines, Virgin Voyages offers one of the most unique, inclusive, and well-reviewed cruise experiences on the water.
4. Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is the go-to cruise line for those who want non-stop fun, epic entertainment, and floating cities packed with everything under the sun.
The cruise line’s massive Oasis class and Icon class ships feature attractions you won’t find anywhere else, such as surf simulators, zip lines, skydiving tunnels, and even neighborhoods like Central Park and the Boardwalk.
Families love the abundance of activities, including water slides, escape rooms, and kids’ clubs, while adults can enjoy adults-only solariums, live music, and Broadway-style shows. Entertainment is among the best in the cruise industry, especially on Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ships.
Royal Caribbean’s fleet is vast and innovative, offering a wide range of ship sizes and prices. While extra costs for dining, drinks, and excursions can add up, Royal Caribbean often nails the balance of mass-market appeal with premium touches. In addition, the cruise line’s award-winning Perfect Day at CocoCay is arguably the best private island of any cruise line.
It’s a reliable choice for multigenerational families, first-time cruisers, and anyone who wants a resort-style vacation at sea. You can find itineraries around the globe, including Alaska, Asia, Australia, and Europe.
While Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships are undeniably impressive, some complain of crowds and long lines for onboard attractions. In addition, the cruise line’s oldest ships lack modern amenities.
However, Royal Caribbean delivers on the “wow” factor with a lot of mass-market appeal. They might not have the same premium level of refinement that you’ll find with other cruise lines, but Royal Caribbean is tough to beat for mainstream cruise lines.
5. Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is pure magic for families, and it shows in their fanatical repeat customers and top-notch guest satisfaction ratings.
The ships are immaculately clean, thoughtfully themed, and staffed with some of the most professional crew members at sea. Kids are treated like royalty with clubs that immerse them in Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar worlds, while adults can retreat to their own exclusive spaces like adults-only restaurants (Remy and Palo), lounges, and sun decks.
Every detail, from rotational dining to fireworks at sea, is sprinkled with Disney charm. You can find stellar entertainment and theming, as the cruise line focuses on magical experiences for families and kids, as well as themed dinners, characters, shows, and everything in between.
However, that magic comes at a price: Disney cruises are some of the most expensive in the industry, especially during school breaks. Still, for those who prioritize family-friendly entertainment, exceptional service, and immersive storytelling, Disney Cruise Line is worth the splurge.
Disney’s fleet is still growing, meaning you only have a few options for cruise ships compared to competitor cruise lines. Itineraries are more limited for this reason. In addition, the higher cost of cruising can be inaccessible to some families. For this reason, other cruise lines might be better suited for those on a budget.
For many, Disney Cruise Line offers something special, especially for families, with a magical atmosphere, top-notch theming, and a polished experience. However, its higher cost and family-friendly audience might not be the best choice for everyone.
6. Holland America Line
Holland America is a favorite for many in the cruise world, especially the more mature crowd. With roots going back over 150 years, the line is best known for its elegant ships, mature crowd, and destination-focused itineraries.
While the average passenger skews older, the brand has done a lot to modernize its offerings in recent years. For instance, Holland America has updated its entertainment with new music venues like the B.B. King’s Blues Club. In addition, Holland America features a refreshed culinary program with exclusive restaurants like Tamarind and Rudi’s Sel de Mer.
Holland America excels in longer cruises and culturally rich destinations like Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Panama Canal. You won’t find wild waterslides or party decks here, but you will find polished service, peaceful ambiance, and plenty of opportunities to learn, relax, and explore.
The cruise line is a top pick for retirees, solo travelers, and those who want a slower pace at sea. However, some might find the onboard experience to be boring and subdued compared to other cruise lines. For the younger travelers looking for a modern cruise experience and energetic nightlife scene, Holland America probably isn’t the best option.
For mature cruisers wanting a port-immersive cruise experience, Holland America is a great choice. The ambiance onboard is enriching, welcoming, and relaxing.
7. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its “freestyle cruising” philosophy with no set dining times, no dress codes, and no pressure. This relaxed approach has broad appeal, especially for families, couples, and friend groups who want flexibility. Norwegian Cruise Line is considered a mainstream cruise line with a large fleet of ships, ranging from the brand-new Norwegian Aqua to the oldest and smallest ship, Norwegian Spirit.
The newest ships, including NCL Viva, NCL Aqua, and NCL Prima, feature go-kart tracks, VR arcades, and upscale neighborhoods like The Haven for suite guests. However, most of the onboard attractions cost extra, which can be frustrating for some.
Norwegian Cruise Line often runs aggressive promotions with their More at Sea promotion, which includes drink packages, Wi-Fi, dining, and excursion discounts in your cruise fare. NCL also offers more port-intensive sailings and one-way voyages that other cruise lines lack.
However, more recent reviews reveal an inconsistent onboard experience for Norwegian cruisers, including hit-or-miss entertainment, service, and quality. especially on older ships. In addition, another common complaint is Norwegian Cruise Line changing itineraries at the last-minute, often replacing port days with sea days.
It’s a solid choice for mainstream cruising, especially if you want variety, casual vibes, and more flexibility. But compared to more premium and upscale cruise lines, it tends to be a step or two below.
8. Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is the ultimate “fun ship” experience with colorful decor and a casual, party-focused ambiance. The clientele onboard are often full of energy.
Moreover, Carnival Cruise Line is known for affordability, upbeat entertainment, and a party atmosphere that attracts younger crowds, budget travelers, and families looking for value. From water slides and poolside contests to comedy clubs and live music, there’s always something happening on board.
Newer ships like Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee have upped the game with unique zones, roller coasters, and expanded food options like Shaq’s Big Chicken. In fact, many feel that Carnival Cruise Line has the best casual dining options of any cruise line. Even better, almost all of the dining is included in your cruise fare, including fan-favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina.
However, Carnival Cruise Line isn’t for everyone. Service can be inconsistent, and older ships may feel very dated, rundown, and worn. More importantly, the party-centric vibe may not appeal to those seeking relaxation or luxury. Cleanliness and maintenance issues are often common complaints compared to other cruise lines, especially older ships.
But if you’re looking for an affordable, high-energy cruise with no pretense, Carnival Cruise Line is hard to beat. It’s a favorite for many cruisers who love to party, but the onboard experience can be rowdier than some might enjoy.
9. MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is a European-based line that’s quickly expanding in the U.S. market. The cruise line’s ships are undeniably beautiful with glass staircases, modern lounges, and sprawling pool decks.
Prices are often very competitive and affordable, especially for Caribbean sailings and repositioning cruises. The newer World-class and Meraviglia-class ships offer a wide range of amenities, including Cirque-style shows and European-style dining.
However, MSC’s American expansion has hit some rough patches. Some find the service can be inconsistent, onboard communication is confusing, and cultural differences can cause frustration for first-time cruisers.
In addition, the dining experiences vary widely depending on the ship and location. Many complain about MSC’s main dining room and buffet service, leading to frustration with the overall dining experience.
But, for travelers who are flexible and looking for a deal, MSC can be a good choice, especially on their newer ships. However, some might prefer more established cruise lines in North America.
Worst: Margaritaville at Sea
At the bottom of our list is Margaritaville at Sea, a small cruise line operating short sailings from Florida to the Bahamas. Formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, it was rebranded with Jimmy Buffett’s signature island vibe, promising easygoing escapes filled with frozen drinks and tropical tunes.
Margaritaville at Sea is a small cruise line built around laid-back, tropical vibes. The cruise line has been slowly growing, although the fleet only includes two older ships right now.
The line launched with Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, a rebranded and refurbished vessel sailing short cruises from Florida to the Bahamas. In 2024, they added a second ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander, expanding the experience with more onboard dining, updated cabins, and longer itineraries.
While the branding is fun and full of personality, including cheeseburgers in paradise, island cocktails, and beachy vibes, the experience is still very much “budget cruise” territory.
These are older ships with limited amenities compared to mainstream lines, and the service and food are hit or miss. If you have low expectations for a quick getaway or themed weekend escape, especially for Florida locals, it delivers exactly what you’d expect. You can enjoy sun, drinks, music, and a pretty affordable price tag with Margaritaville at Sea.
