This would be a very long post if I went through every line out there and broke down what type of person would be the most likely to enjoy cruising that line. And even if I did do that, there are always exceptions to the rule. Plus some lines vary quite a bit from ship to ship when it comes to what is offered and who might enjoy a ship the most. Instead, I am going to give an overview of the main types of cruise lines, bundle some together and discuss who might enjoy those types of lines the most.
There are basically three tiers within the cruise industry: You have your basic lower tier, mid tier, and luxury tier. While cost may be the basis for the tier structure, there is so much more to know before choosing your next cruise. It is not an exact science to split these lines into specific tiers and you will see some lines move between one tier and another depending on the ship and cabin type. However, I have tried to work in generalities when deciding where to place specific lines.
Tier One: Budget and Family Friendly Lines – Your lower tier lines will be lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian in the US with MSC starting to make a strong push into the US market even though it is a European line. There are also British and European lines like Costa, Marella, P&O, Aida, and TUI.
Tier Two – Mid-level lines – Somewhere between budget and luxury are lines like Celebrity, Princess, and HAL in the US, and British lines like Virgin, Cunard, and Fred Olsen. These lines focus more on providing a higher-end experiences than they do on huge ships with water parks, kids clubs and night life.
Tier Three – Luxury and Ultra Luxury lines – Saga, Regent Seven Seas, Windstar, Viking and Paul Gaugain, just to name a few, provide luxury, all-inclusive experiences at a premium cost. Ships are usually smaller in size with a higher crew to passenger ratio that offers cruisers a more intimate and individualized experience.
Budget cruisers
If you are looking to cruise on a budget and you are worried more about cost than amenities, look to lines like Carnival, MSC, Marella and Costa cruises. These are going to offer you some of the most inexpensive cruises out there. You will still need to do some research as costs will vary depending on the ships and itineraries.
Young Families
There are some great family friendly lines out there that are really working to make cruising a family vacation whether you have toddlers or teens. Lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and MSC all have ships with extensive kids clubs, water parks, and arcades, along with things like zip lines, ropes courses, and rock climbing walls. Some even have amusement park rides! With all they have to offer, these lines are going to keep your kids busy and happy while you relax by the pool!
We can’t discuss lines for families without mentioning Disney. They are hard to put in any category since they are so unique. Pricing is closer to a luxury line, but the experience is one designed specifically for those wanting to emerge themselves in all things Disney. You are paying for that Disney experience.
Young Adults
If you haven’t settled down yet and like to party and enjoy some nightlife, you will want to look into lines like Carnival and Virgin who offer a lot of deck parties with nightclubs rocking late into the night. Royal and Norwegian also appeal to younger adults with all their amenities, busy schedules and various nightlife activities.
Multi-Generational families, Older Adults
If you are looking for relaxation, elevated cuisine, and a more sedate and upscale nightlife, then lines like Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, and P&O are for you. These lines offer a compromise for multi-generational families who like to cruise together as they have something for every age. While these lines do have kids clubs, these medium-sized ships don’t cater to young families with all the extras like water slides and rollercoasters.
Older Cruisers with Disposable Income
For those with money to burn on a luxury experience, choosing a top tier line like Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Viking, etc. will give you that all-inclusive, experience. There will be no need to purchase extras like drink packages because everything is usually included. Some lines even include transportation and hotel stays before and after your cruise. These smaller ships are designed to go to places the larger ships cannot, offering a wider array of ports to visit. Expect a more sedate and classical cruise ship experience designed for older and more discerning cruisers.
Adults Only
If you want to be guaranteed an adult only cruise, look to lines like Virgin and Saga. While luxury lines often have few children, they are still allowed. However, Virgin is adults only, so you have to be 18 and over to book a cruise on one of their ships. Saga goes a step further and is for 50 and over although people in their 40s can cruise Saga if they are with someone who is 50 or older.
Adventurers
There are even ships for those who like a lot of adventure in their cruises. If you don’t have a lot of cash floating around, you may need to save up for these, but there are lines that offer expedition cruises to out of the way places with a full schedule of activities designed to explore places like Antarctica, the Amazon, the Galapagos and more. Lines like Seabourn and Viking have specialty expedition ships designed to enter these out-of-the way places. National Geographic even has its own expedition line of cruise ships.
While knowing which line falls into which category can give you an idea of what to expect when it comes to cost and amenities, you will want to make sure to research not just what cruise lines fit your need, but which of their ships are best for you as some lines offer widely various experiences from ship to ship.
Some cruisers may eventually find that they prefer one line over others, but it is important to try out several lines before making that decision. Besides, doing all that in-person research on what line or lines work best for you is part of the fun of cruising!
Have you found the perfect line for you yet? Comment Below! We are still happily trying out new lines to see if there is one we like better than others.
Cruising From The Ozarks 