WHAT ARE SOME TIPS ON PICKING A CRUISE LINE:
1) Decide on the vibe (and who you’re sailing with).
What demographic or atmosphere are you looking for?
Family-friendly: Larger ships with lots of entertainment, shows, and water parks—Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Disney.
Adults-focused: Virgin, Celebrity, and Princess. Virgin is 18+ only, but there generally aren’t a lot of children sailing on Celebrity or Princess either.
Smaller, more intimate ships: Seabourn, Viking, and Regent Seven Seas.
2) Set your budget.
Budget-friendly: MSC and Carnival.
If you book 6+ months in advance, you can often find great deals on Royal Caribbean too.
All-inclusive options: Regent and Oceania. They include drinks and excursions in the fare, which can be a big value depending on your travel style.
3) Pick your destination and departure port.
Think about where you want to go, which ports you want to visit, and which departure port is most convenient for you.
4) Choose the right timing.
Peak season: Summer and holidays.
Off-peak: Just before or after peak season (often better pricing and fewer crowds).
Repositioning cruises: One-way sailings that move ships between regions—these can be a fantastic value.
5) Consider ship size.
What size ship are you most comfortable on—mega-ship energy with nonstop activities, or a smaller ship with a quieter, more relaxed feel?
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be on your way to finding the perfect cruise—and having a wonderful experience.
Happy cruising!!!