Cruise lines compared

Pick the line before the ship: it sets the fare level, what is included, who you sail with and how the evenings feel. Mainstream lines are the cheapest and busiest, premium lines add better food and calmer ships, luxury lines include almost everything, and river lines are a different trip altogether. Each guide below gives our verdict, the fleet, where it sails by season and a dated from-price; the reviews score each line on our seven criteria.

52 guides. Every guide is sourced and dated; see how we rate cruises.

Mainstream lines

Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Cruise Line explained: every ship ranked by class and size, the best Carnival ship for you, where it sails by season and what the fare includes.
From $178 per personChecked November 2026
Costa CruisesCosta Cruises reviewed for Americans: eight Italian ships, Mediterranean, Canaries, Caribbean and South America routes, what the fare covers and who it suits.
From $177 per personChecked November 2026
Margaritaville at SeaMargaritaville at Sea reviewed: three older ex-Costa ships, short Bahamas, Key West and Mexico cruises, what the fare leaves out and who should book or skip it.
Fares change daily; check current prices
MSC CruisesMSC Cruises explained: every ship by class and size, where the line sails from the U.S. and Europe, what the fare includes, and who should book or skip it.
From $70 per personChecked November 2026
Norwegian Cruise LineNorwegian Cruise Line explained: how Freestyle Cruising works, every NCL ship by class, Alaska, Hawaii and Europe by season, and what the fare includes.
From $109 per personChecked November 2026
Royal CaribbeanHow to cruise Royal Caribbean: every ship by class and size, Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska and Europe by season, what the fare includes and how to find deals.
From $189 per personChecked November 2026

Premium lines

AzamaraAzamara cruises explained: four ships of about 700 guests, what the fare includes, late nights in port, Alaska, the Mediterranean and who should book or skip.
From $669 per personChecked November 2026
Celebrity CruisesEvery Celebrity cruise ship by class, from the Edge ships to Constellation and the Galapagos ship Flora, plus Alaska and Mediterranean seasons and inclusions.
From $264 per personChecked November 2026
CunardCunard cruise line explained: the four Queens, Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings, what the fare includes, 2027 routes and why Alaska has ended.
From $249 per personChecked November 2026
Disney Cruise LineDisney Cruise Line in 2026: the full fleet by size, where each ship sails, what the fare covers and what goes on your ship account, and who should skip it.
From $514 per personChecked November 2026
Holland America LineHolland America Line explained: the 11-ship fleet, Alaska and Caribbean seasons, what the fare includes, and who should book it or skip it. Dated from-prices.
From $139 per personChecked November 2026
HurtigrutenHurtigruten cruise reviews explained: the 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express, the Signature Svalbard and North Cape lines, what each fare covers and who it suits.
Fares change daily; check current prices
Oceania CruisesOceania Cruises explained: the seven-ship fleet, where it sails by season, what the fare includes, and who should book it or skip it. Dated from-prices.
From $1,825 per personChecked November 2026
Princess CruisesPrincess Cruises explained: every ship from Sun and Star Princess down, Alaska and Mediterranean seasons, Medallion, what's included, who should book it.
From $175 per personChecked November 2026
VikingViking ocean cruises for 2026 and 2027: the near-identical adults-only ships, what the fare includes, Alaska and Europe routes, and who should book or skip it.
From $2,299 per personChecked November 2026
Virgin VoyagesVirgin Voyages explained: four adults-only ships, where they sail, what the fare includes (Wi-Fi, all restaurants, basic drinks) and who should book or skip it.
From $175 per personChecked October 2026
Windstar CruisesWindstar cruises explained: sailing yachts and all-suite ships of 148 to 342 guests, what the fare includes, Tahiti, Alaska, Greece and who should book or skip.
From $1,100 per personChecked November 2026

Luxury and small-ship lines

CrystalCrystal cruises reviewed: Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity, the new Crystal Grace, what the fare includes, what costs extra and who should book.
Fares change daily; check current prices
Explora JourneysExplora cruises explained: MSC Group's luxury line, its six-ship plan, what the Explora Journeys fare includes, Alaska in 2027 and who should book or skip.
From $2,695 per personChecked October 2026
PonantPonant cruises reviewed: the French small-ship fleet, Le Commandant Charcot, what the fare includes, what costs extra and who should book.
Fares change daily; check current prices
Regent Seven Seas CruisesRegent Seven Seas Cruises explained: the seven all-suite ships, what the all-inclusive fare covers, where it sails and who should book it. Dated from-prices.
From $4,899 per personChecked November 2026
ScenicScenic cruises reviewed: all-inclusive river ships, the Scenic Eclipse discovery yachts, what the fare covers, what costs extra and who should book.
Fares change daily; check current prices
SeabournSeabourn cruises explained: five all-suite ships, what the fare includes, Alaska with Glacier Bay, Antarctica and the Mediterranean, who should book or skip.
From $2,639 per personChecked November 2026
SilverseaSilversea cruises explained: the 12 all-suite ships, what each fare type includes, Alaska, Mediterranean and Antarctica routes, and who should book or skip it.
From $2,950 per personChecked November 2026
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionRitz Carlton cruise reviews: Evrima, Ilma and Luminara, what the fare includes, what costs extra, where the yachts sail and who should book.
Fares change daily; check current prices

River cruise lines

AmaWaterwaysAma cruises explained: AmaWaterways river ships of under 200 guests, what the fare includes, the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Nile and Mekong, and new ships for 2027.
From $1,429 per personChecked November 2026
American Cruise LinesAmerican Cruise Lines reviewed: small U.S.-flagged riverboats and coastal ships, the Mississippi, Columbia, Great Lakes and New England, what the fare includes.
Fares change daily; check current prices
Avalon WaterwaysAvalon cruises explained: Avalon Waterways river ships of about 150 guests, the Panorama Suite, what the fare covers and where the line sails in 2026 and 2027.
From $2,464 per personChecked November 2026
Emerald CruisesEmerald Cruises reviewed: Star-Ships on Europe's rivers, small superyachts, what the fare includes, what the drinks packages cover and who it suits.
Fares change daily; check current prices
TauckTauck river cruises reviewed: the riverboats, what the upfront fare includes, solo deals, family departures and who should book in 2026–2027.
Fares change daily; check current prices
Uniworld Boutique River CruisesUniworld river cruises reviewed: boutique ships of about 120 guests, a fare with drinks, tips and excursions, new Super Ships for 2026–2028 and who it suits.
Fares change daily; check current prices

Line guides by region and year

Disney Cruise Line 2027Disney Cruise Line in 2027: where all nine ships sail, Disney Believe's debut, Disney Wish in Europe and New York, Alaska from Vancouver and when to book.
Disney Cruise Line AlaskaDisney Alaska cruises for 2026 and 2027: Disney Magic and Wonder from Vancouver, 6- to 8-night routes, glacier days, passports and whether it's worth the price.
Holland America Line AlaskaHolland America Alaska cruises for 2026 and 2027: the six ships, Seattle and Vancouver round trips, one-way Glacier Discovery routes, Glacier Bay, cruisetours.
Princess Cruises AlaskaPrincess Alaska cruises for 2026 and 2027: which of its eight ships sail from Seattle, Vancouver and Whittier, Glacier Bay calls, cruisetours and who it suits.

Line reviews

Azamara reviewOur Azamara cruise review: graded on value, food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with late nights in port, Azamara Quest and who should skip it.
Carnival Cruise Line reviewOur Carnival Cruise Line review: graded on value, food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with Carnival ships ranked by class and who should skip it.
Celebrity Cruises reviewOur Celebrity Cruises review: graded on food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with every ship ranked, AquaClass explained and who should skip it.
Cunard reviewOur Cunard cruise review: graded on value, food, staterooms, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with Queen Mary 2, the dress code and who should skip it.
Disney Cruise Line reviewOur Disney Cruise Line review: is a Disney cruise worth it, every ship ranked, whether Concierge is worth the price, and who should book something cheaper.
Explora Journeys reviewOur Explora Journeys review: graded on value, food, suites, ships, itineraries and inclusions, plus the paid restaurants, Alaska 2027 and who should skip it.
Holland America Line reviewOur Holland America review: graded on value, food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with how its Alaska cruises compare and who should skip the line.
MSC Cruises reviewOur MSC Cruises review: graded on value, food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with the pros and cons and who should book or skip MSC.
Norwegian Cruise Line reviewOur Norwegian Cruise Line review: Freestyle dining, ships, U.S. home ports and the Free at Sea bundle graded, plus whether NCL is good for kids and Bermuda.
Oceania Cruises reviewOur Oceania Cruises review: graded on value, food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, plus which adults should book the line and who should skip it.
Princess Cruises reviewOur Princess Cruises review: graded on value, food, cabins, ships and itineraries, with every ship ranked, Plus vs Premier explained and Alaska covered.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises reviewOur Regent Seven Seas review: graded on value, food, suites, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with who should pay Regent's fares and who should skip it.
Seabourn reviewOur Seabourn cruise review: graded on value, food, suites, ships, routes and inclusions, with Alaska, Antarctica, the fate of Sojourn and who should skip it.
Silversea reviewOur Silversea cruise review: graded on value, food, suites, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with Alaska, expeditions, the fare types and who should skip it.
Viking reviewOur Viking Cruises review, ocean and river: graded on value, food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, with who should book Viking and who should skip.
Virgin Voyages reviewOur Virgin Voyages review: graded on value, food, cabins, ships, itineraries and inclusions, plus which adults should book the line and who should skip it.
Windstar Cruises reviewOur Windstar cruise review: graded on value, food, cabins, yachts, itineraries and inclusions, plus Tahiti, the drinks package and who should skip it.