In short
Cruise lines have very different personalities, from big family ships with waterslides to small premium ships where nearly everything is included. Don’t choose by name — choose by three questions: who you’re travelling with, what kind of holiday you want and where you’d like to go.
First, decide what kind of holiday you want
Cruise lines are easier to compare by style than by rankings. The four styles below are a simplification: every line has its own character, and ships within one line can differ a lot.
Big ships for the whole family
Thousands of guests, waterparks, kids’ programmes, shows and dozens of bars and restaurants. There’s always something to do on board, and it’s the easiest way into cruising. This style covers MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line.
Classic and calm (premium)
Mid-sized ships and an unhurried rhythm: talks, live music and dressy evenings. That’s Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard; Greece’s Celestyal Cruises, with its smaller ships, sits close to this style too.
Adults only
No children on board: a grown-up atmosphere and lots of separate restaurants instead of one big dining room. Virgin Voyages has welcomed only guests aged 18 and over from day one; since January 2026 Oceania Cruises also takes new bookings for guests 18+ only.
Small ships, high service (luxury)
From a few hundred to around a thousand guests, plenty of crew per guest, and drinks and gratuities usually included. That’s Azamara, Explora Journeys and Seabourn; Oceania Cruises comes close to this level of service.
Cruise lines by style
Fourteen lines, in the same order as the styles above. Ships and itineraries vary even within one line, so check the details of the specific sailing.
Big family ships
MSC Cruises
An international line from the MSC Group, headquartered in Geneva with Italian roots. Guests come from all over the world, so announcements and shows usually run in several languages — most often Italian, English, German, French and Spanish. Children get programmes by age, and anyone after peace and quiet can opt for a private “ship within a ship” area with its own restaurant and pool.
Where it mostly sails: the Mediterranean almost all year, Northern Europe and the fjords in summer, the Caribbean and South America in winter.
Good fit if you’re travelling as a family or group and want to hear more than just English on board.
Big family ships
Costa Cruises
An Italian line based in Genoa: Italian food, music, themed parties and plenty of sunshine. Several languages are spoken on board, but the Italian spirit is everywhere. The atmosphere is lively and festive — you won’t be bored.
Where it mostly sails: the Mediterranean, Northern Europe in summer, and the coast of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay in the southern summer (November to April).
Good fit if you love Italian food, music and evenings of dancing.
Big family ships
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
The American line behind “Freestyle Cruising”: no fixed dinner times and no compulsory formal nights — eat when and where you like. Big ships with waterparks, musicals and, on some ships, even a go-kart track. The language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Caribbean and the Bahamas, Alaska, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and Hawaii all year round.
Good fit if you don’t want to live by a schedule or dress up for dinner.
Big family ships
Carnival Cruise Line
An American line with an easy-going vibe: waterslides, comedy shows, burgers by the pool and deck parties. Simple, cheerful and no fuss. The language on board is English, and most guests are English speakers.
Where it mostly sails: the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Mexico from US ports, Alaska, and Australia.
Good fit if you want a light-hearted, fun holiday with kids or friends.
Big family ships
Disney Cruise Line
Family cruising with Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters: meet-and-greets, Broadway-style shows and kids’ programmes by age. Grown-ups get their own space too, with adults-only pools and restaurants. The language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Bahamas and the Caribbean from Florida, Europe and Alaska in summer, and since March 2026 sailings from Singapore on Disney Adventure.
Good fit if you’re travelling with children and want the trip to feel like a fairy tale for them.
Classic and calm
Princess Cruises
An American line with a calm, unhurried rhythm: spacious ships, talks, live music and a couple of dressy evenings per cruise. Instead of a key card you wear a Medallion (MedallionClass): it opens your cabin door, and drinks can find you right at your sun lounger. The language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: Alaska is a signature destination, with the line’s own lodges near the national parks; also the Caribbean, Europe, Japan and Australia.
Good fit if you dream of Alaska or want a classic cruise without the bustle.
Classic and calm
Holland America Line
Founded in Rotterdam in 1873 and now headquartered in Seattle, but the Dutch traditions live on: the ships have Dutch names, the flagship is called Rotterdam, and the line’s former head office in Rotterdam is now Hotel New York. The atmosphere is calm, with plenty of live music. The language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: Alaska, the Caribbean, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, plus long voyages and world cruises.
Good fit if you like an unhurried pace and long itineraries.
Classic and calm
Cunard
A British line founded in 1840: gala evenings, afternoon tea, ballroom dancing and libraries on board. Its Queen Mary 2 regularly crosses the Atlantic between Southampton and New York — seven nights on the open ocean. The language on board is English, and many guests are British.
Where it mostly sails: the transatlantic crossing Southampton – New York, Northern Europe and the fjords, the Mediterranean and world voyages.
Good fit if you want the classics: dressy evenings, afternoon tea and nothing but ocean on the horizon.
Classic and calm
Celestyal Cruises
A Greek line based in Piraeus: smaller ships by today’s standards, Greek food and music, and lots of time on the islands. Gratuities and port charges are usually included in the fare. Guests are international, and the main language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Aegean and the Greek islands, Turkey and the Adriatic.
Good fit if you want to see several Greek islands on a short break.
Adults only
Virgin Voyages
Richard Branson’s cruise brand, open only to guests aged 18 and over. Instead of a main dining room and a buffet there are around twenty places to eat, all included in the fare — as are gratuities, basic Wi-Fi and group fitness classes. Design, parties and no formal nights; the language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Caribbean from Miami, the Mediterranean, and since 2026 Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver.
Good fit if you’re travelling as a couple or with friends and want a child-free break.
Adults only
Oceania Cruises
A line built around food: speciality restaurants are included in the fare, and the larger ships have a culinary centre with hands-on cooking classes. Small and mid-sized ships, a relaxed but elegant style and no formal nights. Since January 2026 new bookings are for guests aged 18 and over only; the language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, Asia and long voyages around the world.
Good fit if dinner is the highlight of your day.
Small ships, high service
Azamara
Small ships for around 700 guests and a focus on ports: late departures and overnight stays, so you can have dinner ashore or catch a concert. Gratuities and selected drinks are included, and many voyages feature an AzAmazing Evening — a special event ashore. The language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia and long voyages around the world.
Good fit if the city matters more to you than the ship.
Small ships, high service
Explora Journeys
The MSC Group’s luxury brand: ships for around 900 guests, ocean-front suites with private terraces only, and a calm European atmosphere. Drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities are included, as are nearly all the restaurants. No formal nights; the language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, and since 2026 Northern Europe and Alaska too.
Good fit if you want a fine hotel that wakes up in a new port every morning.
Small ships, high service
Seabourn
Ultra-luxury: small ships, suites only and very attentive service, with drinks and gratuities included. Two expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, sail with a team of expert guides and Zodiac boats to Antarctica and the Arctic. The language on board is English.
Where it mostly sails: the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and Asia; expeditions to Antarctica, the Arctic and other remote corners.
Good fit if you want top comfort — even beside a glacier.
What else to consider
- Language on board. English is the main language almost everywhere. On MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises, announcements, menus and the daily programme usually come in several European languages. If language matters to you, check it for the specific sailing.
- What’s included. On big ships the fare usually covers your cabin, main meals and entertainment; alcohol, many soft drinks and café-style coffee cost extra, and gratuities are usually added as a daily service charge. Wi-Fi is usually extra too. Luxury lines include much more — always check the terms of the specific fare.
- Dress code and dressy evenings. Some lines hold formal or gala evenings (Cunard is famous for them), others have none at all — NCL, Virgin Voyages, Oceania Cruises and Explora Journeys among them. Love dressing up for dinner? Go classic. Prefer not to? Pick a relaxed line.
- Ship size and ports. A big ship means more to do on board, but in some ports you go ashore by tender and share the sights with thousands of others. A small ship gets into harbours the giants can’t and often docks closer to the centre.
- Age and children. Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises are 18+ only. Family lines run kids’ programmes by age group; luxury lines usually don’t. For babies there is a minimum age — usually six months, and twelve months on some longer voyages.
First cruise?
Start with our step-by-step guide, then choose your cabin. Your first cruise → Choosing a cabin → Cruising with children →
Frequently asked questions
Which cruise line suits a first cruise?
The one that matches your holiday style. With children, look at the big family lines such as MSC, Costa, NCL, Carnival or Disney. If you want peace and quiet, look at Princess, Holland America or Cunard. A short cruise of three to five nights is a good first step: you’ll find out whether the format suits you.
What language is spoken on board?
English is the main language on almost every line. MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises usually also run announcements, menus and the daily programme in several European languages. If language matters to you, check it for the specific sailing before you book.
What is usually included in the cruise fare?
Your cabin, main meals, entertainment and most pools and gyms. Alcohol and many other drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions and gratuities or service charges are usually extra. Luxury lines such as Explora Journeys and Seabourn already include drinks and gratuities.
Are there adults-only cruises?
Yes. Virgin Voyages has accepted only guests aged 18 and over from the start, and Oceania Cruises switched to adults-only for new bookings in January 2026. Many family ships also have adults-only areas: pools, restaurants and sun decks for guests 18+.
How the club fits in
Cruises available in the club all work on the same terms. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club — we’ll tell you which sailings are available on your dates.
How booking with points works →
This overview is based on publicly available information from the cruise lines as of October 2026; ships, itineraries and inclusions change, so check the details with the cruise line before you book. Cruise line names are used for information only. Percentages describe the club’s rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.