I’ve been on over 30 cruises and I still remember my very first one, a three-day weekend out of the Port of Los Angeles on a Carnival ship in the late 90s for a bachelor party. I did not want to go because I thought I would feel trapped, claustrophobic and miserable. Instead, it was completely the opposite. Even on that old, low budget Carnival ship, I found plenty of food, endless entertainment and the thrill of waking up each morning in a new place. That weekend turned into an obsession.
Since then, I have sailed on some of the best ships, including half a dozen trips on Seabourn. In the last few years my family and I have fallen in love with Princess cruises. We have taken three with them, two in the Mediterranean (here’s our review of Enchanted Princess and Sun Princess) and one in the Caribbean, and we all absolutely love them. My wife and I were nervous at first about taking our kids, but it ended up being perfect.
There are so many cruise lines to choose from, and I have only been on 10: Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, MSC, Viking, Princess, Seabourn, Norwegian, Windstar, AmaWaterways, Scenic, Vantage and Uniworld. U.S. News has made it easier to find the cruise that is right for you with their Best Cruise Lines rankings, which highlight the top cruise lines for different types of travelers and regions.
If you are trying to choose the right cruise line for your next vacation, the newest Best Cruise Lines rankings from U.S. News offer a helpful snapshot of which lines excel in different categories and regions.
Best Cruise Lines for Families
- Disney Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean International
- Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Cruise Lines for Couples
- Viking Ocean Cruises
- Explora Journeys
- Seabourn
Best Cruise Lines for the Money
- Virgin Voyages
- Celebrity Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
Best Luxury Cruise Lines
- Viking Ocean Cruises
- Explora Journeys
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
- Disney Cruise Line
- Virgin Voyages
- Explora Journeys
Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
- Viking Ocean Cruises
- Explora Journeys
- Silversea Cruises
Best Cruise Lines for Wellness
- Celebrity Cruises
- Explora Journeys
- Virgin Voyages
Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
- Crystal
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Oceania Cruises
With more cruise lines than ever and ships that feel like floating resorts, this is an ideal time to find your perfect match. Whether you want a kid approved adventure, adults only relaxation or a luxury escape on the open sea, the rankings above are a great place to start. And if my first reluctant cruise taught me anything, it is this: once you step onboard, you may discover your new favorite way to explore the world.
Related: The Non-Surge Protected Power Strip You Need For Your Next Cruise
