Best Luxury Cruises Want an extra level of pampering on your cruise? See which cruise is the best for luxury!	Best Family Cruises Going with kids and want to make the most out of family time? Learn how here!
Best Cruises for Couples Seeking a romantic cruise vacation to make a memory? See which cruise ship is best for couples!	Best Cruise Food See which cruise line serves the best entrees and desserts. Bon Appetite!

Popular Cruise Destinations

Mediterranean Cruise

Alaska Cruise

Welcome to the ultimate guide for the best cruise lines where you’ll find cruise reviews by experienced real cruise veterans and tips to book that perfect cruise vacation. All cruise lines are not created equal, and there are different things to consider depending on the individual person when choosing which cruise line to sail. This site is independently owned and operated by a group of cruise enthusiasts who share a passion for cruising. Cruising is one of the best and popular ways to enjoy a real vacation without having to worry about moving with your luggage constantly. The ship becomes your “home away from home” with hardworking ship staff working to meet your needs. We also like any feedback on how to improve the site!

Best Cruise Lines – How to Choose

Shopping around to find a cruise line that not only fits your preferences, but personality is imperative to having a good time while at sea. Passengers who prefer dining when they wish and a more casual dress code might not want to consider a cruise line that does not provide these services. Norwegian Cruise Lines are a casual line that lets diners choose when they eat. Families like Princess for their kid activities. Those in the baby boomer generation might prefer Holland America, who tends to cater to their generation. Regent and Crystal are more luxurious lines that are the crème de la crème of cruise ships, so of course they are more expensive.

Where to go?

Picking your destination is one the most important decisions you can make about your cruise vacation besides which ship you book. Alaskan and Caribbean cruises have always been the most popular destinations in cruise vacations. Exotic new locations include the Indian Ocean, Asia, and South America. Inside Passage trips are usually round trip and go to Seattle and Juneau. Gulf of Alaska itineraries tend to be one way and also sail farther north to places like Vancouver, Whittier, and Steward.

When To Go?

Taking a cruise during a mid season can save you money and may be more fun than cooking under the extreme August Mediterranean sun. Getting a deal on an Alaskan cruise in May or September is also an option. During this time there are fewer crowds and visitors can see more of the local sights and may even get more opportunities to see black bears and humpback whales.

Cruise Ship Demographics

The 55+ crowd may like Regent, Holland America, Crystal Cruises, SilverSea Cruises, and Orient Lines. Their onboard activities cater to the finer and more mature crowd. Cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, academic lectures and ballroom dancing are just a few of the entertainment options onboard these lines. Their shore excursions usually cover historic points of interests, or excursions that immerse passengers into the local culture.

• Colder destinations like Alaskan cruises are usually popular among the over fifty crowd, although who does not love fun in the sun while on a cruise? Panama Canal cruises along with cruises bound toward the Mediterranean and South Pacific will have a lot of the younger generation.

• Transatlantic and around the world cruises that are provided by cruise companies like Cunard have their fair share of baby boomers onboard too. These cruises tend to cost a bit more. Those who are retired mostly enjoy these trips because they have the time and they can afford them.

• Avoid lines like Disneyland Carnival if you do not wish to mesh with the family crowd, which tend to be noisy if you are a cruiser who wishes for some peace and quiet.

Cruise Ship Size

Size does matter when it comes to a cruise ship. The bigger the ship, the more activities and entertainment venues there are to choose from. Seabourn operates smaller ships allowing for easy docking at smaller ports as well as a more intimate and personal cruise experience. Those looking for a more nature oriented experience can book itineraries to the Galapagos, Sea of Cortes, and Antarctica. However, due to the small size there are less entertainment options on these ships.

Picking The Best Cabin

Before booking your stateroom, consider splurging and getting a balcony to enjoy the open ocean view or depending on your itinerary, a view of an exotic port city. Book a stateroom on the starboard side of ship when cruising to Alaska if you want of view of the coastline or book a room on the port side if heading south.

Those more prone to sea sickness might want to choose the location of their stateroom carefully. The middle of the ship has less movement and sea sick passengers may be more suited there. Areas with high traffic, like near elevators, often draw a lot of noise. Light sleepers should avoid booking a stateroom near these areas. Booking a cabin that is near high traffic areas like near the casino or the bow of the ship is not advised for light sleepers either. These areas also tend to get noisy.

Before You Board…

Book any spa treatments, shore excursions, or other onboard entertainment as soon as you possibly can. There are only a limited number of treatment rooms onboard of each ship. Booking early could ensure that you receive the treatments you want. There might even be discounts on spa treatments if you book them on a port day.