The cruise industry is constantly changing, especially post-pandemic. With brand-new cruise ships launching each year and cruise fares increasing substantially, the cruising landscape has shifted in the last few years.
Cruises are also more popular than ever before with millions of passengers setting sail each year. With increasing demand comes an increase in pricing. Even with increased travel costs, you can still find great value in cruising.
Further, it’s very important to choose the right cruise line for you. Everyone has a different travel style, cruise budget, and needs with their vacation. Choosing the wrong cruise line - or even the wrong cruise ship - can lead to massive disappointment. No one wants to waste their hard-earned money on the wrong vacation.
We always emphasize how a little bit of research can go a long way. Determining the right cruise line is the first step towards a fantastic vacation. In this article, we will explore and review the most popular cruise lines. Our worst-to-best cruise line rankings are strictly based on opinion and personal experiences. Remember, there is a cruise line out there for everyone!
Worst: Margaritaville at Sea
After evaluating our rankings, we placed Margaritaville at Sea in last place. However, we recognize that the cruise line is making positive strides in the right direction. With the release of a new ship and recent renovation on its older vessel, the cruise line has a bright future ahead.
The newer cruise line only operates two vessels from Florida: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Margaritaville at Sea Islander. The budget-friendly cruise line operates mostly 2-night and 3-night itineraries to the Bahamas from West Palm Beach, while the newer Islander sails longer itineraries from Tampa.
Don't take this as a slight on the cruise line being a bad experience; rather, we see Margaritaville at Sea making continuous strides for improvement in 2025.
Cruise.Blog writer, Hayley, sailed on Margaritaville at Sea Paradise shortly after the ship debuted in 2022. The experience was less than impressive, including a disappointing cabin experience and subpar dining onboard. In addition, Hayley found the entertainment and activities to be minimal.
However, Margaritaville at Sea invited Hayley back onboard to see the many improvements made during a multi-million dollar renovation. Hayley explained, "I can confidently say that the cruise was a good experience that improved upon my last. I was able to try out some of the different food venues and selections this time that I was not able to the first time."
In particular, Hayley enjoyed the specialty dining options onboard. "The staff was very friendly, and the food was delicious. For my appetizer, I ordered the French Onion Soup and was surprised by how delicious it was. I can't help but think it might be the best I've had on a ship so far," stated Hayley.
Although Hayley's second visit was an improvement after renovations, we would still rank Jimmy Buffett’s cruise line at the bottom of our list. For the price, you could probably sail with a more established mainstream cruise line with more ships and itineraries to choose from.
Hayley concluded, “I would caution guests about flying in for this cruise. Unless a prospective guest is a large fan of Mr. Jimmy Buffett, or simply wants to experience this cruise line, it is my personal opinion that guests will be able to make their dollar stretch farther on more established cruise lines within the Caribbean and Bahamas.”
In the end, Margaritaville at Sea could be a good option for those on a tight budget or locals in the area. The cruise line also offers enticing offers for first responders, military members, and teachers. However, you still need to pay taxes, port fees, and fuel surcharges regardless of which offer you take advantage of. If you’re a local to the area and qualify for one of the cruise line’s discounted fares, a short getaway might be fun.
MSC Cruises
One cruise line that's been rapidly expanding is MSC Cruises. With brand-new ships that rival Royal Caribbean’s biggest vessels, MSC Cruises is focused on increasing its fleet with modern, sleek, and innovative cruise ships.
MSC Cruises is growing in popularity with affordable fares and package add-ons. It’s important to note that MSC Cruises is a European cruise line; therefore, the cruise line caters to Europeans. The cruise line has an impressive selection of itineraries across its large fleet, even offering year-round sailings to Europe.
Another highlight of MSC Cruises is the cruise line’s suites-only Yacht Club. Think of this as a “cruise ship within a cruise ship” with the ultimate luxury. The Yacht Club includes an all-inclusive cruising style with suite cabins, attentive service, exclusive venues onboard, private lounges, a suites-only restaurant, and a personal sundeck area. The cabins in the Yacht Club are generally affordable compared to other mainstream cruise lines.
However, the cruise line’s downfall is its hit-or-miss entertainment and food. The cruise line’s newest ships feature improved entertainment while the older ships might lack variety. Unfortunately, MSC Cruises' food is a hot topic for many. In particular, our writers - Chantal and Jenna - have found the buffet crowded and lackluster.
“One of the major drawbacks to sailing on MSC ships is the limited complimentary dining options compared to other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. This is even the case for its newest ships, which rely on large buffets and main dining rooms for the majority of meals,” shared Chantal in her recent MSC review.
Similarly, Jenna stated, “Crowding in the buffet was something I did not enjoy on either of my MSC cruises. Even though MSC Seaside, for example, had a large and small buffet, crowds could still be expected throughout the day.”
While Jenna and Chantal found downfalls with the complimentary dining, both recommended specialty restaurants with MSC. Chantal thought the MSC Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse to have a nice ambiance, service, and perfectly cooked meats on her sailings. Similarly, Jenna noted how the specialty dining meals are priced reasonably compared to other mainstream cruise lines.
Norwegian Cruise Line
As one of the more popular mainstream cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line is best known for their freestyle approach to cruising. This involves a flexible, laidback onboard experience, such as no set dining times or formal dinners in the main dining room. For many, this is an advantage of sailing with Norwegian.
In addition, the cruise line offers more inclusive cruise fares compared to other cruise lines. The “More at Sea” package provides an expanded drink package, more specialty dining credits, shore excursion credits, and internet access.
Other mainstream cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival, only offer drink packages, specialty dining, and internet access as pricey add-ons. For most, the inclusive pricing options for Norwegian are an advantage.
Read more: What I wish I did differently on my first NCL cruise
In addition, Norwegian has functional, updated staterooms across its fleet. You’ll find more modern amenities, such as USB ports at your bedside and redesigned bathrooms, on older ships as well.
The cruise line has a large fleet with many different ships sailing around the world. Norwegian differentiates itself with more unique, port-heavy itineraries that you won’t elsewhere. However, be prepared for canceled ports and last-minute itinerary changes—one of the most common complaints from Norwegian cruisers these days.
Norwegian’s food is generally pretty good, particularly in the main dining room and buffet. While other cruise lines have had more substantial cutbacks with dining, Norwegian hasn’t declined as noticeably. In fact, the new Prima Class ships feature a revolutionary dining hall with made-to-order food.
Onboard thrills are also impressive on Norwegian’s newest and biggest cruise ships. Unfortunately, most of these attractions come with an extra cost. This is one of the cruise line’s recent downfalls: nickel and dimming.
Finally, the cruise line is one of the best options for solo travelers. With specifically designed solo cabins, an exclusive solo traveler lounge, and meetups for solo cruisers, you can’t beat Norwegian Cruise Line.
Cruise.Blog writer, Hayley, has sailed multiple times in Norwegian’s solo cabins and raved about the cruise line’s attention to detail for solo travelers.
Hayley explained, “Solo traveling can be intimidating; however, after this experience, I can say that Norwegian Cruise Line makes the whole experience quite simple. If you are someone looking to book a fun, relaxing, and special solo trip, I would recommend taking a look at a cruise sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line!”
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is considered a premium cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation. The cruise line focuses on providing a relaxed approach to luxury with plenty of modern amenities. Princess Cruises caters to an older demographic with a refined cruising experience, although the cruise line is well-suited for cruisers of all ages.
The cruise line’s newest ships, such as the Sun Princess, feature a heavy focus on innovation and technology. For instance, Princess Cruises relies on the Medallion technology instead of key cards. Guests wear wristbands with medallions, which allow for tracking features and cabin access.
Aside from the newer ships, Princess Cruises has a wide range of ships in its fleet. Not all ships are the same, and some of the older ships might feel outdated. Writer Jenna sailed on Royal Princess in 2023 and found the ship to be ill-suited for sailing to Alaska, which is one of the top destinations to sail with Princess Cruises.
“The hot tubs on the Royal Princess were laughably small, and they were often so crowded I was too grossed out to use them. I found the design of the Royal Princess to be inadequate for an Alaska cruise,” said Jenna.
Along with the outdated ship, Jenna also didn’t enjoy the food onboard. However, this tends to be one of the highlights for many Princess cruisers, especially in specialty dining restaurants. The more traditional cruising experience includes a fantastic main dining room and attentive service from Princess’ crew members.
Also, Princess Cruises still appeals to a wide audience, including multigenerational families and groups traveling together. Activities are well-varied and entertainment includes enrichment lectures, production shows, and other fun events.
Cruise.Blog writer Elizabeth recently sailed on Sun Princess and enjoyed the energy found onboard. She explained, “Don't expect a constant party vibe like on Carnival aboard a Princess cruise. However, the atmosphere isn't dead. From lively game shows to captivating production shows and upbeat silent discos, there's plenty to do rather than sitting at trivia sessions or sunbathing on the pool deck.”
In our opinion, Princess Cruises is a great choice for those who want a more relaxing and enriching cruise experience. The cruise line sails to regions around the world, including some very culturally-immersive itineraries. Those looking for more energy and partying might not appreciate the slower pace of Princess Cruises.
Read more: I spent 8 days on Princess Cruises’ newest mega-ship
Carnival Cruise Line
Considered one of the most popular cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line is beloved by many, and for good reason. The family-friendly cruise line offers affordable fares for a variety of itineraries across its expanding fleet. From older ships sailing weekend getaways to the new flashy Excel class ships, Carnival is an excellent choice for many cruisers.
The cruise line is known for its fun-filled cruising experiences, creating a very energetic, lively, and sometimes rowdy environment onboard. You can enjoy nonstop entertainment from the moment you step onboard, including late-night deck parties, karaoke, game shows, headliner shows, and more.
Perhaps the best aspect of a Carnival cruise is the inclusive nature of dining. You can find many casual, laidback eateries while cruising with Carnival. Even on the cruise line’s oldest ships, you can enjoy modern amenities like the famed Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina.
Read more: How to get the best Carnival cruise deals, according to cruise fans
Cruise.Blog writer Angie has sailed on multiple Carnival Cruise Line ships, often raving about her experience. She said, “My favorite Carnival ships are in the Excel Class, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and the brand-new Carnival Jubilee. On these mega ships, you will find nearly 20 restaurants onboard, and the majority of them are included in your cruise fare! My all-time favorite restaurant onboard is Big Chicken, where you can find me dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”
You won’t find an upscale or refined experience with Carnival. Instead, the fun cruise line is better suited for those who prefer to party and let loose in a laid-back atmosphere onboard. In particular, families with kids are the target demographic for Carnival. The cruise line also attracts groups sailing together for special or celebratory occasions.
For the money, Carnival Cruise Line is tough to beat when it comes to value. Most of the entertainment, dining, and onboard thrills are included in the price of your cruise, meaning your money goes further.
Disney Cruise Line
Speaking of kids, another excellent choice for families and one of our top cruise lines to recommend for 2025 is Disney Cruise Line. The cruise line comes with a hefty price tag, but the cruise line is one of the best options for kids and Disney lovers. Adults can also find a dedicated space for adults only, with some of the largest kid-free spaces at sea.
Writer Hayley sailed on Disney Fantasy for the first time. She shared, “With many included amenities, unique experiences, and the all-important attention to detail that only Disney can bring, this means that guests may pay more for their cruise vacation onboard with Disney than they might onboard with other cruise lines.”
The quintessential magic of Disney can only be found at sea with Disney Cruise Line, which features character meet and greets, themed deck parties, full-scale Disney production shows, and fireworks at sea.
In the coming years, Disney Cruise Line is planning to expand rapidly with four new ships on order. That means Disney Cruise Line will have 13 vessels in total by 2031! For now, however, the cruise line will continue to sail five ships across its fleet, meaning you might not have as many itinerary options as you’d find with other cruise lines.
Dining is one of Disney’s best qualities with high-quality cuisine and top-notch specialty dining. Rotational dining allows guests to try different dining rooms while keeping their same waitstaff, leading to extremely attentive and personable service. The buffet is also known to be excellent, along with specialty dining restaurants.
Disney is renowned for its thoughtfully designed cabins. Hayley commented, “Disney Cruise Line has designed their staterooms with families in mind. This means that even in the smallest, most affordable inside cabins, four guests can comfortably fit. Some of Disney's staterooms even feature split bathrooms that help make getting ready in the morning or for bed easier for families with children.”
Even Disney's oldest ships are filled with magic from bow to stern. Writer Elizabeth recently sailed onboard Disney Magic, the line's oldest ship, and was so impressed that she booked another cruise on the brand-new Disney Destiny for 2026.
"There's a lot to appreciate about all cruise lines, and while Disney might not be the most affordable, sailing on a Disney cruise is an adventure you won't forget. From the attention to detail to the character meet and greets and quality production shows, it's hard to match the onboard experience," she said.
For Disney lovers and families, the cruise line is well worth the heftier price tag.
Royal Caribbean
For the latest and greatest mega-cruise ships at sea, you can’t beat Royal Caribbean. The cruise line is known for having the biggest cruise ships in the world, particularly the Oasis class and Icon class ships.
These vessels are packed to the brim with top-of-the-line amenities, such as impressive waterparks, zip lines, ice skating rinks, skydiving simulators, rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators, and more. The cruise line has an excellent balance between complimentary and for-charge onboard thrills, as you won’t break the bank trying to do all of the attractions.
In particular, Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are especially impressive. These cruise ships truly have something for everyone, making Royal Caribbean an excellent choice for a wide range of travelers. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was perhaps one of the most hyped cruise ships in the last decade - smashing booking records with soaring demand.
While other cruise lines are reducing entertainment onboard, Royal Caribbean has yet to cut back. You can find some of the most spectacular entertainment at sea, including unique production shows that you won’t find elsewhere. This includes high-diving shows, Broadway musicals, and ice skating spectacles at sea.
For families, Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines out there for value. The well-established Adventure Ocean program provides onboard childcare and youth programming for kids and teens up to age 17. The cruise line also offers tons of suite options for families on its newer ships with multiple bedrooms.
One of the standout features of a Royal Caribbean cruise is Perfect Day at CocoCay. The cruise line’s private island in the Bahamas offers exclusive experiences, a full-scale waterpark, swim-up bar, floating tiki bar, over-the-water bungalows, an adults-only beach club, multiple sandy beaches, included food options, and the upscale Coco Beach club.
In terms of dining, the cruise line’s cuisine quality has arguably been declining in recent years. With obvious cost-cutting and a redesigned menu, Royal Caribbean’s complimentary dining isn’t the shining star it used to be. Instead, the cruise line really shines with its specialty dining, which is, unfortunately, an additional charge.
While Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are the most exciting, the cruise line’s older ships can still offer a solid cruise experience for the money. However, some of the cruise line’s oldest ships can feel like a far cry from Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ships. It’s obvious Royal Caribbean is focused on investing in its biggest and newest ships rather than updating or enhancing older ones.
Virgin Voyages
If you’re looking for a reimagined cruise experience, look no further than the adults-only Virgin Voyages. The newer cruise line has been making waves in the cruise industry for ditching the cruising traditions and instead embracing trendy entertainment and a foodie-focused dining experience.
Virgin Voyages offers more all-inclusive pricing for guests compared to other cruise lines with all dining included, along with standard internet access, prepaid gratuities, and entertainment. This can easily save hundreds of dollars not needing to pay gratuities or purchase internet.
When it comes to dining, Virgin Voyages has a completely different approach to cruise food. All of the restaurants and dining options are included in the cruise fare cost. You won’t find any main dining room or buffet onboard, either. Instead, Virgin Voyages has a multitude of restaurants and a dining hall.
Read more: I spent $2,300 on a 4-night Virgin Voyages cruise. Here is what everything cost
Cruise.Blog writer Nicole sailed on Virgin Voyages and found the food options exceeded her expectations. “Over the course of our cruise, we enjoyed their signature Italian, Mexican, and steakhouse restaurants. Each one was similar to those upcharge restaurants on other cruise lines, and we were amazed that we didn’t have to pay anything extra to enjoy them," she shared.
Virgin Voyages only sails four different ships in its fleet, and each is identical in design. Nicole found the ship to be confusing with the design and layout, frustrated by the minimal signage to navigate the non-intuitive design. Even still, the ship has many sleek and snazzy lounges and spaces onboard.
However, Virgin Voyages’ modern approach to cruising is one of the highlights for many. Nicole raved about her inside cabin’s spaciousness, functionality, technological integrations, and thoughtful design.
Itineraries are more limited due to the cruise line’s smaller fleet, but Virgin Voyages sails mainly in the Caribbean and Europe. You can also find some exciting repositioning cruises featuring interesting ports of call throughout Asia and Australia. Plus, Virgin will begin operating in Alaska in 2026. In addition, Virgin Voyages offers longer stays in ports of call with many overnight and late-stay options. For destination-focused cruisers, this can be a huge highlight with more time to explore the ports of call.
Virgin Voyages is a fantastic choice for social cruisers seeking a vibrant onboard atmosphere paired with a modern take on cruising and a diverse range of guests. However, those who prefer a more traditional cruise experience may find Virgin Voyages’ progressive style less appealing.
Best: Celebrity Cruises
Finally, our top cruise line for 2025 is Celebrity Cruises. As part of the Royal Caribbean family, the premium cruise line has earned a top spot on our list this year. Celebrity Cruises has been focused on building innovative, modern cruise ships in its growing fleet.
Starting in 2018, the cruise line began building incredible Edge Class ships. These brand-new cruise ships include Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent. After personally sailing on three of these cruise ships, I’ve been blown away by the cruise line. This includes the exceptional cuisine, attention to detail, stunning entertainment, sleek design, and attentive service found onboard.
The award-winning Edge Class ships offer unparalleled amenities with an upscale, luxurious vibe. You’ll find classy entertainment onboard Celebrity’s cruise ships, especially on the newer vessels. Another standout feature is the Magic Carpet, which offers sweeping views of the ocean from the side of the ship.
Celebrity Cruises focuses on relaxation, rejuvenation, and destination connection. You’ll find some of the best itineraries with sailings around the world, including off-the-beaten-path ports of call like Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador. These excellent itineraries attract a more subdued crowd, especially couples and retirees.
Kids are welcome onboard Celebrity Cruises, but you won’t find the same bells and whistles like Royal Caribbean. There are family-friendly events onboard and activities for kids, but some younger cruisers might get bored with the more adult-focused entertainment. For this reason, we would recommend Celebrity Cruises for families with older kids.
I’d argue Celebrity Cruises has some of the best buffets at sea in their Oceanview Cafe. These massive venues are well designed with plenty of stations, international cuisine, out-of-this-world desserts, and overall high-quality dishes. The variety is outstanding as well.
Finally, the value offered for cruising with Celebrity Cruises is a step above competitors. Some sailings on the newest cruise ships, such as the upcoming Celebrity Xcel, are priced more affordably than Royal Caribbean’s newest ships. Given the rising costs of most mainstream cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises offers excellent value.
Read more: How to save money on a Celebrity Cruise
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on over 45 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
