Cruise lines are as different as hotels. A 5,000-guest resort ship with waterslides has almost nothing in common with a 200-guest expedition vessel in Antarctica, a riverboat on the Danube or a four-masted tall ship in the Caribbean. Choosing the right line matters more than choosing the right cabin.
This guide explains the main styles of cruising, with one standout line for each, so you can quickly see where to start.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Eleven styles of cruise, from big ships to tall ships
- Five questions to ask yourself
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Mainstream ocean | 31 Ships in the fleet | Families and thrill-seekers | Main dining, Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs, Theatre & shows |
| P&O Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 7 Ships in the fleet | No-fly British holidays | Main dining, Sterling onboard, Reef kids’ clubs |
| Marella Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 5 Ships in the fleet | Easy all-inclusive | Flights & transfers, All drinks, All dining |
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium ocean | 16 Ships in the fleet | Style without luxury prices | Main dining, eXhale bedding, Pools & hot tubs |
| Virgin Voyages | Premium ocean | 4 Lady ships | Grown-ups who want fun | WiFi, All dining, Soft drinks |
| Viking | River and ocean | 15 Ocean ships | Culture lovers | Wi-Fi, Excursion in every port, Beer & wine at lunch and dinner |
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | Luxury ocean | 6 All-suite all-balcony ships | Ultimate luxury | Business-class flights, Pre-cruise hotel, All dining |
| Quark Expeditions | Expedition | 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet | Adventure | Polar parka, Muck boots, All meals |
| Hurtigruten | Norwegian coastal | 7 Ships on the Bergen–Kirkenes route | Norway and the Northern Lights | Main dining, Coastal-expert lectures, Working-ship experience |
| Star Clippers | Small ship and sailing | 3 Tall ships | Sailing romantics | All meals, Watersports, Mast climbs |
| Saga Cruises | River and ocean | 7 Ships — 2 ocean + 4 river | Over-50s | Chauffeur from home, Travel insurance, All drinks |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Eleven styles of cruise
Royal Caribbean
- Mainstream ocean
- 31 Ships in the fleet
The big-ship resort experience: 31 ships with surf simulators, huge waterslides, Broadway-style shows and the private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay. Ideal if you want non-stop things to do.
Best for: Families and thrill-seekers
P&O Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 7 Ships in the fleet
British cruising, year-round from Southampton, with sterling on board and both family-friendly and adults-only ships in the same fleet.
Best for: No-fly British holidays
Marella Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 5 Ships in the fleet
Genuinely all-inclusive mainstream cruising: flights, transfers, food, drinks and gratuities are all in the fare, with mid-size ships and Cruise & Stay options.
Best for: Easy all-inclusive
Celebrity Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 16 Ships in the fleet
Modern premium cruising: stylish ships, chef-led restaurants and The Retreat suite class, with drinks, Wi-Fi and tips included on its top fares.
Best for: Style without luxury prices
Virgin Voyages
- Premium ocean
- 4 Lady ships
Adults-only (18+) with no buffets and no formal nights, more than 20 eateries included, and a relaxed, playful atmosphere.
Best for: Grown-ups who want fun
Viking
- River and ocean
- 15 Ocean ships
Adults-only, destination-focused cruising on both oceans and rivers, with Wi-Fi, an excursion in every port and beer and wine with meals included.
Best for: Culture lovers
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Luxury ocean
- 6 All-suite all-balcony ships
- 700-746 Guests per ship — small-luxury scale
Some of the most inclusive luxury cruising there is: all-suite ships with unlimited shore excursions, premium drinks, gratuities and, on most UK itineraries, flights included.
Best for: Ultimate luxury
Quark Expeditions
- Expedition
- 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet
- 138-199 Guests per ship — small-ship polar scale
Polar-only expedition cruising to Antarctica and the Arctic on small ships of 138 to 199 guests, with daily Zodiac landings and expert guides.
Best for: Adventure
Hurtigruten
- Norwegian coastal
- 7 Ships on the Bergen–Kirkenes route
Norway’s working coastal route since 1893, calling at 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes every day of the year. Authentic rather than resort-style.
Best for: Norway and the Northern Lights
Star Clippers
- Small ship and sailing
- 3 Tall ships
- 227 Max guests (Royal Clipper)
Real sailing ships, including Royal Clipper, the largest square-rigged sailing ship in service, with mast climbs and watersports.
Best for: Sailing romantics
Saga Cruises
- River and ocean
- 7 Ships — 2 ocean + 4 river
Over-50s cruising with a chauffeur from your front door, drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi and travel insurance included, on boutique ocean ships and river ships.
Best for: Over-50s
Five questions to ask yourself
Who is travelling? Children point you to big-ship family lines; couples might prefer adults-only or small-ship lines. Do you want to fly? If not, choose a line sailing from UK ports. How much should be included? Fares range from cabin-and-meals only to everything including flights. Ship or destination? Resort ships are a destination in themselves; river, expedition and small-ship lines put the places first. How formal? Some lines have formal nights; others have no dress code at all.
How we chose these cruise lines
We chose one standout line for each major style of cruising, based on the facts on our own cruise-line pages. We sell more than 60 cruise lines, from big family ships to tiny expedition vessels, so these recommendations are based on what each line actually offers: ship size, what’s included in the fare, who it suits and who it doesn’t. Fares, inclusions and ships change, so always check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cruise line for first-timers?
It depends on your style: P&O Cruises for a British no-fly holiday, Marella for an easy all-inclusive, or Celebrity for a premium feel.
What is the difference between mainstream, premium and luxury cruises?
Mainstream lines have big ships and low base fares with extras to pay; premium lines add better food and service; luxury lines have small all-suite ships with most things included.
Are river cruises better than ocean cruises?
Neither is better; they are different. Rivers mean a new town most days and small ships; oceans offer more variety on board.
Which cruise lines are adults-only?
Virgin Voyages and Viking are 18+, Saga is for over-50s, and P&O Cruises has adults-only ships in its fleet.
Not sure which line suits you?
Tell a Travel Designer how you like to travel and we’ll match you to the right line, ship and cabin.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
