Compare Cruise Lines and Ships
Line up cruises fairly — by style, ship, total cost and what you really want.
Get Side-by-Side Cruise QuotesComparing Cruises Is Harder Than It Looks
Two cruises can sail the same week to the same islands and feel nothing alike. One is a floating resort with water slides and a Broadway-style show; the other is a quiet ship where the evening entertainment is a lecture on the next port. The headline fare tells you almost nothing about which one you would enjoy. Cruise Compares shows you how to line cruises up fairly, so the choice comes down to what you actually want.
We look at cruises the way an experienced advisor does: first the category of line, then its personality, then the size and style of the ship, then the real total cost once you add what is not included. Reviews come last, and we explain how to read them so a few loud opinions do not decide for you.
Line Categories
Mainstream, premium, luxury, expedition and river lines — what really separates them.
Line Personalities
Family favorites, adult-focused lines, food-led lines and active cruising.
Big Ship vs Small Ship
What you gain and give up as ships grow from a few hundred guests to several thousand.
Comparing Total Cost
Turn two very different fares into numbers you can honestly compare.
Using Cruise Reviews
How to get real value from reviews without being misled by them.
Comparison FAQ
Short answers to the questions people ask when choosing between lines.
The Four Questions That Decide Most Comparisons
- Who is going? Young children, teenagers, grandparents, a couple, a solo traveler or a group of friends all point toward different lines.
- What should a sea day feel like? Busy and social, or calm and unhurried? This one answer eliminates half the options.
- How much should the fare cover? Some travelers like a low fare and paying for extras; others want drinks, tips and Wi-Fi settled before they leave home.
- Where, and for how long? Itinerary and length narrow the field further, because not every line sails every region.
Answer those honestly and you will usually be choosing between three or four lines, not thirty.
A Quick Map of the Cruise World
| Category | Typical feel | What usually costs extra |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream | Big, lively ships with something for every age | Drinks, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, shore tours |
| Premium | More polish, more dining choice, a calmer pace | Similar to mainstream, with more packages offered |
| Luxury | Smaller ships, more space and staff per guest | Often very little; many fares include drinks and tips |
| Expedition | Small ships, Zodiac landings, naturalist guides | Varies; landings are usually part of the fare |
| River | Intimate boats docking in town centers | Varies by line; many include some tours and wine with meals |
This is the broad picture only. Lines blur the edges, and inclusions change with promotions. The line categories page goes deeper. For the top end of the market, our sister site Cruising First Class covers luxury lines, suites and butler service in detail, and A Voyage Travel helps you choose by voyage length and region.
Where People Go Wrong
- Comparing per-person fares only. A cheaper fare on a line that charges for everything can end up costing more than a pricier, more inclusive one.
- Choosing the newest ship by default. New ships are exciting but busy, and an older ship on the same line can suit a quieter traveler better.
- Trusting one viral review. A single bad sailing does not define a line; patterns across many recent reviews do.
- Ignoring the itinerary. A great ship on a port-heavy itinerary you dislike is still the wrong cruise.
- Forgetting the people in the group. The line that thrills a teenager may bore a grandparent, and vice versa.
Compare With Someone Who Has Sailed Them
Brochures make every line look perfect. An advisor who books many lines can tell you how they really differ in service, crowding, food and value, and can lay several options side by side with the same dates and cabin type. That is what our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise do every day. When you want the lowest current fare on a line you have already chosen, Cruising for Less tracks live prices and discounts.
Cruise Compares is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Cruise Comparison Questions
What is the best cruise line?
There is no single answer, which is why comparing matters. The best line for a family of five on a spring-break week is rarely the best line for a retired couple on a 14-night Mediterranean voyage. Start with who is traveling and what they want from the days at sea, then compare lines that fit.
Is a more expensive cruise line always better?
Not always better, but usually different. Higher fares often buy more space per guest, more staff per guest and more included in the price. Whether that is worth it depends on how much you would otherwise spend on board.
Can you compare cruise lines for me?
Yes. Tell us your dates, budget and travel style, and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will send free side-by-side quotes from lines that suit you.
Get a Side-by-Side Comparison
Tell us who is traveling, when and roughly what you want to spend. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare suitable lines and send free quotes for the same dates and cabin type.
Get Free Cruise Quotes