How do I choose the cruise line and ship that best meets my needs?

The number of cruise ships increases each year, so finding the right cruise line and ship is more complicated than ever. With all the discounts and offers and all the changes in the cruise industry, it’s more valuable than ever to find a cruise expert who can guide you. You don’t just want the best priced cruise vacation, you want the one that offers you the most satisfying experience.

We classify cruises in the general categories of Luxury, Premium and Contemporary. There also are niche categories like River Cruising and barges, expedition cruising, and private yachts.

Contemporary cruises are often larger, more casual ships, and often less costly vacations that offer good overall value.
Premium cruises cater to a slightly more discerning traveler, often featuring more sophisticated dining experiences.
Luxury cruises offer far more upscale staterooms and top service, with superior dining.

You might compare a Contemporary cruise with a Sheraton or Hilton resort; a Premium cruise with a Hyatt or Westin resort; and a Luxury cruise with a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons resort. Another manner of evaluating level of luxury is by crew to passenger ratio. Contemporary lines generally have one crew member for every 2.5 passengers or more. Luxury lines generally have one crew passenger for fewer than every 2 passengers. The lower the ratio of crew to passengers onboard, the more attentive and personal the service should be. Finally, luxury might also be defined by space ratio -- how much elbow room each passenger has on a ship. While some feel a small ship with fewer people is more intimate,the size of the ship isn't relevant. What is relevant is how many passengers can be accommodated on a ship relative to its size. For example, while Crystal is a large ship luxury cruise line, they accommodate about 1,000 guests on a ship that contemporary lines will generally accommodate twice as many passengers on.