Cruise Lines Overview

Introduction

Regent Seven Seas is an ultra-luxury cruise line built around an exceptionally inclusive experience. The emphasis is on spacious suites, personalized service, fine dining, premium beverages, and extensive inclusions designed to minimize additional onboard expenses.

This is one of Regent's biggest differentiators. Unlimited shore excursions are included, although specific terms and availability vary by voyage.

Introduction

Seabourn offers an intimate, ultra-luxury experience with a private-yacht atmosphere, personalized service, all-suite accommodations, exceptional dining, and access to both well-known and remote destinations.

Seabourn has a particularly strong proposition for travelers interested in remote and unusual destinations, including Antarctica, the Arctic, Kimberley and other expedition regions.

Introduction

Silversea is an ultra-luxury cruise line known for very intimate ships, all-suite accommodations, butler service, highly personalized attention, destination-focused cuisine, and extensive expedition itineraries.

Silversea is particularly strong for expedition travel. Its expedition program includes destinations such as Antarctica and the Galápagos, with Zodiac landings used extensively to reach remote locations.

Introduction

Oceania Cruises is an upscale, destination-focused cruise line particularly known for its cuisine, elegant smaller ships, and extensive worldwide itineraries. It is a strong choice for travelers who care as much about where they go, what they eat as they do about the ship itself and who find traditional mega-ships too busy.

Oceania is particularly attractive for travelers who want to explore destinations rather than spend most of the vacation focused on shipboard entertainment.

Introduction

Viking is a destination- and culture-focused cruise line best known for its river cruises and Scandinavian-inspired Ocean ships. The experience emphasizes history, local culture, enrichment, and meaningful time in port rather than casinos, large-scale entertainment, or family activities.

Viking is particularly distinctive because it does not try to replicate the resort-at-sea experience.

One of Viking's strongest features is destination exploration. On both river and ocean cruises, Viking includes a shore excursion in each port, with additional optional excursions available.

Introduction

Princess Cruises occupies a somewhat different space. It offers a more traditional, polished and destination-oriented cruise experience while still providing plenty of entertainment and modern amenities.

Princess is particularly well known for Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean and worldwide itineraries. The company currently promotes more than 330 destinations, with destination immersion being an important part of its experience.

Introduction

Holland America Line is one of the more traditional and refined choices among these six.

The line has a long maritime history and emphasizes destination immersion, service, cuisine and a more relaxed pace. Holland America currently operates 11 ships and offers itineraries across all seven continents. Holland America is particularly strong for destination-focused travel. Alaska is one of its longstanding specialties, and the line also offers worldwide itineraries including Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, South America and extended Grand Voyages.

Introduction

Celebrity Cruises is an upscale contemporary cruise line combining stylish ships, strong culinary offerings, modern accommodations, extensive entertainment, and worldwide itineraries. It offers a more energetic and resort-like experience than the small luxury lines while maintaining an upscale atmosphere.

Celebrity offers a very broad selection of destinations and shore experiences. The brand also emphasizes longer stays and overnight opportunities on some European itineraries.

Introduction

Norwegian Cruise Line commonly called NCL, is best known for its Freestyle Cruising concept.

The key idea is flexibility. Norwegian pioneered a less traditional approach to cruising, including no assigned dining times and no formal dress code. Norwegian offers a broad selection of shore excursions across its worldwide itineraries.

Introduction

Carnival Cruises is known for a fun, energetic, casual and social cruise experience. It is especially popular with families, groups of friends, couples and travelers looking for an entertaining vacation at sea.

Carnival's ships are designed around the idea of having plenty to do, with pools, water attractions, comedy, live entertainment, casual dining, nightlife and activities for different age groups. The atmosphere tends to be lively rather than quiet or formal. Carnival offers excursions ranging from beaches and water activities to sightseeing, cultural experiences and adventure tours.

Introduction

Royal Caribbean is one of the industry's strongest choices for travelers who view the ship itself as a major part of the vacation.

Royal Caribbean is particularly known for large ships packed with attractions and activities. Its fleet includes Oasis and Icon Class ships with waterparks, surf simulators, climbing experiences, entertainment venues, restaurants and extensive family programming. Royal Caribbean offers excursions in a wide variety of destinations, including beaches, adventure activities, cultural sightseeing and family experiences.

Introduction

MSC is a global cruise line with particularly strong European roots and a significant presence in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

MSC combines modern ships, international atmosphere, family entertainment and European style. The line offers itineraries across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, South America, Alaska, Asia and other regions. MSC Cruises offers a wide range of excursions, particularly strong in Mediterranean destinations where guests can explore historic cities, coastal villages, cultural sites and culinary destinations.