Cruise Guide
Premium, Premium Plus or Luxury?
How to choose the cruise experience that fits the way you love to travel.
Not All Cruises Are Created Equal
Two cruises can visit the very same ports and feel completely different. Ship size, service, dining, what’s included in your fare and the overall atmosphere on board all shape your vacation. Most cruise lines fall into one of three broad tiers, and knowing the difference is the first step to finding your perfect fit.
Here’s a quick look at each tier and the cruise lines I work with in each one.
Tier one
Premium
Larger ships with plenty of dining, entertainment and activities, at a more approachable price. Many premium lines now offer a private suite area, a “ship within a ship,” that adds luxury-level privacy and service while keeping all the big-ship fun close by.
Best for: families and multigenerational groups, first-time cruisers and travelers who love variety on board
Celebrity Cruises
Modern, design-forward ships with excellent dining. The Retreat, Celebrity’s suite experience, adds a private lounge, restaurant and sundeck.
Ideal for: travelers who want contemporary style at a great value
Princess Cruises
Classic cruising with MedallionClass convenience and one of the strongest Alaska programs at sea, including cruisetours to Denali.
Ideal for: Alaska and first-time cruisers
Holland America Line
Refined mid-size ships known for live music, enrichment and longer, destination-rich voyages, with a proud Alaska heritage.
Ideal for: travelers who prefer a quieter, more traditional cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle cruising with no set dining times, Broadway-style shows and lots to do. The Haven, NCL’s private suite complex, adds butler and concierge service, a private restaurant, lounge and sundeck.
Ideal for: families who want suite luxury with big-ship variety
MSC Cruises
European flair on modern ships. The MSC Yacht Club is a true ship within a ship, with butler service, a private restaurant, lounge and pool.
Ideal for: travelers who want suite privacy on a big ship
Royal Caribbean
Spectacular ships packed with thrills for every age. Star Class suites include a dedicated Royal Genie who takes care of every detail.
Ideal for: multigenerational families who want it all
Tier two
Premium Plus
Mid-size and smaller ships with a more refined, relaxed atmosphere, standout cuisine and itineraries focused on the destinations. More extras are often included in your fare, and you’ll find fewer crowds than on larger ships.
Best for: food lovers, port-intensive itineraries and travelers who want elegance without the formality
Oceania Cruises
Celebrated for some of the finest cuisine at sea, with specialty restaurants at no extra charge, elegant mid-size ships and destination-rich itineraries around the world.
Ideal for: foodies and travelers who want to see a lot of the world in comfort
Azamara
Destination immersion is the focus here, with more late nights and overnight stays in port so you can experience places after the day-trippers leave. Select drinks and gratuities are included.
Ideal for: travelers who want more time to truly explore each port
Windstar Cruises
Small ships and sailing yachts that reach smaller harbors larger ships can’t, with a casual, intimate atmosphere and a crew that quickly learns your name.
Ideal for: small-ship lovers and anyone dreaming of Tahiti or hidden Mediterranean ports
Tier three
Luxury
Smaller, all-suite ships with spacious accommodations, a high ratio of crew to guests and highly personalized service. Fares are typically all-inclusive, covering most dining, drinks and gratuities, and on some lines even shore excursions.
Best for: travelers who want exceptional service, space and the ease of having almost everything included
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
One of the most inclusive experiences at sea, with spacious all-suite ships, specialty dining, premium drinks, gratuities and shore excursions in every port included in your fare.
Ideal for: travelers who want truly everything included
Explora Journeys
Modern, European-style luxury with ocean-front suites and private terraces, a wide variety of dining and longer stays in port, all at a relaxed, unhurried pace.
Ideal for: luxury travelers who love contemporary design and wellness
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Intimate superyachts with the legendary service of The Ritz-Carlton, suites with private terraces and itineraries that favor boutique ports and late evenings ashore.
Ideal for: travelers who want the feel of a private yacht
Crystal
A classic name in luxury cruising, known for gracious service, exceptional dining and rich enrichment programs on longer voyages and world cruises.
Ideal for: seasoned cruisers who appreciate timeless elegance
PONANT – Le Ponant
A restored three-masted sailing yacht with personalized service, French-inspired gourmet cuisine and off-the-beaten-path ports in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Atlantic.
Ideal for: travelers who want the freedom of a private yacht
Off the beaten path
Dreaming of Somewhere More Remote?
For Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos or wild coastlines, expedition cruises use small ships, expert guides and Zodiac landings to take you where larger ships can’t go.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Luxury expedition yachts with an all-inclusive approach to Antarctica, the Arctic and beyond.
Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic
Pioneers of expedition travel, sailing with naturalists and National Geographic photographers.
UnCruise Adventures
Small-boat adventure cruises in Alaska and beyond, built around hiking, kayaking and wildlife.
Swan Hellenic
Cultural expedition cruises on small, elegant ships, led by expert guides.
PONANT Explorations
Luxury expedition voyages, including exclusive sailings with The Explorers Club.
Which Tier Fits You?
Choose Premium if you want variety, entertainment and great value, or a suite experience with big-ship fun for the whole family.
Choose Premium Plus if great food, more time in port and a relaxed, refined atmosphere matter most.
Choose Luxury if you want space, exceptional service and nearly everything included.
Still not sure? That’s exactly what I’m here for. As a CLIA Master Cruise Counsellor, I’ll match you with the line and ship that fit the way you love to travel.
Links to cruise line websites are personalized with my contact information, so any questions or requests come straight to me.
Let’s Find Your Perfect Cruise
Schedule a complimentary discovery call and we’ll talk through your options.