22 major cruise lines

$$$$ Luxury

Crystal Cruises

Appeals to affluent, seasoned travelers desiring refined, not mass-cruising. Typical passenger is above average in age and education. Onboard lectures are edifying. Has itineraries for many world areas. All-suite configuration. Ships have 940 passenger counts. Food and service quality are high.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Has global itineraries, including around-the-world journeys. The ships of the Regent (formerly Radisson) fleet offer guests high quality with a laid-back refined lifestyle. The Voyager is the fleet's star. Like its sister ship the Mariner, the Voyager is an all-suite affair, each with its own private balcony.

Silversea Cruises

Attracts well-off, experienced world travelers seeking modest-sized cruise ships with sophisticated ambiances and enlightening onboard programs and shore excursions. Shiplife is refined and graceful with a casual, understated tone. All cabins are suites. Silversea Cruises sails to various global regions.

$$$ Upmarket

Celebrity Cruises

New World and European itineraries (one ship docks in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival). The average ship of the Celebrity Cruises fleet accommodates slightly under 2,000 passengers each. Families with children are welcomed. Overall quality is well above average.

Cunard Line

Two grand ships, Queen Elizabeth 2 ( QE2) and the Queen Mary 2 (QM2). The latter is newer and superior. Onboard tone is formal, but not stiff. Being a traditional class-based ship, you dine according to the quality level of your cabin. The Cunard Line runs frequent Transatlantic crossings between New York and Southhampton - you sail in one direction and fly in the other. It also has round-the-world trips (starting at approximately $20,000 per person).

Hapag-Lloyd Cruise Line

This high-quality, century-old line has four small-to-medium-sized traditional style cruise ships offering refined service and style. (Hapag-Lloyd also operates an airline and an extensive fleet of container ships). Cruise destinations include the Mediterranean, Baltic, Arctic, Antarctica, Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific. Most passengers are German-speaking.

Holland America Line

The onboard atmosphere is more traditional, less contemporary than most other cruise lines. Cultured clientele. Food and service are refined and exemplary. Worldwide destinations. One trip circumnavigates the planet, visiting 38 ports in 26 countries (prices start in the neighborhood of $20,000 per person).

Yachts of Seabourn

Worldwide itineraries, though most ply the Mediterranean. Yachts of Seabourn has just several ships, each accommodating about 200 passengers (who tend to be affluent, savvy travelers). Food and service are outstanding. The vessels have shallow drafts, allowing them to visit interesting, non-touristy ports of call that larger ships cannot physically enter.

$$ Mid-price range

Carnival Cruise Lines

Ships are large (up to several thousand passengers). They sail to North American and Mediterranean ports. Carnival Cruise Lines is widely popular and has a party-boat reputation. It's the most glitzy Vegas-like cruise line afloat and is fun for the right audience. Appeals mostly to mid-income couples, singles and families.

Disney Cruise Line

Pleasing kids is the obvious priority, but there are onboard facilities and activities designed for the parents. You can book a seven-day land-and-sea vacation package. Your family spends half the time enjoying Walt Disney World in Orlando, the other half on the Disney Magic or Disney Wonder ship cruising to the Bahamas.

Norwegian Cruise Line

This large cruise line sails worldwide. One ship, the Pride of America, has a Hawaiian themed cruise with shore excursions to various Hawaiian Islands. Norwegian Cruise Line innovated the "freestyle dining" concept (you have the option of dining in different onboard restaurants).

Orient Lines

This "fleet" has only one ship, the Marco Polo. It sails to far-flung destinations, from the Mediterranean Sea to Antarctica.

Princess Cruises

Global itineraries. Caribbean and Mexican west coast cruises are popular. Princess Cruises has a dozen cruise ships (mostly quite large) and an imaginary one (the "Love Boat" of TV fame). Its overall quality level is the highest in the "$$ Mid-market" category.

Royal Caribbean International

Its large cruise fleet sails worldwide, with a Caribbean emphasis. Some ships carry 3,000 passengers. Royal Caribbean appeals to middle income families (with children and teens) and young couples. Organized activities are many and varied.

$ Budget

easyCruise

This one-ship fleet sails the Mediterranean and Caribbean. It is targeted to the the under-30 budget market. Amenities are scarce, cabin size is minuscule, and the small ship's overuse of its orange color theme can get under your skin, but the furnishings in good condition, the ship is clean, and the rates are remarkably low.

Specialty:  Adventure

Abercrombie & Kent

Its small expedition-style ships go to worldwide destinations, including Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands. Abercrombie & Kent attracts affluent, seasoned, independent travelers interested in nature and cultures. Service is attentive and rates are high end.

Lindblad Expeditions

Clientele is educated and reasonably affluent, with a deep interest in learning more about natural environments. Onboard lifestyle is laid-back, unpretentious. So is the food. The ships of Lindblad Expeditions sail to select global destinations.

Specialty:  River

Delta Queen (Mississippi)

Paddle-wheeled ships go up and down Ol' Man River, reliving a bygone historical era.

Sonesta (Nile)

Its Goddess ships (Moon and Sun) are two of the finest cruising up the Nile to Luxor and beyond.

Viking (Europe)

Operates upscale, well-appointed river barges and ships. Commendable food, with local culinary emphasis.

Victoria (Yangtze)

Its large, fine-conditioned fleet sails through the famed Three Gorges in central China.

Specialty:  Sail

Windstar

Veteran cruisers will have a new experience aboard Windstar's tall-masted motor-sail ships, which concentrate on the Mediterranean and Caribbean. They are not small yachts. One accommodates 308, the others, 148 passengers each.

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