Cruise Ships For Every Type of Traveler

by Donna Heiderstadt, Cruise Expert

Cruise Ships For Every Type of Traveler

by Donna Heiderstadt, Cruise Expert

With hundreds of cruise ships out there waiting to make your bon voyage dreams come true, how do you know which one is right for you? Are you looking for an elegant ship with unique activities? Remember, cruising isn’t one-size-fits-all, and, with fleets ranging from small luxury vessels to theme-park-like mega-ships, it’s easy to find one tailored to your personal travel style — that is, if you know what to look for.

With hundreds of cruise ships out there waiting to make your bon voyage dreams come true, how do you know which one is right for you? Are you looking for an elegant ship with unique activities? On Princess Cruises, passengers can enjoy poolside movie screenings, Discovery at SEA science activities, on-board singing competitions, and decadent "Chocolate Journeys" tastings and pairings. Remember, cruising isn’t one-size-fits-all, and, with fleets ranging from small luxury vessels to theme-park-like mega-ships, it’s easy to find one tailored to your personal travel style — that is, if you know what to look for.

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Courtesy of Princess Cruises
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The Traditionalist

Waterslides, laser tag mazes, and virtual reality gaming aren’t for everyone. Some folks prefer a more subtle approach to entertainment, such as those that favor human interaction. This can include everything from science demos to pop culture attractions. 

Waterslides, laser tag mazes, and virtual reality gaming aren’t for everyone. Some folks prefer a more subtle approach to entertainment, such as those that favor human interaction. This can include everything from science demos to pop culture attractions. 

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Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, and Enchanted Princess

Fortunately, several ships offer a more traditional take in ambiance and entertainment. For example, the five Royal Class ships in the Princess fleet live up to their pedigree: They are gracious, elegant, outfitted with stunning décor that sparkles in all the right places (namely the glittering Piazza and enchanting dancing fountains). Passengers can also enjoy poolside movie screenings, Discovery at SEA science activities, on-board singing competitions, and decadent "Chocolate Journeys" tastings and pairings.

Fortunately, several ships offer a more traditional take in ambiance and entertainment. For example, the five Royal Class ships in the Princess fleet live up to their pedigree: They are gracious, elegant, outfitted with stunning décor that sparkles in all the right places (namely the glittering Piazza and enchanting dancing fountains). Passengers can also enjoy poolside movie screenings, Discovery at SEA science activities, on-board singing competitions, and decadent "Chocolate Journeys" tastings and pairings.

Norwegian Bliss
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The Party-Loving Social Butterfly

Embrace the party vibe by lounging poolside sipping frozen cocktails by day, followed by drinking, dancing, and bar-hopping by night. The cruise industry’s largest and newest mega-ships satisfy both requirements — and offer options for every party personality.

Embrace the party vibe by lounging poolside sipping frozen cocktails by day, followed by drinking, dancing, and bar-hopping by night. The cruise industry’s largest and newest mega-ships satisfy both requirements — and offer options for every party personality.

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Norwegian’s Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Ships

Social butterflies aboard Norwegian's newest mega-ships (Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Bliss, Joy, and Encore) can spread their wings and let loose at dozens of bars and lounges. These include The District Brewhouse, The Cellars, Bliss Ultra Lounge, and the Beatles-themed Cavern Club. There are several whiskey, mojito, and martini bars, as well. Meanwhile, don't miss the themed Glow Parties out on the pool deck. 

Social butterflies aboard Norwegian's newest mega-ships (Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Bliss, Joy, and Encore) can spread their wings and let loose at dozens of bars and lounges. These include The District Brewhouse, The Cellars, Bliss Ultra Lounge, and the Beatles-themed Cavern Club. There are several whiskey, mojito, and martini bars, as well. Meanwhile, don't miss the themed Glow Parties out on the pool deck. 

Lisbon
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The Culture Vulture

Travel’s other superpower is its ability to educate and enrich. And, with a new port to explore each day, cruising is an excellent option for anyone looking to sample a region’s top cultural offerings — from the medieval old towns and fortresses of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Baltic to the ancient temples and monasteries of Southeast Asia — plus museums and archaeological sites galore.

Travel’s other superpower is its ability to educate and enrich. And, with a new port to explore each day, cruising is an excellent option for anyone looking to sample a region’s top cultural offerings — from the medieval old towns and fortresses of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Baltic to the ancient temples and monasteries of Southeast Asia — plus museums and archaeological sites galore.

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Oceania Marina, Riviera, Insignia, Nautica, and Regatta

Oceania's six ships are sure to delight culture vultures. The Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera vessels, which hold 1,250 passengers each, sail to some of the world's top cultural locales (think: Northern Europe, the Middle East, and Greek Isles). They also feature multimillion-dollar art collections and recent refurbishments. Meanwhile, the cruise line's more intimate vessels, Insignia, Nautica, and Regatta, offer itineraries throughout Asia and South America. 

Oceania's six ships are sure to delight culture vultures. The Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera vessels, which hold 1,250 passengers each, sail to some of the world's top cultural locales (think: Northern Europe, the Middle East, and Greek Isles). They also feature multimillion-dollar art collections and recent refurbishments. Meanwhile, the cruise line's more intimate vessels, Insignia, Nautica, and Regatta, offer itineraries throughout Asia and South America. 

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The Foodie

If sampling authentic local cuisine is a priority — whether strolling through a Mediterranean or Asian food market or partaking in cooking classes focused on fresh, local ingredients — cruising offers an excellent opportunity to do so. And, if you're sailing aboard a small luxury ship, the local culinary immersion and programming can be all the more rewarding.

If sampling authentic local cuisine is a priority — whether strolling through a Mediterranean or Asian food market or partaking in cooking classes focused on fresh, local ingredients — cruising offers an excellent opportunity to do so. And, if you're sailing aboard a small luxury ship, the local culinary immersion and programming can be all the more rewarding.

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Windstar’s Small Luxury Yachts

Foodies will appreciate Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation, which offers guests a decadent taste of all the local flavors. Additionally, each of the line’s six vessels — Wind Star, Wind Spirit, Wind Surf, Star Breeze, Star Pride, and Star Legend — offer culinary-themed shore excursions. These include hands-on cooking classes and chef-led market strolls, as well as winery, brewery, and distillery tours.

Foodies will appreciate Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation, which offers guests a decadent taste of all the local flavors. Additionally, each of the line’s six vessels — Wind Star, Wind Spirit, Wind Surf, Star Breeze, Star Pride, and Star Legend — offer culinary-themed shore excursions. These include hands-on cooking classes and chef-led market strolls, as well as winery, brewery, and distillery tours.

Regent Seven Seas Splendor
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The Over-the-Top Luxury Seeker

Whether luxury is part of your everyday lifestyle or a special something that you reward yourself with following a milestone birthday, anniversary, or accomplishment, cruising aboard one of the world’s most sophisticated ships is a special indulgence, combining the finest in interior design, food and wine, service, wellness, and sightseeing.

Whether luxury is part of your everyday lifestyle or a special something that you reward yourself with following a milestone birthday, anniversary, or accomplishment, cruising aboard one of the world’s most sophisticated ships is a special indulgence, combining the finest in interior design, food and wine, service, wellness, and sightseeing.

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Regent Seven Seas Explorer and Regent Seven Seas Splendor

Regent's newest ships, Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, both feature spacious all-balcony suites, five-star service, and six dining venues. Plus, the cruise line's all-inclusive pricing (which includes airfare, shore excursions, top-shelf beverages, and staff gratuities) makes sailings the ultimate indulgence.  

Regent’s newest ships, Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor, both feature spacious all-balcony suites, five-star service, and six dining venues. Plus, the cruise line's all-inclusive pricing (which includes airfare, shore excursions, top-shelf beverages, and staff gratuities) makes sailings the ultimate indulgence.  

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The Music Lover

Entertainment abounds on most cruise ships, from piano bars and nightclubs to theatrical productions and live cover bands. However, one cruise line has created a dedicated space that ensures that "the rhythm is gonna get you" — whether you like classical, pop, blues, or rock 'n roll.

Entertainment abounds on most cruise ships, from piano bars and nightclubs to theatrical productions and live cover bands. However, one cruise line has created a dedicated space that ensures that "the rhythm is gonna get you" — whether you like classical, pop, blues, or rock 'n roll.

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Holland America Line’s Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam

The three newest Holland America ships — Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam — feature the largest incarnation of the line's Music Walk entertainment area. Here, you'll find The Rolling Stone Rock Room, B.B. King's Blues Club, Lincoln Center Stage, and Billboard Onboard. Each offers a roster of live performances, from rock 'n roll and classical string quartets to Memphis R&B to chart-topping pop.

The three newest Holland America ships — Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam — feature the largest incarnation of the line's Music Walk entertainment area. Here, you'll find The Rolling Stone Rock Room, B.B. King's Blues Club, Lincoln Center Stage, and Billboard Onboard. Each offers a roster of live performances, from rock 'n roll and classical string quartets to Memphis R&B to chart-topping pop.

 

Penguin colony in Antarctica
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The Adventure Seeker

Whether it’s icebergs and wildlife spotting in Antarctica or volcanoes views and fjords in Scandinavia, remote adventures await board your next sailing. Enjoy luxurious staterooms, fine dining, awe-inspiring activities, and more — all from the comfort of your ship.

Whether it’s icebergs and wildlife spotting in Antarctica or volcanoes views and fjords in Scandinavia, remote adventures await board your next sailing. Enjoy luxurious staterooms, fine dining, awe-inspiring activities, and more — all from the comfort of your ship.

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Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator

Newcomer Atlas Ocean Voyages (which made its debut in 2021 with its first Explorer Class ship, the 200-passenger World Navigator) offers all the amenities of a boutique luxury hotel — including three gourmet dining venues, the first L’Occitane spa at sea, a heated pool, and two hot tubs — plus all the adventure of a polar-class expedition ship sailing to remote locales.

Newcomer Atlas Ocean Voyages (which made its debut in 2021 with its first Explorer Class ship, the 200-passenger World Navigator) offers all the amenities of a boutique luxury hotel — including three gourmet dining venues, the first L’Occitane spa at sea, a heated pool, and two hot tubs — plus all the adventure of a polar-class expedition ship sailing to remote locales.

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The Activity Fanatic

Some people just love the adrenaline rush that comes with action-packed adventures. Fortunately, over the past 20 years, cruise ships have risen to the challenge by outfitting their vessels with waterslides, zip lines, virtual-reality gaming, and more — plus live entertainment offerings and other thrill-seeking activities.

Some people just love the adrenaline rush that comes with action-packed adventures. Fortunately, over the past 20 years, cruise ships have risen to the challenge by outfitting their vessels with waterslides, zip lines, virtual-reality gaming, and more — plus live entertainment offerings and other thrill-seeking activities.

Zipline on MSC Seaside
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MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, and MSC Meraviglia

The newest ships in the MSC fleet (MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, and MSC Meraviglia) offer a wide range of activities for passengers of all ages. Thrill-seekers can race along the longest zip lines at sea and race down the waterslides located on the top-deck Adventure (or the Polar AquaPark on Meraviglia). You'll also find Formula 1 racing simulators and two bowling alleys. 

The newest ships in the MSC fleet (MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Seashore, and MSC Meraviglia) offer a wide range of activities for passengers of all ages. Thrill-seekers can race along the longest zip lines at sea and race down the waterslides located on the top-deck Adventure (or the Polar AquaPark on Meraviglia). You'll also find Formula 1 racing simulators and two bowling alleys. 

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