Choosing a cruise line gets easier when you sort by region and travel style. This pillar guide highlights our top picks for the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Alaska, with quick reasons why they fit first timers, families, food lovers, and quiet‑time seekers. We include private‑island highlights, port‑intensive lines, Glacier Bay access notes, and links to official resources so you can verify details before you book.
Key Takeaways
- Match region to line strengths. Some brands build itineraries around private islands or marine reserves, others focus on longer port days or scenic cruising.
- Caribbean… great for first timers and families. Look for private island stops like Perfect Day at CocoCay and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, plus Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point for Disney sailings.
- Mediterranean… port intensive and culture heavy. Smaller and mid‑size ships or brands with longer time in port make days easier.
- Alaska… scenery first. Lines with frequent Glacier Bay access and one‑way routes from Vancouver to Whittier or Seward unlock more wilderness.
- Mix travel styles. Do an activity‑rich line for the Caribbean, then a port‑focused small ship for the Med, then a scenery‑forward ship for Alaska.
Niko’s Note 🐾 Choose which is more important for you before looking: the itinerary or the ship. It will help narrow things down much quicker.
Quick Region Chooser
| Region | Best for | Top picks | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | First timers, families, sun and swim days | Royal Caribbean, MSC, Disney, Celebrity, Norwegian, Virgin Voyages (18+) | Private islands, short sailings to test the waters, plenty of new ships |
| Mediterranean | Food, history, many ports | MSC, Costa, Princess, Celebrity, Azamara, Viking (18+) | Port‑dense routes, late stays and overnights, shoulder‑season value |
| Alaska | Nature lovers, photographers, multigenerational trips | Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, small‑ship expedition | Glacier views, wildlife, one‑way options for deeper land add‑ons |
Caribbean… Private Islands, New Ships, Easy Starts
Why the Caribbean Warm water, shorter flights, many homeports, and lots of new ships. Private island days are crowd favorites.
Standout lines and what they offer
- Royal Caribbean Big‑ship thrills plus Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Official overview and what is included: royalcaribbean.com/cococay-cruises and FAQ about the destination: What is Perfect Day at CocoCay.
- MSC Cruises Frequent Caribbean sailings that include Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a reclaimed and restored island in The Bahamas. Learn more: msccruisesusa.com… Ocean Cay and the international destination page: msccruises.com… Ocean Cay.
- Disney Cruise Line Family‑forward ships with stops at Castaway Cay and the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point debuting in 2024. Details: disneycruise.disney.go.com… Lighthouse Point and their 2025 update on the destination: Disney Parks Blog.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Casual vibe with a private‑island stop at Great Stirrup Cay. Island page and what is new: ncl.com/great-stirrup-cay and upgrade preview with adult Vibe Shore Club and new pools: NCL preview.
- Celebrity Cruises Newer ships and a calmer onboard tone with a premium feel. Caribbean overview: celebritycruises.com… Caribbean. Suite guests can opt for The Retreat with private lounge, sun deck, and restaurant: The Retreat.
- Virgin Voyages Adults only 18+ and based out of Miami for many itineraries. Policy and sailings: 18 and over ships · Caribbean from Miami.
- Also consider Carnival for value and their Half Moon Cay beach day with water‑toys and cabanas: carnival.com… Half Moon Cay and shore options: Half Moon Cay excursions.
Quick picks by traveler type
- Families Disney, Royal Caribbean, MSC.
- Adults only Virgin Voyages.
- Quiet premium Celebrity.
- Budget Carnival, MSC.
Best time to go Year‑round with winter and spring pricing often favorable. Watch late summer for storm season flexibility.
Mediterranean… Ports, Culture, and Longer Days Ashore
Why the Med Port‑dense routes mean new cities most days. Food, history, and architecture deliver variety without long flights for many travelers.
Standout lines and what they offer
- MSC Cruises Many embarkation ports and large fleet presence in the Western and Eastern Med. See destination pages: MSC Mediterranean and winter program options: MSC Winter Cruises.
- Costa Cruises Italian‑style sailings including winter Med departures and value pricing. Check current offers and winter notes: Costa Mediterranean.
- Princess Cruises Broad Med coverage with Greek Isles and classics. Overview: Princess Mediterranean and Greek Isles.
- Celebrity Cruises Premium feel with modern ships and strong Med programs: celebritycruises.com/destinations. Suite guests can opt into The Retreat concept: The Retreat.
- Azamara Smaller ships with longer time in port, late nights, and overnights. Read about Destination Immersion and extended port time stats: azamara.com/destination-immersion · News on extended late nights and overnights: Azamara news.
- Viking 18+ adult guests with a calm onboard vibe and destination lectures. Policy in FAQ: Viking age policy.
Quick picks by traveler type
- First Med trip Princess, Celebrity, MSC.
- Port‑time maximizers Azamara.
- Adults only Viking.
- Budget MSC, Costa.
Best time to go April to October for the widest choices. Shoulder months often have lower crowds and cooler temps. MSC and Costa run select winter Med cruises.
Alaska… Scenic Cruising, One‑Way Routes, and Glacier Days
Why Alaska Floating through fjords, watching glaciers calve, and spotting wildlife. Ship choice and route shape the views you get.
Standout lines and what they offer
- Princess Cruises Large Alaska program with roundtrip and one‑way routes from Whittier near Anchorage plus Seattle and Vancouver. Overview: Princess Alaska.
- Holland America Line Deep Alaska history, frequent Glacier Bay access, and one‑way options from Vancouver or Whittier. Overview highlights: Holland America Alaska.
- Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Multiple ships and route choices each season. Check current Alaska deployments on their destination pages.
- Small‑ship expedition Think wildlife proximity and remote coves with lines like UnCruise and Lindblad for a different scale.
Glacier Bay notes Cruise ships do not dock inside Glacier Bay National Park and typically spend a 9 to 10 hour scenic day in the bay. Permit quotas limit ships and National Park Service Rangers often board to narrate. Read the NPS overview and planning notes: nps.gov/glba… cruise and concession information: NPS concession contracts.
Quick picks by traveler type
- First Alaska trip Princess, Holland America.
- Family summer Royal Caribbean, Norwegian.
- Photography and nature focus Celebrity, small‑ship expedition.
Best time to go Late May to early September. Shoulder dates can have better value and fewer crowds.
Comparison Snapshot
Caribbean
| Traveler type | Best fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First timers | Royal Caribbean, MSC, Celebrity | Easy homeports, many short sailings, new hardware |
| Families | Disney, Royal Caribbean, MSC | Kids clubs, character or splash zones, private islands |
| Adults only | Virgin Voyages | 18+ policy and late‑night vibe |
| Relaxation | Celebrity | Quieter pool decks and spa focus |
Mediterranean
| Traveler type | Best fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First timers | Princess, Celebrity, MSC | Balanced port mix, guided excursions |
| Port time lovers | Azamara | Late stays and overnights program |
| Adults only | Viking | 18+ policy and destination lectures |
| Budget | MSC, Costa | Frequent promos and many embarkation cities |
Alaska
| Traveler type | Best fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First timers | Princess, Holland America | Classic routes, frequent Glacier Bay access |
| Families | Royal Caribbean, Norwegian | Bigger kids areas and casual dining |
| Photo and nature | Celebrity, small‑ship expedition | Calm onboard tone and scenic routing |
Booking Tips
- Start with the itinerary map then filter ships.
- If a private island is a must, confirm it is on your sailing: CocoCay for Royal Caribbean, Ocean Cay for MSC, Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay for Disney, Great Stirrup Cay for NCL, Half Moon Cay for many Carnival Corp brands.
- For Alaska, decide between roundtrip and one‑way. One‑way often pairs with rail or road trips into the interior.
Niko’s Note 🐾 Screenshot port times and all aboard times from the cruise line app. It saves stress on short days ashore.
Keep Planning
- Families: Best Cruise Lines for Families… Age by Age
- Relaxation: Most Relaxing Cruise Lines… Quiet Decks, Thermal Spas
- First timers: Star of the Seas… Complete 7‑Day Guide for First Timers
FAQ
Is Virgin Voyages really adults only Yes. Virgin states that all ships are for guests 18 and over. See their 18 and over policy page: virginvoyages.com… 18 and over.
Does every Alaska cruise visit Glacier Bay No. Glacier Bay has limited ship permits. Check your itinerary details and the NPS page on cruise visits: nps.gov/glba… cruise.
Are there Mediterranean cruises in winter Yes. MSC and Costa often operate select Med sailings in winter. See their Med destination pages and winter programs: MSC Mediterranean · Costa Mediterranean.
Which cruise lines have private islands in the Caribbean Examples include Royal Caribbean at Perfect Day at CocoCay, MSC at Ocean Cay, Disney at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, Norwegian at Great Stirrup Cay, and Carnival Corp at Half Moon Cay. Use the links in the regional section to confirm for your date and ship.
Sources
- Royal Caribbean… Perfect Day at CocoCay destination and FAQ: royalcaribbean.com/cococay-cruises · What is Perfect Day at CocoCay
- MSC Cruises… Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve destination pages: msccruisesusa.com · msccruises.com
- Disney Cruise Line… Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point feature page and update: disneycruise.disney.go.com · Disney Parks Blog update
- Norwegian Cruise Line… Great Stirrup Cay island overview and upgrade preview: ncl.com/great-stirrup-cay · upgrade preview
- Celebrity Cruises… Caribbean program and The Retreat suite concept: celebritycruises.com… Caribbean · The Retreat
- Carnival… Half Moon Cay port and excursions: Half Moon Cay overview · excursions
- MSC, Costa, Princess, Celebrity… Mediterranean destination pages: MSC Med · MSC Winter · Costa Med · Princess Med · Celebrity destinations
- Alaska… NPS Glacier Bay cruise guide and concession info: nps.gov/glba… cruise · NPS concessions · Princess Alaska overview with Whittier departures: princess.com… Alaska · Holland America Alaska overview: hollandamerica.com… Alaska
