Types of Cruise Lines

This is an overview of the cruise lines and how they are assorted by market.  Cruise lines are grouped into five general markets: 

Contemporary Market – Serve the mass market and most ships are large.  Advantages:  More activities available and less motion at sea.  These cruise lines tend to have great children’s programs, making them a good choice for families.  Service will be great with a staff-guest ratio in the 1:3 range.

• Royal Caribbean
• Carnival
• Norwegian
• MSC & Costa (to a lesser degree)

Premium Market – Offer a product a step or two above the contemporary line.  Level of service will be higher, with a staff-guest ratio in the 1-2½ range.  Food will be of a higher quality, with more artful presentations.  Little touches will be apparent such as fresh cut flowers in the public areas and/or cabins.  Ships will range from mid-size to large, and there will typically be one-two formal nights in the main dining room.

• Celebrity
• Princess
• Holland America

Deluxe Market – Fill the niche between premium and luxury.  All ships in this category are small to mid-size ships.  More luxury elements will be apparent, such as butler service being available; more inclusions such as beverages, and an overall service level increase.  Staff-guest ratio will fall in between the 1:2 -2½ range.  Dress code is typically resort casual with no required formal nights.

• Azamara (owned by Royal Caribbean International)
• Oceania (owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines)

Luxury Market – The highest level of service and food quality.  Ships are generally small, accommodating under 1,000 guests, with most accommodating less than 600 guests.  Guest-staff ratio is in the 1:1½ range.  Food will be ««««« in quality and presentation.  All beverages are typically included.  Cabins will be larger than normal, and likely be outside with verandas.  Some cruise lines even include butler service.

• Silversea
• Regent Seven Seas
• Seabourn
• Crystal
• Cunard
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• SeaDream Yacht Club
• Compagnie du Ponant Yacht Cruises
• Paul Gauguin Cruises

Niche Market – Includes river cruises and other cruises catering to a specific clientele.  The cruise lines’ ship size and service are as varied as the clients they serve.

• Disney Cruises
• Windstar
• Avalon Waterways
• Uniworld River Cruises
• AMA Waterways
• Viking River Cruises
• Tauck River Cruises

For more information, or to inquire about available cruises, please contact us.