Mainstream Cruise Lines
Mainstream cruise lines are large, value-oriented companies that cater to a broad audience, including families, and are known for their resort-style amenities like water parks, multiple pools, and diverse entertainment options. They are the most common type of cruise, and they offer affordable, all-inclusive packages to popular destinations like the Caribbean.
FUN FOR ALL. ALL FOR FUN.
Carnival is "The World''s Most Popular Cruise Line" with 24 ships operating 3 to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
A global leader in the cruise industry, providing families with a complete Disney experience on the high seas.
With four more ships joining the fleet -- the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and, most recently, the Disney Wish -- guests can now sail from ports around the world to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, Alaska and the Mexican Riviera.
Walt Disney Imagineers continuously are delivering creativity and innovation to Disney Cruise Line guests, resulting in unique water coasters, exciting entertainment offerings... and even magical portholes that bring cherished characters up close.
And a favorite stop for all Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries is Castaway Cay, a private island that offers powdery sand beaches and swaying palm trees only to Disney Cruise Line guests.
MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise line and the market leader in Europe with a strong and growing presence in North America. With 24 ships to choose from, sailing to over 250 destinations, MSC Cruises offers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
From 3-night getaways to MSC Grand Voyages and an epic 4-month World Cruise, there's endless itineraries to discover. Many Caribbean sailings feature a stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, where guests enjoy white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, complimentary dining, spa services, and more.
On an MSC Cruise, it's not just a vacation, it’s a holiday, where European style meets American comfort. With global-inspired dining, thrilling waterslides, and expansive kids’ clubs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Norwegian Cruise Line has been the premier innovator in the cruise line industry for over 57 years. The first to eliminate set dining times and provide guests with the freedom to cruise on their schedule to over 450 incredible destinations around the world. Our award-winning fleet provides an unparalleled onboard experience and will continue to expand with the arrival of our Prima Class ships.
The newest ships, like Norwegian Luna, Prima and Viva, to vessels that have been updated from bow to stern and beyond, guests are provided with the best on board experience.
From award-winning dining and entertainment, Norwegian Cruise Line has been on hot lists and readers' choice awards since 2003.
Royal Caribbean is an award-winning global cruise line with a 45-year legacy of innovation and excellence in the cruise industry. It has redefined cruising with exciting onboard activities such as rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, zip lines, and more.
Today, the cruise line continues to dial up the guest experience for adventurous travelers, offering bold onboard thrills, spectacular dining options, breath-taking entertainment and world-class accommodations. All while sailing exciting itineraries to 270+ destinations in 60+ countries on six continents.
Royal Caribbean has been voted Best Cruise Line Overall for 22 consecutive years by Travel Weekly readers. And Perfect Day at CocoCay, its private island in The Bahamas, has been recognized as the Private Island Destination by Travel Weekly readers for five years running.
Our Recommended Cruise Destinations
We’ve chosen to work with partners we know will deliver an exceptional, personal service and whose fleets are of the highest standard, where your experience as a passenger is at the heart of everything. It means we can be confident your cruise experience will be everything you imagined, whether you’re a regular seagoer or a first-time passenger.
Thailand
Thailand’s beautiful coastline lends itself to cruising, but this is not the only area where you can take to the water to see the country from a different perspective.
River journeys out of Bangkok are the perfect remedy to a busy few days in the capital, or you can head west to the River Kwai for a historical insight into Thailand during World War II.
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Best time to Cruise
The best time to go on a cruise varies, depending on where you want to go.
One of the joys of cruising is making the most of a country’s seasonality, whether you’re hoping to see a whale breach in Antarctica or sail through the Seychelles on calm waters.
Guide for traveling on Cruises
January-February
It’s the height of the Southern Hemisphere summer, and Antarctic and South Georgia expedition cruises are in full swing. The days are long, and wildlife — including seals, penguins and seabirds — is active.
Meanwhile in Asia, the Mekong and Ayeyarwady are at high enough levels to support river cruising, providing access to floating markets, colonial towns and landmarks such as the temples of Bagan.
New Zealand’s fjords are in peak summer lushness, and it’s a good time to observe dolphins and fur seals.
March
The beginning of the month is a great time to see whales in Antarctica, but as March fades the Southern Hemisphere winter closes in, bringing expedition cruising here to a close. If you’re still seeking something more adventurous, you can head slightly north of Antarctica to cruise Patagonia. Your ship motors down the glacial-framed Chilean fjords and rounds the tip of South America to reach Argentina.
Look to India for good wildlife sightings as you cruise along the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Or take a Nile cruise in Egypt, when the weather is sunny and warm yet comfortable, sailing to Luxor and visiting the Valley of the Kings.
April-May
The Galapagos’ wet season begins to draw to a close, and flowers spring up across the islands, while sea turtles and land iguanas start hatching. There’s an increased chance of seeing sea turtles. By the end of May, conditions are generally drier. April also marks the start of the mating season for waved albatrosses on Española Island, which will last until November.
April and May are also the start of cruising season in the Mediterranean. At this time, you can explore Greece and Turkey by ship when the weather is still welcoming but before the hustle and bustle of high summer.
June-July
In the Galapagos Islands, drier conditions are expected from June onward, though the weather is cooler and the waves choppier. Seabirds start to become more active.
June and July are the peak months to cruise Alaska, and the long summer days bring out the best of the region’s wildlife including bears, whales and sea otters.
Even farther north, the Arctic expedition cruising season kicks off, and will last until September.
In the Pacific, French Polynesia’s balmy weather makes it a good time to go island-hopping. This is also one of the best times to embark on an expedition cruise to Australia’s northern territories and the Kimberly.
August-September
Alaska cruising continues throughout August and into early September, when you can sail past the blue-tinged ice floes in Glacier Bay National Park. In India, water levels are ideal for cruising along the Ganges toward Varanasi.
September is also a great month to explore the Seychelles by boat, as its summer winds have subsided, and sea life is in abundance.
Many other regions are well suited to a September cruise. You could hike volcanoes and go whale watching while cruising in Hawaii, or voyage in the wake of explorers as you cruise around Greenland and through the Northwest Passage.
October
This month marks the start of the Nile cruising season, with slightly cooler temperatures making onshore tours comfortable.
In late October, the penguins of South Georgia begin their mating and courtship rituals, and the first expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula begin to hack their way through sea ice. You can also head to North America for a cruise along New England and eastern Canada, setting out from Boston. You’ll call at Prince Edward Island, go whale watching on the St. Lawrence River, and dine on fresh seafood all along the way.
November-December
It’s the dry season across much of Southeast Asia, when temperatures are comfortably cool and water levels are high enough to make most rivers navigable. Look to the west coast of Thailand and the Mekong Delta for a Southeast Asia cruise.
You’ll take in rural villages and cities such as Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh while staying on board a luxury cruise ship.
For New Year celebrations, consider a cruise that stops in Sydney or the New Zealand sounds.
Ready to take the first step toward planning your cruise?
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