A Guide to Finding the Perfect Cruise

Whether you want a big ship, river cruise, or expedition experience, there’s a cruise out there that fits your taste.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, heads to the dock in the early morning during its first arrival into PortMiami on Jan. 10, 2024. (Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/TNS

Every time you step on a cruise ship, a number of truly marvelous things happen. I always unpack my bags first and settle into the state room. Next, I explore the ship to select my favorite lounge and check out all the menus at the restaurants. I also look for the perfect place on the upper decks to watch as the coastline ebbs away to just a line on the horizon.

Cruising has never been bigger, but it’s also never been better. Those looking for the perfect voyage have never had more choices. But, after a total of 77 cruises, I can tell you—finding the right ship and style are the keys to your enjoyment. Based on my experiences, here are four of your main options: big ship, small ship, expedition cruise, and river cruise.

Big Ship Cruises

For many, their first cruise will be on a big ship. My first big ship voyage was on the very biggest at the time—Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Its passenger capacity of more than 6,000 set a record when it was launched back in 2009.