🌊 What Each Cruise Line Does Best (2025 Edition)
I’ve sailed with MSC, Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean — and I’ve got Celebrity, Princess, and Virgin Voyages booked this year. After blending personal experience, research, and the latest ship updates, here’s my take on what each cruise line does BEST in 2025 — and why it matters to you.
This guide focuses on what most travelers actually care about: food, entertainment, service, loyalty perks, value, and vibe.
- Best Food
- Best Entertainment
- Best Ships & Features
- Best Service
- Best Itineraries
- Best Enrichment & Cultural Programs
- Best Adult Vibe
- Best Family Vibe
- Best Loyalty Program
- Best Value
- Best Luxury Experience
🥘 Best Food → Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity nails the dining experience.
- Gourmet main dining with lobster, lamb, and escargot — no surcharge.
- Specialty restaurants like Le Petit Chef, Fine Cut Steakhouse, and Eden turn dinner into an event.
- Even the buffet feels like a chic international food hall.
Honorable Mention: Virgin Voyages
No buffets, no main dining room, no specialty upcharges — just an all-inclusive foodie playground.
🎭 Best Entertainment → Royal Caribbean
Royal delivers entertainment on a blockbuster scale.
- Broadway shows (Mamma Mia!, The Wizard of Oz), AquaTheater diving, ice skating, and live music everywhere.
- Icon of the Seas raises the bar with record-breaking slides, family zones, and nonstop action.
Honorable Mention: Norwegian Cruise Line
NCL’s Prima-class ships feature Broadway hits (Beetlejuice), immersive LED shows, comedy clubs, and live music.
Special Shoutout: MSC Cruises (MSC World America)
MSC has leveled up with Cirque-style shows, LED dome screens, bumper cars, and big slides.
🚢 Best Ships & Features → Royal Caribbean
Royal’s megaships are unmatched.
- Oasis and Icon-class ships have Central Park gardens, robot bartenders, surf simulators, zip lines, and skydiving tunnels.
- There’s something for thrill-seekers, families, and luxury lovers.
Honorable Mention: MSC Cruises
Elegant European design, crystal staircases, and the luxurious Yacht Club “ship within a ship” make MSC stand out.
💁♂️ Best Service → Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity blends luxury-level polish with warmth.
- Crew remember names, drinks, and preferences.
- The Retreat suite experience comes with butlers and priority perks.
Honorable Mention: Princess Cruises
Princess pairs heartfelt service with Medallion tech for smooth, personalized cruising.
🌎 Best Itineraries → Princess Cruises
Princess is a destination expert.
- Best-in-class Alaska cruises with lodges and rail tours.
- Standout Panama Canal, Asia, and world cruises.
- Focus on cultural and nature-rich itineraries.
Honorable Mention:
Norwegian Cruise Line → Only big line with year-round Hawaii inter-island cruises, plus excellent Europe/Bermuda routes.
Holland America Line → Legendary Alaska itineraries and immersive explorations, with more port time and local focus.
📚 Best Enrichment & Cultural Programs → Holland America Line
Holland America quietly leads the pack in enrichment.
- Culinary arts centers, BBC Earth programming, cultural lectures, classical music partnerships (like Lincoln Center Stage), and regionally focused events.
- A refined, mature vibe perfect for travelers who want learning, culture, and immersion alongside leisure.
Honorable Mention: Princess Cruises
Princess offers Discovery and Animal Planet partnerships, destination talks, regional cooking demos, and Alaska-specific enrichment programs that go deeper than just sightseeing.
🍸 Best Adult Vibe → Virgin Voyages
Adults-only, no kids allowed.
- Expect edgy shows, rooftop yoga, drag brunches, tattoo parlors, and a private beach club in Bimini.
- All dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and basic drinks included.
Honorable Mention: Celebrity Cruises
Elegant, adult-leaning atmosphere with chic lounges, wine tastings, and wellness options.
🎢 Best Family Vibe → Royal Caribbean
The ultimate family playground.
- Kids’ clubs, teen hangouts, FlowRiders, rock walls, splash zones, and the Surfside family area on Icon of the Seas.
- Parents can relax in adults-only Solariums.
Honorable Mention: Carnival Cruise Line
Affordable family fun with Dr. Seuss activities, waterslides, mini golf, and lively deck parties.
🏅 Best Loyalty Program → Royal Caribbean (Crown & Anchor Society)
Royal Caribbean wins with strong mid-tier perks that cruisers actually use.
Mid-tier (Diamond, Diamond Plus ~80–699 points):
- 4–5 free drinks daily
- Access to the Diamond Lounge
- Priority check-in, boarding, and tendering
- Discounts on balconies and suites
- Special milestone events
Top-tier (Pinnacle Club 700+ points):
- Milestone free cruise certificates (at 700, 1,050, 1,400+ points) — not annual but major rewards
- Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen access
- Free unlimited Surf + Stream internet
Honorable Mention: Norwegian Cruise Line (Latitudes Rewards)
Norwegian shines at Platinum (~80 points) with:
- Two free specialty dinners per cruise (one with wine)
- Free laundry
- Priority embarkation and tendering
- Shore excursion discounts
At Ambassador (700 points), you get a one-time free 7-night cruise, but Platinum is where most cruisers enjoy the best perks.
💸 Best Value → Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival delivers maximum fun at minimum cost.
- Low fares, free casual dining (Guy’s Burgers, BlueIguana), and budget-friendly drinks.
- Perfect for families, couples, and groups on a budget.
Honorable Mention: MSC Cruises
Kids Sail Free promos and affordable Yacht Club suites make MSC a standout value.
👑 Best Luxury Experience → Royal Caribbean Star Class
The ultimate VIP experience.
- Royal Genie butler, unlimited specialty dining, premium drinks, fast Wi-Fi, VIP show seating, priority access everywhere.
- Over-the-top suites like the Ultimate Family Suite combine luxury with megaship energy.
Honorable Mention: MSC Yacht Club
A refined, private ship-within-a-ship experience with butlers, lounges, a private pool, and exclusive dining — at a surprisingly competitive price.
⚡ Final Cheat Sheet
| Category | Winner | Honorable Mention / Shoutout |
|---|---|---|
| Best Food | Celebrity Cruises | Virgin Voyages |
| Best Entertainment | Royal Caribbean | NCL & MSC (MSC World America) |
| Best Ships | Royal Caribbean | MSC Cruises |
| Best Service | Celebrity Cruises | Princess Cruises |
| Best Itineraries | Princess Cruises | Norwegian Cruise Line/Holland America Line |
| Best Enrichment & Cultural Programs | Holland America Line | Princess Cruises |
| Best Adult Vibe | Virgin Voyages | Celebrity Cruises |
| Best Family Vibe | Royal Caribbean | Carnival Cruise Line |
| Best Loyalty Program | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Best Value | Carnival Cruise Line | MSC Cruises |
| Best Luxury | Royal Caribbean Star Class | MSC Yacht Club |
🌟 Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all “best cruise line” — but there’s always a best cruise line for YOU. Whether you’re chasing gourmet dining, thrill rides, adult escapes, or affordable fun, 2025’s cruise lineup has something unforgettable waiting to wow you.