Which Cruise Style is Right for You?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Your ideal vacation day sounds most like…

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  • A.
    A great breakfast, exploring an interesting destination, dinner onboard and maybe a show or cocktail afterward.
  • B.
    Stepping off the ship right into a beautiful town, spending the day exploring, then watching the scenery pass by over dinner.
  • C.
    Heading out in a Zodiac to see wildlife, hike somewhere remote or experience a place very few people ever visit.
  • D.
    Wandering a gorgeous coastal town, swimming in impossibly blue water and lingering over lunch somewhere by the sea.
  • E.
    A beautiful excursion followed by an exceptional dinner, attentive service and a peaceful evening onboard.
  • F.
    Pool time, activities, lots of dining choices, entertainment and plenty happening whenever I want it.
• 2.
  How important is the ship itself to your vacation?

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  • A.
    Very. I want lots of restaurants, entertainment and things to do.
  • B.
    Important, but I'd rather have a beautiful, comfortable ship than a huge list of attractions.
  • C.
    Mostly it's my comfortable home base while I explore the destination.
  • D.
    I want it to feel intimate and connected to the water and places we're visiting.
  • E.
    I care more about what the ship allows me to experience than traditional cruise amenities.
  • F.
    The ship matters because I want beautiful surroundings, excellent food and exceptional service.
• 3.
  Pick the sentence that makes you happiest.

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  • A.
    “There are six restaurants we haven't tried yet.”
  • B.
    “We can walk right off the ship and into town.”
  • C.
    “Only small ships can get here.”
  • D.
    “We can swim right from the back of the yacht.”
  • E.
    “They already know how I take my coffee.”
  • F.
    “There are only a few hundred people onboard.”
• 4.
  What kind of destination gets you opening a new browser tab immediately?

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  • A.
    The Caribbean, Alaska or Mediterranean... with a fun ship as part of the experience.
  • B.
    Japan, the Mediterranean, Iceland or Canada/New England... with interesting smaller ports along the way.
  • C.
    The Rhine, Danube, Seine, Nile or Douro.
  • D.
    Antarctica, the Galápagos, Arctic or Amazon.
  • E.
    Croatia, the Greek Isles, French Polynesia or the Seychelles.
  • F.
    A sophisticated Mediterranean, Japan, Norwegian Fjords or world-cruise itinerary.
• 5.
  How do you feel about onboard entertainment?

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  • A.
    Bring it on. Shows, music, activities and nightlife are part of why I cruise.
  • B.
    I enjoy some entertainment, but I don't need something happening every minute.
  • C.
    I'm perfectly happy with a drink, some live music and tomorrow's destination to look forward to.
  • D.
    Give me a destination-focused talk and an early night, we have exploring to do tomorrow.
  • E.
    Does swimming off the back of the ship count as entertainment?
  • F.
    I'd rather have an elegant dinner and great conversation than a giant production show.
• 6.
  Which travel splurge feels most worthwhile to you?

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  • A.
    A better cabin on a ship with tons of amenities.
  • B.
    A smaller ship that can take me somewhere the big ships can't.
  • C.
    Having transportation, accommodations and sightseeing woven into one easy journey.
  • D.
    Getting access to a remote place or wildlife experience I couldn't easily have otherwise.
  • E.
    An intimate ship, beautiful surroundings and access to little islands and harbors.
  • F.
    Exceptional service, dining, space and more included in the fare.
• 7.
  Be honest: which of these would annoy you the MOST?

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  • A.
    A ship that gets quiet by 10 p.m.
  • B.
    Waiting in lines with thousands of other passengers.
  • C.
    Packing and unpacking every few days while touring a region.
  • D.
    Having to skip an incredible wildlife experience because the ship couldn't reach it.
  • E.
    Pulling into a giant commercial cruise terminal instead of a charming little harbor.
  • F.
    Paying extra for things all day long or feeling like I'm constantly being upsold.
• 8.
  Finish this sentence: “I’ll know I chose the right cruise when…”

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  • A.
    Everyone traveling with me found something they loved.
  • B.
    I discovered places I might never have visited on a traditional cruise.
  • C.
    I saw an entire region without constantly changing hotels and managing logistics.
  • D.
    I experienced something that made me think, I cannot believe I'm actually here.
  • E.
    I spent the week feeling like I was vacationing on a yacht rather than taking a cruise.
  • F.
    Everything felt easy, beautiful and exceptionally well done.

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Your Cruise Style: The Small-Ship Ocean Cruiser

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  You care more about everywhere the ship takes you than everything the ship has.You're drawn to cruising because it makes seeing extraordinary places remarkably easy—but you don't necessarily need a floating resort to entertain you along the way.Smaller ships can offer fewer crowds, a more relaxed atmosphere and access to ports that simply aren't practical for the giants. You'd probably rather spend your day wandering an interesting town, tasting something local or discovering a place you've never heard of than racing back onboard for the next scheduled activity.That doesn't mean you don't care about the ship.You want it comfortable, beautiful and enjoyable. You just don't need it to be the destination.You'll probably love:Interesting itineraries • smaller ports • fewer passengers • relaxed sea days • destination-focused travel • a more intimate onboard atmosphere • getting beyond the obviousThink twice if:Big production shows, lots of nightlife, dozens of restaurants, extensive children's programming or nonstop onboard activities are essential parts of your vacation.Also explore:Yacht Cruising if you love coastal destinations and an even more intimate atmosphere.Luxury Ocean Cruising if exceptional dining, space and personalized service are high on your list.Ready to Find Your Actual Cruise?“Small ship” describes an enormous range of experiences, from relaxed premium ships to intimate yachts and some of the most luxurious vessels at sea.Finding the right one means looking beyond passenger count to understand how you actually want to spend your days.There isn't one best cruise.There's a cruise that's best for you. Let's find it.
• 2.
  Your Cruise Style: The River Cruiser

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  You want the destination to unfold around you.For you, the appeal of cruising isn't really about the ship.It's waking up somewhere new, stepping ashore near the heart of a city or town, spending the day exploring—and doing it without packing another suitcase, navigating another train station or changing another hotel.You love the idea of experiencing an entire region rather than simply visiting a collection of ports.A river cruise can take you through wine country, historic cities, medieval villages and beautiful landscapes while your floating boutique hotel quietly travels along with you.You'll probably love:Unpacking once • immersive sightseeing • history and culture • food and wine • intimate ships • included or easily arranged excursions • scenery while you sail • relaxed eveningsThink twice if:You want big production shows, lots of nightlife, numerous restaurants and bars, extensive children's programming or a ship packed with activities.And if mobility is a consideration, the specific itinerary matters. River cruising can involve cobblestones, stairs, hills and significant walking, so choosing the right sailing and excursions is important.Also explore:Small-Ship Ocean CruisingIf you love river cruising's destination focus but want to cover greater distances or spend more time along coastlines and at sea, small-ship ocean cruising may be your other sweet spot.Ready to Find Your River?The Rhine and Danube may get most of the attention, but river cruising stretches far beyond them—and the cruise line you choose can make a surprisingly big difference in your experience.The right river, itinerary, ship and cruise line depend on what you want to see and how you want to experience it.There isn't one best river cruise.There's a river cruise that's best for you. Let's find it.
• 3.
  Your Cruise Style: The Expedition Cruiser

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  You don't just want to see the world. You want to experience the wild parts of it.You're curious.The kind of traveler who hears “Zodiac landing,” “wildlife encounter” or “remote island” and immediately wants to know more.For you, the biggest luxury may be access... getting somewhere few people ever experience and having knowledgeable experts there to help you understand what you're seeing.And expedition cruising doesn't necessarily mean roughing it. Today's expedition ships range from comfortable and casual to genuinely luxurious.You can spend your day watching penguins, kayaking near icebergs, snorkeling with sea lions or exploring a remote landscape—and still come back to a beautiful ship and a very good dinner.You'll probably love:Wildlife • remote destinations • expert guides and naturalists • Zodiac excursions • incredible landscapes • flexible itineraries • active options • once-in-a-lifetime experiencesThink twice if:You need every day to follow a precise schedule, dislike small boats or unpredictable weather, or would rather have shopping, nightlife and traditional cruise entertainment than nature and exploration.Also explore:Small-Ship Ocean Cruising if you love unusual destinations but want a more traditional cruise experience.Luxury Expedition Cruising if your dream combination is big adventure by day and exceptional comfort at night.A Quick Reality CheckYou do not have to be an extreme adventurer to take an expedition cruise.Some travelers want challenging hikes, kayaking, snorkeling or even a polar plunge.Others are perfectly happy taking a Zodiac ride, watching wildlife, making easier landings and learning from the expedition team.You don't have to want every adventure.You just need the right expedition.Ready to Find Yours?Antarctica? The Galápagos? The Arctic? The Amazon?Even within expedition cruising, the destinations, ships and activity levels can be dramatically different.There isn't one best expedition.There's an expedition that's best for you. Let's find it.
• 4.
  Your Cruise Style: The Yacht Cruiser

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  You want to cruise without feeling like you're on a cruise.Your perfect day probably has more to do with blue water, charming harbors and long lunches than production shows and packed activity schedules.You like the ease of unpacking once and letting someone else handle the logistics—but you'd happily leave the giant cruise terminals, crowds and waterslides behind.Yacht-style cruising sits somewhere between a traditional cruise and that fantasy where someone hands you the keys to a gorgeous yacht and tells you to spend the summer sailing around the Mediterranean.Except someone else is driving.Which is considerably better.You'll probably love:Intimate ships • coastal destinations • small harbors • islands • relaxed sophistication • outdoor dining • beautiful scenery • water sports when you feel like it • an easy, resort-like atmosphereThink twice if:You want big shows, casinos, extensive nightlife, dozens of restaurants, elaborate children's programming or a packed schedule of onboard activities.Also explore:Small-Ship Ocean Cruising if you love intimacy and unusual ports but want a somewhat more traditional cruise experience.Luxury Ocean Cruising if service, dining and elevated accommodations matter even more to you than the yacht-like atmosphere.Where Could Your Yacht Take You?Think Croatia and the Adriatic. The Greek Isles. The French Riviera. The Turkish coast. The Seychelles. French Polynesia. The Caribbean.These are places where being close to the water isn't just transportation.It's part of the experience.Ready to Find Your Yacht?Yacht cruising is still unfamiliar to a lot of travelers, which means you may have far more options than you realize.There isn't one best way to cruise.There's a cruise that's best for you. Let's find it.
• 5.
  Your Cruise Style: The Luxury Ocean Cruiser

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  You don't necessarily want more. You want better.More space. Thoughtful service. Excellent food. Beautiful surroundings. Fewer lines. Fewer little decisions.You appreciate the difference between something being expensive and something actually feeling luxurious.For you, luxury isn't about showing off or dressing for dinner every night. It's about how effortlessly everything comes together.It's someone remembering how you like your coffee. It's never having to search for somewhere to sit. It's lingering over an exceptional dinner without feeling rushed. It's returning from an incredible day ashore and realizing the onboard experience is every bit as special.Luxury feels personal.You'll probably love:Exceptional dining • attentive service • fewer passengers • more space • beautiful accommodations • interesting itineraries • thoughtful inclusions • sophisticated but relaxed surroundings • fewer lines and less frictionThink twice if:You primarily want the lowest possible fare, big production entertainment, waterslides and attractions, extensive children's programming or dozens of restaurants and activities to choose from.And remember: luxury is only valuable when you're paying more for things you actually value.Also explore:Small-Ship Ocean Cruising if destination access and intimacy matter more than luxury itself.And don't automatically rule out a suite on a larger premium ship. If you want elevated accommodations and service but still love big-ship entertainment, dining choices and activities, that may actually be your better match.Suite on a Big Ship or a Luxury Ship?This is one of my favorite cruise-planning questions.Choose the suite on the larger ship when you want an upgraded home base but still want everything a big ship offers.Choose the luxury ship when you want the entire experience—passenger count, space, service, dining, atmosphere and inclusions—to feel elevated.Luxury isn't just about how beautiful your cabin is.It's about how you experience the entire journey.Ready to Find Your Cruise?There are significant differences among premium and luxury cruise lines—and spending more doesn't automatically mean you'll like your vacation more.The goal is to spend where it changes your experience.There isn't one best luxury cruise.There's a cruise that's best for you. Let's find it.
• 6.
  Your Cruise Style: The Large-Ship Ocean Cruiser

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  You want the ship to be part of the vacation.For you, choosing a cruise isn't only about where the ship goes. You want to enjoy the journey between destinations, too.You appreciate having options: different restaurants, entertainment, pools, activities, nightlife and plenty of ways to spend a sea day. If you're traveling with family or friends, you may also love knowing everyone can find something that makes them happy—even when their idea of a perfect vacation looks completely different from yours.And here's an important reminder: bigger isn't automatically less sophisticated.The right premium cruise line, or the right suite and experience on a larger ship, can give you elevated accommodations, dining and service without asking you to give up all those big-ship choices.You'll probably love:Plenty of dining choices • entertainment and nightlife • lots to do onboard • great sea days • options for different ages and interests • resort-style amenitiesThink twice if:Crowds and lines really bother you, you prefer quiet evenings, or you'd happily trade onboard attractions for smaller ports and a more intimate atmosphere.Also explore:Premium Ocean Cruising and Small-Ship Ocean CruisingYou may discover that you don't actually want the biggest ship, you simply don't want to give up variety.Ready to Find Your Actual Cruise?Knowing your cruise style is the first step. Now comes the harder part: figuring out which cruise line, ship and itinerary delivers the version of it that's right for you.That's where I come in.There isn't one best cruise.There's a cruise that's best for you. Let's find it.