With so many cruise lines, ships and itineraries available, choosing an ocean cruise can feel overwhelming. The best cruise isn’t simply the one visiting the destinations on your bucket list. The right ocean cruise should match how you like to travel.

 

Do you prefer a smaller ship with fewer passengers or a larger ship with more dining, entertainment and activities? Are you looking for an adults-only or more adult-focused experience, or are you traveling with children or grandchildren and need a family-friendly ship? How important are dining, entertainment, stateroom size, excursions and what’s included in your cruise fare?

These are some of the questions Brandt Travel considers when helping clients choose an ocean cruise. There is no single cruise line that’s best for everyone. The goal is finding the cruise line, ship and itinerary that’s best for you.

Start With the Destination, But Don’t Stop There

The itinerary matters, but two cruise lines can visit many of the same destinations and deliver completely different vacations. The ship, number of passengers, time spent in port, excursions, dining, entertainment and what’s included in your cruise fare can have just as much impact on your experience as the ports themselves.

Think about what you want from the destination. Do you want a more immersive experience with a strong focus on ports and sightseeing? Are you looking for a balance of exploring ashore and enjoying resort-style amenities onboard? Or is the ship itself an important part of your vacation?

This is where choosing the right cruise line becomes important. Brandt Travel looks beyond the itinerary to help match the destination with the cruise experience that best fits the way you want to travel.

 

Does the Size of the Cruise Ship Matter?

Absolutely. Ship size can dramatically change the feel of an ocean cruise. Some travelers prefer small-ship cruising with fewer passengers, a more intimate atmosphere and a quieter onboard experience. Others prefer larger ships with a greater variety of restaurants, entertainment, activities and amenities.

 

Passenger capacity is therefore one of the first things we consider when recommending a ship. A beautiful itinerary may look perfect on paper, but if the ship 

carries far more passengers than you enjoy traveling with, it may not be the right vacation for you.

 

There is no universally perfect ship size. The question is which size feels right for you.

 

Adults Only, Adult Focused or Family Friendly?

Who you are traveling with, and the atmosphere you want onboard, can completely change which cruise line is right for you.

Some travelers specifically seek an adults-only experience, with a quieter atmosphere and a greater emphasis on destinations, dining and relaxation. Others don’t necessarily require adults-only, but prefer a more sophisticated, adult-focused environment. And for travelers bringing children or grandchildren, family-friendly accommodations, activities and entertainment may be essential.

 

This is one reason our clients enjoy different cruise lines for different vacations. Viking Ocean Cruises, for example, offers an adults-only, small-ship experience that appeals to many travelers looking for a quieter, destination-focused journey. Celebrity Cruises offers a premium experience that can work beautifully for adults while also providing options for families and multigenerational travel.

 

The cruise line you loved as a couple may not be the cruise line we recommend when you’re traveling with your children and grandchildren. Brandt Travel considers the entire traveling party when helping you find the right fit.

 

What Is Included in Your Cruise Fare?

When comparing ocean cruises, the advertised price only tells part of the story. What is included in that price can vary considerably from one cruise line to another.

Depending on the cruise line and fare you select, items such as beverages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, shore excursions and other onboard amenities may be included, offered as part of a package, or charged separately. Stateroom size and amenities can also vary significantly.

 

This is why Brandt Travel encourages clients to look beyond the initial cruise fare. A lower starting price isn’t necessarily the best overall value, particularly once you consider the experiences and amenities that matter to you.

 

Our team helps clients understand what they are actually receiving for their vacation investment and compare the options that best match their priorities. We also review available promotions and Brandt Travel offers that may provide additional value on select sailings.

 

The Ship Experience Matters Too

Some travelers view the ship primarily as a comfortable way to reach incredible destinations. For others, the ship is an important part of the vacation itself.

Think about how you expect to spend your time onboard. Are excellent restaurants and varied dining choices important? Do you enjoy live entertainment and nightlife? Are you looking for quiet spaces, enrichment and relaxation? Perhaps a beautiful spa, pool deck or spacious stateroom matters more to you than a long list of activities.

 

Even ships within the same cruise line can offer different experiences, which is why choosing the right ship, not simply the right cruise line, matters.

Brandt Travel helps narrow those choices based on what you actually value on vacation, so you aren’t paying for features you don’t care about or missing the ones that could make your trip exceptional.

 

Your Stateroom Can Make a Big Difference

Your stateroom is more than where you sleep. On an ocean cruise, it becomes your home away from home, and choosing the right category can have a meaningful impact on your overall experience.

 

Some travelers are perfectly happy with a smaller stateroom because they spend very little time there. Others consider a private veranda essential, particularly on scenic itineraries. For longer voyages, additional living space, storage or the amenities that come with a suite may be well worth considering.

Location matters too. Where a stateroom is positioned on the ship can affect convenience, accessibility and the overall experience. And because stateroom categories and benefits vary considerably among cruise lines and even individual ships, comparing categories by name alone can be misleading.

 

Brandt Travel helps clients evaluate the options based on the ship, itinerary, length of voyage, personal preferences and budget, rather than automatically assuming the least expensive cabin or most expensive suite is the right choice.

 

Choosing the Right Ocean Cruise Is About the Complete Experience

By now, it becomes clear why simply searching for a destination and choosing a cruise based on price can be difficult. The itinerary, cruise line, ship size, passenger capacity, onboard atmosphere, inclusions, dining, entertainment and stateroom all work together to create the vacation.

 

This is where an experienced cruise travel advisor can make a significant difference. Brandt Travel works with the major cruise lines and gets to know what our clients value most, allowing us to narrow an overwhelming number of choices into the options that make the most sense for you.

 

And your needs may change from one vacation to the next. The intimate, adults-only ship you love for a European anniversary trip may be completely different from the ship we recommend for a Caribbean vacation with your children and grandchildren.

 

Our goal isn’t to sell you a particular cruise line. It’s to help you find the right cruise for this trip.

 

Why Book Your Ocean Cruise with Brandt Travel?

With so many cruise lines, ships, staterooms and itineraries to choose from, having an experienced cruise advisor on your side can make the process considerably easier.

 

Brandt Travel works with the major ocean cruise lines and brings decades of travel industry experience to every recommendation. Just as importantly, we have years of firsthand feedback shared by our clients after their cruises. Their experiences with ships, staterooms, dining, excursions, service and itineraries give our team valuable real-world insight that helps us advise future travelers.We combine that client feedback with our own cruise knowledge, supplier relationships and understanding of your personal travel preferences.

 

That allows us to recommend based not only on how a cruise is marketed, but on what travelers actually experience.

We may also have access to exclusive Brandt Travel rates, onboard credits or additional amenities on select departures, allowing our clients to receive additional value when available.

 

Most importantly, our relationship doesn’t end when your cruise is booked. We remain your personal point of contact, assist with questions and changes, and advocate for you when an issue requires additional support.

 

For cruise bookings, Brandt Travel does not charge an additional planning fee for our services. So rather than sorting through hundreds of options alone, you can take advantage of the experience and personal service of an award-winning travel agency to help you make the right choice.

 

Is Viking or Celebrity the Better Ocean Cruise Line?

Neither cruise line is universally better, they offer different experiences that appeal to different travelers. Viking Ocean Cruises is a favorite among many Brandt Travel clients who prefer smaller ships, fewer passengers, an adults-only atmosphere and destination-focused travel. Celebrity Cruises is another longtime client favorite, offering a premium cruise experience with a broader range of ship styles, entertainment and options that can also work well for multigenerational families.

 

The better question is, which cruise line is better for you and for this particular trip?

 

Your destination, traveling companions, preferred ship size, onboard atmosphere, dining preferences, stateroom needs and budget can all influence our recommendation.

Brandt Travel’s role is to understand those preferences and help match you with the cruise line, ship and itinerary that best fit the experience you want.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing an Ocean Cruise

Is a Small Ocean Cruise Ship Better Than a Larger Ship?

It depends on the experience you prefer. Smaller ships can appeal to travelers who enjoy fewer passengers, a more intimate atmosphere and destination-focused cruising. Larger ships may offer more restaurants, entertainment, activities and onboard amenities.

 

Brandt Travel considers passenger capacity along with the itinerary and onboard experience when helping clients choose a ship. The best ship isn’t necessarily the newest or largest, it is the one that best matches how you want to travel.

 

Which Cruise Lines Are Best for Adults?

Some travelers specifically want an adults-only cruise, while others simply prefer a more adult-focused, sophisticated atmosphere. These are two different experiences, and there are excellent options for both.

 

Brandt Travel helps clients compare cruise lines based on passenger demographics, ship size, atmosphere, entertainment, dining and destination focus, so we can recommend options that match the type of vacation you are looking for.

 

What Is the Best Cruise Line for Traveling With Children or Grandchildren?

The answer depends on the ages of the travelers and what everyone wants from the vacation. A multigenerational family may need children’s or teen programming, family-friendly entertainment, suitable stateroom configurations and enough onboard choices to keep several generations happy.

 

The cruise line we recommend for a couple traveling alone may be very different from the one we recommend when they bring their children and grandchildren. Brandt Travel considers the entire traveling party before making recommendations.

 

Does It Cost More to Book an Ocean Cruise With Brandt Travel?

No, Brandt Travel does not charge an additional planning fee for cruise bookings. Our clients receive professional guidance in selecting a cruise line, ship, itinerary and stateroom, along with assistance reviewing available promotions and Brandt Travel offers.

 

You also benefit from our team’s cruise knowledge and years of experiences and feedback shared by Brandt Travel clients, which provides valuable insight into what travelers actually experience onboard.

 

Ready to Find the Right Ocean Cruise?

With hundreds of ships and thousands of itineraries available, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Tell Brandt Travel where you want to go, who you’re traveling with and what matters most to you, and we’ll help narrow the choices.

 

Let our experience, cruise line relationships and years of client feedback help you find the ocean cruise that fits you.