Choosing the right cruise is all about finding the best fit for you. Every traveler’s experience is different, and ships within the same cruise line can vary widely, from smaller, classic vessels to the newest mega ships. Older ships often offer lower prices but still maintain the same level of service and dining you’d expect from the brand. 

That’s why working with an experienced cruise specialist matters. Our KVI Travel Professionals know the ships, the itineraries, and the little details that make a big difference. With our guidance, you can be confident you’re getting the best value and the perfect match for your travel style. 

Understanding Cruise Line Ratings 

Cruise ratings are best viewed as helpful guides rather than firm rules. Price often reflects overall quality: the ships, service, dining, and entertainment. Sometimes spending just a bit more moves you from a 3-star to a 5-star experience, which can make a world of difference in comfort and enjoyment. 

The ratings below come from our personal experiences, client feedback, and ongoing research. They’re general guidelines on a scale from 1 to 6 stars, with 6 representing the highest level of quality and service. 

 

Ocean Cruise Line Ratings 

AZAMARA (5+ stars) azamaracruises.com

Azamara is a relatively new cruise line, owned by Celebrity and operated as an even more upscale version of Celebrity, earning a rating of over 5 stars in dining, amenities, and service. Because it is still a relatively unknown line, Azamara offers very competitive pricing to attract new guests, making it one of the best values at sea.

CARNIVAL (3 stars) carnival.com

Carnival is a good all-around cruise line that is best known for being fun. They cater to all ages and have excellent children’s programs. Carnival has a reputation in some circles for being a low-budget ‘party’ line for young people, but it does not deserve that title, as it has improved in quality and sophistication a great deal in the past several years.

CELEBRITY (5 stars) celebritycruises.com

Celebrity stands at the top of the major cruise lines with excellent marks in service, dining, and amenities. A Celebrity cruise is always a great choice.

COSTA (3 stars) costacruise.com

Costa is an Italian cruise line that offers a European standard of cruising. Costa offers a wide variety of Mediterranean itineraries.

CUNARD (5-6 stars) cunard.com

The most famous shipping line in the world, featuring legendary ocean liners (as opposed to ‘cruise ships’) built to withstand the rigors of the North Atlantic: Quintessentially British (but aimed mainly at the American market) and impeccable service.

DISNEY (5 stars) disneycruise.com

Disney’s reputation for premium quality at a premium price holds true on their cruises as well. They offer the best kids’ programs at sea, bar none. They also offer a great deal of choices for adults as well.

EMERALD (4.5 stars) emeraldcruises.com

Contemporary small-ship cruising with excellent value. Sleek, modern design, welcoming service, and thoughtfully paced itineraries that balance iconic highlights with lesser-known ports. Ideal for travelers wanting a stylish, relaxed cruise without the ultra-luxury price point.
emeraldcruises.com

EXPLORA JOURNEYS (6 stars) explorajourneys.com

Ultra-luxury cruising with a refined, residential atmosphere at sea. Exceptionally spacious oceanfront suites, sophisticated dining concepts, and immersive cultural programming designed for unhurried exploration. A strong fit for travelers who value space, elegance, and understated luxury.

HOLLAND AMERICA (5 stars) hollandamerica.com

Holland America stands beside Celebrity at the top of the major cruise line ratings. Holland America has been known to cater to an older crowd, but that is an image they are working on changing, and they do have programs for all ages. Their ships are typically somewhat smaller than those of the other major lines, giving them a bit more of an intimate atmosphere.

HURTIGRUTEN (4.5 stars) hurtigruten.com

A pioneer of authentic expedition travel, particularly in Norway and polar regions. Comfortable, purpose-built ships combined with strong science and educational programs, focusing on nature, wildlife, and local communities. Best for travelers seeking substance, authenticity, and destination depth.

HX – Hurtigruten Expeditions (5 stars) hxtravel.com

Adventure-driven expedition cruising to some of the world’s most remote destinations. Small ships, expert expedition teams, and a strong sustainability ethos create deeply immersive experiences. Perfect for curious, active travelers who want hands-on exploration with expert guidance.

MSC (3 stars) msccruises.com

As the name states, MSC is a very Italian cruise line. Overall quality is good and so are the itineraries, but you may find that English is not the language of choice onboard.

NORWEGIAN (3-4 stars) ncl.com

Norwegian’s newer ships offer good all-around cruise experiences for budget-minded cruisers. They offer a wide variety of cruises from home ports all over the United States, including the only year-round cruises in Hawaii.

OCEANIA (5 stars) oceaniacruises.com

Oceania is a relatively new line, having only come into existence in 2002. Reviews so far have been outstanding, placing it in the 5+ star range for dining, amenities, and service.

PAUL GAUGUIN (6 stars) pgcruises.com

The Paul Gauguin is known for offering the most romantic cruises in the world. Sailing out of Papeete, Tahiti to French Polynesia and other exotic South Pacific Islands, Paul Gauguin cruises are a great value when one considers the extremely high quality and all-inclusive pricing they offer. KVI also offers exclusive pre- and post-cruise interline deals with Intercontinental resorts in French Polynesia – including overwater bungalows in Bora Bora!

PRINCESS (4 stars) princess.com

Princess offers a wide variety of cruise options in the good to excellent range. They often offer some of the more exotic itineraries in Asia & Australia. Princess is the home of the original ‘Love Boat’.

PONANT (5 stars) ponant.com

Elegant French luxury with a strong expedition edge. Intimate, technologically advanced ships, refined gastronomy, and excellent onboard enrichment. Appeals to travelers who want a sophisticated onboard experience while accessing remote or hard-to-reach destinations.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS (6 stars) rssc.com

Regent’s philosophy of ‘casually elegant’ cruising puts them in a class of their own. Less formal, but just as high quality as other six-star lines, Regent is also known for being the most inclusive of all cruise lines, especially with their free unlimited shore excursions. Regent Cruises are a great value when one considers the extremely high quality and all-inclusive pricing they offer.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN (4 stars) royalcaribbean.com

Royal Caribbean is the world’s premier large ship cruise line, catering to guests of all ages and featuring the largest and most advanced fleet of ships in the industry. Typically rated a step above competitors like Carnival and Norwegian for offering more space-per-person, higher quality amenities and dining, and fewer onboard charges.

SCENIC (6 stars) scenicglobal.com

True all-inclusive luxury cruising. Spacious suites, exceptional dining, premium beverages, and curated shore experiences included. A seamless, high-touch experience ideal for travelers who want indulgence, comfort, and ease without compromises.

SEABOURN (6 stars) seabourn.com

Seabourn is at or near the very top when it comes to the world’s best luxury cruise lines. Along with Silversea, they are more formal than Regent and offer all-inclusive rates (alcohol, gratuities, etc. included).

SILVERSEA (6 stars) silversea.com

Silversea usually wins the awards for ‘best of the best’ when it comes to cruising. They spare no expense when it comes to pampering their guests with everything their heart desires. Along with Seabourn, they are more formal than Regent and offer all-inclusive rates (alcohol, gratuities, etc. included).

TAUCK (5+ stars) tauck.com

Premium small-ship journeys with everything thoughtfully included. Known for impeccable service, cultural insight, and expertly curated excursions that go beyond the obvious. Well-suited for discerning travelers who value enrichment, storytelling, and flawless execution.

VIRGIN VOYAGES (4.5 stars) virginvoyages.com

Adults-only cruising with a bold, contemporary edge. Striking modern design, standout dining concepts, and a lively entertainment lineup create a fresh, social atmosphere at sea. Strong value with many inclusions, appealing to travelers who want a fun, stylish, and non-traditional cruise experience.

WINDSTAR (5 stars) windstar.com

Windstar offers a unique, high-quality experience aboard their beautiful sailing ships. They travel to many of the more exclusive, ‘out-of-the-way’ ports that the larger ships can’t get to.

 

River Cruise Lines Ratings 

VIKING / UNIWORLD / AMAWATERWAYS /AVALON (not rated) 

Visit: vikingrivers.com | uniworld.com | amawaterways.com | avalonwaterways.com 

River cruises offer outstanding values in Europe, Egypt, and Asia. These cruises allow excursion-rich itineraries to fascinating historical areas not accessible by cruise ships. Guided shore excursions are included in cruise fares. Reviews from passengers on these lines are always very positive and emphasize the incredible value of these tour-inclusive vacations.

Ready to Sail? 

Now that you know a little more about cruise ship ratings, it’s time to find the perfect one for you.

Contact your KVI Travel agent today and start planning your next voyage.