On June 29, 1900, the first cruise ship set sailed from Hamburg, Germany—more than 120 years later, cruising has become one of the most popular vacation options in the world.

According to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association, over thirty-one million people embarked on a cruise in 2023, with 82 percent of cruise goers surveyed in 2024 saying they would do it again. So what has people boarding these ships in droves? This guide has the answers, offering a look at the best aspects of a cruise vacation along with tips for booking your first trip and insight into what you can expect while aboard.

Booking basics

Start your journey by figuring out when you’d like to travel, how much you want to spend, and who you’ll be going with. Such details can help you or your travel agent narrow your search to a specific cruise line and ship that meet your expectations.

Most of the top companies offer trips throughout the year, but certain dates may affect your overall experience or even what part of the world you can travel to. For example, waters can be rough during hurricane season, which runs from June through November in the Atlantic and May through November in the Pacific. This kind of inclement weather could prevent the ship from being able to port, potentially crossing some destinations off the itinerary.

The time of year you travel will also impact pricing, but, generally speaking, the bigger the ship and longer the cruise, the more amenities and activities it will have and the more expensive it will be. All major cruise lines have fleets with varying routes, capacities, and attractions, giving you a variety of options to choose from based on your budget and interests. Consider the popular Royal Caribbean line: while it is well-known for its short and typically less expensive trips to the southern Atlantic, it also offers excursions to sixty-plus countries and over 270 different destinations. Further, it has both lower-capacity ships that can accommodate just a few thousand passengers and high-capacity ones, like Allure of the Seas, that can carry nearly 7,000 people.

Prices tend to increase the closer to the trip date you book, so planning ahead is key. Be on the lookout for eligible discounts, such as ones for larger groups or families with young children, and explore all the different ship options and packages available for a cruise line. You can conduct this research and reserve your trip directly through its website, but experts recommend working with a travel agent; such professionals often have partnerships with cruise lines and may be able to help you secure discounted rates and special perks.

Amenities and activities

You may have heard people describe cruise ships as “floating all-inclusive resorts,” and that’s a pretty accurate depiction. Everything you could want—from ocean views to world-class entertainment to five-star dining—is at your fingertips when you board one. Here are some of the top factors to consider when perusing cruises to help you find the option that checks all your boxes.

Rooms
Because accommodations can vary widely on ships, it’s important to look closely at both the descriptions and detailed plans of a cruise’s rooms (also called staterooms or cabins). Depending on the cruise line, you’ll find everything from single staterooms for solo travelers to luxury suites that can accommodate multiple guests and may provide access to exclusive clubs, restaurants, and more. If you’re looking for something more budget friendly, interior rooms are typically less expensive than those with balconies or ocean views; however, they may come with unwanted noises and are often less comfortable, especially if you experience seasickness.

Food and drink packages
No vacation is complete without great food, and cruises can certainly deliver in this category. According to a U.S. News & World Report ranking, Oceania Cruises is among the best for dining experiences; the company even markets itself as having “the finest cuisine at sea.” And don’t worry about getting tired of the food onboard—most ships have multiple restaurants with different cuisine types, so you can try something new every day.

Also, be sure to thoroughly read through all that comes with in your food-and-drink package. Some ships’ offerings, for example, will include only soft drinks, while others will include certain types of alcoholic beverages like beer and wine but exclude spirits. You don’t want to pay for more than you need or be stuck paying extra when you could have booked ahead of time and saved money.

Entertainment
Depending on the size of the ship and length of the cruise, you could try a new attraction or show every day and not run out of experiences. Disney Cruises are some of the most popular with families because of their kid-friendly shows, character experiences, youth clubs, and play areas, but they offer plenty of adults-only shows and activities as well. Adults traveling without children might enjoy a Virgin Voyages or Viking Cruises excursion; these companies prohibit people under eighteen, and both are well-known for their luxurious feel, shore excursions, and dining options.

Ports of entry and island hopping are other important factors to consider, but experts recommend that you don’t book a cruise specifically for one shore excursion just in case it gets canceled due to inclement weather. The major cruise lines offer trips virtually anywhere in the world you’d like to see, including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the rivers of Europe, Australia, the Arctic, and more. With most cruises, you can expect not only some sea days (time spent entirely at sea without docking) but also plenty of time to explore ashore, giving you the opportunity to see multiple cities or islands in one trip. Some cruise lines even have exclusive rights to islands, so you and fellow passengers might have the entire place to yourselves. (Just bear in mind that these and other off-boat jaunts may come with added fees.)

With so many different options and locations to choose from, there’s a cruise out there for every type of vacationer. If you’re considering one for your next trip, talk to a travel agent, who can help you determine if it suits your budget and assist you in narrowing down the details to ensure that you have the voyage of your life.