How to Choose Your Cruise Line for Regent vs Carnival

I’ve done cruises at both ends of the spectrum. A week on Royal Caribbean with the family. Four nights on a small luxury river cruise in France. Totally different experiences that appeal to completely different types of travelers.

The Big Ships – Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian

Think floating resorts. Waterslides, rock climbing walls, Broadway shows, buffets open around the clock. Great for families and first-time cruisers who want activities and entertainment. Price per day is actually solid value when you factor in food and entertainment that’s included.

But the crowds. Thousands of people everywhere. Port stops feel rushed with limited time. Specialty restaurants cost extra on top of your fare. It’s fun but undeniably chaotic.

Mid-Range – Celebrity, Holland America

Nicer ships overall, better food quality, slightly older crowd on average. No waterslides but better wine lists and more sophisticated entertainment. More emphasis on destinations versus onboard activities. Good balance if you want comfort without the mega-resort atmosphere.

Princess fits in this category too. Their Alaska itineraries especially are worth considering.

Luxury – Regent, Silversea, Seabourn

All-inclusive means actually all-inclusive here. Wine with dinner, shore excursions, gratuities, sometimes even airfare wrapped in. Small ships with 300-600 passengers. Personal service, gourmet everything, space to breathe.

But yeah, it costs what it costs. Figure $500-1000+ per person per day. Reserved for special occasions or people who’ve done enough big ships to know exactly what they want from a cruise.

What Actually Matters Most

Itinerary over ship. The destinations you visit matter more than which pool deck you’re lounging on. An average ship to amazing ports beats a fancy ship to boring ones every time.

Also consider your travel style honestly. Want constant activities and action? Big ships deliver. Want quiet relaxation and culinary focus? Smaller luxury lines. Neither is wrong – just different approaches to the same vacation format.