Types of Cruises by Ship and Style
The first choice to make: what kind of vessel suits your trip.
Get Free Cruise QuotesBefore themes and groups comes the most basic choice: what kind of ship. These are the types of cruises by vessel and style, and what each feels like on board.
Types of Cruises by Ship
| Type | What it is like | Good for | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainstream ocean | Large ships with many restaurants, pools, shows and kids’ clubs; ports in a new place most days | First cruises, families, groups, short breaks | First Time Cruise |
| Premium and luxury ocean | Mid-size to small ships, more space and service per guest; luxury lines include most extras | Couples, food lovers, longer voyages | Cruising First Class |
| River | Riverboats of a few hundred guests or fewer, docking in town centers with tours included | Culture, history, wine regions | Official River Cruise Directory |
| Expedition | Ice-class or rugged small ships with inflatable boats and naturalist guides | Polar regions, wildlife, remote islands | Explorer Cruising |
| Small-ship coastal | Small ships that hug a coastline and visit small harbors larger ships cannot | Scenery, quiet, US coastal routes | Cruising the USA |
| Barge | Converted canal barges for a few guests, moving at walking pace through the countryside | Food, wine, slow travel | Barge Cruises in France |
| Sailing ship and yacht | Tall ships, crewed yachts and gulets, often chartered by one group | Private groups, island hopping | Group Sailings |
| World cruise | A voyage of weeks or months, sold whole or in segments | Retirees, bucket lists | World Cruise News |
Other Ways to Sort the Types of Cruises
By length
Short getaways of two to five nights, standard week-long cruises, longer voyages of ten nights or more, and world cruises. Length usually decides how far the ship goes.
By route
Round trips that return to the same port, one-way voyages, and repositioning cruises that move a ship between seasons. Our sister site Cruise Sailings explains how to search them.
By how much is included
Pay-as-you-go fares versus all-inclusive fares; see Cruising at Cost for the trade-off.
Many trips mix types. A river cruise can follow a few days on an ocean ship in the same region; an expedition voyage often starts with a night in a gateway city; a world cruise is sold in segments that are, in effect, long ocean cruises. When comparing the types of cruises, compare the whole trip, not only the days on board.
Once you know the kind of ship, the themed cruises list and the A–Z index help you narrow it further.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of cruises?
By vessel, the main types are mainstream ocean cruises, premium and luxury ocean cruises, river cruises, expedition cruises, small-ship coastal cruises, barge cruises and sailing-ship cruises. World cruises are a type defined by length rather than by ship.
Which type of cruise is best for a first-timer?
Most first-timers start with a short mainstream ocean cruise of three to seven nights, because it is easy to book, has the widest choice of departure ports and lets you find out what you like.
Is a river cruise a cruise?
Yes, but a very different one. Riverboats are small, sail on calm water, dock in town centers and usually include a tour in most ports.
Choose the Right Type of Cruise
Not sure whether a river, ocean or expedition cruise suits you? Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will explain the options for your dates and budget.
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