Choosing a Cruise: Is Ship Amenities or Itinerary More Important?

Choosing a cruise itinerary or ship can feel overwhelming, especially when you start to look into the choices of cruise lines, cruise ships and the itineraries. It can be allot to digest. So what is the best way to plan your trip?

Do you focus on the ship or the itinerary? Well there is no 1 right answer. Really it all comes down to the person booking the vacation. What their travel “identity” is and what they are really looking for and forward to. This is where a travel advisor comes in, they can help you navigate this dilemma and educate you on state rooms, ports, stateroom category’s, cruise lines etc. They can also help you nail down your travel profile which will make choosing the proper vacation easier on you.

Each cruise line out here today has mega ships. They are floating cities that have more entertainment, dining and activities than some major US cities. You can learn to surf on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line using their FlowRider surf simulator, Norwegian Cruise Line offers 2 story and 3 story Go-Kart tracks on some of their ships. These are just 2 example.

When it comes to things like Waterparks, Spa Treatments, nightlife, babysitting and even luxury experiences like Yatch Club offered by MSC Cruise Line. A exclusive key-card only accessible sanctuary located on some of their newer ships. It will weigh in on the decision factor.

These things all need to be considered when doing your research or at least taken into consideration when building your travel profile. For example you would not want to book a Disney Cruise Line if you did not want to be around children. You would want something like a Virgin Voyages.

The size and type of a cruise ship can really change what your trip feels like, both on board and in port. Mega-ships are like floating resorts, with tons of restaurants, shows, water slides, and activities that are great for families and people who want lots to do. Smaller ships feel more relaxed and personal, with fewer crowds, more attention from staff, and the ability to visit smaller, less touristy ports that big ships can’t reach. Big ships can be exciting but also busy and a bit overwhelming, while smaller ships work better for travelers who want peace and more time to really explore each place. Many cruise lines are now building even bigger, high-tech ships with new features and ship classes, so travelers have more choices than ever, from huge “city at sea” vessels to cozy, small ships. Check out this article from CNN about this topic.

On some cruises, the fun on the ship matters just as much as — or even more than — the places you visit. Many travelers choose ships with tons of entertainment, like big theaters, water parks, game shows, live music, and late-night activities, so they can easily stay busy from morning to night without ever leaving the ship. Others look for peaceful spaces like adults-only lounges, quiet pools, spas, and cozy bars where they can relax, read, and enjoy the ship’s vibe. Huge modern ships from lines like Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line are designed to be full-day destinations all by themselves, with enough shows, attractions, and hangout spots that you could happily spend an entire sea day just exploring what’s on board.

If you care most about discovering new places, look for itineraries with a mix of unique ports, local food, and guided tours that dive into history, art, and everyday life. Cultural-focused cruises might include visits to Indigenous communities in Alaska, ancient sites in Europe, or traditional villages in the Caribbean and South Pacific, where shore excursions can bring you face to face with storytellers, dancers, and local crafts.

The best time to cruise depends heavily on the region, so matching season to destination is key for value. Caribbean cruises shine in winter when you escape the cold, Alaska is prime in summer for wildlife and glacier viewing, and Europe is often better in late spring or early fall when crowds thin and temperatures are milder. Longer itineraries usually offer more varied ports and deeper cultural experiences, while shorter trips lean more on the ship itself for the vacation feel.

The phrase “onboard activities vs shore excursions” really comes down to whether you want your main adventures on land or at sea. Travelers who love exploration, photography, and culture usually prioritize shore excursions for things like city tours, food walks, or wildlife encounters, while those who prefer relaxation, spas, shows, and pool time may happily skip some ports and enjoy a quieter ship. Many people blend both: booking a few standout excursions in bucket-list ports and then using other days to take advantage of the ship’s pools, shows, and specialty dining with fewer crowds onboard.

Matching cruise options to your personality starts with knowing whether you get more excited about exploring new places or unwinding in comfort. Think about whether you are an adventure-seeker who wants active shore days, a foodie chasing great dining, a family-focused cruiser looking for kid-friendly fun, or a luxury lover who values quiet spaces and elevated service. Reflecting on what makes a vacation feel “worth it” to you—thrills, culture, family time, or pampering—will quickly narrow down the kind of ship and itinerary that fit best.

From there, the goal is to find a trip where both the ship and the itinerary support your style instead of competing with it. Many cruises now offer strong combinations, like feature-packed ships sailing to private islands and marquee ports, or more refined vessels visiting culture-rich cities. The best pick usually blends the right ship type with a route you care about, so that whether you end up spending more time soaking up onboard amenities or diving into shore adventures, the whole experience still feels aligned with who you are as a traveler.

One thing that I see people do is they run out and book the biggest ship they can and never look at the itinerary. When they get back from their vacation they are a little upset at the amount of money spent on the trip for the locations they visited. Sometimes bigger is not always better. Or the opposite happens. They go out and book a ship with some fantastic stops but then they feel the ship was too small or outdated or even worse BORING! These can make or break your experience.

Overlooking seasonal timing and cabin location is one of the easiest ways to end up with cruise regrets. Booking Alaska in shoulder months might mean more rain and chilly days than you expected, while a midsummer Mediterranean or Caribbean sailing can bring intense heat, bigger crowds, and higher prices. Weather and season affect everything from sea conditions to daylight hours and how much you actually enjoy being outside, so it pays to think about what temperatures, crowd levels, and daylight you are comfortable with before locking in dates.

Cabin choice can quietly make or break your trip, too. Rooms under the pool deck, near elevators, or close to busy venues can come with late-night noise, while forward or aft cabins on higher decks may feel more motion than a midship stateroom on a lower deck. If you care about views and private outdoor space, skipping a balcony to save money can lead to “wish we’d upgraded” feelings once you are watching sunsets from a crowded public deck. Taking a few minutes to match your cabin’s location, noise level, and view to your personal priorities helps you avoid these common “if only we’d known” moments.

Working with a Cruise Brothers travel advisor gives you access to exclusive cruise deals, added-value bonuses, and promotions that are not typically available when you book on your own. Thanks to long-standing partnerships and high booking volume, clients can often enjoy perks like better pricing, onboard credit, cabin upgrades, or extra inclusions that stretch the value of their vacation.

Behind the scenes, the process starts with getting to know your travel style—whether you love non-stop onboard action, culture-rich ports, quiet relaxation, or a bit of everything. By asking about your budget, past trips, cabin preferences, and “must-haves,” your advisor can match you with the right cruise line, ship, and itinerary combo instead of a one-size-fits-all option. From there, you get one-on-one support choosing the best cabin location, sorting out flights, and deciding which excursions and add-ons are truly worth it, so you save time, reduce stress, and often avoid costly trial-and-error mistakes. Want to look at some examples as what is out there today you can browse cruises on my booking site.