Cruise Lines Have Personalities, Too: Firsthand experiences with five very different ways to cruise
Finding the perfect cruise to match your personality can be a challenge. Big ship, small ship, destination, itinerary, inclusions, cabins … It’s hard to know which one to pick. I’ve asked some recent cruisers to weigh in with their personal experiences. Hopefully, this gives you a better feel for what it’s really like to cruise with each of these cruise lines.
KIm & Bob Cruise through Germany & Luxembourg
Cruise: Europe’s Rivers and Castles, July 2026
Cruise Line: AmaWaterways
What they loved: Kim & Bob loved that they were “treated like royalty”. They felt like their needs were anticipated and taken care of before they even had to ask. They thought the food was fantastic and loved having choices in how they spent their days. And each night, they looked forward to returning to their beautiful, comfortable room.
Highlight: Getting to mingle with the captain and making new friends onboard.
More details about AmaWaterways: AmaWaterways has been a family-owned and operated luxury river cruise company for over 20 years. They offer a variety of daily on shore experiences, so you can choose how you explore, whether this is through guided insight, independent discovery, or a mix of both. Most of the excursions are included in the price and have different activity levels to meet all needs. AmaWaterways leans a little more toward active travel, wellness and choice. Also included in the cruise fare are all meals on board, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, shore excursions led by expert local guides, Wi-Fi, and the services of a professional Cruise Manager throughout your journey.
Passenger stats: approximately 155 passengers, average age = 57 (the majority of guests are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s)
Learn more about AmaWaterways’ Best of Holland & Belgium that I am hosting at the end of August 2027. I am looking for fun people to join me!
Carolyn Cruises to Alaska
Cruise: 11 Day Fairbanks Denali Express - Northbound Cruisetour, July 2026
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
What she loved: Being a solo traveler, Carolyn loved that Norwegian caters to solo travelers. She enjoyed the daily solo meet-ups for drinks before dinner where she could connect with a dinner mate or 2 or 3 for the evening. She appreciated that Norwegian has increased the number of solo cabins so that people traveling alone don’t have to pay double occupancy rates.
Highlight: Carolyn loved her excursion to the Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau. She got to fly in by helicopter to go dogsledding and interact with the dogs on the Glacier.
More details about Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL offers guests the opportunity to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Guests on Norwegian frequently praise the high-caliber production shows (like Broadway-style musicals) and live music venues.
Passenger stats: approximately 2,300-4,200 passengers, average age = 52 (though many families enjoy NCL in the summer months which brings down the average age in June, July & August)
Colleen & Friends Celebrate the New Year in the Caribbean
Cruise: 7-Night St. Thomas + St. Kitts Holiday Cruise, December 2025/January 2026
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
What they loved: Compared to other cruises they had experienced, Celebrity felt more upscale and luxurious. They loved the flexibility with dining in the variety of restaurants, all with different menus and vibes. Along the same lines, there were many different bars - outdoor bars near the pool or on the rooftop to catch sunsets, as well as a midship Martini Bar that became their nightly gathering spot. The Martini Bar was the setting of live music, dancing, a silent disco and other events. While Celebrity is not strictly an adults only cruise, it more adult-focused.
Highlight: Colleen treated herself to a weeklong pass to the Thermal Suite Spa and used it every day. With traditional and infrared saunas, steam room, Turkish bath, salt room, rainfall water therapy and other relaxation spaces - it felt like such a luxury without a huge added expense (especially since she pre-purchased the pass during a promotion). The group of 6 rented a poolside cabana on one of the sea days, which was great for having their own dedicated space for the day (with food and drink service).
More details about Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises are known for having a polished, modern and resort-like atmosphere. Celebrity puts a lot of emphasis on culinary experiences, with menus inspired by the destinations. On the Edge Series, for example, there are four complimentary main restaurants with different regional influences, plus specialty restaurants. Celebrity gives you a substantial ship experience and the destinations. There's a pool, spa, entertainment, restaurants, bars, casino, fitness facilities and plenty of places to hang out between ports.
Passenger stats: approximately 2,100-3,200 passengers, average age = 52 (although the shorter length cruises attract younger adults in their 30s and 40s)
OB & Mel’s Anniversary Cruise in the Caribbean
Cruise: Eastern Caribbean Cruise, June 2025
Cruise Line: Virgin Voyages
What they loved: OB & Mel loved the VIP “Rockstar” treatment they received. Their personal concierge checked in with them daily to see if they needed anything and kept the bar stocked. They enjoyed sampling the multiple restaurants onboard (no buffets here!) and playing Blackjack in the casino. Participating in the theme nights were a fun bonus for them as well.
Highlight: The overall festive atmosphere of this adults-only cruise line was the perfect way for them to celebrate their anniversary and the sale of their longtime business. Newbies to the cruise scene, OB & Mel liked cruising way more than they thought they would especially with Virgin Voyages.
More details about Virgin Voyages: Virgin Voyages sets itself apart from the other cruise lines by being intentionally unconventional. Virgin does this by creating a vibrant, energetic and youthful atmosphere for the 18+ crowd. It features a robust nightlife scene and themed dress-up nights (think Pajama Party). The staff and cabin stewards are rated exceptionally high for attentiveness and positive energy.
Passenger stats: approximately 2,770 guests per sailing, average age = 43 with a pretty even distribution from 20-60.
Tom & Sue & Ron & Linda On France’s Finest
Cruise: France’s Finest River Cruise, September 2026
Cruise Line: Viking River Cruises
What They Loved: These two couples met 13 years ago on a tour in China, and have been able to travel together 5 times over the years, including 3 Viking River Cruises. They obviously enjoy cruising with Viking very much and between the 2 couples have been on around 14 Viking cruises, combined. What keeps them coming back to Viking is that there is no gambling, no kids, no nickel and diming, and consistent high quality service. They love the fine setting with the casual dress code. They also rave about the dining experience - delicious food and no assigned seating.
Highlights: Besides getting to spend time with each other, the two couples loved the view of the lightshow at the Eiffel tower they could watch from the balcony of their cabin. They really enjoyed their included excursions with a favorite being their time on the Normandy beaches. They opted for a post-cruise extension to the French Riviera and had a great time checking out the casinos in Monte Carlo.
More details about Viking River Cruises: Viking has a very deliberate adult, destination-focused identity. It carries no children under 18, has no casinos or formal nights, and emphasizes cultural enrichment, lectures and destination-focused programming. One of Viking's strongest selling points is its straightforward inclusions: one included shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, all meals, and beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Viking also has that recognizable Scandinavian aesthetic. Its Longships are sleek, modern and designed around the river views, with lots of open space and a more contemporary feel. Viking cruisers are loyal to the brand and tend to book well in advance.
Passenger stats: approximately 190 guests per sailing, average age = 60 with the majority of passengers falling into 55-75 year old range.
The bottom line?
There’s no one-size-fits-all cruise, and that’s actually the fun part. AmaWaterways, Norwegian, Virgin Voyages, Celebrity and Viking all offer very different experiences, even when they’re sailing to some of the same destinations. You can also checkout my Alaska cruise with Princess in a past blog post for another personal perspective of a different cruise line.
That’s where I come in. When I’m helping clients choose a cruise, I’m not just looking at the itinerary. I want to know how you like to travel. Do you want a quiet, destination-focused experience? Are you looking for adventure and activity? Maybe great food and a beautiful ship are at the top of your list. Or perhaps you want lively entertainment and a little more nightlife.
The right cruise is the one that fits you. Hopefully, these firsthand experiences give you a better sense of what each of these cruise lines is really like and help you start thinking about which cruising style might be your style.
And if you’re not sure? That’s what travel advisors are for. 😉
