Cruise Time Booker — Top Cruise Lines
Mini fact sheets with ship counts & newbuild orders.
Updated: November, 2025
A fast, easy guide to the cruise lines we book every day — compare ships, vibes, and who each brand is perfect for.
Contemporary European • Great for All Ages
MSC Cruises — Geneva, Switzerland Ship count: ~23 active • Orders through 2030 Overview: #3 global brand; part of the MSC Group. Contemporary European design with elegant touches. Private island: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas) incl. late-night/overnight calls. Fleet & Destinations: Meraviglia, Seaside/Seascape, World Class; modern hardware across ~23 ships. 300+ destinations worldwide: Med, N. Europe, Caribbean, S. America, S. Africa, Asia, Middle East, Alaska (seasonal). Onboard Experience: Glam accents (crystal stairs, LED domes), family collabs (LEGO), lively promenades. Pricing & Tiers: Bella • Fantastica • Aurea tiers; MSC Yacht Club luxury enclave with butlers & private venues. Newbuilds / Orders: World Class deliveries projected: 2026, 2027, 2029, 2030 → target ~24–27 ships by 2030.
Great for Families & Friends
Carnival Cruise Line — Doral, Florida Ship count: 29 active • 5 on order (2027–2033) Overview: “Fun Ship” pioneers; casual, high-energy value cruising. Private destination: Celebration Key (Grand Bahama; opened 2025). Fleet & Destinations: Excel, Vista, Dream & more → Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska & beyond. Onboard Experience: Waterparks, comedy clubs, Guy’s Burger Joint, BOLT roller coaster (Excel-class). Pricing & Strategy: Promo-friendly pricing with optional upsells (Wi-Fi, drinks, specialty dining). Newbuilds / Orders: Five-ship order window 2027–2033; new class under Carnival brand.
Mega Ships • Action & Thrills
Royal Caribbean International — Miami, Florida Ship count: 29 active • 3 on order + 2 planned Overview: Mega-ship innovators (Oasis & Icon). Private island: Perfect Day at CocoCay + adults-only Hideaway Beach. Fleet & Destinations: 29 ships; Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Asia, South Pacific. Onboard Experience: Neighborhoods, FlowRider, zip lines, AquaDome, ice shows. Suites & Tiers: Royal Suite Class: Sea • Sky • Star (Royal Genie in Star). Newbuilds / Orders: Further Icon-class units on order; filings indicate 3 firm + 2 planned.
Freestyle Cruising • Flexible Dining
Norwegian Cruise Line — Miami, Florida Ship count: ~20 active • 4 mega-ships (2030–2036) + Prima builds Overview: “Freestyle Cruising” — flexible dining & dress; relaxed vibe. Private: Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas; new pier project) & Harvest Caye (Belize). Fleet & Destinations: ~20 ships incl. Prima; ~350 ports (Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, more). Onboard Experience: Entertainment-forward; specialty dining variety; casual dress code. Newbuilds / Orders: Four ~226K-GT mega-ships with Fincantieri: 2030, 2032, 2034, 2036. Ongoing Prima/Prima-Plus pipeline in mid-term.
Great for Families & Disney Fans
Disney Cruise Line — Celebration, Florida Ship count: 6 active • Multiple ships through 2031 Overview: Family-first IP, rotational dining; Castaway Cay & Lighthouse Point. Fleet & Destinations: Caribbean/Bahamas, Europe, Mexico; Asia expansion.
Laid-Back Weekend Getaways
Margaritaville at Sea — Palm Beach, Florida Ship count: 2 active • Fleet growing with new class coming soon Overview: Jimmy Buffett-inspired cruise line blending island escapism, music, and casual luxury.
Laid-back Caribbean spirit meets short-cruise fun — perfect for weekend getaways and first-time cruisers. Fleet & Destinations: 2 ships: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise (refurbished Grand Classica) and Margaritaville at Sea Islander (2024 debut).
Sailing from Palm Beach and Tampa to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Onboard Experience: Tropical ambiance, live music, themed bars, and “License to Chill” lounges. Signature dining like JWB Prime Steakhouse and the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. Comfy staterooms with breezy décor, and a relaxed, no-worries atmosphere throughout. Newbuilds / Orders: Margaritaville at Sea Islander (launched 2024) — larger ship, more dining, family cabins, and new entertainment venues. Additional expansion plans are hinted at for 2026–2027.
Premium Relaxation & Romance
Princess Cruises — Santa Clarita, California Ship count: 16 active • Expanding fleet into 2030. Overview: Premium experience with “MedallionClass” smart technology, emphasizing personalized service, relaxation, and destination immersion.
Private destinations include Princess Cays (Bahamas) and exclusive Alaska lodges for cruisetours. Fleet & Destinations: 16 ships; Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia/New Zealand, World Cruises. Onboard Experience: “Come Back New” vibe — elevated dining (Crown Grill, Sabatini’s), Broadway-caliber entertainment, and Sanctuary retreats for adults.
Medallion device delivers seamless check-in, keyless cabin access, and location-based service onboard. Newbuilds / Orders: Sun Princess (2024, Sphere Class — LNG-powered flagship) Star Princess (2025, Sphere Class) Additional Sphere-class ships expected through 2028
Upscale Resort-at-Sea
Celebrity Cruises — Miami, Florida Ship count: 14 active (15 with Xcel in Nov 2025) • New classes announced Overview: Premium “resort-at-sea”; design-forward; culinary excellence; suite enclave The Retreat. Fleet & Destinations: Edge (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent) + Solstice/Millennium; Galápagos ships. Onboard Experience: Magic Carpet, spa leadership, art & architecture focus. Newbuilds / Orders: Celebrity Xcel (Nov 2025), Xcite (2028), new “Project Nirvana” class (~2030). River program from 2027.
Adults Only 18+
Virgin Voyages — Plantation, Florida Ship count: 4 active • Young fleet Overview: Adults-only 18+; Bimini Beach Club; no formal nights. Fleet & Destinations: Caribbean & Mediterranean focus.
Classic, Relaxed Atmosphere
Holland America Line — Seattle, Washington Ship count: 11 active • Upgrades focus Overview: Heritage brand with classic service; Alaska experts; Half Moon Cay day (RelaxAway™). Fleet & Destinations: Pinnacle, Signature, Vista, Rotterdam classes; global itineraries. Onboard Experience: Enrichment & music venues; refined dining; calmer pace. Newbuilds / Orders: No major newbuilds publicly confirmed as of this update; ongoing refurb program.
Formal Nights & Ocean Liner Tradition
Cunard Line — Southampton, UK Ship count: 4 active • Newest: Queen Anne Overview: Ocean-liner tradition; QM2 transatlantic; gala evenings. Fleet & Destinations: World voyages, Europe, crossings.
Ultra-Luxury • Small-Ship Feel
Explora Journeys — Geneva, Switzerland (MSC Group) Ship count: 2 active • Expanding to 6 ships Overview: Ultra-luxury, all-suite, ocean-front residences; slow-luxury pacing. Fleet & Destinations: EXPLORA I (2023), EXPLORA II (2024); immersive itineraries.
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