The best cruise line for first timers
The short answer
The best cruise line for first timers depends on who's going. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and MSC suit lively groups and families; Disney suits young children; Princess, Celebrity and Holland America suit people wanting a calmer ship; Virgin Voyages and Viking are adults only. Match the line to the group first.By Kathryn Lyn2 min readReviewed September 2026
The short list, by type of trip
| Trip | Lines to look at first | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Family with kids and teens | Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, Disney | Families |
| Young children, character magic | Disney | Disney for first-timers |
| Couples wanting a calmer ship | Celebrity, Princess, Holland America | Couples |
| Adults only | Virgin Voyages, Viking | Virgin, Viking |
| Tightest budget | Carnival, MSC, short Bahamas sailings | Short cruises |
| Freedom to eat when you like | Norwegian | Norwegian |
What each line charges for the things first-timers forget
Gratuities are the extra most often left out of a first budget. Here's each line's own figure:
Daily gratuities
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Added automatically to your Sail & Sign account each day | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | $18.50 per guest per day, or $21.00 in a suite | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | No required or recommended tipping for general service | September 21, 2026 |
| MSC Cruises | A daily Hotel Service Charge per person, set by the region you are sailing | September 21, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | Crew Appreciation, charged daily by stateroom category | September 21, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | $19.50 per guest per day inside, ocean view and veranda | September 21, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | $16.00 per night per guest is the recommended amount, including infants and children | September 21, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | US $18.00 per guest per day, or US $20.00 in a suite | September 21, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | $22 per Sailor per day, or $20 if you prepay before you sail | September 21, 2026 |
| Viking | $20 USD per person per night, added automatically if not prepaid | September 21, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | US$18 per person per day in Britannia and Britannia Club, US$19 in the Grills | September 21, 2026 |
| Oceania Cruises | Included in the fare for all guests | September 21, 2026 |
And the drinks rules, which vary even more:
Drink packages
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Packages sold, and drinks can also be bought one at a time | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | Deluxe Beverage, Refreshment and Classic Soda packages | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Free at Sea Unlimited Open Bar, for guests 21 and older | September 21, 2026 |
| MSC Cruises | Pre-paid packages fleetwide, and everyone at the table must hold the same one | September 21, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | Premier, Plus, Zero-Alcohol and Classic Soda packages | September 24, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | Classic and Premium Drink Packages — everyone of drinking age in the cabin must buy the same one | September 21, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | Soft drinks, coffee and tea at meals are free; alcohol is charged per drink | September 24, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | Quench, Signature and Elite packages — all have a daily drink limit | September 21, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | No drink package — a pre-paid Bar Tab instead | September 21, 2026 |
| Viking | Silver Spirits Beverage Package — $27 per guest, per day | September 21, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | Beers, Wines & Spirits Option, and a Premium Nonalcoholic Option | September 21, 2026 |
| Oceania Cruises | Prestige Select Beverage Package, $79.95 per person per day | September 24, 2026 |
The lines, one at a time
Each line has a first-timer page with what's different about it, what to pack and its rules from its own site:
- Carnival: fun, casual and good value.
- Royal Caribbean: water slides, surf simulators and ice shows on many ships.
- Norwegian: flexible dining and no fixed schedule.
- MSC: European style.
- Princess: calmer, strong in Alaska.
- Celebrity: modern, polished, adult-leaning.
- Disney: built around families.
- Holland America: quieter, traditional, longer routes.
- Virgin Voyages: adults only, gratuities included.
- Viking: adults only, very inclusive, destination-focused.
Most first-timers pick the line their friends went on. That's a fine start, as long as your group wants the same kind of week theirs did.
First-timer questions
Questions, answered.
The questions people ask most. Tap one to open it, or open them all and read straight down.
3 questions on this page
What cruise line is best for first time cruisers?
For most families and groups, Royal Caribbean or Carnival; for young children, Disney; for couples wanting a calmer week, Celebrity or Princess; for adults only, Virgin Voyages or Viking. The best line is the one whose atmosphere matches your group.
Which cruise line has the best drink package?
It depends what you drink and how much. Packages differ in price, which drinks they cover and whether everyone in the cabin must buy one. Compare the table above against your real daily drinking before paying.
Which cruise line is best for a first cruise with kids?
Disney for young children who love the characters; Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and MSC for families wanting water parks and teen clubs at a lower price.