4 Types of Cruises: Which One Is Right for You?

Leonor Resende • 11 August 2026

Forget everything you think you know about cruises.


Today's cruise industry is far more diverse than giant ships sailing from one sunny beach to another. In fact, there are cruises designed for almost every type of traveller. You can sip wine as you drift along Europe's most beautiful rivers, explore Antarctica alongside wildlife experts, indulge in five-star luxury at sea, or enjoy a fun-filled family holiday packed with entertainment.


With so many options available, choosing the right cruise can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time cruisers. The good news? Once you understand the different types of cruises and what each offers, finding the perfect fit becomes much easier.


In this blog post, we'll explore five of the most popular types of cruises, highlight some of the leading cruise brands in each category, and help you discover which style of cruising might be your next great adventure.


1. Ocean Cruises: The Classic Cruise Holiday


Ocean cruises are the most popular type of cruise, combining travel, accommodation, dining, and entertainment into one seamless holiday. They allow travellers to visit multiple destinations without the hassle of changing hotels or constantly packing and unpacking.

Modern ocean cruise ships are like floating resorts, offering everything from pools and theatres to spas, restaurants, and live entertainment. Whether you're travelling as a couple, family, or group of friends, there's something for everyone onboard.

Their convenience, variety, and value for money make ocean cruises an excellent choice for first-time cruisers and experienced travellers alike.


Best For: First-time cruisers, Couples, Families, Groups of friends, Travellers who enjoy a mix of relaxation and entertainment


Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is one of the world's largest and most innovative cruise lines. Their ships are famous for pushing the boundaries of what can be offered at sea, with attractions such as surf simulators, climbing walls, zip lines, ice-skating rinks, and some of the largest water parks ever built on a cruise ship.

The brand appeals to travellers who want a holiday packed with activities and entertainment, making it particularly popular with families and younger travellers.


MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises brings a distinctly European style to the cruise experience. The company combines elegant ship design with international dining, entertainment, and itineraries throughout Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond.

MSC is often considered one of the best-value cruise lines, offering modern ships and attractive pricing while still delivering a premium experience.


Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises bridges the gap between premium and luxury cruising, offering modern ships, upscale dining, and a sophisticated onboard atmosphere. The brand is particularly popular with couples and adults seeking a more refined experience without the formality of traditional luxury cruise lines.


2. River Cruises: The Journey Is the Destination


River cruises offer a slower, more intimate way to travel, taking guests through the heart of cities, towns, and scenic countryside. Unlike ocean cruises, the focus is less on onboard attractions and more on the destinations, culture, and experiences along the way.

With smaller ships and fewer passengers, river cruises provide a relaxed atmosphere and personalised service. Travellers can dock in the centre of historic cities, explore local attractions on foot, and enjoy a more immersive travel experience.

They are particularly popular with couples, culture lovers, and travellers looking to combine comfort with discovery. From the Rhine and Danube to the Seine and Douro, river cruises offer a unique way to experience some of the world's most beautiful waterways.


Best For: History lovers, Food and wine enthusiasts, Mature travellers, Couples


AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways offers a more luxurious and active river cruising experience. The line is highly regarded for its exceptional service, award-winning dining, and a wide range of included excursions. Guests can choose from walking tours, bike rides, wine tastings, and cultural experiences, making it an excellent choice for travellers who want to be actively engaged with the destinations they visit rather than simply sightseeing from the ship.


Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways stands out for its modern approach to river cruising. The brand is best known for its spacious Panorama Suites, which feature floor-to-ceiling windows that transform the cabin into an open-air balcony. Avalon also offers more flexibility than many traditional river cruise lines, allowing guests to choose from a variety of excursion styles, from classic sightseeing tours to active adventures and locally focused experiences. This makes it ideal for travellers who want a personalised and relaxed cruising experience.


Riviera Travel

Riviera Travel is one of Europe's leading river cruise operators, known for offering excellent value and carefully curated itineraries. The brand combines comfortable ships with expertly guided excursions, making it an ideal choice for travellers looking to explore Europe's waterways without compromising on quality.


3. Luxury Cruises: Five-Star Travel at Sea


Luxury cruises offer a more exclusive and refined cruising experience, focusing on exceptional service, spacious accommodations, fine dining, and premium amenities. Unlike larger mainstream cruise ships, luxury vessels typically carry fewer passengers, creating a more intimate and personalised atmosphere.
Many luxury cruise fares include extras such as drinks, gratuities, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and even shore excursions, allowing guests to enjoy a truly seamless holiday. The emphasis is on quality rather than quantity, with every detail carefully designed to deliver a high-end travel experience.

Luxury cruises are ideal for travellers seeking comfort, outstanding service, and unique destinations, whether that's sailing through the Mediterranean, exploring Alaska, or visiting remote corners of the world.


Best for: Luxury travellers, Honeymooners, Special occasions


Silversea Cruises

Silversea specialises in ultra-luxury travel, offering elegant ships, personalised butler service, and carefully curated itineraries. With a strong focus on destination immersion, Silversea visits both iconic ports and lesser-known destinations, appealing to travellers who value exclusivity and authentic experiences.


Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas is often regarded as one of the most all-inclusive luxury cruise lines in the world. The brand is known for its spacious suites, gourmet dining options, and exceptional service. Many fares include flights, shore excursions, specialty restaurants, and premium beverages, allowing guests to enjoy a truly worry-free luxury holiday.


Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys deserves a place in the luxury category as well. The brand combines luxury cruising with a more relaxed, yacht-inspired atmosphere, featuring spacious ocean-front suites, exceptional wellness facilities, and carefully curated destinations.


4. Family Cruises: Fun for All Ages


Family cruises are designed to keep every member of the family entertained, from young children and teenagers to parents and grandparents. These ships are packed with activities, entertainment, and facilities that make travelling together easy and enjoyable.

Many family-focused cruise lines offer kids' clubs, water parks, live shows, sports facilities, and family-friendly excursions. With something happening throughout the day, parents can relax knowing that children have plenty of opportunities to stay engaged and entertained.

Family cruises are a popular choice for multi-generational holidays, offering a balance of relaxation, adventure, and quality time together.


Best for: Families with children, Multi-generational holidays


Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line delivers a magical experience for families, combining Disney characters, themed entertainment, and exceptional customer service. From Broadway-style shows to character meet-and-greets, Disney creates unforgettable experiences for children while still offering plenty for adults to enjoy.


Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is one of the most popular choices for family cruising thanks to its wide range of activities and attractions. Many ships feature water slides, surf simulators, zip lines, climbing walls, and dedicated kids' and teens' clubs, ensuring entertainment for every age group.


MSC Cruises

MSC is an excellent option for families thanks to its family-oriented facilities, children's clubs, water parks, and family-friendly entertainment. The line also offers excellent value, making it a popular choice for families travelling during school holidays.


Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

NCL's flexible approach to cruising makes it particularly appealing to families. With no fixed dining times, a wide variety of activities, and dedicated programmes for children and teenagers, it caters well to families looking for freedom and flexibility during their holiday.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Cruise?

Whether you're dreaming of sailing through Europe's picturesque rivers, relaxing in luxury at sea, embarking on an epic expedition adventure, or creating unforgettable family memories, there's a cruise that's perfectly suited to your travel style.


The key is choosing the type of cruise that best matches your interests and travel preferences. Once you've found the right style, selecting the perfect cruise line becomes much easier.


Get in touch with our travel experts today and let us help you find the perfect cruise for your next adventure. 🚢✨

The Most Magical Christmas Markets in Europe for 2026

by Leonor Resende • 30 July 2026
The Most Magical Christmas Markets in Europe for 2026 As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, some of Europe's most beautiful cities transform into festive wonderlands. Historic squares glow beneath thousands of twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts fills the streets, and Christmas music drifts through centuries-old buildings. Imagine wandering through charming market stalls with a warm mulled wine in hand, discovering handmade gifts, tasting local festive treats, and watching sparkling lights reflect off cobbled streets. It's the kind of experience that makes you slow down, soak up the atmosphere, and truly embrace the magic of the season. Whether you're dreaming of a romantic winter escape, a festive family getaway, or simply looking for a destination that feels like it's stepped straight out of a Christmas film, these Christmas markets offer unforgettable memories and plenty of festive cheer. From the fairy-tale streets of Prague to the grand squares of Vienna and the enchanting markets of Strasbourg, here are the Christmas markets you won't want to miss in 2026.
world europa sailing the sea

Discover The Best MSC Cruise Deals for the Best Holiday Ever

by Elizabeth Leonard • 26 June 2026
Save on MSC Cruises with €1 flights, free upgrades, reduced deposits and exclusive Yacht Club perks. Explore 2026–2028 sailings and book now.

Why Cape Verde Should Be Your Next Winter Sun Escape

by Leonor Resende • 24 June 2026
Imagine swapping grey skies and chilly mornings for golden beaches, warm sunshine, and the sound of the Atlantic Ocean just steps away. If you're looking for a destination that combines year-round sunshine, stunning coastal scenery, and a laid-back atmosphere, Cape Verde could be exactly what you've been searching for.  Located off the coast of West Africa, this beautiful island nation has quickly become one of the most sought-after holiday destinations for travellers looking to relax, recharge, and enjoy a little slice of paradise. But beyond the beautiful beaches lies a destination full of culture, adventure, unique experiences, and unforgettable memories waiting to be made. Whether you're dreaming of lazy days by the sea, exploring volcanic landscapes, discovering local traditions, or simply escaping everyday life for a week of sunshine, Cape Verde offers the perfect blend of relaxation and discovery.

5 Reasons More People Are Choosing Cruises

by Leonor Resende • 22 June 2026
For many travellers, a cruise is no longer just a holiday, it's an experience that combines multiple destinations, exceptional value, world-class entertainment, and the convenience of unpacking only once. Whether you're dreaming of exploring the Mediterranean, discovering the Norwegian Fjords, soaking up the Caribbean sunshine, or experiencing iconic cities along the way, cruising offers a unique way to see the world.  Over the past few years, more and more Irish travellers have discovered the benefits of cruising, making it one of the fastest-growing holiday choices. Modern cruise ships are designed to cater to every type of traveller, offering everything from fine dining and luxurious spas to family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and unforgettable shore excursions. If you've never considered a cruise before, or you're wondering why so many people book cruise holidays year after year, here are five reasons why cruising could be the perfect choice for your next adventure.
riviera rose new ship

Riviera Travel’s New Ships

by Elizabeth Leonard • 6 May 2026
Riviera Travel’s New River Cruise Ships A Fresh Take on European River Cruising If you’ve been looking into European river cruises recently, chances are you’ve come across Riviera Travel — and for good reason. They’ve built a strong reputation for delivering well planned itineraries, beautiful ships, and an easy, relaxed way to explore Europe. And now, with the introduction of their newest Riviera Travel river cruise ships, that experience feels even more refined. The latest additions to the fleet — MS Riviera Radiance and MS Riviera Rose — mark an exciting new chapter, with MS Riviera Resplendence and MS Riviera Reflection set to follow. Together, they represent a thoughtful evolution of Riviera’s river cruising experience in Europe, bringing a fresh, modern feel onboard while staying true to what makes their journeys so popular. One of the first things you’ll notice is the design. The interiors feel bright, elegant, and contemporary, with a real attention to detail throughout. There’s a sense of space in the main lounge, with panoramic windows designed to make the most of the views, while the dining areas feel refined yet relaxed — somewhere you’ll genuinely look forward to spending time each evening. The cabins are just as impressive. Many feature French balconies, allowing you to fully enjoy the ever changing scenery on a Danube river cruise, a Rhine river cruise, or even a journey along the Douro River cruise route. You’ll also find thoughtful touches like comfortable seating areas, well designed bathrooms, and clever storage that makes settling in feel effortless from the start. Onboard, the layout has clearly been designed with comfort in mind. There are inviting social spaces for a drink or a coffee during the day, as well as quieter corners if you want to unwind with a book or simply watch the scenery pass by. The sun deck is another highlight — an ideal spot to take in the views as you sail through some of Europe’s most scenic stretches.

Ordinary on the Map, Unforgettable in Real Life

by Leonor Resende • 23 April 2026
Not every place makes a good first impression. Some destinations look quiet on the map, unremarkable in photos, and easy to overlook when compared to Europe’s better‑known cities and regions. They don’t promise instant wonder or dramatic scenery, they don’t shout for attention, in fact, they can seem so familiar that you wonder whether they’re worth the trip at all. And yet, these are often the places that surprise us the most. Once you arrive, expectations begin to fall away. You stop searching for highlights and start noticing moments instead: the rhythm of daily life, the way people interact with their surroundings, how time feels different when nothing is urging you forward. Slowly, almost without realising it, the place begins to matter. This is the kind of travel that doesn’t reveal itself all at once, it unfolds through small details, unplanned pauses, and experiences that don’t always fit neatly into an itinerary. By the time you leave, you understand something important: the places that felt ordinary before the trip are often the ones that stay with you longest afterward. Europe is full of destinations like this, quiet, understated places that reward curiosity rather than expectation. These are some of them.
blue danube river

Discover Riviera Travel River Cruises: Itineraries, Excursions & Current Offers

by Elizabeth Leonard • 21 April 2026
Explore Riviera Travel river cruise itineraries across the Danube, Rhine, Seine and Douro, with curated excursions and immersive experiences. Now with €99 deposits, 10% off 2027–2028 sailings and limited-time savings on selected 2026 cruises.

Travel the World’s Biggest Music Festivals

by Leonor Resende • 14 April 2026
At their core, music festivals are more than live performances or carefully curated line‑ups. They are cultural gatherings, temporary communities where locals and travellers come together in shared spaces shaped by creativity, tradition, and emotion. For a few days or weeks, familiar landscapes are transformed, and in that transformation a place reveals how it celebrates, how it communicates, and how it welcomes outsiders.  These moments go beyond what happens on stage. Festivals unfold within real places, not isolated bubbles, and they carry the imprint of their surroundings. The food reflects regional traditions, the rhythms of daily life seep into the schedule, and local values are expressed through art, design, and the way people interact. Whether set in countryside fields, historic cities, or coastal neighbourhoods, festivals offer travellers an unusually intimate way to experience a destination. This is what makes music festivals such compelling entry points for cultural travel. They encourage movement without urgency, discovery without a checklist, and connection without preconception. Rather than following an itinerary, travellers follow a feeling, allowing sound, place, and human connection to shape the journey. In these moments, travel becomes less about where you go next, and more about how deeply you experience where you are.

The Ultimate Malta travel guide: Top Attractions & Hidden Gems

by Kelly Collins • 1 April 2026
Malta is one of those places that completely catches you off guard, in the best ways imaginable. For such a tiny island nation, it packs more beauty, history and “wait, why does nobody talk about this?!” moments than seems fair. One minute you're wandering through golden stone streets that look straight out of a period drama, and the next you're floating in shockingly blue water, wondering why it isn't illegal for the sea to look that good. It’s the kind of destination where the big attractions blow your way, but the hidden corners are what quietly steal your heart This guide is here to walk you through Malta the way a fellow traveller would, with honest insight, friendly advice and all the info you need to make your trip effortless and unforgettable

Find Your Perfect Holiday Based on Your Personality

by Leonor Resende • 27 March 2026
Choosing a holiday is more than deciding on a place to visit, it’s choosing the version of yourself you want to step into for a little while. Some people come alive on high mountain trails, others find their joy floating in warm turquoise seas. Some feel energised exploring new cultures, while others crave nothing more than sunshine, good food and the simple luxury of slowing down. Travel isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. It’s personal. It’s emotional. It’s a reflection of you. And that’s why the best holidays aren’t picked at random, they’re chosen by discovering what kind of traveller you truly are. Are you the adventurer? The luxury seeker? The family memory‑maker? The culture lover? Or the dreamer ready to explore a far‑flung corner of the world? When you match your personality to the right holiday style, something magical happens: the anticipation grows, the excitement builds, and suddenly the journey feels like it’s already begun. So let’s dive in. Let’s explore the escape that suits your spirit, the holiday that feels like it was created with you in mind. Your perfect match is waiting…and it might just surprise you.