I've been on 6 cruise ships — here's how they compare and the one I would recommend (2024)

• Since 2021, I've spent at least one night on six ships all with different cruise lines.
• From Margaritaville to Royal Caribbean to Explora Journeys, these companies target a variety of demographics.
• Here's how all six cruise ships compared — and the one I would go on again.

Throughout the last two years, I've spent at least one night on six ships all with different cruise lines. While they've all varied in prices and target demographics, one has stood out as my clear favorite.

By no means do I love cruises —the shows can be tacky, the food can be mediocre, and I'm easily bored. If I wasn't a travel reporter, I'd probably never board these floating resorts. But duty calls, and since 2021, I've been invited to several non-revenue media sailings or overnighters with cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Oceania, and Norwegian.

While I've been unsurprisingly critical of some cruise ships, others have won me over. Let's take a closer look at the six ships I've been on and the one I'd recommend.

Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex: trendy but boring

In late 2021, I boarded the then-new $1 billion Celebrity Apex for its two-night naming ceremony. At the time, I hadn't been on a cruise in over 10 years. (As a kid with parents who liked cruises, I remember disliking them.)

The Apex wasn't designed for "zillennials" like me. Celebrity targets Gen X customers, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the cruise line's now-former CEO, told Insider at the time. Despite this disconnect, the Apex had some of the best-designed and decorated spaces I've seen on a ship.

Places like Eden (a restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue) were attractive and trendy while the Rooftop Garden looked just like its name promised. Even the outdoor lounges and frequently overlooked atrium were more exciting than most ships — the latter had a martini bar that sat under the glow of an LED chandelier.

While my 243-square-foot infinite veranda stateroom had some dull decor, the natural light from the large wall of windows made my tiny cabin feel large.

Where these onboard spaces shined, the dining didn't: I wasn't wowed by any of my meals, including my dinner at Le Petit Chef. Here, overhead projectors displayed an animated storyline on the dining table. However, this gimmick wasn't enough to overshadow the disappointingly mediocre food.

Ultimately, I faced the same dilemma I remembered as a child: boredom. While the theater was grand, I wasn't wowed by the nighttime show. And like I said at the time, I can only wade around the pool so many times and eat and drink so much. While I loved the design of spaces like the Magic Carpet, an outdoor extension that moves vertically between decks, I can't spend all day staring at it.

If I was here on a week-long vacation, I'd be twiddling my thumbs by day three.

Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Prima: fun with a great food hall

In October 2022, I was invited on the four-night inaugural sailing for the $1.1 billion Norwegian Prima. It was the first time I had ever enjoyed being on a cruise.

Four nights is long for a cynic like me. But to my surprise, I was consistently entertained by the Prima's long list of amenities, including modern dartboards, VR arcade, mini golf course, and thrilling free-fall dry slide. These activities — along with the outdoor game court and go-kart track —could've kept me entertained for another day or two at sea.

My 230-square-foot balcony stateroom was also well-designed and modern: I appreciated the roomy bathroom, storage options, and contemporary feel. However, the bedding was mediocre, the balcony was tiny, and the "mural" behind the bed and couch was a tacky eyesore.

On the plus side, the Prima had my favorite dining venue of all six ships: an 11-restaurant food hall with tableside tablet ordering systems. Instead of going to a buffet to pick at heat lamp-fresh leftovers, this concept gave hungry travelers like me a convenient way to try Indian curries and Singaporean-inspired noodles in one sitting.

But the greatest shock of all was the enjoyable nighttime entertainment,specifically Norwegian's rendition of Broadway-approved "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" and "The Price Is Right Live." I found myself giggling throughout the latter.

This, combined with the fun activities and food options, made sailing on the Prima an entertaining experience that I would consider booking again.

Royal Caribbean International's Wonder of the Seas: overstimulating and packed with activities

After boarding the Wonder of the Seas in December 2022, I think Royal Caribbean's big bet on mega cruise ships is paying off. My two-night sailing on what is currently the world's biggest cruise ship just wasn't enough time to test all of the ship's amenities.

At its massive size, there was plenty of room for "neighborhoods" like a boardwalk, a park, an outdoor entertainment center with activities like a zipline, and a colorful pool deck with water slides. Several of these spaces looked more like an amusem*nt park than a cruise liner.

The list of Wonder of the Seas' amenities, which included some I had never seen on a ship before, seemed endless. If it managed to overwhelm me for two nights, I'm sure it'll keep any family booked and busy.

From an ice skating show to an exhilarating outdoor swim, dive, and dance performance, the entertainment options were also diverse. The former was a bore — I left early. But the dramatics and coordination of the latter made it the most impressive cruise ship show I've ever seen.

Onto the negatives — to start, the food quality wasn't consistent. While my meals at the buffet and dinner at Hooked Seafood were satisfactory, the dry and flavorless fried chicken at the new-to-brand Mason Jar was disappointing.

My balcony stateroom was also a massive letdown. Sure, it had all the essentials, large storage units, and a clothesline in the shower. But the bathroom wouldn't be comfortable for two people, water splashed out of the sink basin whenever I washed my hands, and the bland decor was a stark contrast from the sensory overload of the rest of the ship. The stateroom looked more utilitarian than it did fun.

Margaritaville at Sea's Paradise: cheap and quick

The Margaritaville empire's nascent cruise line exclusively operates two-night round-trip sailings like clockwork from Palm Beach, Florida to Freeport, Bahamas. It's a great cruise for budget travelers — most of these dates can be booked for well under $200 per person, including some at $50.

However, Margaritaville at Sea's attraction ends at its eye-catching fares. When I attended the ship's one-night inaugural sailing in May 2022, I realized travelers get what they pay for: a very old ship. Before it adopted Jimmy Buffetts' branding, Margaritaville at Sea was budget operator Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and the Paradise was its over 30-year-old flagship Grand Classica vessel.

Sure, the vessel had some references to Buffett in the names of its onboard venues, signage, and wall art. But besides that and a handful of new decor (shown above), it didn't seem like the ship had undergone a massive cosmetic overhaul to align with the Margaritaville brand.

Instead, the Paradise looked out of style and place compared to other properties in the hospitality giant's portfolio. And when I tried to use the public restroom on the pool deck, the flush almost fell off its mount.

Similarly, instead of an immersive Margaritaville accommodation with beach cottage-like decor, my 176-square-foot oceanview stateroom was bare and looked as old as the original song. While functional, the dark lines in my bathroom shower looked dirty while the yellowish walls and wood accents made my cabin feel outdated and unkempt.

On the plus side,my meal at JWB Prime Steakhouse might have been one of the best steakhouse dinners I've ever had. However, guests have to pay extra to eat there.

The cruise line has since spent millions of dollars updating areas like the staterooms and adding amenities like a pickleball court. I haven't boarded the ship since this refresh. But my first experience has left me so cynical, that I don't plan on giving it a second try. I'm not sure a few million dollars is enough to fix its "Spirit Airlines of the Sea" reputation.

Explora Journeys' Explora I: luxurious, expensive, and boring

MSC Group's new Explora Journeys is a growing luxury cruise brand you probably haven't heard of. I spent one night on its first $560 million Explora I ship in October while it was docked in New York City and I think the new brand made a great first attempt at breaking into the luxury market.

While my ocean terrace suite was the smallest cabin on the ship, it was more luxurious than any hotel I've paid for. My cabin's walk-in closet, welcome bottle of Veuve Clicquot, Dyson hairdryer, and balcony daybed won me over. However, the cheapest itinerary in 2024 comes out to $500 a day per person — up to you if you think these little luxuries justify this steep price.

Like the Wonder of the Seas, there were spaces aboard the ship that looked nothing like an average cruise vessel. Instead of a typical atrium, upscale stores like Rolex and Cartier surrounded what looked like a hotel bar. And instead of a large central pool deck, the Explora I had four smaller pools, including an infinity pool and one under a retractable glass roof.

At its price, it's fair to expect luxury food. The thinly sliced wagyu at pan-Asian Sakura was one of the best dishes I've had on a ship. However, I preferred my own baked miso cod to the one I was served.

Luckily, the ship didn't have any splashy "production-style shows" for me to turn my nose up to. But once again, I'm not sure how much time I can spend in the spa or at the outdoor gym before I'm bored. So while I appreciated the rows of cabanas and modern lounges, I think a week-long vacation on the Explora I would be too quiet for me.

Oceania Cruises' Vista: upscale but boring

In late September, I spent one night on Oceania Cruises' Vista while it was docked in New York City. I think the new ship is a great option for mature travelers who are interested in higher-end cruises but don't want to pay for the likes of Regent Seven Seas.

For a food-focused cruise line, my dinner in the Grand Dining Room had luxurious options like monkfish and caviar. But in retrospect, it was only memorable because of the ingredients, not the taste. Unfortunately, my lob of lobster didn't beat out the comforts of Norwegian Prima's food hall or the wagyu from Explora.

As a premium cruise ship, my veranda stateroom was lined with one of the largest balconies I've ever had. And small details like designated cup holders in the bathroom, a complimentary beverage station, and Bulgari toiletries made it stand out from any veranda cabin on a mass-market cruise ship.

Like my accommodations, the Vista's common spaces like the library lounge had an upscale flair. Even the circular daybed-lined pool deck was more elevated and modern than the typical cruise ship pool surrounded by generic lounge chairs. And while there were no water slides or arcades, there was a large putting green and walking track.

Unsurprisingly, I did not enjoy the cringy "Headliners'' evening song-and-dance show. And because I had limited time on the ship, I didn't get to experience activities like cooking or art classes. This might have made a difference —but in the end, I again found the ship to be too calm for my liking.

The verdict: Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas is my favorite

While I appreciated the upscale qualities of Explora and Oceania's vessels, I couldn't imagine spending more than three days on either ship. Similarly, while Margaritaville at Sea Paradise's cheap costs are enticing, I don't plan to sail on it again.

My favorite cruise liners are the ones with engaging onboard activities and creative spaces that don't look like a typical ship. The Wonder of the Seas executed all of this — more than the Norwegian Prima — perfectly, enough to make me overlook the sore spots of my stateroom and mediocre meal. Because of this, it's the one ship I'll continue recommending to most cruise fans.

But that doesn't mean it has to be your favorite. If your priority is a cheap quick and dirty getaway, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is great. If you want something luxurious but don't want to spend too much, try the Oceania Vista —or the Explora I if you really want to ball out. And if you're traveling with children, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and the Norwegian Prima are great options. The latter two are the only ones I'd consider booking again.

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