Pools and open decks
These ships have a pool, a spa, and open deck for a sail-in. They do not have slides, surf simulators, or a mega-ship water park. The space per guest is the point.
Cruise lines
About 450 to 1,250 passengers
These ships stay under about 1,250 guests and sail the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and longer routes. The public rooms are quieter than on a large resort ship. On Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, and Explora, drinks and gratuities are already in the fare. An agent requests most of these prices.
These ships run from about 450 passengers to about 1,200. Explora is about 922. Oceania’s larger ships are about 1,200.
Ranges are per person, two to a cabin. They move with the month and the cabin. On the large ships, taxes, port charges, and gratuities are usually extra. On river ships, expedition ships, luxury ships, and yachts, more of that is already in the fare.
Dining, with more included
There are several restaurants, not twenty. On Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, and Explora the drinks and gratuities are in the fare. Regent also includes many shore trips, and often economy air. Oceania and Viking include more than a mass-market ship and less than Regent. Specialty dining on Oceania is often extra.
Smaller harbors
The ship can dock in a smaller harbor. Staffing is higher than on a large resort ship, and you can learn the names of the people at the next table. Silversea includes a butler in every suite.
What these ships leave out
There is no water park and no large kids’ club on most of these ships. An agent requests many of these fares. A family that wants slides and a character breakfast needs a ship that has them.
Each card is one line. The table is on a wider screen.
Silversea
Passengers. Ocean ships about 300–730. Silver Shadow is about 390. Silver Nova and Silver Ray are about 728.
Where they go. Some Caribbean cruises start and end in San Juan, including Silver Shadow. Others sail one way between Miami and San Juan. Also Alaska, the Mediterranean, longer voyages, and expedition routes. Drinks, a butler, and gratuities are in the fare.
Price range. The fare for about a week is often $6,000–$15,000 a person.
Seabourn
Passengers. Ocean ships about 450–650. Venture and Pursuit, the expedition ships, are about 260.
Where they go. Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean cruises, one-way Alaska cruises from Vancouver, and longer routes. Drinks and gratuities are included.
Price range. The fare for about a week is often $5,000–$12,000 a person.
Regent Seven Seas
Passengers. About 500–750. Seven Seas Prestige, about 800, enters service in late 2026.
Where they go. Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and longer voyages. Many shore trips and gratuities are in the fare, and economy air is often included.
Price range. The fare for about a week is often $6,000–$14,000 a person. The fare for a suite, or during a holiday week, is higher.
Oceania
Passengers. About 680 on the smaller ships. Marina, Riviera, Vista, and Allura are about 1,200.
Where they go. Longer cruises with more port days, in Europe, the Caribbean, and elsewhere.
Price range. The fare for about a week is often $3,000–$7,000 a person. Drinks and excursions are often extra. An agent requests the fare on many sailings.
Explora Journeys
Passengers. About 922, in about 460 suites. Explora III joined the fleet in 2026.
Where they go. Caribbean cruises are often one way between San Juan and Miami. They do not start and end in the same city every week. Also the Mediterranean and longer routes. Drinks and gratuities are included.
Price range. The fare for about a week is often $4,000–$10,000 a person.
Viking ocean
Passengers. About 930 passengers. No one under 18.
Where they go. A 10-night Caribbean cruise round trip from San Juan, plus the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Norway, and longer voyages. Wine and beer with lunch and dinner, and one excursion in each port, are included on many sailings.
Price range. Often $3,000–$7,000 a person for 7 to 14 nights. An agent requests many of these fares.
A luxury fare is not comparable to a Carnival interior. Drinks, gratuities, and sometimes excursions and air are already in the price. The ranges move with the month and the suite.
Alaska luxury sailings are usually one way between Vancouver and Seward, on Silversea or Seabourn, not on a 4,000-passenger ship.