If you are interested in trying a cruise, then you will have to make the tough decision about which cruise line to sail with. There are a few major players in the cruise industry that you should know about. In this article, I will discuss the largest cruise lines in the “contemporary” and “deluxe/premium” segments of the cruising industry. Other segments including luxury, river, and expedition cruises also exist, but these are more niche and they are too different from contemporary and premium ocean cruises to be discussed together. These are also not suitable options for most first-time cruisers. Contemporary Cruise Lines There are four major cruise lines in the “contemporary” segment: Carnival, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC. These cruise lines all offer a modern, mainstream cruising experience that appeals to a wide demographic and have a wide range of price categories. Ships operated by these brands are among the lar...