I’ve sailed nearly every type of cruise. Here’s how to choose the right one for you - USA TODAY 10BEST

After cruising from the Galápagos and the Arctic to Europe and the Caribbean, I’ve learned that loving a cruise starts with choosing the right style. – Photo courtesy of David Vargas/Expeditions

After sailing everything from a six-cabin catamaran in the British Virgin Islands to mega ships carrying thousands of passengers, I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as one “best” cruise. There’s only the best cruise for you.

Book the wrong kind and an expensive vacation can turn frustrating fast. Crowd-averse travelers may hate a mega ship, entertainment lovers could be bored on a quiet river cruise, and wildlife lovers may discover too late that what they really wanted was an expedition.

As you start to browse cruise lines, really dive deep into the right cruise style for the type of trip you’re looking for.

If the idea of changing hotels every few nights while dragging your suitcase through the cobblestone streets of Europe sounds exhausting, a river cruise is your answer. – Photo courtesy of Photofex

If the idea of changing hotels every few nights while dragging your suitcase through the cobblestone streets of Europe sounds exhausting, a river cruise is your answer. I've sailed both ocean and river itineraries with Viking, but their Christmas market river cruises through Europe are some of my favorites. They make it remarkably easy to experience several destinations in one trip.

Viking's Christmas on the Rhine & Main itinerary, for example, travels through Germany, France and Switzerland, connecting cities and smaller communities along the rivers while the holiday markets are in full swing. You can spend one day strolling medieval streets and shopping for Christmas decorations and the next sipping glühwein at another market without worrying about train schedules, rental cars or checking into another hotel.There are included excursions, but I also found some of the optional experiences worth the extra cost. Longer day trips can take you beyond the immediate river ports to places such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber or the storybook villages (no really, some of them actually were the inspiration behind stories like Pinocchio and Snow White) of Colmar and Riquewihr in France's Alsace region.

I've also sailed Viking's Danube Christmas itinerary and added several days in Prague beforehand, which gave me time to adjust to the time difference and visit even more markets before boarding.

River cruising also has a completely different feel from a traditional ocean cruise. You're frequently close to land, the ships are considerably less crowded than the mega ships often associated with ocean cruising, and the destination (not waterslides, casinos or elaborate onboard attractions) is the entertainment. Unpack once and wake up ready to explore somewhere new.Choose it if:

You want to cover a lot of ground with minimal logistical planning, prefer sightseeing over onboard entertainment or love the idea of turning transportation between destinations into part of the experience. It's also worth considering if the thought of being surrounded by the open ocean makes you uneasy.

Think twice if:The ship itself is a major part of why you cruise. River ships don't offer the enormous entertainment selections, pools and endless dining options that larger ocean ships do. They also tend to draw in a bit of an older crowd, with the holiday itineraries bringing in more mother/daughter duos and couples.

Discover the best types of cruises for your next travel adventure. – Photo courtesy of Vlad

Sometimes, you want the waterslides, restaurants, nightlife and entertainment of a massive cruise ship without feeling like you're vacationing with thousands of other people. That's where the increasingly popular "ship within a ship" concept comes in. I experienced it aboard MSC World America, sailing round trip from Miami to Roatán, Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas.

I stayed in MSC Yacht Club, a private, keycard access section of the ship that felt surprisingly removed from the loud crowds elsewhere onboard. Yacht Club guests have their own restaurant, panoramic views at the Top Sail Lounge, a private sundeck with pools and whirlpools, along with 24 hour butler and concierge service.

The experience also comes with priority embarkation and disembarkation, as are 24 hour room service, a premium beverage package, WiFi for up to two devices and complimentary access to the MSC Aurea Spa's Thermal Suite. Even the minibar can be personalized to your liking.

What makes this style of cruising stand out, however, is that you aren't confined to that quieter world unless you choose to be. I could retreat to the Yacht Club when I wanted a calmer start to the day or to relax and read by the pool without kids jumping in the water next to me. Then, if I chose, I could step outside and take advantage of the restaurants, shows and other attractions of a much larger resort style ship.Yacht Club guests also receive perks elsewhere onboard, including priority access to entertainment and help from the concierge securing reservations. The experience even extends ashore at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, where Yacht Club guests have access to the private Ocean House Beach and its amenities.

You like the endless selection of restaurants, shows, nightlife and activities of a large cruise ship, but don’t necessarily want to be surrounded by the crowds all day. This style works especially well if you value having a quieter pool, restaurant and lounge to retreat to, while still having the freedom to head into the action when you feel like it.Think twice if:

A big part of the appeal is having both experiences at your fingertips, so if you’d spend most of your time in the private spaces, compare the cost and experience with a smaller luxury ship. On the other hand, if crowds don’t bother you and you don’t care much about dedicated spaces, priority access or additional service, the upgrade might not be worth the money.

One of my biggest frustrations with traditional cruising is falling in love with a destination only to realize I need to be back on the ship a few hours later. An immersive overnight itinerary combats that. I experienced Regent Seven Seas Cruises' take on this aboard Seven Seas Splendor, staying in a Penthouse Suite on a Mediterranean itinerary that sailed to ports from Monte Carlo to Athens for the Flair, Flavor & Culture cruise.

This itinerary gave us multiple days in several destinations, allowing me to experience them on a deeper level. Excursions ranged from exploring Cannes, Grasse and Saint-Paul-de-Vence along the Côte d'Azur and exploring the Amalfi Coast, sipping wine and and tasting olive oil in the Italian countryside, to eating my way through Naples folded pizza scene and wandering the ruins of Ephesus and Athens.The experience on board was just as important. Regent's cruise price includes many of the expenses that can quickly add up elsewhere like many shore excursions, specialty dining, drinks, WiFi, laundry and access to spa facilities. Staying in a Penthouse Suite added perks such as a personal butler, daily appetizers and priority access to online dining and shore excursion reservations.

For me, the real luxury was having longer stays in port. It gave me more freedom to explore without constantly checking the time, while still returning to the comforts of a luxury ship. This style of cruising makes sense for travelers who view the ship as part of the vacation, but don't want it to overshadow the places they've traveled so far to see.

Choose it if: You want luxury and convenience, but the destinations are still the main draw. It's especially appealing if you hate rushed port days or want opportunities to experience a destination's night life.

Your favorite part of cruising is spending long, leisurely days at sea. An itinerary designed around extended time ashore makes the most sense when you're excited to get off the ship and use the time to your advantage.A land and sea itinerary can make a lot of sense when you've traveled a long way to reach a destination and want to experience what lies past the port. – Photo courtesy of rh2010

Sometimes the best cruise vacation isn't entirely a cruise. A land and sea itinerary can make a lot of sense when you've traveled a long way to reach a destination and want to experience what lies past the port. That's what I loved about traveling through Ecuador with Metropolitan Touring.

Rather than flying directly to the Galápagos and back, I was able to experience dramatically different corners of the country in one trip. I explored Quito and its historic city center, spent time surrounded by the Cloud Forest at Mashpi Lodge, experienced the Galápagos onboard the Yacht La Pinta and finished with two nights at Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel on Santa Cruz Island.

The contrast was part of what made the trip so memorable. Around Quito, I explored historic architecture, churches, markets and local culture. At Mashpi, roughly 60 miles northwest of Quito, the city disappeared and nature completely took over. The lodge sits within a 3,200 acre private reserve in the rainforest, with guided activities like night or day hiking, wildlife observing and riding the Dragonfly canopy gondola above the forest.

Then came the Galápagos, where exploring by boat opens up a completely different world. Throughout our sailing, we had incredible hiking experiences with giant tortoises and blue footed boobies, followed by snorkeling with species of sharks, fish, sea turtles, and Galapagos penguins.Finishing at Finch Bay gave me additional time on Santa Cruz rather than immediately heading to the airport when the cruising portion of the adventure came to an end. The Galápagos might be the reason you book the trip, but it doesn't have to be the only place you experience once you get there. Combining hotels, land exploration and time on the water can expand a cruise into a much deeper introduction to a country.

You want to go through one company, connect several very different experiences, or you're traveling somewhere that deserves more than a quick pre cruise overnight stay at the hotel airport. It's particularly appealing if you enjoy wildlife and nature, but also want food, history and local culture built into the same vacation.Think twice if:

Your priority is maximizing your time aboard a ship or you prefer having one room for your entire vacation. A land and sea journey requires changing accommodations and moving between destinations, so you give up some of the “unpack once” convenience that makes traditional cruising so appealing.

After cruising from the Galápagos and the Arctic to Europe and the Caribbean, I’ve learned that loving a cruise starts with choosing the right style. – Photo courtesy of David Vargas/Expeditions

Seeing a puffin up close is incredible. Having someone beside you who can explain its behavior, and help you figure out how to photograph it, is an entirely different experience. That's one reason I've returned to Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic for multiple trips.

I've traveled with them in the Galápagos, Antarctica and, most recently, sailed aboard National Geographic Explorer through Iceland's Westfjords and East Greenland. While the destinations couldn't have been more different, learning has been a huge part of each experience.These aren't cruises where education means sitting through a lecture because you have nothing else to do. Naturalists and other experts are side by side with you in the field, while photography instructors can help you capture what you're seeing throughout the journey.

On my Arctic trip, I was able to work directly with photographers like National Geographic Photo Journalist Andrea Bruce and National Geographic Lindblad Photography Instructor, Visual Journalist, and Filmmaker Lisa Hornak. They patiently talked with guests, led seminars, and worked with individuals to make sure everyone left with photos they were proud of.

One of my favorite experiences came on Vigur Island in Iceland, where we visited an eider farm and walked among a thriving seabird colony. Elsewhere on the itinerary, days could involve searching for whales, hiking to waterfalls, Zodiac cruising or heading farther into the wild landscapes of the region. Having knowledgeable experts along for those experiences added context to what otherwise would’ve just been a beautiful picture.I've also found these sailings attract an interesting mix of travelers. I met wonderful solo travelers in Antarctica, while other itineraries brought families and multiple generations together. More importantly, you don't necessarily need to be an expert in wildlife, photography, geology or conservation to enjoy this type of cruise. You just need to be curious!

You don't just want to see a whale, glacier or seabird, but rather understand what you're looking at. It particularly caters to curious travelers, wildlife lovers, photographers and families who see travel as an opportunity to learn together.Think twice if:

You generally want to unplug and unwind by the pool and don't care about instruction or educational programming. A significant part of the value here comes from engaging with the experts traveling with you.

Luxury expeditions are for travelers who believe adventure should involve a little sacrifice. – Photo courtesy of CandyRetriever

There are travelers who believe adventure should involve a little sacrifice and suffering, and believe me, I’ve done those trips, too. However, on my 15-day Wild Falkland Islands & South America expedition aboard Seabourn Venture,

I could spend the day hiking through stunning landscapes and watching penguins waddle on the beach in the Falkland Islands, then come back to a hot shower, a cocktail on my balcony and caviar (included, by the way) delivered to my suite. I have rarely felt so thoroughly wined and dined on a cruise.That's the appeal of a luxury expedition ship. You can still travel to wild places and get dirty in the process without sacrificing the indulgent part of vacation onboard. My trip paired wildlife and outdoor exploration with incredible spa treatments, cocktails, nightly caviar deliveries, leisurely hot tub soaks with my morning latte and the kind of attentive service that made returning to the ship feel like a reward after a long day outside.

Seabourn Venture was built around expedition travel. Itineraries incorporate everything from outings in the Falkland Islands to watch king penguins, to guided nature hikes in the Argentinian Patagonia to see magellanic penguins along the coast, while the ship itself provides an upscale home base. Seabourn also brings guest experts aboard through its Conversations Program, with speakers coming from fields ranging from science and history to the arts.

For me, though, the defining luxury wasn't any single amenity. It was being able to have two seemingly contradictory trips at the same time. I could spend the day focused on wildlife and exploration, get a little messy, and then return to a beautiful ship where the pampering started all over again.Choose it if:

You want remote destinations, wildlife and active exploration, but also care deeply about food, drinks, service, spa time and comfortable accommodations. It's adventure travel for someone who still wants to feel spoiled on their vacation.

Think twice if: Luxury amenities don't matter much to you and you'd rather put more of your budget toward the destination itself. You can reach extraordinary wilderness on less indulgent expedition ships.

Wildlife and polar exploration are the primary reasons you're cruising on a polar expedition. – Photo courtesy of SPARKLINGTRAVEL

If you need to know exactly where you'll be at 2 p.m., four days from now, polar expedition cruising would drive you insane. If the possibility of changing course because something incredible is happening elsewhere excites you, then read on.

I experienced that firsthand sailing Svalbard with Quark Expeditions aboard Ultramarine. What began as a Svalbard expedition turned into an impromptu circumnavigation of Spitsbergen when conditions made it possible. That flexibility extended to our days.

Under the midnight sun, wildlife doesn't necessarily operate on a convenient sightseeing schedule, and neither did we. There were walruses at 10:30PM, minke whales breaching at midnight and opportunities to watch belugas and polar bears during the day.Some of my most memorable moments of the trip happened at hours when I'd normally be sleeping. This is also where choosing a true polar specialist can matter. Quark has focused exclusively on the Arctic and Antarctica since 1991, and its current fleet carries between 138 and 199 guests. Its expedition teams include specialists in fields such as marine biology, glaciology, geology, ornithology and photography, while Zodiacs and other equipment help get travelers to hard to reach locations beyond the ship.

Some Quark expeditions take the adventure even further. Ultramarine carries two helicopters, which are used on certain itineraries to reach or observe places that would otherwise be extraordinarily difficult to get to. On Quark's Snow Hill expeditions in Antarctica, helicopter operations help travelers attempt to reach a remote emperor penguin colony.

But Svalbard taught me that the most valuable piece of expedition equipment might honestly just be an open mind and an easy going personality. Weather, sea ice and wildlife ultimately have more authority than the printed itinerary. Giving the expedition team the trust and freedom to react to all three can lead to experiences you couldn't have scheduled in advance.Choose it if:

Wildlife and polar exploration are the primary reasons you're cruising, and hearing, “we're changing plans course,” sounds exciting rather than stressful. It's particularly good for travelers willing to sacrifice predictability for the possibility of an extraordinary encounter.

Think twice if: Missing a scheduled stop on the tentative itinerary would be a massive disappointment, or you want your vacation days planned hour by hour. In the polar regions, flexibility isn't an inconvenience to tolerate, it's part of how expedition travel works.

Celestial cruises are perfect for travelers who are fascinated by night skies and like the idea of pairing the possibility of the northern lights. – Photo courtesy of Swan Hellenic

Wildlife sightings aren’t the only reason to keep your eyes open on an expedition cruise. In the right destination and at the right time of year, what’s happening overhead can be just as exciting as what’s happening on the water.

That’s part of what drew me to Swan Hellenic's Northwest Passage and Northern Lights expedition aboard SH Vega. The voyage combines landscapes, wildlife and remote communities associated with an Arctic expedition with another experience at the top of many bucketlists; the possibility of seeing the northern lights.

The itinerary travels through Nunavut in the Canadian arctic and Greenland, where wildlife can include polar bears and narwhals (although, wildlife sightings can be sparse in this destination) and the scenery changes between far off coastlines. Traveling through the Northwest Passage draws in history lovers, as well, following a route that explorers spent centuries trying to navigate, including Sir John Franklin’s ill fated 1845 expedition via the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.Franklin and his entire crew sadly perished along the way, and the search for the lost expedition became one of the most well-known stories in Arctic exploration. That history adds another dimension to sailing these waters, particularly when visiting places connected to the explorers and Inuit communities whose knowledge of the region exceeds those expeditions.

On the SH Vega, the expedition experience comes with a more luxurious home base. The boutique ship pairs dedicated spaces with panoramic spaces designed for watching the scenery, along with amenities such as a sauna, pool, a hot tub, spa treatments and upscale dining experiences. Days can incorporate anything from expedition activities, to storytelling and expert led programming, while quieter moments leave plenty of opportunities to simply watch what’s passing by outside.

For me, that’s what makes this particular style of expedition cruising fascinating. Instead of planning an entire trip around one natural phenomenon you might see, you can choose an itinerary where several interests overlap. The northern lights might be the dream, but you’re also traveling through a landscape with centuries of exploration history, encountering Arctic communities and watching for wildlife along the way. Even if the sky doesn’t cooperate, there’s still a reason to pay attention to where you are and what happened there before you arrived.Choose it if:

You’re fascinated by night skies and like the idea of pairing the possibility of the northern lights with potential wildlife sightings, cultural experiences and expedition activities. It’s especially appealing if you’re interested in exploration history and want the places you’re sailing through to have as much significance as what you might see throughout the journey.

Think twice if: Seeing one specific phenomenon is the only reason you’re booking. The northern lights, eclipses and wildlife are natural events, not scheduled entertainment, and none can simply be switched on for an expedition. Choose an itinerary you’d still be thrilled to experience even if the sky doesn’t deliver the moment you imagined.

If you have two weeks of vacation and a very long travel wish list, a traditional ocean cruise can be one of the easiest ways to make those days count. – Photo courtesy of SHUTTER DIN

If you have two weeks of vacation and a very long travel wish list, a traditional ocean cruise can be one of the easiest ways to make those days count. One of my earlier Holland America Line trips was a 14-day sailing aboard Westerdam through the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

Instead of choosing one destination in Southeast Asia and building an entire vacation around it, cruising allowed me to experience several countries during the same trip without repeatedly flying between them, changing hotels or figuring out transportation every few days.

Holland America still offers similar 14-day itineraries in the region, including sailings between Singapore and Hong Kong that visit Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Some itineraries also incorporate overnight port stays, giving travelers additional time in major destinations instead of requiring them to return to the ship after a few hours. I've experienced the same benefit much closer to home.

On a seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailing aboard Nieuw Statendam from Fort Lauderdale, I could snorkel off the beach after searching for pink flamingos and wild donkeys via ATV on Grand Turk, explore Puerto Rico and visit El Yunque National Forest, stop in St. Thomas and still have time to relax in the Bahamas before returning to Florida. That's a lot of different experiences packed into one week.That's where I think a traditional ocean cruise really shines. It can make efficient use of your limited vacation days. Your hotel travels with you, much of the transportation is handled while you're sleeping and each morning can bring an entirely new destination.

You have limited vacation time and want to experience several destinations in one trip without figuring out transportation and accommodations at every stop. It's particularly useful for first time visitors who want a taste of several islands or countries before deciding where they'd like to return for a longer stay.Think twice if:

You prefer getting to know one destination intimately. Visiting multiple ports gives you variety, but some stops may last only a day, if that, so this style can feel more like an introduction to a region than an immersive exploration of it.

Small adventure cruising is best for travelers who care more about access, time outside, and experiencing the destination than having amenities onboard. – Photo courtesy of INCA

After sailing on ships carrying thousands of passengers, there's something wonderfully different about boarding a boat where you can learn everyone's name by the end of lunch. Some of my most memorable cruises have actually been my smallest.

I've explored the Amazon aboard a rustic regional riverboat with Katerre Expeditions, sailed the Galápagos on the 16-passenger Integrity yacht with INCA and spent five nights island hopping with friends in the British Virgin Islands aboard a six-cabin catamaran. The boats and levels of luxury couldn't have been more different, but all of these offered something a large cruise ship can't replicate. Intimacy and immediate access to the places I'd traveled so far to experience.

In the Amazon, my four night Katerre expedition aboard the two story Jacaré Tinga took me through the Anavilhanas archipelago and Jaú National Park. The boat was relatively rustic, although my cabin still had air conditioning and a private bathroom, and smaller motorboats allowed us to venture into flooded forests looking for wildlife. Days involved everything from piranha fishing and hiking through the rainforest to swimming in the Rio Negro and heading out after dark in search of caiman.With only five travelers in my group, the experience felt incredibly personal.
 The Integrity accommodates just 16 passengers, with private bathrooms, air conditioning, a shared dining room and plenty of outdoor space for watching the islands pass by.

As we traveled through the Galapagos Islands, with our group being so small, we had significantly more say in our schedule. Some days included a morning and an evening hike, with two or three snorkel sites in between. Without the need to rotate group outings or stay on schedule like larger expedition ships, we were able to be in the water with the animals until our muscles were cramping.

Then there's the version you can essentially turn into a floating vacation home with your favorite people. My friends and I had a six cabin BALI 5.4 catamaran through Dream Yacht for five nights in the British Virgin Islands. We sailed between islands, snorkeled through caves, kayaked and paddleboarded, explored places like The Baths and Anegada and went ashore for beach bar dance parties and lobster dinners.At night, play games, have drinks and hang out together onboard. There was no need for a packed entertainment schedule because jumping off the boat for a swim or sailing to the next island was the entertainment. 
That's really what connects these trips. Ultra small cruising removes much of the separation between the traveler and the destination. You're closer to the water, your group is smaller and the boat becomes less of a resort and more of a way to reach places and experiences that drew you to the destination in the first place.

You care more about access, time outside, and experiencing the destination than having amenities onboard. It's especially appealing for adventurous couples, families, or groups of friends who would happily swap a waterslide and multiple restaurants for snorkeling straight from the boat or heading out in a smaller vessel to look for wildlife.Think twice if:

You love your alone time, entertainment choices and amenities when you’re at sea. On a boat this small, you'll spend considerably more time around the other passengers, feel the movement of the water more and have fewer places to go when you want a little space.

Disney Cruise Line brings the Magic Kingdom to the sea. I've sailed all six Disney cruise ships. Here's what you'll find on each one.

These 10 ocean cruise lines have it all, from top-notch dining and comfy accommodations to fun activities and excursions.

When it comes to family vacations, these 10 cruise lines are the best at catering to kids and multiple generations.