10 types of cruises you need to try at least once in your life

If you’re an avid cruiser, chances are you’ve found your niche — the types of cruises that you most enjoy, whether they’re on large or small ships, U.S.-based voyages or those farther afield. Conversely, if you’re new to the cruise world, it can be difficult to wrap your head around the options.

Regardless of your experience level, there are some options that are essential for anyone looking to get serious about setting sail.

These are the 10 types of cruises we think any well-rounded passenger should try at least once in their lives. How many have you done, and which are still on your bucket list?

Ocean crossings

Ocean crossings were common in the early days of ocean liners, which transported both people and goods between countries. As passenger cruising began to evolve, crossings became as much about entertainment and vacationing as they were about getting from point A to point B.

Today, the only classic ocean liner that still runs a regular route is Cunard Line‘s Queen Mary 2, which sails weeklong voyages between London and New York. Modern travelers can get a feel for what the grand ole liner days were like by booking a transatlantic cruise on the vessel, which makes no port calls as it crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Other ships might do crossings a couple of times a year, too, as they reposition to different regions at the start of each season. Some do offer a handful of port stops, but a large number of sea days is generally expected.

Big-ship cruises

The largest cruise ships carry more than 9,000 people, including passengers and crew members. That can sound extremely intimidating to some people, particularly those who prefer small-ship sailings.

I get it. You might not want more than a dozen decks to climb, loud music around every turn or tons of families with small children. However, you can’t call yourself a true cruiser if you don’t try a megaship at least once. These ships offer some pretty out-there diversions like laser tag, bungee trampolines and even roller coasters on their top decks. You need to try one out to truly know if the experience is or isn’t for you; you might be surprised at your ability to avoid crowds.

Plus, with so much to do, there’s something for just about everyone in terms of food and entertainment if you find yourself traveling with a group of friends or family. My recommendation? Try a ship in Royal Caribbean‘s Oasis Class or Icon Class. They offer the most options, and after you board, you simply won’t believe you’re on a ship.

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Related: Icon of the Seas review: What's it like on the world's largest cruise ship?

Cruises to nowhere

Cruises to nowhere used to give travelers who weren’t sure they’d like water-based vacations a chance to try one out with little commitment of time or money. The sailings — which would leave port, head out to sea for a day or two and then return to land — featured no port calls.

Now, due to stricter enforcement of the Passenger Vessel Services Act (which requires passenger ships larger than a certain size leaving from and returning to ports in the U.S. to call on at least one foreign port), most cruises to nowhere from the U.S. are no longer allowed.

For close-to-home sailings, look for one-way Pacific Coast voyages that sail between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego or San Francisco with no port stops. Or, head to another country, such as the United Kingdom, to try a cruise to nowhere.

Europe riverboat voyages

Sure, ocean cruises are fantastic, but so are river cruises. Their slower pace means you can take in the scenery as you sail from destination to destination. Because you can always see land, river sailings are a solid option for those who worry they’d be upset to be in the middle of the ocean with only water in every direction.

Additionally, the ports are generally close enough to one another that you might stop in more than one per day, allowing for more in-depth exploration of the region you’re visiting. (One of the most popular river cruise regions is the Rhine Gorge, with its stunning castles.)

Food and local culture tend to be far more immersive than what you’d find during a port call on an oceangoing vessel. There are also fewer passengers on riverboats, which means a more favorable crew-to-guest ratio and, therefore, better service.

Expedition sailings

If you’re starting to feel like you’ve been to all the destinations mainstream cruise ships have to offer, or if you’re an active traveler who’s worried a cruise might be too sedentary, an expedition sailing could be for you.

Gone are the days when traveling to far-flung, isolated locales required passengers to sacrifice amenities. The newest ships on the market offer top-end luxury, and they transport cruisers with enough dough to places like the Arctic, Antarctica and Alaska.

Depending on the destination, you might see polar or grizzly bears, moose, Arctic foxes, seals, walruses, musk oxen, bald eagles, whales, local birds and a slew of other wildlife. Mix in some flora, calving glaciers, icebergs and ruins from early explorers, and you’re in for a real treat.

Related: I found Goldilocks in Antarctica with this big little ship that’s just right

US paddlewheeler sailings

Looking for a healthy dose of Americana with your next cruise? You’ll find the slow pace and cultural immersion of a European river cruise right here in the U.S. with a sailing on a paddlewheeler like American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage, American Splendor, American Pride and American West.

As you glide along U.S. waterways like the Ohio, Mississippi, Snake and Columbia rivers, you’ll experience small-town hospitality, local landmarks that you might not otherwise hear about and a history lesson you’re not likely to forget any time soon.

The boats themselves are also fascinating, using paddlewheels for at least part of their propulsion. The practice evokes the early days of riverboating, and resident historians (called riverlorians) give lectures to teach about the areas the boats visit.

Back-to-back voyages

What’s better than a vacation? Two vacations, of course. It’s not uncommon for cruisers to take more than one sailing in a row on the same vessel. Most often, they book two consecutive voyages, known as a back-to-back trip.

The obvious draw here, besides bragging rights, is that a back-to-back extends your travels beyond just one cruise. Sail to the Eastern Caribbean one week and the Western the next, or turn a weeklong one-way sailing from Barcelona to Rome into a two-week round trip visiting even more Mediterranean ports. Plus, you’ll find yourself on board with a largely new group of fellow passengers after the first sailing ends, so it’s a great way to meet twice the number of people.

If you go this route, be sure to ask to stay in the same cabin to avoid having to relocate all your belongings between voyages. Know you might also be required to complete the muster drill again for the second leg of your trip.

World cruises

Accessible to only the wealthiest cruisers, world voyages (as you might have guessed) sail to destinations all over the globe in one long cruise. These itineraries usually stretch for 100 days or more, hitting key ports across most of the seven continents.

It’s also common for cruise lines to offer segments to passengers wishing to do only part of the longer voyage. This opens the option up to travelers with smaller budgets.

Most cruisers — even seasoned ones — have never taken a world cruise, and it’s truly a feather in the cap of anyone who checks it off their list.

Masted-ship sailings

Want to feel like a true swashbuckler? Consider a cruise on a masted sailing ship. There are several distinct experiences you can choose from, depending on your cruise style and how involved you’d like to be in helping out on a working ship.

Star Clippers allows passengers to help raise and lower the sails and climb the mast up to the crow’s nest. The accommodations are a little more spartan, more like true sailboat quarters, and entertainment is homespun with guest-participation shows and knot-tying lessons. The vessels in this line try to rely largely on wind for propulsion and spend up to 80% of the voyage under sail.

Want to experience a masted sailing ship but prefer to leave the work to the crew? Consider a cruise on the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit, the stunning new sailing ship from Sea Cloud Cruises. This tall ship offers an authentic sailing experience with modern creature comforts like TVs and Wi-Fi.

Related: Why this new sailing ship may be the ultimate way to explore Costa Rica and Panama

Meanwhile, Windstar Cruises has a handful of sailing vessels in its fleet, but the sails are more for show than for actual function. Although there’s still a working crew to operate them, you’ll feel less like a deckhand and more like a luxury cruise traveler.

Bahamas weekenders

Sometimes, you need a quick getaway and don't want to bust your budget in the process. Look for short weekend sailings to the Bahamas to squeeze in a vacation without burning through your PTO.

The shortest options are on Margaritaville at Seas' Paradise. Have all the cheeseburgers and margaritas you want during quick two-night round-trip sailings from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, to Freeport, Bahamas. For a slightly longer weekend, travelers can also choose to disembark and stay at a land-based resort for a few days before cruising home.

If big-ship cruising with lots of onboard diversions is more your thing, several of the big-ship cruise lines offer three-night weekend cruises. For example, Royal Caribbean offers three-night itineraries to Nassau and the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, both in the Bahamas.

Weekend cruises appeal to many types of cruisers, but keep in mind that they tend to have a party atmosphere on board.

Bottom line

Don’t knock what you haven’t tried. With so many different types of cruises out there, you can’t say cruising is not for you or that a certain type of sailing is your favorite if you haven’t experienced the various options for yourself. Try a vacation that might push you out of your comfort zone or be an entirely new type of sailing. You just might find yourself with a new favorite cruise type along the way.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin