There are roughly two dozen major cruise lines in existence, though that number changes yearly as the industry ebbs and flows with the economy. Despite the constant change, there are several cruise ship companies that have weathered multiple storms and still remain as popular as ever. They include:
Small Ship Cruise Lines
In addition to the larger cruise lines, which sail largest new cruise ships in the world, there are several companies that feature smaller ships. Most of the vessels carry less than 500 passengers and specialize in providing passengers individualized attention in a luxurious setting. They also differ from their larger cruise line counterparts in that they tour smaller waterways, including rivers and lakes. However, their destinations are just as exotic, such as the Amazon River, the Yangtze River in China, Greenland, Africa, and the Sea of Cortés. Some of the most popular smaller cruise ship lines include:
- Abercrombie & Kent International, Inc. American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL) American Cruise Lines Elegant Cruises and Tours Grand Circle Travel Great Lakes Cruises Indian Ocean Cruises International Expeditions KD River Cruises of Europe Peter Deilmann Cruises Sea Cloud Cruises Star Clippers Victoria Cruises Viking River Cruises Windstar Cruises