I've sailed on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian ships. Here's which was my favorite — and how to choose the right cruise for you.

• I've been on Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships.
• The three mass-market cruise lines specialize in large, family-friendly, activity-filled ships.
• See how their newer vessels' amenities, restaurants, and cabins compare.

If you're considering a family cruise, you'll likely end up on a Carnival, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean ship.

The three mass-market cruise lines are especially popular in the US. And for good reason — their relatively affordable fares, flashy amenities, and large ships are irresistible for wide-eyed children and their budget-seeking parents.

As expected, they're all great options for cruising families. If you're one of many travelers who want to hop on the vacation-at-sea trend but don't know where to start, here's how their newer ships compare.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival has 27 ships that sail between 2,124 and 5,362 guests. Book the newer ones for amenities like roller coasters and miniature waterparks.

Most of Carnival's 2025 cruises will sail to the Caribbeans. The least expensive four-day option — a roundtrip Port Canaveral, Florida, voyage to the Bahamas, and Carnival Corp's private resort, Princess Cays — starts at $290 per person.

In April, the cruise line launched its latest ship, the 4,126-guest Carnival Firenze. It's technically not a new build — the company acquired the four-year-old vessel from its sister brand, Costa Cruises, in 2022.

There's no roller coaster. Instead, it offers activities like ropes and mini-golf courses, three waterslides, a children's water playground, and two pools.

When a few rounds of foosball and ping-pong have worked up your appetite, you'll have 16 dining venues to choose from.

Nine are complimentary, from beefy burgers at the Guy Fieri burger stall to grilled vegetables at the al fresco grill. The pizza and sandwich stands are free, too.

You'll have to pay extra for sushi, steak, and teppanyaki. The same goes for Firenze's bars, where you'll often find $13 cocktails and $9 beers.

Or, save the money and splurge on a "Terrazza"-level cabin for perks like a private lounge. This category includes interior and balcony staterooms but excludes ocean views and suites.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian's 18 vessels accommodate between 1,880 to 4,220 travelers. Its next floating resort — the 3,750-guest Norwegian Aqua — is scheduled to launch in 2025 with indulgences like a hybrid roller coaster waterslide and a high-tech sports court.

Most of the company's 2025 voyages will sail to Alaska, the Caribbeans, Europe, and Asia. The cheapest four-day itinerary starts at $565 per person for a roundtrip Jacksonville, Florida, cruise to the Bahamas, including a stop at its private island.

It's the only cruise line on the list with a semi-inclusive "More at Sea" — formerly known as "Free at Sea" — promotion.

The benefits depend on the duration of the voyage. For a minimum three-day sailing, they include complimentary alcohol, a specialty dinner for two guests, and 75 minutes of WiFi. (These updated advantages start in 2025.)

Like its competitors, you'll still have to pay for some of the ships' most desirable amenities.

For example, the two-year-old, 3,100-guest Norwegian Prima flaunts a go-kart track, virtual reality arcade, and high-tech mini-golf course. They all cost extra, from $10 per person for mini-golf to $29 per hour for the arcade.

Travelers who prefer free amenities can instead play the collection of outdoor games (like ping-pong and sub-soccer) and go a few rounds on the waterslide and dry slides.

Or, if you're looking for a quiet afternoon, spend your time meandering around Ocean Boulevard, a breezy walkway lined with lounge chairs and infinity pools.

Similarly, eight of Prima's 14 dining venues are upcharged.

You won't have to pay extra if you're OK with having most meals at the food hall and main dining rooms. But be prepared to pay up if you're craving an Italian or Mexican dinner.

If you're armed with the More at Sea package, indulge at Prima's 18 bars and lounges. Options include simmering in a hot tub, beer in hand, at the adult-only outdoor retreat, or sipping on a cocktail with liqueurs made from the ship's leftover foods.

Norwegian Prima's cabins range from solo studios to "The Haven," a collection of its highest-end suites. The latter has exclusivities like a butler and a private lounge, restaurant, bar, and pool. (Guests who aren't in Haven cabins have three other pools.)

Royal Caribbean International

If you thought Norwegian and Carnival's ships were mammoth, just wait until you see Royal Caribbean's. The company operates 28 cruise ships, several of which are the biggest in the world.

It debuted its largest, the 5,610-guest Icon of the Seas, in early 2024.

It's since launched a runner-up, Utopia of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas' complimentary amenities include a six-slide waterpark, a surf simulator, an ice skating rink, and rock climbing walls.

If you want to try the flashy Crown's Edge thrill "ride," be prepared to pay $50.

Similarly, less than half of the ship's 28 dining options are free.

Specialty options include a seafood eatery, a grab-and-go sushi window, and a $200-per-person, half-jazz club, half-American restaurant.

If you'd rather save money for espresso martinis at the caffeine-infused cocktail bar, you'll have complimentary options like a food hall, a Mexican-themed buffet, a pizza shop, and two cafés.

Like its competitors, Icon of the Seas offers "Royal Suite" cabins that promise amenities like a private restaurant and luxury toiletries. The highest-end options also include a butler-like "Royal Genie" and a private outdoor lounge with a pool, one of eight on Icon.

The mega-ship is exclusively operating Caribbean cruises in 2024, most to the company's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The Caribbeans are included in its name for a reason — it's where half of the cruise line's 2025 itineraries will operate, with the rest primarily going to Europe and Asia.

The cheapest four-day option, a roundtrip Los Angeles cruise to Ensenada, Mexico, starts at about $300 per person.

How to choose between the 3

Picking a cruise line comes down to your personal preferences and budget.

If you enjoy the long list of amenities that come with mega-ships, Royal Caribbean is your best choice. If you're looking for a balance between fun activities and peaceful retreats, I'd suggest Norwegian's Ocean Boulevard-lined vessels.

And if your only goal is to celebrate out on a tight budget, Carnival may often be your best bet.

Having traveled with the three cruise lines, I prefer Royal Caribbean (with Norwegian trailing closely behind). There's almost never a shortage of activities on the former's overwhelmingly colorful ships.

They're great for my short-term dopamine hit-craving brain — and I'm sure most children would agree.