Aren't cruises just for old people?

While people joke that cruises are only for the "newly-wed and nearly dead", there are lots of loyal cruisers across all ages. People love the opportunity to see several different destinations during one trip (with the convenience of having all of your belongings safely kept in your stateroom, no need to change hotels), to try world-class cuisine, or even to have the kids happily entertained by cruise staff while the adults relax, gamble, or go to performances.

Which cruise line is right for me?

Each company has its own personality: some lines pride themselves on being family-friendly, while others actually prohibit guests under the age of 18 or 21! Are you looking for a "party boat" with plenty of drinks and dancing, a more formal atmosphere with tuxedos and ball gowns for dinner, or something in between? Do some research online and with people you know who have cruised before: you'll get plenty of input to help you choose a cruise you'll love.

Are cruises expensive?

Yes and no. It's possible to get a great deal on a cruise in the off-season (in the US, that's usually May and September/October): you could have an amazing vacation for under $100/night per person. On the other hand, if you've always dreamed of sailing at Christmas or you're only available during spring break, expect to pay premium prices. The type of stateroom you select will also affect the price: an interior stateroom will be the most economical, while an ocean view, veranda, or concierge-level stateroom will increase your fare. Also, many cruise lines give you a discount for the third and fourth guests within a single cabin.

How far in advance should I book my cruise?

Most cruise lines only allow reservations about 18 months in advance. If you're able to book that early, that's likely when you'll get the lowest possible fares. However, if you've got some flexibility, you can often find good deals on last-minute cruises too (e.g. anywhere from two weeks to two months before sailing): as people cancel, the cruise lines want to fill those spots up, even at a discount. Whether you're booking well in advance or close to your sailing date, it's always wise to get a travel insurance policy because you may not get your money back if you cancel.

Are cruises all-inclusive?

Not exactly. Each cruise line varies with respect to what's included and what's not. For example, one family-favorite cruise line has a complimentary soda station that's open 24 hours, while another line popular among college kids and bargain hunters only offers lemonade, coffee and tea. You'll never be lacking opportunities to eat, but many cruise ships have premium restaurants that are reservation-only and come with an extra cost. Alcoholic beverages, spa services, and off-ship experiences are almost never included in the cruise fare. And, don't forget the gratuities!

What are shore excursions?

Shore excursions are organized activities you can participate in during your ports of call. These include active adventures like snorkeling or hiking to ancient ruins, food experiences like wine tasting or chocolate tours, and so much more. You can book shore excursions directly through your cruise line or through a third-party company; just make sure that you're guaranteed to be returned to your ship on time if you go with an outside provider!

Not necessarily. On the largest cruise ships - the kinds that carry thousands of passengers - you might not even realize that you're moving! If you're prone to motion sickness, however, you may want to bring an over-the-counter motion sickness medication or consider alternative remedies like acupressure bands or ginger capsules.

How do I stay connected with work/family/friends on shore?

Are you sure you want to? If you need to stay on top of world events, most ships give you access to cable news networks, The Weather Channel, and several other stations on the TV in your stateroom. You can make calls using the ship's phones, though it's usually around $3/minute. Your cruise line probably has options for internet access as well. And, you can often find free Wifi access in your ports of call; lots of cruisers use their stops to quickly check emails and let people back home know that all is well.

The Best Cruise Vacation Sites in Maine for 2026

Item: The Best Cruise Vacation Sites in Maine
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Saturday, March 14th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

The Best Cruise Vacation Sites in Maine

Where can I find the best Cruise Vacation Sites in Maine? You'll notice right away how Maine's coastline hooks you, and you can scan cruise vacation sites from wherever you happen to be. You'll see sailings stacked from May through October, with the biggest wave in September and October when foliage lights up the shore. You can sort by small-ship expeditions, classic schooners, or big-ship port calls, and you'll match cabin styles to your budget without leaving the couch.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Cruise Direct

Base price may be comparable to booking direct, but extra perks can make it a deal
Buy now, pay later
47,000+ sailings available across 14 cruise lines

Read Full Review

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Cruise Direct website

4.5

GREAT

Great

GoToSea

Total savings of $6 on example cruise case
No booking fees or cancellation fees
Access to over 15 cruise lines with nearly 30,000 sailings

Read Full Review

GREAT

4.5

On the GoToSea website

3.5

GOOD

Good

Cruises

Potential savings of $6-30+ compared to direct booking example
Nearly 30 cruise lines and 11,000 sailings available
Operating since 1998

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.5

On the Cruises website

3.4

GOOD

Good

Cruises Only

Priced the same as direct booking in our example case
Over 11,000 cruise options available to browse
Curated collections like "wallet-friendly" and "last-minute" cruises

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.4

On the Cruises Only website

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Cheap Cruises

Prices may be higher than direct purchase due to cruise line's promotions
Best Price Guarantee with 110% price match policy
User-friendly website with multiple search filters and sorting options

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

3.0

On the Cheap Cruises website

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Vacation Outlet

Prices match direct booking rates: inside stateroom on Disney Wonder 3-night cruise to Baja costs $1,727 vs $1,726 direct
110% Best Price Guarantee within 48 hours of booking
11,000 individual sailings available

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.5

On the Vacation Outlet website

2.4

FAIR

Fair

Travelocity

Prices can be lower than booking direct ($402 vs $453 per person for a 5-day Caribbean cruise)
Access to 20+ cruise lines with over 49,000 sailing options
No booking fees or agency-specific cancellation fees

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.4

On the Travelocity website

2.3

FAIR

Fair

Priceline

Deals available you won't find when booking direct (save thousands on luxury cruises)
Provides up to $1,000 in onboard credits and various bonuses like stateroom upgrades
110% Best Price Guarantee if lower price found within 2 days

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.3

On the Priceline website

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Orbitz

Prices started at $527 for a 4-night Caribbean cruise, with potential savings of $81 compared to direct booking
Large inventory with 51,000+ sailings from 25 cruise lines
Operating since 2001 as part of the Expedia family

Read Full Review

SUBPAR

2.0

On the Orbitz website

1.9

SUBPAR

Subpar

Expedia

Interior room cruise prices can be $126 cheaper than booking direct ($315 vs $441 for 4-night Bahamas cruise)
Comprehensive sorting and filtering tools for cruise searches
Onboard credits, shore excursion credits, and drink/dining packages

Read Full Review

SUBPAR

1.9

On the Expedia website

Continued from above...

Where Can I Find the Best Cruise Vacation Sites in Maine?

You'll notice right away how Maine's coastline hooks you, and you can scan cruise vacation sites from wherever you happen to be. You'll see sailings stacked from May through October, with the biggest wave in September and October when foliage lights up the shore. You can sort by small-ship expeditions, classic schooners, or big-ship port calls, and you'll match cabin styles to your budget without leaving the couch.

From Portland, you can line up a day that pairs Old Port cobblestones with a harbor call, then you can check docking or tender info for an easy stroll into town. You can pull up Maine port schedules and map dates to lighthouse views at Portland Head Light - among the most photographed in the U.S. You'll notice most sailings bunch up in late summer and early fall, so you might grab shoulder-season pricing in May or early June.

On a foggy morning, you'll appreciate how Bar Harbor puts you right beside Acadia, and you might join roughly 3 million annual visitors on a trail or carriage road during your call window. You'll tender from an anchorage in Frenchman Bay, so you might build in buffer time between tours and all-aboard. You can expect crowds on peak foliage weekends, and you might also run into a voter-approved daily limit of 1,000 cruise guests ashore, so you may favor midweek dates.

Meanwhile, you could aim for Rockland and a classic sailing vibe with Maine windjammers. You can reserve cabins on century-old schooners online, choose 3-6 night itineraries, and sail Penobscot Bay under canvas - you'll likely keep your phone in your pocket when the breeze fills. You'll watch weather windows a bit more closely for these trips, and you can plan shore time around the Farnsworth Art Museum or a lobster shack on the pier.

When you shop for cruises online, there are several important factors to consider before making a booking. Here's a quick overview to help you navigate your options:

Pricing and deals. Prices for cruises can vary greatly depending on the time of year, the cruise line, and the type of cabin you choose. If price is your greatest concern, you'll want to go with a site that offers special offers, discounts, and/or price-match guarantees.
Search filters and customization. A good cruise booking site will allow you to filter your search based on destination, cruise length, amenities, specific dates, or even ship. You should be able to save your top candidates to a list of favorites for easy reference.
Customer reviews and ratings. User reviews can give you a window into any loopholes the cruise booking site might be trying to take advantage of. After all, you want a deal, and the booking site wants to make as much money as possible.
Customer service and support. Booking a cruise can be a complex process, and responsive customer support can make all the difference if you have any issues with your booking or need assistance planning your trip. Choose a site with a reputation for excellent customer service, including 24/7 support and easy-to-reach agents.

Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best cruise vacation booking sites available. We hope this review helps you find the best service for your cruise adventure. Bon voyage!