Spring break cruises are popular. But you can still avoid the crowds.

Spring break cruises may bring to mind crowded parties on the lido deck and packed buffets. But while the school holiday is among the year’s busiest travel periods, there are ways to find a more laid back vacation at sea.

The cruise line guests choose, their destination and the length of the itinerary can all impact how crowded a sailing is likely to be at spring break. And those looking for a more chill trip aren’t alone: searches for “quiet spring break” were up 174% year over year as of late February, according to Google Trends.

Here’s what travelers should know.

What cruise lines are less crowded during spring break?

Cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises are likely to be less crowded than some others, according to Sheri Griffiths, founder of CruiseTipsTV.

She said those brands “attract an older demographic, so they don't have the types of activities and entertainment that appeal as much to a spring break crowd.” Because of that, though, travelers may find they’re trading off amenities like roller coasters and surf simulators for the more relaxed ambience.

Norwegian Cruise Line, while still family-friendly, may also be less hectic during that time. “They're probably going to be a little less of a spring break frenzy on Norwegian Cruise Line than, say, maybe Carnival and Royal Caribbean,” Griffiths said.

Luxury cruise lines, which tend to operate smaller ships, offer another way to steer clear of spring break madness. But Griffiths warned that there is typically very little programming for children, and some upscale ships are adults-only.

Cheap flights and top destinations: You can still score a deal for spring break

What types of cruises are less crowded during spring break?

That said, Griffiths noted that itinerary length is “probably the biggest factor” in how crowded a cruise is at spring break. “You know, you're not going to have spring breakers on a 10-night cruise to the Panama Canal,” she said.

However, that is more likely to be the case on shorter cruises. “Any cruise that’s three to four nights during that time of year is probably going to be pretty crowded and pretty much will have a focus on spring break,” Griffiths said.

Booking a cruise over seven days long will “greatly lessen” the chance of finding party crowds, she added.

What cruise destinations are less crowded during spring break?

Instead of hotspots like Cabo San Lucas, consider destinations less likely to be overrun by spring breakers. In addition to the Panama Canal, Griffiths said travelers could look into early-season Alaska cruises, which start in April; the Mediterranean; and Northern Europe.

Southern Caribbean cruises, which visit countries like Aruba and Barbados, are also less common than other parts of the region. “It may attract more experienced travelers and less first-time or inexperienced travelers than a Western or an Eastern Caribbean (cruise),” Griffiths said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spring break cruises: How to avoid crowds onboard