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Best Cruise Lines
Posted on 11/29/22 at 7:06 pm
Posted on 11/29/22 at 7:06 pm
Started this on the OT lounge before I knew there was a Travel board, so I'm moving it to the right spot.
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This past September, we finally popped our cruise cherry. It was a Royal Caribbean cruise. We enjoyed it and will probably try to go on another cruise next year. Just wondering if Royal Caribbean was the best option. It's just the wife and I, kids are grown.
I've always heard Carnival was the high school/college trip cruise line.
Disney was the family/kid focused cruises.
Royal Caribbean was the best for those with older or no kids.
Not really familiar with any of the other cruise lines out there.
If there are any cruise veterans out there with any advice?
____________________________________________________________
This past September, we finally popped our cruise cherry. It was a Royal Caribbean cruise. We enjoyed it and will probably try to go on another cruise next year. Just wondering if Royal Caribbean was the best option. It's just the wife and I, kids are grown.
I've always heard Carnival was the high school/college trip cruise line.
Disney was the family/kid focused cruises.
Royal Caribbean was the best for those with older or no kids.
Not really familiar with any of the other cruise lines out there.
If there are any cruise veterans out there with any advice?
13
Posted on 11/29/22 at 8:32 pm to UGAnations
Just booked a cruise on Seabourn, a subsidiary of Carnival. A friend did a 3-week cruise in the Mediterranean and said it was as awesome.
Never been on a cruise, or had the desire. But after talking to my friend I checked it out. The ship we booked has only 132 suites. All ocean-front. More my speed. Don’t sail til May, but can’t wait.
Never been on a cruise, or had the desire. But after talking to my friend I checked it out. The ship we booked has only 132 suites. All ocean-front. More my speed. Don’t sail til May, but can’t wait.
This post was edited on 11/29/22 at 9:36 pm
Posted on 11/29/22 at 8:39 pm to UGAnations
I have been on a bunch of them and find that with regard to the major cruise lines there are more similarities than differences.
The thing I like about Norwegian NCL is the speciality restaurants. They have the best food.
I have enjoyed Holland America, twice to Alaska and once in the Mediterranean. Slightly more upscale.
The cruise with the oldest crowd I have been on was a Princess cruise to New England and Canada but I attribute that to the itinerary rather than the cruise line.
I have taken a few Carnivals and had a great time but the last one was 25 years ago. I don’t need to do that anymore.
The thing I like about Norwegian NCL is the speciality restaurants. They have the best food.
I have enjoyed Holland America, twice to Alaska and once in the Mediterranean. Slightly more upscale.
The cruise with the oldest crowd I have been on was a Princess cruise to New England and Canada but I attribute that to the itinerary rather than the cruise line.
I have taken a few Carnivals and had a great time but the last one was 25 years ago. I don’t need to do that anymore.
Posted on 11/29/22 at 9:02 pm to UGAnations
I’m,high on NCL. Excellent food and the mandarin spa is second to none. Whichever you choose stay with it. Spiffs for repeat customers are many.
This post was edited on 11/29/22 at 9:03 pm
Posted on 11/29/22 at 10:19 pm to UGAnations
I’ve been on a couple of celebrity cruises that seemed more adult focused. Although they were to Bermuda and Alaska, so those destinations probably attract an older crowd
Posted on 11/29/22 at 10:55 pm to Hermit Crab
I'm a fan of Celebrity.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 6:25 am to UGAnations
I think looking at a fleet as a whole, considering the variety of ships, itineraries, departure ports, price point and overall value Royal is far and away the leader in the mass market cruise line industry.
You can find other things that one ship or line does better but when considering all factors, Royal is tops in that market segment year after year.
You can find other things that one ship or line does better but when considering all factors, Royal is tops in that market segment year after year.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 6:56 am to UGAnations
quote:
UGAnations
Carnival is definitely a cheap (party) ship. I've done one Carnival cruise and never again if I can help it.
Disney is definitely kid / family oriented, but I do find their employees, food, and entertainment (even though again the entertainment is kid driven) is top of the line. Disney does everything right. Fork over the money for Concierge if you're going to go Disney and you'll be treated like royalty. Disney will definitely be your most expensive option.
I've done more NCL cruises than any other cruise line. Give NCL a shot. I think you'll like it just as much, if not maybe a little more, than Royal Caribbean. If you can splurge, make sure to look into the Haven on NCL.
Like another poster said, the more you sail with a particular cruise line, the more points you can earn and therefore be put in various 'tiers' which can offer plenty of perks like discounts in shops on board, free promotional items, priority embarkation / debarkation, etc. I also try to book when they're offering 2X (and sometimes 3X) points as this maximizes your points and can get you bumped into higher tiers faster.
This post was edited on 11/30/22 at 6:59 am
Posted on 11/30/22 at 7:22 am to UGAnations
The wife and I cruise on Royal Caribbean almost exclusively. We have done one on Carnival, it was ok, but we don't recommend it. We have also done one on Norwegian, which was pretty comparable to Royal. We just like Royal more. We might do Celebrity at some point. Depends on itineray, really.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 7:44 am to UGAnations
Personally I like Carnival the ship layouts. The bars. The employees the prices. The food. But the people who go on Carnival cruises.... yikes.
Even if you stay on the Empress or Spa decks you won't get away.
The more expensive cruises and longer sailings will have better clientele. I find Norweigen boring and don't like how everything is extra. Royal Caribbean is pretty much the universal favorite.
Holland the best for Alaska.
Sometime said Seabourne. I have a Seabourne brochure next to me. Maybe when the kids are out the house I can justify a $10k cruise for 2. Right now on a Carnival I can be under $4k for 4.
With 2 balcony cabins.
Even if you stay on the Empress or Spa decks you won't get away.
The more expensive cruises and longer sailings will have better clientele. I find Norweigen boring and don't like how everything is extra. Royal Caribbean is pretty much the universal favorite.
Holland the best for Alaska.
Sometime said Seabourne. I have a Seabourne brochure next to me. Maybe when the kids are out the house I can justify a $10k cruise for 2. Right now on a Carnival I can be under $4k for 4.
With 2 balcony cabins.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 7:45 am to Napoleon
quote:
Napoleon
What is "extra" on NCL that is not on Carnival?
Posted on 11/30/22 at 7:47 am to Napoleon
quote:
I find Norweigen boring and don't like how everything is extra.
The extra cost thing on Norwegian is what put us off of them. Royal doesn't nickel and dime you.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 8:01 am to Ziggy
On NCL there is a buffet and one dining room every where else cost extra money. On carnival you have a pizza place, a burrito bar, a taco stand, a deli, a burger bar and a Mongolian wok that don't cost extra with 2 sit down restaurants. Yes they will have a couple premium places with extra charges but seemed like everything on the NCL was more. Now the food was better in those places but it just seemed like there wasn't a much included.
On my last carnival the only extras were the sushi, the seafood bar and the steakhouse. Though they did do away with free room service and surf and turf cost $20 extra on the menu.
Though what really puts carnival higher for me is ease of access. I can get dropped off and be on a ship. We don't have to fly somewhere first.
On my last carnival the only extras were the sushi, the seafood bar and the steakhouse. Though they did do away with free room service and surf and turf cost $20 extra on the menu.
Though what really puts carnival higher for me is ease of access. I can get dropped off and be on a ship. We don't have to fly somewhere first.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 8:03 am to Napoleon
quote:
On NCL there is a buffet and one dining room every where else cost extra money.
Not sure what ship you were on or when you sailed, but this is totally false.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 8:12 am to Napoleon
quote:
Holland the best for Alaska.
Can you add more context to this?
What makes Holland the best for Alaska?
I'm neck deep in Alaskan cruise research right now and hoping to understand more.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 10:02 am to thegreatboudini
Princess, Holland, and several other cruise lines are owned and operated by the parent company Carnival. Many of the amenities and excursions are similar.
If you are going to Alaska and are interested in excursions more than food and entertainment, then I suggest looking for an excursion that takes you within one mile of the glaciers. Large vessels like your cruise ship can get no closer than 3 miles by law, according to my research a couple of years ago and stated by Park personnel. Princess and Holland had this excursion when I went and is limited to 150 people. BTW, it was fantastic. Got to see calving up close with the sounds startlingly exciting. Just a notation for your cruising research.
If you are going to Alaska and are interested in excursions more than food and entertainment, then I suggest looking for an excursion that takes you within one mile of the glaciers. Large vessels like your cruise ship can get no closer than 3 miles by law, according to my research a couple of years ago and stated by Park personnel. Princess and Holland had this excursion when I went and is limited to 150 people. BTW, it was fantastic. Got to see calving up close with the sounds startlingly exciting. Just a notation for your cruising research.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 12:19 pm to UGAnations
I rank the lines I've been on as:
1. Royal Caribbean
2. NCL
3. Celebrity
I've been on 7 or so RCCL, 2 NCL, 1 Celebrity. I guess I just like the shows and food and ships of RCCL.
I don't think I'll ever be on Carnival since I'm older and can't stand being around those types of people. Same reason I don't go to Myrtle Beach.
I enjoy the ocean (Navy). One day I'd like to take a longer cruise to Europe or Asia and also a Great Lakes Cruise. Our kids enjoyed it, and it was probably the cheapest option since it included food.
1. Royal Caribbean
2. NCL
3. Celebrity
I've been on 7 or so RCCL, 2 NCL, 1 Celebrity. I guess I just like the shows and food and ships of RCCL.
I don't think I'll ever be on Carnival since I'm older and can't stand being around those types of people. Same reason I don't go to Myrtle Beach.
I enjoy the ocean (Navy). One day I'd like to take a longer cruise to Europe or Asia and also a Great Lakes Cruise. Our kids enjoyed it, and it was probably the cheapest option since it included food.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 3:22 pm to OU812ME2
How about Viking Cruise Lines? Surprised no one has mentioned them yet I have been “told” they are excellent and considering a Christmas cruise through Europe next December.
Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks
Posted on 11/30/22 at 4:11 pm to jimlsu1
I’ve been on 11 cruises. Only cruise RCCL now.
Posted on 11/30/22 at 4:59 pm to OU812ME2
We were on the Harmony of the Sees ship on our RCCL cruise. Do all their ships have a similar setup as far as food choices?
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