I am getting ready to take a cruise -----any ideas on a good cruise line?

Question

I am getting ready to take a cruise -----any ideas on a good cruise line?

Answer 1

I just finished my first cruise....we took the Disney Cruise Line''s Mediterranean program on their ship "Magic".  This culminated about 6 months of research and another 14 months of planning.  This was the best vacation I had ever taken.

You need to decide what you where you want to go and what you want to do, how much do you want to spend.  There are several sources but I went to several sites to get prices.

1. General Internet Travel websites

2. Websites specifically for cruise travel.

3.  Cruiseline Company websites

4.  Travel Agents

A good web site to start is www.cruisecritic.com.  It has evaluations of each Cruise Line, Cruise Ship, and Itineraries as well a Discussion Boards and critiques of cruises.

Once I did some homework, I went to several travel agencies to see if I could find an agency, and more specifically the travel agent, who could answer a Q&A I had prepared.

Good luck with you research.

Answer 2

I will give you a brief description of each cruise line and you can take it from there, or consult a local travel agent for more information.

1) Carnival- Carnival is ranked in the basic cruise line area, and is probably one of the cheapest cruises you can go on price wise. Their prices tend to be alot less expensive then anyone else, but you get what you pay for. On their ships, there is alot to do, like the waterslides, and discos, parties, casino, clubs, bars, poolside activities, and etc. It's more of a party, drink, and gamble type of cruise line. If you have kids it and havent been on a cruise before I would recommend starting here as they can have the waterslides and Carnival has wonderful kids programs and go out of numerous ports and have various lengths of cruises.

2) Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL)- The are the first to have "freestyle" cruising, and the first to have bowling alleys at sea, in their newer ships. Freestyle cruising is basically on the ship you choose from a variety of restaurants like anywhere from 4-8 and then you eat when you want, how casually dressed you want, and with whom you want. NCL has caused quite a controversy on some of their ships. Their Pride of Aloha, and Pride of Hawaii, only do Hawaii cruises and have to have a majority of americans working on their ships, and they want more money and arent as nice as people from other countries who will work for whatever. It's a nice cruise line with some good itineraries, but it can be a little bit more pricy then others.  

3) Royal Caribbean (RCCL)- This is one of the greatest lines for families. The ships are huge, and if you have a family I would definitely recommend going on the Voyager class ships, which include, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Adventurer of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and then possibly the Freedom Class ships, like Freedom, Independence, and Liberty of the Seas. The Freedom class ships since they are newer are more expensive. They also have the new flowrider on there. Most of the ships have in line skating rinks, rock climbing walls, golf simulators, and a whole bunch of other things to do. They can be more expensive at times, but you just have to find the right deals.

4) Celebrity Cruise Lines- They are more of an upscale cruise line, with some great deals, and they are ranked in the premium class cruise line area, and they have some amazing itineraries, and destinations. They are a really great cruise line with amazing children's programs, and the staff is amazing, and the service and food are top quality, once you go on and experience them everything else will just seem average and below.

5) Holland America- I think personally they tend to draw in an older crowd and they are a little more expensive then the average cruise line and I just think that they are more for an older type of crowd and their is nothing really special about them.

6) Princess Cruise lines- They have some really nice ships, and they have lots more balconies, and I just think that they still draw towards an older crowd and the prices arent as good. Even thought they do an amazing Alaskian cruise I have heard.

I would also avoid Cunard, Crystal, Windstar, and some of the other upper class cruise lines, unless you can afford them, and arent looking to be around alot of kids, and they are top of the notch cruise lines.

I would also not get anything lower then an oceanview stateroom, as you really need one, because insides are way to dark, unless you have lots of kids and then it doesnt matter for them, but you really need to experience this on your first cruise.

Answer 3

I like Norwegian Cruise Lines... but then again that was over 8 years ago but I still like them

Answer 4

I suggest Carnival.  They have always given me the better price and value for what I am getting.  Cheaper than RCCL and Disney.  In fact RCCL charges for almost everything you do on the ship.  If you want to go to Johnny Rocket's for a hamburger, it costs you $4 just to walk through the door.  The only extra charges on Carnival are for specialty coffee, the supper club,pictures, alcohol and gambling, and shopping.

They have good itineraries, great food and service, and despite what people will tell you, I have never seen a ship full of drunks.  My kids love it, especially the 24/7 pizza and ice cream.  We booked a seven day Western Caribbean for un der $1400 for four people.  The benefits of past guest and one day sales.  It doesn't get any better than that.

Answer 5

When do you want to go?

Where do you want to go?

What port do you want to depart from?

I liked Royal Caribbeans Majesty of the Seas ship.

Answer 6

I like Carnival best, it has the best prices and lots of ports to choose from, the ships are very nice and the staff is always ready to pamper you.  the food is awesome, the dinning room is best.

our first cruise was a 4 day and was too short.

the best way to get the best deal is to go through Carnival direct and get a vacation planner, they are great at getting upgrades, if you book early

Answer 7

For the best value, take Royal Caribbean. If you are looking for cheap, and you have never been on a cruise before, Carnival will not disappoint you, but I didn't like it much after taking Royal Caribbean.

I haven't been on any other cruise line. I have heard that Celebrity is nice. It's geared more towards adults and carries a bigger price tag. Disney cruise lines are also nice, but extremely expensive and i heard that you have to be a big disney fan.

Answer 8

well i dont know if this will be of much help to you since i have only used 2 of the cruise lines but i have taken a cruise on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I took the Carnival one first and then the Royal Caribbean one. I loved the Carnival one. It was great. But then i took a cruise on RCCL. I would definitely recommend RCCL. The food was a lot better and although it does cost more it is a better value. However the one thing that i like about Carnival was that it catered more to young adults and teens or kids. RCCL also had kids programs and fun adult activities and such but it just didnt seem that same. On the 15th my family and i will be going on another cruise. this time we are going on carnival because of prices and the destination that we want to go to. Already we have had problems with rooms and such. It is a big mess. But no matter what cruise line you go with and whatever destination you go to just remember that a cruise is supposed to be fun and if you are researching and it doesnt look like fun...dont chance it! Cruises really are awesome vacations and are tons of fun no matter what cruiseline you go on. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 9

It really depends on you age, budget and what you like to do, for example:

Carnival=Family and young marrieds lots of party games and poolside concerts

Princess=Mostly honeymooners and retired types - more auctions, films and relaxing games

Royal Caribbean = most multicultural so very diverse activities - the most popular I have found - with Europeans

These are the 3 I have tried and no matter what had a great time both on the ship and off. Just remember to look at what the ship has on it's web itinerary and if you are a soda drinker see if they have a card for sale the first day to cover the cost of soda for the entire cruise it will save you quite a bit. There are lots of ways to have fun and if you take advantage of the web to research the islands/ports you are visiting you may find something the cruise didn't offer but is really more to your liking. I love art galleries and always look up what kind are in the Port before we cruise so I can catch some local color. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Definitely Royal Caribbean. Their ships are huge and they have a lot of onboard activities. I had so much fun on their ship, there was always something to do. To me Carnival is the opposite, the ships are kind of dated, they lacked activities, and the ones they did have they charged extra for. I was bored a lot on Carnival. Disney cruises tend to be very pricey, plus they are geared towards kids.

Answer 11

Royal Caribbean is the best for the price. I really do not like Carnival.

Answer 12

From which place will you depart?

Answer 13

Royal Caribbean is the best! Loyal to royal, good prices, good service...cannot wait to go again.