In your experience, what is the best cruise line?

Question

I have cruised on Carnival twice and am planning on going on a cruise for my honeymoon. Which line do you recommend?

Answer 1

For a honeymoon, I would recommend Royal Caribbean. I've worked as a travel agent the Cruise Industry & I know Royal Caribbean even has "honeymoon specials" for newlyweds. You can even get married on a cruise ship.

Check for "honeymoon specials," you'll get quite a few more amenities for free if you mention you're on a honeymoon & they also have honeymoon suites. Have a great time!!!

Finally, check all the destinations, your departing port & the various stops the ship makes. In the Caribbean you can get your choice of islands & Mexico. You cn also get them for a few days & up to a couple weeks.

Another thing to remember, each ship is a different size & they have different amenities such as tennis, swimming pools, hot tubs, jogging tracks, surfing, rock climbing, massages & beauty treatment centers.

Finally, check into the restaurants & the menus. The type of restaurants vary & so do the menus. Another thing that varies is the entertainment, most have gambling casinos, some have live entertainment & dancing. Find one that gives you a free gift certificate. These sometimes have a value of $100.00 & you may get a larger one as a honeymooner. You can use these gift certificates to purchase anything they sell on board but you can't use them when you're on shore.

Shore excursions is a another thing they will book for you & this includes golf, horse back riding, scuba diving & lot's more. Have Fun!!!

Answer 2

Well, what's best for you really really depends on what matters to you.... =)

Here's my a high-level overview:

CARNIVAL has the best nightlife and is generally a really great, fun time. The food and service are very good, but the atmosphere can focus more on "fun" than on being "polished"

RCI is more polished. Their newer ships (Voyager or Freedom class) because have lots of interesting facilities -- ice skating rink, rock wall, surfing simulator, water park. Nightlife isn't so hot, though. And drinks are more expensive than on Carnival or Princess.

PRINCESS is as good compromise option: better nightlife than RCI and more polished than Carnival. Their larger, newer ships (like Caribbean Princess) have more pools and a really great nightclub suspended over the back of the ship. There's a Cruise Journal about Caribbean Princess here:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/journals

NCL is still getting their act together. They just announced they're spending $1Bn over the next couple of years on upgrades, but right now I'm not a fan.

Celebrity is more expensive and generally an older crowd, but more refined than the others.  Great reputation for outstanding food.

Holland America Line is similar to Celebrity but arguably more refined and they definitely have a more traditional atmosphere and more gracious service.  HAL is my personal pick for a romantic vacation with my husband, but that's because we really like their little touches and style of service.  

You can read my Cruise Journal about a recent cruise (with photos) here:

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/node/1110

This guide to choosing a cruise lays out some of the differences (which lines are more formal, which have what type of service, how to get the most for your money, etc):

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/ch...

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Royal Caribbean, by far!! I've been on their ships 6 times and they are my favorite in every way. I have never been bored, the staff is great, the ships are beautiful, and the overall vibe is pretty positive. I refuse to cruise with other companies.

Answer 4

Royal caribbean is i think the best cruise line by far!

there are just so many activites on board. i dont know if your husband will be into going to the spa but that would be a great thing to do on a honeymoon. both of you get a massage. and then the islands or what ever port you nay choose are spectacular. no matter which cruise ship you choose your bound to have an amazing time! after all it'll be your honeymoon so you should enjoy yourselves to the fullest extent possible. Have a great time and i hope you love the cruise!

Answer 5

I have been on about 20 cruises with four (4) different cruise lines and based on that I would say that Celebrity  (we went on the Constellation) is the best.  The ship was great and the service was definitely a cut about all of the other cruise lines I have been on. They, for example, met every passenger at the gangway with a glass of champaign and then escorted us to our cabin.

Next I would rate Princess based on the great ships they have.  The quality of the service is great but not quite as good as Celebrity.  Princess did a great job in food presentation; giving you a dinner meal that was pretty as well as tasty.  

Then I would rate Royal Caribbean next and it is my favorite cruise line and I look to them first for my cruises.  I love the fact that they have so many great on board activities and their ships are lovely too, especially the new Freedom.  I have been on the Mariner and the Adventure and they are both great ships too.  But my favorite of theirs is the Radiance class ships, Brilliance, Radiance, Jewel and Serenade.

I have heard many great things about Holland America but will not make my first voyage on them until the end of this year.

Then comes Norwegian and then Carnival a far as my ratings go.

Answer 6

Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines ever.

Answer 7

i would NOT recommend the Carnival Freedom ship.  the food is poor .   the band looks reggea , but plays U.S. 50's songs that do not sound right.  the guys have never heard of bob marley or lucky dube.  for a week the music sounded odd / everywhere.  the cabins are sooo little on that ship , you should embark with a spray bottle of PAM to coat yourself before you walk through the door.  shows are poor.

i would prefer the Celebrity or Princess.   I really liked the NCL Pearl , but, the week I was on it , it was scary as the Nowalk virus was everywhere.  The captain kept making announcements /reminders about every hour to remember to santitize your hands.  The food service took all the salt/pepper off the tables / no one could touch anything.  All buffet lines were served to people.   you were not allowed to make your own coffee or get a water or juice from the machines .  the crew kept coming into the common large rooms and blocking them off / doing the dissenfect stuff .   i was eating like i was in a 3rd world country afraid of getting sick.  the food i ate in first 1/2 of cruise was VERY Good.   after the outbreak became noticeable,  i didn't eat much the last 1/2 out of fear.   i did not get sick at all though.   it was a beautiful ship interior wise and the staff was all very nice / professional.   someone fell and reported the matter and they were all freaked out about if they were going to get sued ... .observed that they same obstacle in the area / walk area continued to be there during the week/ despite it's being reported.

Answer 8

Although cruise lines may go to the same place each offers alittle different. It really comes down to what you like and are looking for. Everyone has gone out to eat and had a great meal then told everyone and when they went it was not that great. So if you choose what you want then you will be happy.

I have been on 22 cruises with 3 different lines and been happy with all three.

Good Luck.

Answer 9

Royal Caribbean

Cleaner ships, More activites, Just all around a better cruise line than Carnival.

Answer 10

hello,

if you want read something about cruise line ship

i just come accross this blog which may help you

http://cruises-carribean.blogspot.com

http://cheap-cruises-to-alaska.blogspot....

http://disney-cruise-ship.blogspot.com

Answer 11

I prefer Celebbrity, great service and the best cuisine of any other line in that class.