Which is the best cruise line?

Question

I'm trying to find a cruise. I've never been on one, my husband has been on several. He says that he WON"T go on Carnival. Can anyone tell me why? The choices I have for the dates and ports I'm looking at is Princess Cruises, Royal Carribean and, of course, Carnival. Any suggestions and WHY you would pick a particular cruise line?

My husband said not Carnival because there will be too many kids on there. (i.e. teens getting drunk) We don't want to be around a bunch of partiers....well, at least not a bunch of kids. We want a more mature experience I guess you could say.

So throw me your suggestions and it would be very much appreciated!

Answer 1

I have been on Princess and a smaller, Greek chain.  

I didn't have any complaints of problems with Princess (I did the Grand Meditteranean cruise)- definitely no drunken teenagers.  In fact, there were few kids or those that were around were so involved with kids activities that no one noticed them.  I was on the Grand Princess ship which was such a big ship anyway , with 4 swimming pools so it never felt crowded.  There was also an "adult" pool that was for people 18+ connected to their spa for relaxing.  

If I'm not mistaken, Carnival does cater to a more family-oriented crowd than Princess, although I've never heard any outright complaints about them.

I wouldn't hesitate to go with Princess again.  Everything from the food, to the rooms and staff was above average.  The crowd ranged from the odd family, to couples young and old, and some singles.  And there's enough activities for each crowd, but you'll probably be too tired after excursions to the different ports each day.

Answer 2

Your husband is right.  DO NOT go on Carnival.  There, you will see humans in their most disgusting form.  People vomiting all over themselves, passing out.  It's a mad house.  But I would recommend Norwegian Cruise Line.  They have Freestyle Cruising which allows you to eat where you want, when you want, and with whom you want.  This way, you can enjoy ports without worrying about missing your meals.  They are also a very classy, but homey cruise line.  I went with them for the first time this year and will never go back to another cruise line.

Answer 3

Only been on Carnival. Heard it the low budget line compared to the rest.

Answer 4

Well, I herd that Carnival was for a younger crowd and that it was a "party" ship. I went on Royal and it was wonderful! We relaxed and had such a good time. There still are kids and people drinking but I didnt see a bunch of young kids drinking. The food was good and the shore excursions were very fun! It was a blast. I hope to go on another cruise if I can get my new guy on a boat. :)

Answer 5

Norwegian!! I'm leaving tomorrow for my third cruise with them. They have a little bit of an older crowd. I didn't notice many children on the past two trips. The offer FreeStyle cruising which is great! No structure, no schedules....They have great itineraries too. I won't cruise anyone else!

Answer 6

Royal Carribean

Answer 7

to choose out of the list you have -  Royal Caribbean.  But, lately, we've been sticking to Norwegian - freestyle is definitely the way to go for me and my husband.

Answer 8

Of the three that you've listed, the "best" in my opinion, is Royal Caribbean.  

Carnival is the cheapest of the cruise lines and it shows.  It's very Jerry Springer.  

Princess is a little more retiree.  

Royal Caribbean is still family friendly, but it's not a children's ship.  You can avoid kids for the most part and the kids are more likely to be better behaved than on a Carnival cruise.  There are plenty of adult activities on the ship - but it will not be as adult as say Celebrity or Seven Seas.  

I'd take a RC cruise again in a heartbeat, but I'd have to contemplate even a free Carnival Cruise.

Answer 9

Carinval is a geared more towards the party crowds because it is cheap.  Many people feel the same way as your husband if you are both over 30.  I myself am under 30, but I would not sail Carnival.  Princess cruises are more for families or couples.  They have a great arragment for adults and younger children.  Don't worry about running into to many children because they are in their own area.  Royal Caribbean is ok, but getting back into the Economy line.  You have to think of Cruise lines like most people think of car companies.

Carnival - Kia Rio

Princess - Chevy Tahoe

Royal Caribbean - Ford Focus

Holland America Line - Chevy Silverado

Celebrity - BMW M3

Cunard - Lincoln Navigator

Answer 10

Cruise lines are catergorized as follows:

Mass-market - Examples: NCL, Carnival, MSC, Royal Cariibbean

(they are aimed at the price conscious and young families; 2000+ passengers)

Premium - Examples: Celebrity, Holland-America, Princess & Cunard (nicer ships, bit more in price, better itineraries, 1500+ passengers)

Ultra Premium - Example: Oceania (684+ passengers, still large ship, longer itineraries 10+ days vs 7 or less on others, very interesting itineraries - very good value for what you are getting)

Luxury - Example: Silversea, Regent (390 - 790 passengers, all inclusive includes accommodations, meals, all beverages, including alcohol, entertainment on board, and gratuities.) No inside cabins, all staterooms are suites 90% w/ balconies.

Seabourne has smaller ships but is all inclusive and all suites.

Sea Dream has 2 mega-yachts that carry 110 passengers each.

Smallish cabiins compared to others, but also all-inclusive.

Crystal has 1100+ passenger ships but also all-inclusive

There are great discounted sailings on all of these "luxury cruises" and if you look at those and compare that pricing to the total amount you will lay out on a lesser cruise line, after they "nickel and dime" you to death even for things like soda and bottled water, you'll find you're spending probably the same amount of money and not getting the nicer cabins, better food and service.

If you don't have an agent yet, please contact me at 866-485-8175 and I will be glad to help you find and book a cruise that will provide you an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Answer 11

Royal Caribbean is a very good balance.  Service is great.  Staff is always friendly.  So far we never had any problem with kids on the ship.