Your Rankings of Cruise Lines - Best to Worst?

Question

I would be interested in your opinions on what the best cruise lines are / what the worst are and why. If you have any official (consumer reports, etc.) surveys, even better.

I also know it depends on what "you want" so I'll tell you we're a 30 something couple looking for a nice cruise, not a ton of kids, and not a floating retirement home...

Answer 1

The travel guy hit the high points. I am just a regular guy who has been on 20 cruises. I did alot of calling & checking before my first cruise. When I go on vacation I do not want to dress up or have to sit where they want. I like Norwegian & Princess they offer the best rates & excellent buffet where you get more of a selection & you sit & eat when you want. Now everyone on those 20 cruises say Holland has the best food. I like Alaska which I just returned from last week & going twice more this year. Ships where great as was the crew. I like the layout of Norwegian has they have open decks in the aft. I have also always taken an inside cabin & saved $500.00 each. Balacony's are nice but, you only get to see 1 sided view of things plus meeting people & seeing the sights is why I go.

Bottom line is all lines offer nice cruises or they wouldn't still be around. Personal taste plays a big part.

Enjoy.

Answer 2

My wife and I are both Travel Consultants, and cruise about 2-3 times a year - we have sailed on every major cruise line.

The best way to answer your question is to go right to the travel experts - the millions of readers of Conde Nast, who participate in annual "Best of. . . ." polls.  This year, like 5 of the past 6 years the #1 cruise line is Celebrity.  It’s our personal favorite as well.  I have attached the list of the top 25 ships below.

If you'll step back and take an overall look at Celebrity Cruise Line, you notice that they've won some pretty impressive awards. We were on Celebrity Constellation a few months ago, so the information is pretty easy to dig out:

- they won 6 of the top 10 positions in the Best Large Ship category

- won highest rated Premium Cruise Line

- took top 3 spots for Best Crew/Service

- won all 4 Best Food/Dining rankings

- top spot Best Cabins

You don't get to this position by offering a less than first-class product. I'm confident that once you experience Celebrity, you'll be spoiled. Other cruise lines just don't match-up to the levels of service, attention to detail, quality of food and overall cruise experience.

But you asked for a best to worst ranking - so he's mine (Note: I'm leaving out the "luxury" lines, and only giving you a ranking of the "premium and contemporary" lines:

1-Celebrity

2-Royal Caribbean

3-Princess

4-Holland America

5-Norwegian

6-Carnival

7-Costa

RCCL tends to attract a younger and family oriented crowd, while Celebrity generally caters to a slightly older and perhaps more affluent group of clients.  It also appears to me that more people follow the dress codes on Celebrity than on RCCL (formal nights, semi-formal nights).

Enjoy your cruise - which ever way you decide to go. Bon voyage!

I hope this information is helpful.