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Before we can get into the ins and outs of each cruise line and which one you should sail, we need to cover what factors to consider. Fans of upscale hotel chain Ritz-Carlton will feel at home on one of this line's yacht-like vessels. In short, Celebrity aims for sophisticates, not the party crowd (although it's not a luxury product). There are more than two dozen lines marketing to North Americans — no two alike. Foodies and music lovers alike will appreciate the classic vibes of Holland America Line, where the traditional cruising diversions of elegant repasts and superior live music are still highlighted on every voyage.
Princess Cruises
For those on a tight budget, Carnival is hard to beat — as the pricing comparison above makes clear. But if you have a little more wiggle room with your pocketbook, there are good arguments for paying up for a week with Royal Caribbean or Disney. When it comes to the quality of service, entertainment and dining, it's a little bit of "you get what you pay for" with the lines. At 226,963 gross register tons, the ship is about 75% bigger than its two competitors, and all that extra space allows for a crazy array of amusements. There's also an outdoor Boardwalk area that mimics the Jersey Shore with a carousel and arcade.
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The ships are packed with activities, from water slides to game shows to the thrilling SkyRide, a pedal-powered bike 150 feet above the top deck. There’s plenty to keep kids busy, so you can spend some guilt-free quiet time at the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat. You’ll also find lots of great included dining options, such as Guy’s Burger Joint from Food Network star Guy Fieri.
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But just as different ports all have their own unique histories and cultures, cruise lines also have distinct personalities. By understanding the differences between major cruise lines, you can choose the line that best suits your travel preferences, personal style, and vacation dreams for the perfect oceangoing getaway. These vessels feel like miniature versions of the midsized and larger cruise ships. They still offer multiple restaurants, various lounges and different cabin categories, and the ship will feel big.
They make a big point of where tips are included in all of the pricing, so you’ll never see extra items on a bill for daily gratuities or an additional mandatory tip added to your services on board. That said, the biggest thing NOT included on Virgin is alcohol, and there’s not an option to buy a drink package. But the prices are reasonable and compared to on land restaurants & bars. For shorter cruises, especially in the Caribbean, there tend to be a lot of families and young couples. On longer cruises, European itineraries, and Transatlantic cruises, there are fewer children and the age tends to be 50’s+ on average. Keep in mind that NCL is one of those cruise lines that try to have something for everyone.
When you dine aboard a Regent cruise, you'll experience world-class chefs as well as sommeliers to pair your wine to your meal. Dining options include a variety of restaurants serving French cuisine, Pan-Asian dishes, Italian specialties, steak and more. Carnival has done an excellent job at adding ships to a large number of cruise ports.
For more outdoor space, choose the 624-square-foot MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite with a 753-square-foot balcony. Cabins on most mainstream cruise lines are designed more with functionality than flashy design in mind. Both lines feature windowless inside, ocean-view, balcony and suite accommodations. You'll also pay extra for the service charges that have become commonplace on ships.
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Royal Caribbean, in recent years, also has added a concierge-class-like program for suite passengers on some of its vessels (Harmony of the Seas among them). Called Royal Suite Class, it offers more polished service and exclusive access to shipboard restaurants, lounges and attractions. Determined to dispel the myth that cruising is only for seniors, Richard Branson has shaken up the industry with a cruise line geared toward millennials—and the young at heart. Virgin Voyages’s fleet of “Lady Ships” (a playful nod to “your ladyship” and the line’s British heritage) is filled with surprises including terrace hammocks, the first tattoo shop at sea and an onboard record store.
After 13 Royal Caribbean cruises, I booked a Virgin Voyages cruise: here's what I loved and hated - Royal Caribbean Blog
After 13 Royal Caribbean cruises, I booked a Virgin Voyages cruise: here's what I loved and hated.
Posted: Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Celebrity Cruises – A-List Luxury
This line prides itself on the diversity of its experiences and caters to an equally wide range of passengers. Midsized ships include the 2,100-passenger Celebrity Millennium, 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit, 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky and the 2,146-passenger Serenade of the Seas. A ship's size -- and not necessarily its cruise line -- is one of the most important factors you'll need to weigh when choosing a cruise to suit your lifestyle and vacationing preferences. MSC Cruises has deep roots in the Mediterranean, where it cruises year-round with a predominantly European passenger base. Its global reach extends to Northern Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the Arabian Gulf; these cruises also attract mostly international travelers. Passengers can purchase specialty dining packages at a discounted price prior to sailing.
Most notable is the Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent, ships that have set a new mark in luxury. Its most famous feature is the “Magic Carpet” — a platform on the side of the ship at goes up and down decks providing a one-of-a-kind experience. As well, older ships are undergoing the “Celebrity Revolution” — a $500 million upgrade plan across the fleet to redesign and add new features. As for ships, the cruise line’s newest ship holds about 4,300 passengers.
It also includes Carnival's first-ever Grand Central Atrium, complete with three-story walls of glass overlooking the sea. Of course, sticking to Carnival's brand, the vibe onboard still skews upbeat (in other words, it's a party). Your Personal Suite Steward will take care of everything from laundry to snacks to little surprises you hadn’t even considered.
Other activities include ice skating, escape rooms, mini-golf, a carousel and pickleball. Specialty restaurants vary from ship class to ship class, although a few such as Chops Grille (for steaks and seafood) are aboard most vessels. Unfortunately, those are the only complimentary dining options onboard MSC ships. Passengers can expect to dine most nights in one of the complimentary main dining rooms.
For an additional fee, passengers are served a set menu while being mesmerized with acrobatics and other circus-like acts. In short, if you’ve ever thought that cruising was stodgy or old-fashioned, then Virgin Voyages is designed to break that stereotype. In terms of ships, Norwegian’s aren’t as large as its rival Royal Caribbean, but they are still plenty big.
A significant chunk of the extra staff on Disney Fantasy are involved in the ship's entertainment program, which is far more elaborate. It doesn't necessarily mean Disney is devoting more staff to service positions in restaurants, bars and other areas. Meanwhile, of the three vessels in the comparison, it is Harmony of the Seas — the ship with, by far, the highest passenger capacity — which boasts the best crew-to-passenger ratio. While the ship can sail with up to 6,687 people, it operates with 2,200 crew. That gives it a crew-to-passenger ratio, based on total occupancy, of around 1 to 3.
Their five star dining, exceptional wines and handsomely appointed accommodations provide an oasis as you sail to unique ports worldwide. Norwegian Cruise Line boasts the youngest fleet on the planet and the freedom of choice known as Freestyle Cruising®. Norwegian Cruise Line ships sail worldwide offering guests the ability to have the cruise vacation of their dreams. Disney Cruise Line knows how to make a cruise vacation a magical experience. A Disney cruise offers exceptional service, great itineraries and world class entertainment that only Disney can provide.
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