Monday, April 1, 2024

Best and worst cruise lines

cruise company comparison

Disney is famous for its attention to detail and focus on the guest experience in its theme parks, and those attributes extend to its cruises, too. Families will enjoy meet-and-greets with Disney characters, themed restaurants, and a slew of onboard activities and entertainment. Staterooms are also family friendly, with storage that’s designed to accommodate multiple guests. That said, the ships, once on board, are generally very nice and friendly to all types of cruisers from first-timers to experienced cruisers and people who enjoy traveling with family. Our experience with MSC definitely pointed out that the European origination of the cruise line has seen nearly the entire ship full of multi-generational family groups taking large group vacations together.

Cons of Cunard Line Cruises

A bevy of FREE included amenities ensures you are able to make the most of your exploration. Enjoy meaningful immersion into stunning ports around the globe though all of your senses. Sail with the expedition experts of Atlas Ocean Voyages to some of the world’s most memorable destinations. Consistently named as one of the best small ship cruise lines, Seabourn's yacht-like vessels are unmatched in elegance and grace. Their all-suite ultra-luxury ships offer cruises to over 300 itineraries worldwide.

10 Luxury Cruise Lines, Ranked By Passenger Review - TheTravel

10 Luxury Cruise Lines, Ranked By Passenger Review.

Posted: Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise Line Industry in the US

Princess became famous and a household brand name with the series “The Love Boat”. Princess Cruises is the epitome of traditional cruising and lives up to the tradition of what a traveler would expect if they had been on a cruise 20 or 30 years ago. While Princess Cruises has evolved to match some of the more modern cruise expectations like open dining times and drink packages, it still maintains the classic spirit of what a cruise should be. In general, the clientele still enjoys dressing nicely for dinners and appreciates a high level of service. MSC is great for a family that wants to try a cruise and isn’t sure if the experience of cruising is for them. It provides a range of options for the frugal traveler or even for the experienced cruiser who enjoys the higher end of travel such as Yacht Club Suites and concierge service.

cruise company comparison

Best for Customer Satisfaction: Disney

You’ll see young people, solo cruisers, the elderly, all races and socioeconomic levels represented. Carnival Cruise Line was established in 1972 and is the world's largest cruise line. A Carnival cruise is all about creating a fun, memorable vacation and their "Fun Ships" were designed to keep the fun going. Older ships may have been recently renovated to offer more options, while the newest ships may have spectacular features that aren’t yet well known. Newer ships may have more innovative features, for example, but are also likely to be more expensive and more fully booked in advance. Older ships may be smaller and could be missing some of the most coveted features, but they still have personalized ambiance and the exceptional service that makes each line distinctive.

The largest ships even have distinct neighborhoods that bring unique themes, outstanding architecture, and personalized character to each part of the ship. Drink specials abound and karaoke bars are often packed, and the atmosphere is electric with trivia contests, dance parties, hairy chest contests, mixology lessons, and more. There are plenty of activities for children and teens, and larger ships have more extensive water parks, sports courts, and other fast-paced features. Romantic types will love Windstar's three vessels with sails — a relative rarity. Foodies can choose one of the James Beard-themed cruises, which include market tours and cooking demonstrations with a James Beard Award-winning chef. Families, in particular, will love this line, due to all the family-friendly activities and venues on its vessels.

cruise company comparison

Pros of Virgin Voyages

Royal Caribbean vs. Virgin Voyages: cruise ship comparison with photos - Business Insider

Royal Caribbean vs. Virgin Voyages: cruise ship comparison with photos.

Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

A second, bigger ship called Ilma that's already open for bookings debuts later this year. Itinerary-wise, Oceania is known for destination-intensive voyages that typically are 10 nights or more in length, with some globe-circling trips as long as 180 days. Its seven ships feature a relaxed, country club-like ambience and inspired dining that appeal to a mostly older crowd. Like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, MSC Cruises operates big, resort-like vessels that appeal to a broad audience. Among the highlight of its cruises in North America are stops at its new private island in the Bahamas, the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

Pros of MSC Cruises

If the idea of sailing on a big ship makes you cringe, small-ship specialist Windstar could be the answer. Virgin Voyages' first three ships (Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady) have suites by acclaimed designer Tom Dixon. Destinations include the Dominican Republic, Mexico and a private beach club in the Bahamas, as well as parts of Europe and Australia. Its growing fleet of small expedition ships will take you everywhere from the Arctic to Papua New Guinea in style. Multistory waterslides, ropes courses and even go-kart race tracks are among the gee-whiz attractions atop Norwegian Cruise Line's giant, resort-like ships.

Passengers get the royal treatment when they sail on any of the more than 15 ships that make up the Princess Cruises fleet. These ships are somewhat upgraded from broader cruise lines, and offer more haute cuisine options and some of the traditional trappings of the golden age of cruising, such as more reserved dress codes. Norwegian offers a range of inclusive packages for travelers to pick the best deal that suits their interests, but some passengers may also find the extra surcharges and a-la-carte approach confusing. Still, the diversity on board appeals to many types of cruisers, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s more than 15 ships are often crowded and may be home to a variety of groups and gatherings. MSC Cruises sails worldwide and offers some unusual itineraries, including voyages that visit Dubai, Asia, South America, southern Africa, and other exotic ports of call.

Royal Caribbean’s target market & clientele

However, come 2020, the allure of clinking glasses and poolside sunbathing dissipated into thin air as these luxury watercrafts became hotspots for COVID-19 infestation. The best cruise lines offer travelers the opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest vacation destinations while enjoying a wide variety of amenities for every member of the family. From pools, waterslides and mini golf for kids to spas, shows and nightclubs for adults, there is something for everyone on a cruise ship.

We only evaluated major lines with trips that depart from the United States – hence, we excluded such companies as Virgin Voyages, Cunard, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. While most cruises are on the ocean, some lines (like Viking) offer trips in smaller vessels that cruise along rivers. These tend to be quieter and attract an older clientele compared to a mainstream ocean cruise.

Learn all about cruising from the comfort of your own home with our live complimentary Virtual Cruise Lectures. In short, passengers who enjoy a premium experience with value make up the majority of the travel demographic. Many millennials and “GEN X” ages find that when it comes to cruising, Celebrity fits their expectations perfectly. Travelers who want a nice, upscale experience without breaking the bank rule the Celebrity demographic. Speaking of food and restaurant options, Celebrity has also introduced a dine-any-time concept rather than a strict time slot for your meals. This is available on a limited basis, presumably, so they can accommodate the open dining request without sacrificing service quality.

With a fleet of three ships, Virgin Voyages offers itineraries from two to 14 nights. As for destinations, Virgin has itineraries along the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific and even a 14-day transatlantic journey from Barcelona to Miami. Unfortunately, Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer an alcoholic drinks package like other cruise lines. However, to offset this drawback, drink prices are reasonable ($5-6 for a beer and $9 for basic cocktails), including the tip. MSC Cruises are unique as they have recently made a push into the North American market after originating in Europe (originally as a shipping company).

We’re putting Disney on the list here because it’s on our bucket list to try and give a full review. Until then, check out this amazing review of what to expect on a Disney cruise. Mention taking a transatlantic crossing/cruise on the Queen Mary 2 to anyone, and nearly all the time the topic of the Titanic comes up! Other than the sinking part, the experience is as glamorous as you’d imagine the Titanic was.

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