Thursday, April 11, 2024

Cruise Line Showdown: Comparing Cruise Lines Options for Families Couples and Solo Travelers

comparing cruise lines

Other types of travel may benefit from traditional travel insurance. 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. If you’re planning a solo cruise, these top cruise lines offer solo-friendly amenities and activities, making sure you have a fantastic time on board.

Pros of Virgin Voyages

In the years ahead, don’t be surprised if MSC offers more departure ports. Of course, you’d expect a Disney cruise to be focused on children and families, and it certainly is. Characters like Mickey and Donald Duck roam the ship and there are other experiences with Disney-owned properties like Marvel and Star Wars. While there is plenty for mom and dad to do — such as the spa, adults-only eateries, and nightclubs — we think that only adults who are very into Disney would think of sailing the cruise line without kids. Newer ships will have more to do compared to older vessels and are ideal for everyone from families to empty-nesters. Just know that they are generally more luxurious than you’ll find with other large lines.

Who would enjoy MSC Cruises? What is their target market?

Compare: 10 Best Cruise Ships in The Bahamas and Caribbean - Cruise Critic

Compare: 10 Best Cruise Ships in The Bahamas and Caribbean.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This line sails more than a dozen ships throughout the Mediterranean and on different itineraries worldwide, bringing its understated elegance far past its Italian origins. 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. Without being able to compare prices, it can be a challenge to determine the best site for booking a cruise. To make it easier to compare, we priced out a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two adults. United Airlines MileagePlus members can earn up to 25,000 miles when booking a cruise through United at Cruises.United.com.

Cruising on the comeback?

Norwegian vs. Royal Caribbean: How They Differ - NerdWallet

Norwegian vs. Royal Caribbean: How They Differ.

Posted: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruising offers something for every traveler, allowing you to visit multiple destinations while sleeping in the same bed every night. Whether your next vacation is with your family, your partner or solo, there's a ship that’s right for you. The best cruise lines offer promotions regularly, so keep an eye out for specials that match your budget. Cruising is a popular way for travelers to visit multiple destinations for one price.

Comparing prices: A specific example

I want to share everything I've learned and hope to make your next cruise vacation as enjoyable as possible. 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.

The lowest tier will be the cheapest, but you should expect to pay out of pocket for extras like drinks, certain restaurant meals and activities and excursions once you’re on board. Higher fare tiers include more amenities but are significantly more expensive. There are dozens of cruise lines based all over the world, and more than 25 million passengers set sail every year on a wide variety of itineraries to hundreds of different ports of call.

comparing cruise lines

With its greater number of "older kid" amusements, such as surfing pools and rock-climbing walls, Harmony of the Seas is a particularly good choice for families with teens. Disney ships, like many of the Disney parks, aim younger with their attractions and are probably best when your kids are in the 6- to 12-year-old range. Just remember that you're paying a hefty "Disney premium" to get on board. When it comes to private islands, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day is the most elaborate by far. There's also an exclusive — and expensive — private beach club coming in December. Each of the ships in our comparison is among the most alluring in their respective fleets for families.

Disney Cruise Line

The two current ships are the Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady with the Brilliant Lady and Resilient Lady due to arrive next year (2023). Carnival Cruise Line does an amazing job of catering to people of all demographics and ages. You’ll be hard-pressed to explain to someone what the “majority” of the passengers are like on a Carnival cruise. You’ll see young people, solo cruisers, the elderly, all races and socioeconomic levels represented. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.

Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide

Norwegian Cruises is also known for its vast selection of specialty restaurants on its ships and is generally regarded by cruisers as some of the best food of all cruise lines. While it’s clear that every major cruise line has differences that set it apart from other lines, it is also important to recognize that individual ships can be just as distinct. Once you’ve decided which cruise line appeals to you most, take the time to learn about the different ships and what they offer passengers. Princess Cruises sails all over the world, offering diverse itineraries and often visiting ports of call that may be difficult to find on other cruise lines, while still visiting the most popular cruise travel hotspots.

Activities for Young Club and Teen Club attendees include sports tournaments, video gaming, dance competitions and karaoke. Royal Escape Rooms (available on seven ships) are fun for the entire family (kids, however, must be 12 or older). A number of ships also feature Battle for Planet Z, a laser-tag game appropriate for kids ages 5 and older.

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. Entertainment that includes live music and activities that include educational programs & enrichment programs attract a loyal and arguably more refined clientele. Some of these programs include cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and various classes.

Meet-and-greets with Disney characters, Disney-themed shows and the most extensive kiddie fun zones on the high seas are just a few of the family-friendly allures of a Disney cruise. Cunard fans love the line's relatively formal vibe (including nightly dress codes) and other nods to ocean liner tradition, including evenings with ballroom dancing. Below, you'll find our quick guide to some of the most popular cruise brands.

Viking operates smaller ships with a maximum of 930 passengers, which makes it easier to visit ports that larger cruise liners cannot navigate. If you are wanting to have a more active time with a festive atmosphere, then look toward the mass-market lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and others. These ships aim to please everyone, and generally have a more diverse crowd of ages and things to do.

Here, average daily rates accounted for 60% of scores, while expert, traveler and health ratings accounted for the other 40%. Cruise lines with average daily rates of $300 or more did not qualify for this category. In terms of ships, Norwegian’s aren’t as large as its rival Royal Caribbean, but they are still plenty big.

This line sails worldwide with itineraries of different lengths, and the hull artwork of its ships makes each one distinctive and attractive for a memorable cruise vacation. MSC Cruises is home to more than 15 vessels that sail worldwide with two themes in mind, elegance and discovery. This line prides itself on the diversity of its experiences and caters to an equally wide range of passengers. The largest ships even have distinct neighborhoods that bring unique themes, outstanding architecture, and personalized character to each part of the ship. If you're worried your trip plans being disrupted by bad weather or a change of plans, travel insurance might help. This optional standalone insurance can be purchased separately from your cruise bookings.

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