Thread: Preferences on the different cruise lines.

Ok here is the deal. I would like to have you list the cruise lines you have been on. Give us a short one sentence on what you liked or did not like for each one.

If you have been on the same line but have a couple of specific things you may have liked on a couple of different ships and something you didn't on a another then specify the cruiseline/ship and that item.

I know all our preferences differ but it will be interesting to see what others think.

Carnival - Price was good.

Holland America - This one was above and beyond what I expected. I would give it 5*****'s. Service, rooms and food all wonderful.

Royal Caribbean - I have enjoyed this cruiseline. I prefer the newer ships.

Princess - I need to try this again to form a better opinion.

PRINCESS: Can't actually explain why we LOVE it! Maybe ... we've cruised with them the most often and do always feel "It's Where We Belong!"

CELEBRITY: Excellent! The food suited us! Never had a bad meal on Celebrity! Always have had a wonderful time on Celebrity ships! Especially, have enjoyed our fellow PAX!

HAL: Love for Port Intensive cruises! Just make sure ...make ABSOLUTELY sure ... you want a very laid back cruise!

RCCL: It's our "Party Ship"! Offers a good variety of activities (day & night) to suit the desires of a wide range of folks. While we aren't fond of the food served in the main dining room, their speciality restaurants are EXCELLENT!

NCL: We've taken 5 NCL cruises but haven't cruised with them since the SS Norway! Know nothing of their new ships but would like to try one of them at some point.

COSTA: Enjoyed ... but it's been a while. Unfortunalely, they do their Caribbean cruises out of Miami. That's the only reason we haven't sailed with them lately!

DISNEY: Very CLEAN!

CARNIVAL: It just wasn't a good fit for us.

Naturally, all of the above are just our opinion. Looking forward to reading what everyone else thinks!

So far a very short list but...........

HAL - Excellent service, food and ambience onboard. Very grown up.

Royal Caribbean - Value for money, great variety of things to do. Fun & party time. Food only ok exept for the Portofino restaurant which was superb.


( Thank you MG for starting this. Its going to be very interesting thread to read )

Carnival-Good price, great comfortable beds, great food, not rowdy as some made it out to be.

Disney Magic: First cruise. Loved everything!

RCI Explorer of the Seas: Hated Cape Liberty port. Didn't care for royal promenade. Food and staff was every bit as good as Disney, and teen activities were far better for our son.

We learned that we favor the classic cruise ships vs. the newer mega ships, so are booked for the Vision of the Seas for this year.

Thanks so far for the answers. It is interesting to hear what others think good and bad.

I can't wait to check out MSC.

Carnival: the negatives are the PA announcements and the over the top pool games; like the availability of food and non-hoity toity atmosphere

Princess: just feels comfy; less PA announcements, less emphasis on pool games that are crazy, also like the 24-buffet so you're not dependent on room service if you get hungry at non-meal times. Negative: no lemonade, no free sodas at dinner time.

RCI (25 cruises) - Most innovative and well designed ships of any line. We like the Promenade. Always excellent service. Our favorite line.

Cunard (QM2) (one cruise) - Ocean liner and poorly designed for Caribbean cruising. Caste system with the Princess and Queens grill cabins and restaurants. We enjoyed it once, but that was enough.

HAL (one cruise) - Inside ships with not enough outside deck space or windows.
Felt closed in. Older clientèle.

NCL (one cruise) - Not representative as it was the SS Norway. No way to compare to the other NCL ships.

Crystal (one cruise) - Best main dining food. Best lectures and information seminars.
Service comparable with other lines. Afternoon tea the best. We did a 2 for 1 cruise and felt the price was about right. Full price too much for product received.

Hurtigruten (one cruise) - Excellent small ship cruise along the Norway coast and into the fjords. Some people wold hate it, but it was one of our best trips. We would sail with them anytime.

Celebrity (one cruise) - Didn't live up to the hype for us. OK, but no better overall than RCI. Buffet area poorly designed and many small maintenance issues. Didn't come close to ruining the cruise, but noticeable.

Have to say that this has been a GREAT thread for us newbies out here!! THANKS!!