What's the best cruise trip?

Question

Please take into account considerations like acommodation, activities, ports of call, food, service, luxury, price, etc.

Answer 1

You are asking a lot in one question and some of the answer depends on what you like and consider best rather than what we/I think. But here's my input.

If you have the money to spend for the very top and best cruise lines try Crystal, Radisson, Cunard, Windstar, and Silver Sea. These cruise lines are a cut above the others because they run smaller ships (about 500 to 700 passengers) and have a higher staff to passenger ratio so you get top of the line service. They also have more amenities included in the much higher price, like all veranda/balcony cabins, tubs and shower bathroom, larger cabins, daily wine and/or champaign with meals, etc. These ships generally go to a port or two on a seven day cruise which may be different from the normal. Prices for a 7 day cruise on these top of the line ships may start at $2500 to $3000 (vs about $1200 on the next tier of ships.). These ships tend to have a more sophisticated and older crowd and more formal dining. They don’t pressure you to buy with art auctions and spa deals. You are more likely to see a celebrity or someone famous on one of these cruises because they are what you may call “exclusive”.

Most cruises are done by the next tier of cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, and Disney.. Most of the ships for these lines are now 1500 to 2500 passenger ships. The ships are big but things are so well managed that you really don't feel crowded on them. Prices on these ship can be as low as $800 for a 7 day inside cabin and about $1200 for a balcony cabin. Most of these lines go to the same places, they are just in port on different days. When you dock there may be one or two other ships there for the day and some days there may not be any where you go.

Among these the budget cruise line and the one that most young folks and first time cruisers go on is Carnival. Folks go on Carnival because they expect to party, party, party, and drink. Some people love Carnival, but others say their ships are not as good as others and neither is the food.

My personal preferences are Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and Norwegian, pretty much in that order. The reason, better food, service, good staff services, and not that much more in price. I like best the traditional cruising and service of RC and Celebrity.

If you want a somewhat different type cruise, go on Norwegian. NCL has freestyle cruising which merely lets you select the time when you want to go to dinner. Its otherwise no different from any other line. That means you can be less dressy for dinner if you want.

Here's my opinion on ports of call. After having been to most of the islands in the Caribbean I think they are pretty much the same in terms of sights and activities. So if your cruise does 3 or 4 Caribbean islands you will have 3 or 4 chances to do some of the same things. If you want something different and better in the Caribbean, do a cruise that includes the Panama Canal.

Having been all over the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, and Panama I would rate my best cruise as the Mediterranean. That cruise included port stops that were truly unique. For example, on stop was in Civitavecchia and we went to Rome to see the Vatican and the Colosseum. Then we went to Napoli and saw Pompeii. The trip included stops at two Greek isles; different from Caribbean islands.

So you need to decide where you want to go, what you want to see and then see which cruise ships go there and at what price.

Answer 2

You'll get a different answer from every person you ask that question of.

The thing is, while they are all right... They are also all wrong.

The fact is that what may be the best trip for me won't necessarily be the best trip for you.

Not only that but some cruise lines have much better offerings at better prices in some areas than in others. I would recommend a different line for the Caribbean than I would for Alaska.

If you want the ultimate in luxury I'd recommend a different line than if you were cruising on a budget.

Instead of asking that question here, you should really discuss your desires with a travel agent that specializes in cruises. I recommend Cruise Planners at www.mycruiseplanner.net or 888-286-9827. They are very experienced, have the same offers as the cruise lines and big online travel sites, and unlike the big online sites, they don't charge any service fees.

Answer 3

I think it really depends, as someone else mentioned, on what you're looking for. The best advice I can give is to do your research. I was blown away on my last cruise to Bermuda when my husband and I started chatting with another twenty-something couple one night in the disco. They were dissapointed that the ship didn't have an ice skating rink. Did they not look at the brochures before the got onboard?!

Anyway, I've cruised seven times, each with Celebrity Cruises, and can honestly say they were the best vacations I've ever taken. I don't know how someone couldn't enjoy themselves but then again, you may not want to visit the destinations I want to visit or enjoy the kind of food or entertainment I enjoy. So, to each his own.

For example, Carnival is known for it's younger, hipper, demographic but I've also heard the cruises are sometimes very unruly because there are loads of children and teenagers everywhere. In addition, because they're a line known for their cheap rates, there may not be as much attention paid to detail as on some other lines. On the other hand, the service or Holland America (as I'm discovering) targets a more sophisticated group who care more about fine dining and entertainment than say, rock climbing.

The bottom line: There are many cruise lines out there and they each target a specific group of people with a specific budget and specific game plan in mind for what they want out of a vacation. Visit each cruise line's website, visit cruisecritic.com and Conde Nast Traveller to get the opinions of other cruisers as well as experts. Do your homework, plan ahead and you'll have a fantastic time!

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

The question you should have asked was "What is the best cruise trip for me. I am X years old, my interests are XYZ and I want to spend around X dollars.". Without this information, one cannot really say how the trip relates to you.

But you asked what the best is, in my opinion the best is going to be Yachts of Seaborne. 208 passengers on each ship, 1-1 staff to guest ratio, all suites outside accomodations, all-inclusive luxury with all beverages and food included. Spa services on deck, caviar, stocked in room bar, gratuities, and shore excursions included. The ships have itineraries all over the world, and take you places the big ships can't or don't go to. This is super luxury, and you will pay for it. A 7 day Caribbean cruise on Seaborne is between 3K to 5K per passenger and up.

Is it the best cruise trip for you? Who knows... but it is one of the best in the world.

Answer 5

My best tip is to try lots of different activities on the ship. You'll meet people from all around the world and maybe learn a new game or some piece of trivia you think is interesting. Don't be afraid to, because the likelihood you'll ever see those people again is...never!
Also if you are out doing all these activities then you won't be spending too much time in your room, so unless you are claustrophobic, then don't buy some super expensive room with a balcony you'll never use.

Answer 6

I prefer Carnival, the stateroom are bigger than any other cruise line, and the room stewards are very attentive and very helpful, the food is awesome love the dinning room they do all they can to spoil you, there is always plenty to do or a place to go with noting to do too, the ports are fun and interesting and many to chose from, and it is the best price for a vacation, have not found a better one

Answer 7

My family and I prefer Royal Caribbean.

They actually have a new (larger) ship that has a surf simulator on it. Royal Caribbean also has rock climbing walls, some have ice skating rinks, mini-golf, basketball courts, roller skating track, and so on. Very interactive. They have amazing shows at night as well as dinners and the staff is very helpful. Port of calls that I can think of that Royal Caribbean ships may stop at include Cozumel, Haites (sp?), Nassau, Key West, Cayman Islands i think? Um, there's plenty more, for some reason I can't really think of them right now.

Hope it helps. (:

Answer 8

For my Honeymoon we took Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas & we had an awesome time. The people were great, the food delicious, & the excursions fun & reasonably priced.

Answer 9

Alaska Rocks!!!!!!!!