help me select a cruise

Hello my name is Phil and im new heere. I want to go on a cruise and have been actively researching it for a few months now and each one offers elements I like. So to help things I want your all imput I will put up the Cruise lines which intrests me and the type of ships i want to sail on.

In addition to that Im also a ship enthusiast as a hobby and if i get lucky in the next few months a profession, so the ship itself is important to me despite the ammentiies it might have. So you will be able to pick ship weight classes range in the 80kt-90KT range ,the 110kt to 130KT, and the 150kt+ range

I really like the 80 KT Disney Wonder class and Vista classes, and 90 KT Jewel class, too me these classes of ships along with the Carnival Conquest and Splendor classes represent the work horses of the Cruise lines fleets. I love the Carnival Conquest family of ships spanning from 110KT to Dream's (both disney and Carnivals, this ship size i also have a feeling will acutally be the industry standard for the fleets workhorses) 130KT, I think the 150KT Epic is one of the most beautiful ships ever put to sea, and cannot wait for its slightly smaller cousins in the Breakaway family to debut (maybe I should wait and attempt the maiden voyage!)

The choices narrowed are Carnival just because in my mind they are industry leaders they have the largest fleet and they will give me the best experience for the best price, NCL because they come off as a quirky upstart with innovative ships that forces RCCI and Carnival to step up there game. Holland American due to the fact there ships have a a bit of class to them but at a better budget price then Cunard. Then Disney because that brand also offers its own unique experiances (innovative dining, beautiful ship design, its own island...)

( I would love the QM2 or one of Cunard queen class ships just because of the legacy of the brand, but right now at that price it is out of the question.)

((RCCI didnt make the cut just because for some reason im just not interested in what there line offers especially as a cruise virgin,I would like to sail on the Oasis or Allure one day just because of the boardwalk and Central park but nothing really more then that.... well maybe those roast beefs i keep reading about) (we will also see what innovation sunshine offers))

anyway cant wait to hear from you all!

Im not overly concerned about where I go either, its the experience of being on board I hope to enjoy!

Do you understand that you are asking us to chose your favorite flavor of ice cream? Each poster has his/her favorite b/c it's what works best for each of us. It may not be what you like at all.

For example to me, imho:

Carnival = McDonalds. Not bad. Standardized. Available everywhere. Industry leader & something I avoid at all costs. Other people love it & wouldn't cruise any other line.

NCL is the cruise for us b/c we love freestyle. Other people hate it with a passion & think it's the worst thing that ever happened to cruising.

RCL is the leader for on board activities but I'm way too frugal to pay 1,000 for an inside cabin just so I can go ziplining on board. But as you can tell by the line's popularity, people are flocking to this.

You can't go wrong on any of them so just pick the one that looks most interesting to you & that fits your budget. Bon Voyage.

Since you say you like the Vista classes and lean towards Cunard, try HAL's Noordam, sailed her twice and it was amazing!. As to what the previous poster said, NCL = is there anything worse than Walmart!!! Granted we have sailed NCL, but only when we have no other choice and only in a suite, that's the one thing that NCL does well! Carnival's Spirit class ships have a vista hull and flow really well, none of that "you can't get there from here". Do not care for RCCL since their ships are just mob scenes with way too many people on board. Last time we sailed RCCL was in 1994, going to give it another try this coming February, but only because of convenience and availability.

Good luck in choosing!

We were debating between similar lines and went with NCL because of the freestyle dining options. To us, sitting at a table with strangers didn't sound like fun. However, if you like to meet new people and be social 24/7 that may make you lean in a different direction. We both work in very client-focused careers so our idea of a vacation is to let our guard down and not have to make small talk for a bit.

We also just went with the cruiseline with the best bargain and when we booked, it was a 7nt on NCL for 579 in a balcony room. We're sailing on the Spirit in December - I understand she's an older ship but for our first cruise we figure we'll be fine with that since we aren't really into the flashy new things anyways.

Since you are liking the 80-90,000 ton ships, you should also consider Celebrity's Millennium class ships. EM

Our first cruise in 2008 was with NCL because of the freestyle concept. May not work for you but certainly works for us (in our late 60's). 3rd cruise with NCL coming up in November.

Do you understand that you are asking us to chose your favorite flavor of ice cream? Each poster has his/her favorite b/c it's what works best for each of us. It may not be what you like at all.

 

For example to me, imho:

 

Carnival = McDonalds. Not bad. Standardized. Available everywhere. Industry leader & something I avoid at all costs. Other people love it & wouldn't cruise any other line.

 

NCL is the cruise for us b/c we love freestyle. Other people hate it with a passion & think it's the worst thing that ever happened to cruising.

 

RCL is the leader for on board activities but I'm way too frugal to pay 1,000 for an inside cabin just so I can go ziplining on board. But as you can tell by the line's popularity, people are flocking to this.

 

You can't go wrong on any of them so just pick the one that looks most interesting to you & that fits your budget. Bon Voyage.

I wouldnt say its that simple, i simply like elements about each line above and i figured I would ask the people who have sailed for their imput. also sometimes the aggregate of a poll is good to help make a choice.

Our first cruise in 2008 was with NCL because of the freestyle concept. May not work for you but certainly works for us (in our late 60's). 3rd cruise with NCL coming up in November.

When I first started researching the cruises it was NCL and I really liked the ships (I love Epics design, interior and exterior, and from what I've seen of breakaway im gonna like those even more) but as i have researched more there are aspects of the other lines i have liked.

We were debating between similar lines and went with NCL because of the freestyle dining options. To us, sitting at a table with strangers didn't sound like fun. However, if you like to meet new people and be social 24/7 that may make you lean in a different direction. We both work in very client-focused careers so our idea of a vacation is to let our guard down and not have to make small talk for a bit.

 

We also just went with the cruiseline with the best bargain and when we booked, it was a 7nt on NCL for 579 in a balcony room. We're sailing on the Spirit in December - I understand she's an older ship but for our first cruise we figure we'll be fine with that since we aren't really into the flashy new things anyways.

That is good to know but I think I would to have the traditional MDR experiance for my first go, with the socializing and all but i totally understand where you are coming from, again though I love the style of NCL ships (hull art is great... interior suits with the verahanda's are all amazing....)

Since you are liking the 80-90,000 ton ships, you should also consider Celebrity's Millennium class ships. EM

Thankyou for that imput but I was under the impression taht Celeb's was more of a European orientated line. That was also the reason I didnt include the Costa line.

Since you say you like the Vista classes and lean towards Cunard, try HAL's Noordam, sailed her twice and it was amazing!. As to what the previous poster said, NCL = is there anything worse than Walmart!!! Granted we have sailed NCL, but only when we have no other choice and only in a suite, that's the one thing that NCL does well! Carnival's Spirit class ships have a vista hull and flow really well, none of that "you can't get there from here". Do not care for RCCL since their ships are just mob scenes with way too many people on board. Last time we sailed RCCL was in 1994, going to give it another try this coming February, but only because of convenience and availability.

 

Good luck in choosing!

Thanks! Great imput and I actually got to tour a Vista class this last summer (2011) through the Catholic Seamen's club of Seattle and it was a great experiance! It was also a vastly different ship compared to my at sea experiance on the USS Tarawa in 2004.

you missed a few decent cruise lines .

p&o

celebrity

costa

princess

i,d look at itinery first then weed out the cruise lines

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I would suggest you check out HAL's Vista class ships -- Noordam, Westerdam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam -- have sailed all 4 and think of those 4 the Noordam is the nicest.

Also HAL's newest Signature Class ships -- Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterda -- have sailed both. Both have the Silk Den for cocktails and Tamarind Restaurant which none of the other HAL ships have. Of the 2 -- we love the Nieuw Amsterdam the best.

Another reason why we like HAL -- very friendly crew.

Thanks for that imput, in your mind what makes the Niew Amsterdam and Nordam stand above her sister ships?

Out of all your choices I've sailed on Disney, NCL and Carnival.

Of those three I would cruise again on only Disney. Our one Carnival cruise, we found out why it was cheaper than other lines. NCL, twice we cruised with them and I doubt we would go again, both times the food was so horrid.

You may want to consider other lines, RCI has a good product for the price, we like the older, smaller ships. We've cruised Princess and Celebrity as well, those are both very nice. Cunard has gorgeous ships, we've only been on QM2, but would love to cruise on their other 2 ships.

Try Princess.........

There is a lot more to choosing a cruise other than the size of the ship. Who are you crusing with...children, older people or just your significant other? Each ship has its own personality, activities and themes. Pick a cruise which suits your lifestyle and ports are important depending on what hobbies you have and sites you want to see. Some people choose Belize because of the Ruins and Reef, St Thomas because of the beaches and snorkeling, Cozumel because of the partying, etc. When we decided on our first cruise I looked at ports with activities we enjoyed, like snorkeling and golfing. Then I looked at the ships that sailed there to see if they were compatible with children and us. Like Disney ships do not have casinos so they were out eventhough they are child friendly.

We finally selected Princess because overall they had something for everyone from Grandma to the kids. Food is also important, part of the whole cruise experience and NCL has the worst buffets and dining food. Carnival is ok, but we enjoy Princess the most.

Another Vista class ship is P&O's Arcadia....adult only, though....she was originally going to be one of the Queens. No good if you have children.

Jo.

I think Celebrity's new Solstice Class ships are best bang for the buck at sea! Four are out, and one is being built as we speak. Best food in the large ship category (122,000 tons). I like Cunard and Holland America as well.

Enjoy!

Kel:)

If OP is truly a "ship enthusiast" he might lean towards Holland America or Cunard: their vessels happen to look like ships, unlike the grafitti-covered NCL ships. His interest in Oasis is curious in a ship enthisiast: Oasis being closer to a broken-off chunk of the Mall of America than anything traditionally sea-going. The best advice would appear to be a suggestion that he think first about what he wants: traditional service and ambience, non-stop activity of every sort, modern glitz or laid-back sophistication.

The size of ship is, of course, a consideration: would he be happier being one of 600 or one of 5,000+?

Then, he should think about season, itinerary and cruise length. A four day Bahamas cruise on a Carnival ship in late March or early April will give him a far different crowd than a Christmas week on Princess out of LA or a two week-plus transatlantic on HAL.

Since this is your very first cruise, I voted for Carnival, but I think you should sail on one of these ships:

Splendor

Dream

Magic

I think you will have a great first experience on one of these 3 ships. When you get on Carnival, it makes you feel like you are on vacation right away. The decor tends to be theatrical and over the top and it's fun to experience that. The spa is great - in fact - get a spa balcony if you can - it's special.

Next time you cruise, I want to encourage you to consider ether Celebrity or Princess, in that order. HAL tends to have a much older crowd and the ships are nice, but kind of old-fashioned, IMO. I was not wowed by their food either - it is alright, but not as great as Celebrity and Princess.

Disney is for when you are cruising with your kiddos - that is the best time for that cruise. The food will be outstanding and the ships are beautiful, but I would specifically want to do it with kids in order to take advantage of all the Disney ships have to offer and see the kids enjoying themselves.

I do think you will like RCCL, too. Especially Oasis and Allure. They are really something special and like staying at a high end resort with great restaurants. There are a lot of ways to enjoy a RCCL cruise- when we went on Oasis, we never even got to the MDR! We ate in the specialty restaurants or at the chef's table every evening and it was just fantastic! But do get an ocean facing cabin on these ships because it is hard to know you are at sea if you don't. I liked deck 8 - you get to walk through Central park all the time, plus there are no inside cabins so the deck is fairly uncrowded and quiet compared to other decks.

On NCL, I recommend you try them for their suites - it is something they do better than other cruiselines, IMO - especially if you are in the Haven area. I've done it twice and it's just an awesome experience and well worth the money.

As you can see, I'm not a devotee of any specific cruiseline. I really like all of them but for different reasons.

I think HAL was probably the cruise I liked least - the passengers were mostly 20+ years older than us, the ship decor (although it was a brand new ship that year) seemed very dated and old fashioned - and not in a good way - I like period furniture, but it wasn't that - the design just looked old-fashioned and clunky like a grandmother's house and also they only played older music - I like Gershwin and Cole Porter, I love opera, but I do like to hear something more modern than that now and then (probably they have updated their music since that cruise - about 7 years ago) I don't discriminate between periods of music - I like all music - just don't want to hear ONLY stuff from 1920-1970 on my cruise, yet we had a really nice suite on HAL with a great bathroom at a very inexpensive price and we were in Alaska - so that made up for a lot.