Royal, Norwegian, Carnival or Disney

My opinion after 11 cruises in 4 different cruise lines (Royal, Norwegian, Carnival, Disney):

1)Best cruise line: Royal Caribbean, but I think that Norwegian is really close to be the best (maybe the new Norwegian Escape). I think that Freestyle cruising is great, and NCL freestyle new ships offers a FREE: beverage package, dining package, onboard credit, stateroom gratuities, 3rd-4th guests sail free, or get all of them (based on your booking selection of stateroom). NCL offers great value plus best entertainment.

2)Best cruise ship design: Royal Caribbean - They look great from the outside, and on the inside an amazing Promenade.

3)Best Shows: Norwegian Epic (Blue Man Group, Legends, Cirque Dreams Dinner Show); and RC Liberty of the Seas (Encore: And Ice Spectacular Show; Saturday Night Fever Broadway Musical; and In the Air show).

Entertainment and Activities: RC Liberty of the Seas (Free World Premier 3D Movies, Parades, etc...)

4)Best Water Park: Carnival Breeze WaterWorks.

Best water slide: Norwegian Epic Plunge.

5)Best MDR Food: RC Liberty of the Seas.

6)Best Buffet: Carnival Breeze (Guy's Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Mongolian Wok, Jimmy's C-side BBQ, Carnival Deli, etc...).

7)Best specialty restaurants: Norwegian.

8)Best Service: Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

9)Best itinerary: RC Adventure of the Seas (Southern Caribbean)

10)Best children's program: RC Independence of the Seas (Adventure Ocean) has best staff, kids parade & talent show.

11)Best cruise for kids: Disney Dream (Disney Character Greetings, Broadway Disney Shows, themed Restaurants, Fireworks at sea, themed parties, etc...)

12)Best staterooms: Disney Dream.

13)Best included in the cost of your cruise: Disney Cruises - Complimentary: 24-hour room service; On-demand television and in-room movies; and complimentary soda, tea and coffee on deck and in the dining rooms.

14)Best live music and DJs: Norwegian.

15) Best Price: Carnival.

16) Best Value: Norwegian.

17) Best Overall: Royal.

We have only been on three cruise lines so far, but have enjoyed RC over the other two.

We usually pick our cruises based on the itinerary. So next year we will be on a cruise line that we haven't tried before but picked for the itinerary.

Happy cruising. It's a great way to travel.

My opinion after 11 cruises in 4 different cruise lines (Royal, Norwegian, Carnival, Disney):

1)Best cruise line: Royal Caribbean, but I think that Norwegian is really close to be the best (maybe the new Norwegian Escape). I think that Freestyle cruising is great, and NCL freestyle new ships offers a FREE: beverage package, dining package, onboard credit, stateroom gratuities, 3rd-4th guests sail free, or get all of them (based on your booking selection of stateroom). NCL offers great value plus best entertainment.

2)Best cruise ship design: Royal Caribbean - They look great from the outside, and on the inside an amazing Promenade.

3)Best Shows: Norwegian Epic (Blue Man Group, Legends, Cirque Dreams Dinner Show); and RC Liberty of the Seas (Encore: And Ice Spectacular Show; Saturday Night Fever Broadway Musical; and In the Air show).

Entertainment and Activities: RC Liberty of the Seas (Free World Premier 3D Movies, Parades, etc...)

4)Best Water Park: Carnival Breeze WaterWorks.

Best water slide: Norwegian Epic Plunge.

5)Best MDR Food: RC Liberty of the Seas.

6)Best Buffet: Carnival Breeze (Guy's Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, Mongolian Wok, Jimmy's C-side BBQ, Carnival Deli, etc...).

7)Best specialty restaurants: Norwegian.

8)Best Service: Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

9)Best itinerary: RC Adventure of the Seas (Southern Caribbean)

10)Best children's program: RC Independence of the Seas (Adventure Ocean) has best staff, kids parade & talent show.

11)Best cruise for kids: Disney Dream (Disney Character Greetings, Broadway Disney Shows, themed Restaurants, Fireworks at sea, themed parties, etc...)

12)Best staterooms: Disney Dream.

13)Best included in the cost of your cruise: Disney Cruises - Complimentary: 24-hour room service; On-demand television and in-room movies; and complimentary soda, tea and coffee on deck and in the dining rooms.

14)Best live music and DJs: Norwegian.

Thanks for the opinions..BUT, you forgot:

Best showers- Disney Dream ( rain shower & HUGE)

Best style of Dining- Disney Dream ( LOVE the rotation dining!)

Coolest dining experience - Animator's Palate Disney Dream

Best musicals - Disney Dream

Best private island- Castaway Cay..Disney ( by far)

Also we thought the best MDR food was also Disney Dream

Best buffet- Disney Dream ( coconut fried shrimp- are you kidding??)

Best Brunch- Palo's ( check health insurance & have the medics standing by!!) Disney Dream

Best adult beach area on private island- Serenity Beach Castaway Cay Disney Dream

Agree with you on most of the rest, especially best specialty dining ( NCL) & best cabins (Disney Dream)...RCI on the Oasis/ Allure ships has great entertainment ( diving show, Mamma Mia, In The Air, ice skating, etc..)..didn't like the Blue Man Group, but on the Getaway & Breakaway, entertainment is top notch..and we thought the musicals shows we saw on the Disney Dream were UNBELIEVABLE..quality of the singers, dancers, and music was A+ for me ( "Villains" show my fav)- and we are seniors, no kids! Also, we thought best service was on the Disney Dream- NO ONE has ever greeted us as we walk onto the ship, announced our family name, then took us aside, explained what was happening the next few hours, the TOOK our carry ons, walked us to the elevator & put our carry ons in the elevator, pressed the button for deck 11 , where the buffet in Cabanas is..BTW, thought Cabanas, with their palm trees inside was very very nice as far as buffet areas go.. That's after 30 cruises on RCI, NCL, Disney, Princess, HAL, Carnival, & Celebrity...

Big Al

Big Al,

Agree with you about:

Best showers- Disney Dream ( rain shower & HUGE)

Best private island- Castaway Cay..Disney

I know that Disney musicals are the best family shows.

The rotational dinning is good too, is similar to freestyle dinning but keeping the same waiters and really cool themed restaurants.

The Disney food is Ok.

In Summary, We really liked Disney Dream, but We think that Disney Cruises are super expensive (we can cruise twice or more with that kind of money).

Royal Caribbean has Dreamworks, and we think is better overall cruise line.

Norwegian Cruise Line has Nickelodeon, and we like the freestyle of their new ships.

WOW... Cruising is Awesome!!!