How to compare cruise companies?

we have cruised 2 x with ncl, we are thinking of doing a 3rd cruise 11/18 to either southern or eastern Caribbean.. friends picked out other 2 cruises so have never search other cruise line and wondering if I should.

Things We liked about ncl: we can eat when we want, no formal nights. Loved the free drinking package and loved the spa.

Would love to hear about other cruise lines.

Thanks so much!

Most of what you want can be found on most cruise lines. I think all offer some version of eat when you want. Formal nights are no longer formal on most lines. Drink packages are available on most and all have spa services.

Thanks, maybe I should ask why people choose 1 cruise line over the next

If you narrow down your list to a handful of cruise lines then post on the cruise line boards to ask what are the thing people like about the cruise line.

Keith

look at the itinerary & your budget

Most main stream lines are more similar than different

we have cruised 2 x with ncl, we are thinking of doing a 3rd cruise 11/18 to either southern or eastern Caribbean.. friends picked out other 2 cruises so have never search other cruise line and wondering if I should.

Things We liked about ncl: we can eat when we want, no formal nights. Loved the free drinking package and loved the spa.

Would love to hear about other cruise lines.

Thanks so much!

We have been on 6 different cruise lines .We go with the one that has the best itinerary and best port to leave from . Even though we live in the NYC area we have only cruised from there 4 times .

We cruise primarily on RCI and Celebrity .There are no mandatory dress nights and we can eat whenever we want.

Our planned cruises are more influenced by itineraries. We choose the cruise line sailing the route based on the offered perks at the tine of booking. Lately, we have booked with Princess on their 3 for free offer.

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Port of departure and itinerary for us.. we've found most lines similar, although some are more expensive than others when it comes to alcohol and gratuities.

Thanks, maybe I should ask why people choose 1 cruise line over the next

1) Itinerary

2) Size of ship - anything larger than 1000 or so passengers is way too large for us

3) Budget

4) Number of sea days - we hate sea days.

DON

Not only are cruiselines “same but different” so are the different ships in each line. For example Carnival’s Fantasy class (oldest) is vastly different than it’s Vista Class (newest).

Either choose an itin and see who goes there or choose a line and see where it goes.

Wade thru the CC board bs to find the really good info.

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Anyone who has cruised a while will see that NCL has been the leader in the trend to "deformalize" cruising. Some who love tuxes and ballgowns, very formal dining, etc. lament this trend. Most cruisers now don't worry too much about dressing formally partly because of luggage restrictions and a more casual dress code in our societies.

Like others said, look for the value, itinerary and then the features of the ship. NCL offers a very good value with their Free At Sea offers.