Preferred cruise line

[Honolulu Blue]

Unscientific poll time - do you have a preferred cruise line you like to sail with?  Thank you for your time and input!

[sparks1093]

I answered yes but would consider booking elsewhere under the right conditions. The right conditions come down to price for the most part- which cruise line will take us where we want to go for the least amount of money. Since we are now getting the drink package on every sailing we will factor that in when looking at a line that includes their drink package in the fare (and typically they will also include gratuities and wifi so since we get both of those that gets factored as well).

[evandbob]

We have over 40 cruises with Carnival, but maybe 12 with our preferred line, Celebrity.  Seems Celebrity has given us way more free "comped" casino bookings, while Carnival only "discounts our fare.

 

Getting a free cruise on a better quality line beats 40% off on a lesser quality line.

[cruisemom42]

I'm not really sure that I have a single preferred cruise line. I'm not a loyalist anywhere. There are several lines that I definitely prefer, though, and there are some that will will not sail with again.

 

While money is important, it's not always the deciding factor. As a solo I usually pay twice as much per person as the average cruiser, but sometimes premium or even luxury lines will waive solo supplements, making them more attractive and around the same price for me as paying 200% on a mass market line.  

 

Itinerary is my sine qua non about 95% of the time. But there are still those occasional times when I just want a complete break on a nice ship with pleasant weather (not necessarily beaches). So I'd say it depends on the individual trip which lines I'd consider. 

 

It probably says a lot that I've been cruising for about 50 years now and still do not have any special or top tier status on any line....  (Of course, a few have gone defunct in that period. 🤣)

 

 

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, evandbob said:

…

 

Getting a free cruise on a better quality line beats 40% off on a lesser quality line.

Of course it does.

 

In fact, I think I would prefer getting 40% off on a quality line over a free cruise on the likes of NCL or Carnival.  Actually, on a straight math basis it would make sense:   better quality does not come cheap - and often costs more than twice what a discount line charges.

[George C]

Rccl has been our favorite until recently we are diamond plus with approximately 20 cruises, love celebrity with suite perks and retreat area on there new ships 9 cruises. Only other line we cruise is MSc yacht club.

[ldubs]

I voted "yes but will consider others".   We have three cruise lines which would be pretty much equal in preference.  Which on we select would come down to itinerary and cost.  There are other cruise lines that we would take depending on the objective of the vacation, like say, a family get together vs an itinerary driven trip.  And, there are some we would avoid.  

[pris993]

Over past 40 years have cruised on 9 different lines and the most on Princess.  

[jsn55]

All else being equal (an impossibility), Cunard is our preferred line.  We both love the elegance of the ships themselves.  Otherwise, like most, we compare all the variables and make our choice.

[Toofarfromthesea]

I'm likely done with cruising, but the only things I'd consider is MSC in the Yacht Club or a Viking river cruise in Europe.

[MelbTone]

For me the answer would be "No, but I have a shortlist", in my case Celebrity, Cunard, HAL, Princess.

[ldubs]

22 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

I'm likely done with cruising, but the only things I'd consider is MSC in the Yacht Club or a Viking river cruise in Europe.

 

What happened?  

[Toofarfromthesea]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

What happened?  

 

COVID, age, mobility.

[jcl410]

I've had several "go to" cruise lines... In the 90's I was living in Hawai'i, and I took an American Hawaii  cruise around the Islands in 1995, and sailed with them each year. But I also took other cruises, like Windjammer Barefoot cruises' Amazing Grace and Cunard.  I also did a 2 week SE Asia trip on on Royal Caribbean.

 

Since returning to the mainland, RCI  has been my "go to" main stream cruise line... Other trips have been for the ship (e.g.; SS Norway(ex France), SS Rembrandt(ex Rotterdam), or itinerary/ship (SPV Royal Clipper, QM2 transatlantic.)

 

But being Diamond Plus on RCI gives them an edge for main stream  cruising.

 

Aloha,

 

John 

[navybankerteacher]

As a rule, smaller is better.  The general feel of a ship with several hundred rather than several thousand passengers is an attraction;  the itinerary is usually preferable (frequently able to visit ports not open to larger ships);  and the food and service is distinctly preferable.  Of course, there is the distinct downside:  higher fares —— but then who would cruise at all if saving money is the overwhelming concern?

[hallasm]

There are many factors to consider when trying to determine the best cruise line, such as the destination, the type of ship, the onboard amenities, and the quality of the service.

Some of the top cruise lines has already been mentioned in posts above, but ultimately the best cruise line for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget.

It's a good idea to research several different cruise lines and read reviews from other travelers to help you make an informed decision.

 

Cruise Critic is a helpful resource when planning your cruise, as it provides a wealth of information and  reviews from other travelers.

Edited December 11, 2022 by hallasm

[Mary229]

My preference is driven by itinerary.  I only take long cruises with unique itineraries.  I will consider all cruise lines but there really are only a handful that are in this niche.  Once I get to a price point that I could as easily fly first class I will travel by other means. 

[ldubs]

6 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

COVID, age, mobility.

 

Who would have thought we would experience two years of shut down because of a world wide pandemic.  Crazy to think about it.

 

[navybankerteacher]

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

 

Who would have thought we would experience two years of shut down because of a world wide pandemic.  Crazy to think about it.

 

That's the same gripe the Brits had around 1353.

 

What else is new?

[GUT2407]

My cruising days could be over due to failing health but have cruised numerous lines, all else being equal we are likely to go Princess, but 

 

Time

Itinerary

Price

 

are all big considerations.

 

we would probably look to Celebrity next, but the abov3 factors are still crucial.

[Toofarfromthesea]

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

As a rule, smaller is better.  The general feel of a ship with several hundred rather than several thousand passengers is an attraction;  the itinerary is usually preferable (frequently able to visit ports not open to larger ships);  and the food and service is distinctly preferable.  Of course, there is the distinct downside:  higher fares —— but then who would cruise at all if saving money is the overwhelming concern?

 

That is YOUR preference.  Others have other preferences.  Hard to have an "as a rule" for such a relatively large, diverse group of people.

[GUT2407]

7 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

As a rule, smaller is better.  The general feel of a ship with several hundred rather than several thousand passengers is an attraction;  the itinerary is usually preferable (frequently able to visit ports not open to larger ships);  and the food and service is distinctly preferable.  Of course, there is the distinct downside:  higher fares —— but then who would cruise at all if saving money is the overwhelming concern?

Agree that to a large extent smaller is better, but I also think there is too small. My sweet spot would be 300-700 hundred, unless it was all family and friends. Pacific Princess was by far our favourite ship. But a yacht of upto about 50 has also been wonderful. 

[Z'Loth]

Each cruise line has it's "reputation" and audience that it caters to. I lean towards Celebrity because it targets a more mature audience. It's parent company, Royal Carribean, targets families. 

 

[navybankerteacher]

6 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

Agree that to a large extent smaller is better, but I also think there is too small. My sweet spot would be 300-700 hundred, unless it was all family and friends. Pacific Princess was by far our favourite ship. But a yacht of upto about 50 has also been wonderful. 

Absolutely --- we are talking cruise ships here, which tends to imply something substantially more than a yacht carrying just friends and family.

[CanobieFan]

I've been Loyal to Royal as they say...but do have a Carnival booked just to try out Mardi Gras. I've also looked at NCL a bunch but their solo rates were always higher than RC's. Not as much of a solo traveler now, so maybe I'll try NCL sooner than later.