What is your favorite cruise line & why?

zebra · August 6, 2006

Our favorite is Princess.

Some of the Reasons:

Fresh water swimming pools

Great Mini-suites

Pizza

Booking future cruises on board for $100 each

Excellent Perks

24 hour Buffet

JoeyandDavid · August 6, 2006

Celebrity...

Because<]

Our next two cruises are on celebrity

cruiseduo · August 6, 2006

We look forward to the posts of other 'veteran' cruisers. We value your opinions and enjoy your experiences and opinions.

My only reference is our two most recent cruises; NCL Dream to Alaska and the MSC Lirica . . . . both in 2005. We don't have a favorite but like different things about each.

Our first cruise was in 1982 on the Norway and I really don't remember enough to voice an opinion about it. Exept that it was a great experience for a first cruise.

The thing that stands out most is the FreeStyle dining on the NCL Dream. It's great to eat when you want, where you want. It's great to be flexible when your on vacation and this concept gives you the ultimate flexiblility when you dine on board.

What we liked best on the MSC Lirica was the customer service and the european atmosphere. Although some people didn't like it, we enjoyed the multiple language announcements (five languages). The food was european 'unique'. The only disappointment, food-wise, were the cannolis on this "Italian" cruise line. Being a original resident of the New York City area we know good cannolis and the Lirica had the WORST we've ever had.

Our next two cruises will be on two other cruise lines . . . . RCL and Costa. So we'll have two additional comparisons. Again, we look forward to the comments of other 'crazies'

lilrosie · August 6, 2006

we have only been on 1 cruise so far..it was on an older ship but she was still kept shiny and clean and we fell in love with cruising .

Lisa63 · August 6, 2006

My favorite cruise line is, sadly, no longer in existence. It was Dolphin Cruise Line, which operated a small fleet of former liners in the 1980s and 1990s. The food was unbelievable --- there were midnight buffets every night that rivaled the grand buffet held on cruise ships today. Service was impeccable. Crew got to know your names. And, prices were affordable.

I don't have a favorite today, as I do find that most of the mainstream lines have a lot in common. However, among my favorites are Princess (for the service and variety of activities) and HAL (the S-class ships). I also have a fondness for NCL as it is the line we have been on the most -- we just have to adjust our expectations before we go, but we still manage to have a great time. (And, we'll be back in two weeks!)

Shari2 · August 6, 2006

I like Celebrity! On my three Celebrity cruises the food, entertainment and the service have all been great. The crew was always very friendly.

cruisetarp · August 6, 2006

Our preference is Royal Caribbean for many reasons. We enjoy the big differences in ship sizes from the small Empress of the Seas to the huge Voyager Class ships - something for everyone. We definately enjoy the perks of being Diamond members of the Crown & Anchor Society. As long as they keep treating us well and the food, service and entertainment keep us happy we will probably stick with them.

A close second is Celebrity - just found there was a bit more to do on RC.

JohnG · August 6, 2006

My all time favorite was Star Clipper Line's Royal Clipper. A newer replica of an earlier 20th century sailing vessel....4 masts, 32 sails. Only 280 passengers, about 1/2 Americans, 1/3 Europeans, the rest mixed. The staff had worked on other lines and settled on Star Clipper Line because they loved it, and the service showed. No casino, no formal night, occasional entertainment from a local band while in port, but mostly the passengers and crew up on deck at night around the bar. Motion of the ocean. Marble in the bathrooms. And food at least on a par with the big lines/ships.

I also like Princess a lot, having sailed on them about 7 times, mostly for the repeat passenger perk of free internet, and food in the dining room.

Carnival we have sailed the most, 9 times, and think the shows are consistently the best, and the food is right up there with the best. Carnival offers lobster on EVERY sailing, unlike RCCL.

Sorry, but IMO RCCL has great physical plants, with lots of activity, perhaps too much for a relaxing stay but great for teens, and very mediocre food. On the 2 day inaugural for Freedom of the Seas, from Boston, they served essentially the same entree both nights, lukewarm, and no lobster...in New England, no less, to travel agents and Diamond members they were trying to impress. I also think the Voyager class prices are overpriced, as is Disney, but they own their respective market with no real competition.

Celebrity is okay. Nice physical plants, don't seem crowded, always a place to relax that isn't crowded.

HAL is okay, my wife's favorite, but not mine.

Our three NCL Freestyle cruises have all been great, W. Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii. We eat mostly in the main dining rooms and usually only 1 night in specialty restaurants.

JMHO