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A sailing with Disney can cost two or three times as much per day as a sailing with Carnival, Norwegian or MSC. We only evaluated major lines with trips that depart from the United States – hence, we excluded such companies as Virgin Voyages, Cunard, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. We used an online cruise insurance marketplace to get a quote for a family of four (two adults and two kids) for a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas. If the family spends $3,200 for the trip, the insurance options range from $158 for basic insurance to $344 for a premium plan. You can expect to spend between 4% to 10% of your trip cost for cruise travel insurance.
Family-Friendly Amenities and Activities
We’ve found 7-day cruises for just $300 per person (before taxes and fees). And because of its clientele and roots in Europe, there are definite touches that feel different than other lines. For instance, announcements are made in several languages and evening shows are more “old-school” in many cases. This includes lots of singing, dancing, and acrobatics compared to full-scale productions put on by some lines. (Some ships have Cirque shows.) In short, even if you depart from Miami, you may feel like you are sailing in Europe instead of the Caribbean. Perhaps the biggest difference is that since MSC has a large presence in the global cruise market, many passengers hail from outside the United States.
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I tried Norwegian's and Celebrity's newest cruise ships to see how they compare - Cruise Blog
I tried Norwegian's and Celebrity's newest cruise ships to see how they compare.
Posted: Thu, 28 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The cruise line also pushes the envelope for things to do on its ships. Below we’ve profiled each major line — including who is most apt to enjoy it — paying special attention to the factors mentioned above. Speaking of food and restaurant options, Celebrity has also introduced a dine-any-time concept rather than a strict time slot for your meals. This is available on a limited basis, presumably, so they can accommodate the open dining request without sacrificing service quality.
Pros of MSC Cruises
The best cruise lines offer travelers the opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest vacation destinations while enjoying a wide variety of amenities for every member of the family. From pools, waterslides and mini golf for kids to spas, shows and nightclubs for adults, there is something for everyone on a cruise ship. Either of these cruise lines can be a good option for those seeking an action-packed, value-focused cruise vacation. Top-tier accommodations are known as Royal Suite Class and rank among some of the most spectacular suites in the mainstream cruise line sector.
Best cruise lines for couples: Viking Ocean Cruises
From Disney tunes piped into cabin hallways and Disney-shaped food items on menus to Disney-themed evening shows and the promise of meeting your favorite Disney princess, Disney ships are mouse bait for the diehard Mickey lover. Just be prepared to pay up big time for the privilege of sailing with Captain Mickey or Minnie (more on that in a moment). These cabins are generally located in the interior of the ship, so be aware that they might not have windows or balconies. Solo travelers have the option to book a regular stateroom, but they’ll generally have to pay the two-person fare. Yacht Club guests get 24-hour butler service and their own dedicated concierge, plus a premium drink and internet package. They also enjoy complimentary access to the ship’s spa as well as other perks like a luggage packing and unpacking service and priority check-in and check-out.
Cruises
But consider that you'll pay around $6 to $7 for a beer on all three ships, and a cocktail can run anywhere from $7 to $14 (in general, Harmony of the Seas has the highest drink prices). Among extra-charge restaurants, you'll find a flat fee of $38 per person at the signature steakhouse on Carnival Breeze, a tad less than the $43-per-person charge for the Chops Grille steakhouse on Harmony of the Seas. Disney Fantasy doesn't have a steakhouse, but its signature, adults-only Palo eatery is in the ballpark at an additional $40 per person. Sometimes the cheapest cabin on a ship just won't do, so we also priced the cost of trading up to a balcony cabin on each of the vessels — an exercise that helps to illustrate two big things. While most cruises are on the ocean, some lines (like Viking) offer trips in smaller vessels that cruise along rivers.
In fact, industry statistics indicate that nearly 80% of travelers who have cruised before want to book another cruise in the future. The best cruise lines offer transportation, accommodations, food and entertainment that meet their target audience's needs. Some cruise lines focus on luxury — aiming to attract older, wealthier passengers. The mass-market cruise lines focus on everyone, from families to Spring Breakers to couples celebrating their 50th anniversary. Obviously with so many people on a ship, who you sail with has a big impact on the right cruise line for you. Like MSC, Princess has taken a package or “experience” approach to their bookings.
Our Cruise Ship Comparison Tool lets you look at the following:
You can quickly feel overwhelmed, and your head spins from all the choices. NCL also offers generous promotions on a regular basis with their “Free At Sea” program where you can select an open bar (Free Beverage Package), specialty dining, internet, and more. Dubbed Evrima, the line's only operating ship is a 298-passenger vessel designed to appeal to Ritz-Carlton regulars with an elegant, residential look. A second, bigger ship called Ilma that's already open for bookings debuts later this year. The cruising arm of Ritz-Carlton has been in operation for just a bit over a year, and the jury still is out on where it ranks in the pantheon of luxury cruise brands.
Those who prefer a ship that's not mega-size might want to consider Royal Caribbean's good-value Mediterranean, Caribbean and Alaska itineraries on its refreshed Radiance- and Voyager-class vessels. Read on for a head-to-head comparison of MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean. We'll cover each brand's onboard experience, itineraries and passenger profile to help you decide. There are exceptions for service animals, which many cruise lines allow. But the furry companion must perform specific tasks for its owner, such as guiding to assist in overcoming sight-impairment. As a rule, interior, windowless cabins are the least expensive, while cabins with ocean-view balconies are the priciest.
Radiance-class ships are the smallest in the fleet, carrying 2,100 guests at double occupancy. Royal Caribbean’s wide range of activities and amenities include a little something for everything, from waterslides and ziplines to dance classes to movie nights. The ships even offer babysitting services so grownups can have a night out at a restaurant, nightclub or show. Royal Caribbean International’s ships sail to a wide variety of destinations, from shorter trips to the Caribbean and Mexico to longer vacations to Alaska, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. For those staying in certain room tiers, a concierge team is available to help travelers with special requests and booking excursions. And while Disney cruises primarily cater to families, they aren’t just for kids.
Royal Caribbean also offers terrific complimentary casual dining venues in addition to its main dining room and Windjammer buffet. Virgin Voyages cruise line is a great option for travelers who want to enjoy a cruise vacation tailored exclusively for adults. Its ships offer a wide variety of specialty dining options, from a food-truck style market with a burger shop, taco shack and sushi bar. As one of the largest cruise lines, if you’ve searched for a cruise at all then chances are you’ve come across an offering from Carnival.
In other words, if you want a more “adult” time, then you likely want to look for another cruise line. For one, the style of Disney cruise ships is unlike any other cruise line’s vessels. The ships have a distinctive “retro” style (despite being modern vessels) that harken back to the elegance of cruising in the early days. It’s not just price that makes Carnival so attractive to many passengers.
Both cruise lines offer thrilling activities (just not the same kind), and each has its own approach to entertainment, kids clubs and dining. Royal Caribbean's recent vessels, by contrast, are awash with suites in a wide range of sizes, including enormous (and super-pricy), two-deck-high complexes that are among the most luxurious accommodations at sea. Royal Caribbean, in recent years, also has added a concierge-class-like program for suite passengers on some of its vessels (Harmony of the Seas among them). Called Royal Suite Class, it offers more polished service and exclusive access to shipboard restaurants, lounges and attractions. While travel credit cards offer some trip protection, we suggest you check out our list of best cruise travel insurance, as these plans are geared specifically for cruise trips.
Others operate vessels that are as luxurious as any upscale resort found on land. A few small luxury players such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises have ships with lavish suites that'll cost you as much as $11,000 a day. With more than 12 ships in its fleet, Celebrity Cruises has plenty of options to offer passengers interested in a trendy, modern cruise experience with upscale options. While passengers tend to be slightly older overall on Princess Cruises, there are still plenty of attractive and innovative options to appeal to younger cruisers. Carnival Cruise Line sails all over the world to the most popular ports of call, with longer voyages focusing on slightly more in-depth visits. This broad scope of cruising gives every type of passenger an itinerary they can enjoy onboard a Carnival ship.
As you'll see, it's not meant to be an in-depth review of the lines. It's just a short overview — enough to give you a sense of which particular cruise operator might best appeal to you. Some of the brands — Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, in particular — operate massive vessels that are like giant floating resorts with deck-top water parks and other over-the-top amusements. See how your selections stack up, or go back for some new ships to compare.
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