Friday, April 12, 2024

The Best New Cruise Ships of 2023

cruise lines compared

They are also packed with restaurants, cabin categories and activities -- but perhaps not as many or not as cutting-edge as with the mega-ships. You'll still have plenty of choices, with ships to accommodate families, couples, seniors and a wide variety of vacation styles and interests. Deals can be more plentiful on large ships than mega-ships, simply because they're no longer the most sought-after vessels in a fleet.

Which Cruise Line Should I Sail? The Definitive Guide for 2024

Of course, you’d expect a Disney cruise to be focused on children and families, and it certainly is. Characters like Mickey and Donald Duck roam the ship and there are other experiences with Disney-owned properties like Marvel and Star Wars. While there is plenty for mom and dad to do — such as the spa, adults-only eateries, and nightclubs — we think that only adults who are very into Disney would think of sailing the cruise line without kids.

What’s the Best Length of Time for a Cruise?

cruise lines compared

Gone are the starched white tablecloths in favor of warm wood tabletops and modern décor. The exception is on Cruise Elegant nights when tablecloths and a more formal dinner service returns. For the most part, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean have done a great job of breaking up the crowds so that it never feels overly crowded on their mega-ships.

MSC Seascape

Staterooms are eye-opening as well, featuring transformational cabin beds that allow guests (referred to as “Sailors”) to customize their space. Opt for a suite and you’ll be considered—and treated like—”Rock Stars,” given VIP access to everything from onboard entertainment and restaurants to exclusive amenities like your own wardrobe team. With a huge selection of fitness classes, 20 included places to eat and drink, and original out-of-the-box shows, this adults-only line is likely to turn a whole new generation of cruise virgins into sailors.

Royal Caribbean’s target market & clientele

I sailed on MSC's newest and oldest ships: Here's what it's like to cruise on new ships vs. older - Cruise Blog

I sailed on MSC's newest and oldest ships: Here's what it's like to cruise on new ships vs. older.

Posted: Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The 25-acre Amber Cove development has a sprawling pool with a swim-up bar, waterslides, zip lines and private cabanas as well as bars, restaurants and shops. The 18-acre Grand Turk Cruise Center complex has its own pool area, beach areas and cabanas as well as bars, restaurants and shops. When it comes to private islands, Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day is the most elaborate by far. There's also an exclusive — and expensive — private beach club coming in December. For a first-timer, booking a family cruise can be more than a bit overwhelming.

Family attractions

These five ships are distinguishable by the North Star sightseeing capsule that rises 300 feet above the sea. As noted above, you'll find a higher ratio of crew-to-passengers on Royal Caribbean and Disney ships, and all those extra crew members do make a difference in the experience. The difference is particularly notable when it comes to entertainment offerings, with both Royal Caribbean and Disney fielding much more elaborate shows with bigger casts and name-brand stories. Disney's ships are chock full of Disney-themed entertainment that wins kudos for its high production values. Just be prepared to pay up big time for the privilege of sailing with Captain Mickey or Minnie (more on that in a moment).

Carnival Cruise Line

This can be a pro or con, depending on what type of cabin you've booked. Mega-ships are the biggest and newest of the big ships, generally offering the most restaurants, entertainment venues and accommodation categories in a cruise line's fleet. You'll find the cool innovations you see on a cruise line's TV commercials, the Broadway shows, enormous water slides and expansive kids' facilities. MSC's 12 older ships are divided among three classes — Lirica, Musica and Fantasia — and accommodate 2,000 to 3,500 guests at double occupancy. The Fantasia class's MSC Divina, launched in 2012, is perhaps best known to U.S. cruisers because it often sails itineraries to the Caribbean from Miami. Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class vessels, introduced between 2014 and 2021, accommodate 4,180 guests at double occupancy and 5,500 at capacity.

Royal Caribbean vs. Virgin Voyages: cruise ship comparison with photos - Business Insider

Royal Caribbean vs. Virgin Voyages: cruise ship comparison with photos.

Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Consistently named as one of the best small ship cruise lines, Seabourn's yacht-like vessels are unmatched in elegance and grace. Their all-suite ultra-luxury ships offer cruises to over 300 itineraries worldwide. Explora Journeys cruises provide unique and luxurious experiences on sophisticated and refined all-suite ships.

While the ships have plenty to do, they don’t try to go over-the-top with things like go-karts and roller coasters. Instead, the focus is on more enriching activities like stargazing on the top deck of the ship, musical productions, and fine dining. NCL has appeal for solo travelers, including offering studio rooms designed for only a single guest.

On a modern Royal Caribbean ship, you’ll see crazy things like a surf pool, ice skating, the world’s tallest slide at sea, and even rollercoasters. Carnival Cruise Line does an amazing job of catering to people of all demographics and ages. You’ll be hard-pressed to explain to someone what the “majority” of the passengers are like on a Carnival cruise. You’ll see young people, solo cruisers, the elderly, all races and socioeconomic levels represented. The stateroom features a king-size bed, large closets and robes and slippers.

Enjoy meaningful immersion into stunning ports around the globe though all of your senses. Sail with the expedition experts of Atlas Ocean Voyages to some of the world’s most memorable destinations. Sailing from the Caribbean to Alaska and from Europe to Australia Royal Caribbean's ships are some of the most innovative in the world. Their friendly and personal service offers an exceptional cruise experience for travelers of all ages.

There are inside rooms with virtual balconies depicting exactly what it looks like outside of the ship at that moment. Other inside staterooms or balconies overlook the inside of the ship, providing views of the Royal Promenade, Central Park, and the Boardwalk. You’ll also find that the general prices on the ship are higher than its two main competitors, which helps to stem some of the “party” atmosphere you might find elsewhere, but means you’ll spend more on your cruise. Norwegian — like its main competitors — is a mass-market cruise line. That means it will appeal to all ages and types with lots to do for everyone.

In the Dominican Republic, is Amber Cove, Carnival’s newest and most developed private island cruise port. This stop has both beach access and a pool with swim-up bar, waterslides, and lazy river. Norwegian’s Unlimited Beverage Package is a great deal if chosen as part of a Free at Sea promotion. You’ll still pay gratuities on the “free” package, but it’s a better deal than purchasing the package outright.

You’ll want to book now for the fifth annual Pride Party at Sea, which will held next June. Each ship in the fleet will participate in this vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community—and that, in itself, is worth celebrating. Embark on thrilling journeys of discovery into the most awe-inspiring regions in the world on the innovative and beautiful ships of Lindblad Expeditions.

Onboard, passengers can find 16 guest decks, 2,747 staterooms and suites and 23 pools and whirlpools. Royal Caribbean's dining scene, in contrast, offers plenty of choices. The cruise line has been a pioneer in onboard specialty restaurants and some of its ships, especially its newer ones, feature as many as 12 extra-cost specialty dining options. Royal Caribbean also offers terrific complimentary casual dining venues in addition to its main dining room and Windjammer buffet.

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