Favorite Cruise lines.

[BigDfromTN]

Just finished reading a thread about a couple trying Carnival and going back to RCCL. The OP was very honest and open, Not degrading. Replies were all the same. As the old saying goes.... "I guess thats why they make Chocolate and Vanilla".

 

My observation/question that I have often pondered is:

 

Does the first line you go on somewhat mold you into that type of cruiser to a degree?

 

More precisely, We started on Carnival and chose it for our second etc etc. I guess for not only the fun but also the comfort level of somewhat knowing what to expect and when. Not to mention the value we percieve to be in cruising these days. The OP on the other thread started and sailed several times with RCCL and now they prefer them even after venturing out a couple of times on CCL. Dont get me wrong. Im not trying to take 2 isolated cases and make a gross generalization. I have noticed others on the boards like this too. I have also noticed some that have tried them all and have only comparisons of who does what best(good for them too). Just curious if we as humans (generally) like to know what to expect and when someone does it another way we resist or dont care for it as much. (Notice I did not say they did it wrong or right, better or worse, just different) I guess Im saying/asking is it something in people that like the comfort of knowing what to expect and like it that way.

 

Im sure someday we will "Venture Out" and try other lines. We may or may not like them as well or may even like them better and say WOW why didnt we do this earlier, then realize... No regrets, We had a ball on the ones we went on and now we prefer the other...

 

Whats your .02?

[halos]

While some enjoy the comfort of the same line cruise after cruise, I prefer to mix it up and have variety...so I really don't have a favorite line anymore.

I found sailing Carnival cruise after Carnival cruise leaving me feeling a little TOO comfortable. I would get on the ship and know exactly what was going to happen all week. Carnival is very consistant (which is good!!) But when I ventured out and got a little something different, I enjoyed the little changes and then when I went back to Carnival, it felt more new again...so venturing out actually makes my CCL cruises better.

[golfadj]

Our first couple of cruises was with RCCL. Than some with Carnival and than some with RCCL and now the last 10 or so Carnival.

 

Found the entertainment better with Carnival and pricing also better.

 

Would like to try the larger ships of RCCL but at a more reasonable price.

[loveJake]

Our first cruise experience was on Disney, 5 times before we sailed any other line. We found ourselves saying at least 10 times a day how things were different, and not in a good way. But after a number of cruises on other lines we have come to realize that no cruise line we have sailed is Disney. So now when we cruise we just think of the price we paid for the sailing and that makes us feel better. We have found Princess to compare the best.

[Disneycruisers]

Our first cruise experience was on Disney, 5 times before we sailed any other line. We found ourselves saying at least 10 times a day how things were different, and not in a good way. But after a number of cruises on other lines we have come to realize that no cruise line we have sailed is Disney. So now when we cruise we just think of the price we paid for the sailing and that makes us feel better.

 

I could have written this post!:p

 

Disney is our family's favorite, but Carnival is a VERY CLOSE second. We love the food and the price!

[howard6933]

I have found over the years the old saying "the grass is always greener on the other side of the street", is in fact maybe the truth. I've been trying many many cruise lines looking for the "greener grass", but you know what, it can't be found. But I have tried......I've been on NCL 9 times, Princess 18 times, RCCL 6 times, HAL 8 times, Carnival 5 times, Celebrity 2 times, MSC 2 times, and a few older cruise lines.....Chandris once, Dolphin once, Renaissance once, and even Victoria on the Yanagtze river in China. Maybe another old saying "variety is the spice of life" is the way to go. Anyhow, I can honestly say that I have never had a "lousy" cruise, Some have been better than others, but I always make sure that I have a good time on a cruise. You can't beat the bang for the buck that you get on a cruise. Don't you agree???? :rolleyes:

[JennLuvs2Cruise]

I've only sailed with NCL and Carnival. Though my cruise experience is not advanced like some others, I prefer Carnival over NCL. I wouldn't put down NCL completely, but Carnival is a bit more inclusive and affordable for me & my family. I understand that all speciality restaraunts are optional, but NCL has a quite a few and I know it would be hard to pass them up. So I prefer to sail with Carnival where I won't be tempted, plus I love Carnival's food! I would like to someday try another line, maybe RCI, but it is a lot more expensive than Carnival, and again, a lot of extras with fees.

[mizLORInj]

I have liked every cruise ship and cruiseline I've tried. Some do things differently than others, but I really like the variety and differences on the ships/lines.

[Bookworm29]

Our first couple of cruises was with RCCL. Than some with Carnival and than some with RCCL and now the last 10 or so Carnival.

 

Found the entertainment better with Carnival and pricing also better.

Would like to try the larger ships of RCCL but at a more reasonable price.

 

 

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[A&Jfamily]

Does the first line you go on somewhat mold you into that type of cruiser to a degree?]

 

Well in my case, the answer is a resounding "no!" As you can see from my signature I tried RCCL in 2000 - and I was singularly unimpressed. I had an OV room, and the window was like 4' off the ground and about 3' high, with the head of the bed pushed up to it, so it was useless. The room was so small that when you entered and walked past the bathroom, you ran straight into the bed. The food was so-so, and the staff not particularly friendly. I was so dissatisified, I figured cruising wasn't for me.

 

But, then I had my youngest, and thought that I might give Carnival a try because they took 2 yo into camp and I had heard they had bigger rooms, better food and more fun. Well, they were right.

 

Will I cruise Cunnard and some of the more pricey lines someday? I sure hope so. But now, traveling with kids and mom, getting two rooms, and wanting a good, clean, safe and fun program for my kids, you can't beat Carnival for the bang for the buck!

[BigDfromTN]

I have found over the years the old saying "the grass is always greener on the other side of the street", is in fact maybe the truth. I've been trying many many cruise lines looking for the "greener grass", but you know what, it can't be found. But I have tried......I've been on NCL 9 times, Princess 18 times, RCCL 6 times, HAL 8 times, Carnival 5 times, Celebrity 2 times, MSC 2 times, and a few older cruise lines.....Chandris once, Dolphin once, Renaissance once, and even Victoria on the Yanagtze river in China. Maybe another old saying "variety is the spice of life" is the way to go. Anyhow, I can honestly say that I have never had a "lousy" cruise, Some have been better than others, but I always make sure that I have a good time on a cruise. You can't beat the bang for the buck that you get on a cruise. Don't you agree???? :rolleyes:

 

Good post Howard,

 

As for the Grass being Greener..... I have normally found when it is greener across the street, its because that grass is over the Septic Tank!!!

 

Good luck in your cruise quests!

 

Don

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Initially we ONLY sailed on Carnival... getting to about the Milestone level before testing the waters elsewhere. We were very pleased with Celebrity -- appreciating the better perks for sailing in suites (Carnival hasn't a clue in that regard). Our 1 trip on NCL also found great suite perks. Both lines have room service which blows Carnival away (hot breakfast - dinner in your cabin, etc).

 

I will say that overall we prefer the MDR food on Carnival (though not the dancing waiters) and the entertainment is a step above as well.

 

Variety is the spice of life... DO NOT stick with one just because you are comfortable where you are, or because someone else told you something bad about a particular line (just look how many people tell people never to sail Carnival)!!

 

Tom

[GeorgiaPeach51]

We've been on Carnival, Celebrity, Princess and HAL. Liked them all, for different reasons. Only one cruise on Princess that we didn't find a lot to like. As others said, you can find fun and adjust expectations as you go. We like Celebrity a lot because of the lack of smoking issues. Appreciate cruising without having to deal with breathing second-hand smoke, so we will probably be sticking with Celebrity for a while. Absolutely prefer Carnival and HAL to Princess, which has been going downhill in our opinion.

 

Our first cruise was with HAL, and for my husband, younger then and able to eat as much as he wanted, the fond memories of the food on that cruise are the yardstick against which he measures all other cruises....

[yogimax]

While we enjoy cruising on Carnival, RCCL is our favorite. Mrs. Yogimax is an artist and the decor of the RCCL ships is much nicer. For me, it's the perks that you receive from the Crown & Anchor Society. They have Carnival's perks easily beat. Having said that, we still enjoy Carnival, especially their reasonable pricing.

[Kurbanfan]

Being platinum with Carnival and sailing on RCCL a few times and Princess once........Princess wins with me....

But we sail Carnival more because they offer the most sailings in the Caribbean and on the West Coast.......if Princess would offer more 7 day sailings in the Caribbean I would be sailing with them more often...

But it comes down to itinerary for us......so we are just happy for any cruiseline to take us there.......

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... We like Celebrity a lot because of the lack of smoking issues. Appreciate cruising without having to deal with breathing second-hand smoke, so we will probably be sticking with Celebrity for a while. ....

 

The very limited smoking on Celebrity is a HUGE plus for us as well. I felt out of place in a casino which did not REEK of filthy cigarettes!

 

Tom

[halos]

Initially we ONLY sailed on Carnival... getting to about the Milestone level before testing the waters elsewhere. We were very pleased with Celebrity -- appreciating the better perks for sailing in suites (Carnival hasn't a clue in that regard). Our 1 trip on NCL also found great suite perks. Both lines have room service which blows Carnival away (hot breakfast - dinner in your cabin, etc).

 

I will say that overall we prefer the MDR food on Carnival (though not the dancing waiters) and the entertainment is a step above as well.

 

Variety is the spice of life... DO NOT stick with one just because you are comfortable where you are, or because someone else told you something bad about a particular line (just look how many people tell people never to sail Carnival)!!

 

Tom

 

Couldn't agree more! :)

 

........Princess wins with me....

 

.......

I seriously want to give Princess a go....I'll have to put more effort into looking at their itineraries and just book something.

[lillian marie]

We've cruised the majority of cruise lines with US ports. I do like Cunard a lot but the CCL price is hard to beat. We find the ports of debarcation the most convienient for us with CCL, love the kids programs and like the food too. We keep coming back to CCL because it gives us the best value in our opinion, but everyone has a right to their opinion too.

[yogimax]

The very limited smoking on Celebrity is a HUGE plus for us as well. I felt out of place in a casino which did not REEK of filthy cigarettes!

 

Tom

 

Excellent point!

[hubofhockey]

I cruised on Carnival first over twenty years ago. I guess as I grew older and changed, what I want, expect, and can afford has changed a bit. I enjoy Princess more now. But my kids love Carnival and RCI. So, we'll go on all three. I suppose I would like to try Celebrity as well as those Solstice class ships look great. But Princess also has that great FCC program, great and multiple larger freshwater pools, and the European itineraries. Itineraries and whether we are bringing the kids are the biggest factors in choice of cruise line. I do think it's great to switch them up to keep things fresh too.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... I suppose I would like to try Celebrity as well as those Solstice class ships look great.....

 

Without a doubt!!

 

Tom

[welldone60]

We have cruised on five differnt lines, they all had there good and not so good points. Some or more elegant, some more colorfull, some with an older crowd, some with lots of famlies. But all in all they are more alike than not. Food will vary from ship to ship in the same line, same as service, so I would not condem a line from cruising on one ship (although NCL came close). We have cruised more on Carnival lately as we want to cruise more and there pricing helps with that. RCCL has left the west coast, so that cuts down on the short cruises with them. My MIL, who is 95, lives just a few miles from Port Canaveral, so untill she passes, we will cruise from Florida as much as we can to combine a visit with her.

[mrpayroll]

Been on Disney, RCCL, Princess and Carnival. Enjoyed each one. Bought stock in Carnival so we will be using them for a while for the OBC ....

[obmarcr]

 

My DH and I have been on only 4 cruises which were Disney, RCCL, NCL and Carnival this past Sept.11. I think they are all about the same. Same shows...food (we haven't gone to any specialty restaurants so I can't comment about this) and service...We will be going on RCCL Allure of the Seas next year only because I want to experience a new huge ship.

[mamasue]

We've sailed 3 different lines, CCL,NCL, and RCCL.

Carnival is best for food....

NCL is better entertainment....

RCCL is better for stuff like skating rinks and the boardwalk thing with the cafes.

 

I usually shop price and itinerary...would cruise on any of these lines again!!

We've loved every cruise we've ever been on.... from 5-day Caribbean to 2 transatlantics.

Maybe we're just easy to please.... we've loved every minute of every cruise!!!