What cruise lines most comparable to CCL?

[Eli_6]

In May/June 2023, we are doing the Barcelona to Dover Pride Sailing. I don't want to do the cruise that goes after this one on Carnival because of the destination--it is too similar to a sailing we are doing in 2022.  Since we will already be in Europe, I would like to do another leg, preferably to Greece or the Holy Land or even Egypt.  What other cruise lines should I consider? We are sailing with kids so anything that has an age cut off (like 12 and up or 18 and up) is out.  The ones that come to mind were Holland, RCCL, Princess, and MSC came to mind; but I know there are more.

[mondello]

NCL is a player in Europe.

 

You may be limited by options back out of Dover after your cruise. I'd also look at some exploring by rail since you're already across the pond. Great chance to see other places without the expense of airfare for an additional trip to Europe.

 

add: I think a Northern Europe fjords cruise would be awesome.

Edited April 6, 2022 by mondello
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[cruizergal70]

Your best bet is to do a search by departure city. You'll see all the cruises, destinations, and cruise lines.

[tallnthensome]

Msc .... I'm booked with them again. They do Europe mostly and many times kids and teens sail free much of the time . 

[bmc alabama]

If you are OK with not having waterslides, I'd try Princess, especially one of their newer Royal Class ships.  They have a good kids program and the Pizza is amazing on ships with an Alfredo's/Gigi's...

[Lane Hog]

They each have a couple differences or things they do better than the other, but I find Royal and Carnival to be pretty much interchangeable. 

[lazydayz]

2 hours ago, Lane Hog said:

They each have a couple differences or things they do better than the other, but I find Royal and Carnival to be pretty much interchangeable. 

I agree.  We switch back and forth between the two and hardly notice the differences, which are mostly cosmetic.  

[gsb]

IMHO CCL doesn't stand up to an Oasis class RCL.

[JT1962]

Royal Caribbean or NCL will be closest to Carnival as far as overall experience.,

[Eli_6]

17 hours ago, mondello said:

NCL is a player in Europe.

 

You may be limited by options back out of Dover after your cruise. I'd also look at some exploring by rail since you're already across the pond. Great chance to see other places without the expense of airfare for an additional trip to Europe.

 

add: I think a Northern Europe fjords cruise would be awesome.

I am ok with going out of another port...even if it means a relatively short plane ride or a train ride.   

[pc_load_letter]

P&O

[bmc alabama]

4 hours ago, gsb said:

IMHO CCL doesn't stand up to an Oasis class RCL.

Your opinion.  We are usually DCL or Princess cruisers, but did Oasis in January and Mardi Gras in March and we all much preferred the Mardi Gras.  Way more included food options that we felt were better.

[lazydayz]

6 hours ago, gsb said:

IMHO CCL doesn't stand up to an Oasis class RCL.

 

Have you been on the Mardi Gras?  I prefer it to the Oasis class.  More restaurants (both included such as Guy's Burgers, Street Eats and Big Chicken, and others at an extra cost, like the Steakhouse, Emeril's Bistro, and Rudi's Seagrill (Rudi's is the best specialty restaurant I have been to on any ship, including one Celebrity and several Holland ships) and bars, good layout and use of the grand foyer, live music everywhere, more comedy shows (think 60+ over a seven day cruise), huge casino with the non-smoking portion being large and separated from the smoking portion so little to no cigarette smells in the non-smoking room, yet close enough you can move back and forth with a little effort.  The Serenity Deck is huge and beautiful, with its full-size pool.  While the Broadway shows and ice and aqua shows are stellar on the Oasis class, overall MG wins for me.