Cruzaholic41

I spent well over 14k on what would become my all time favorite cruise, and it was on a mainstream line (insert sound of a particular person on this thread fainting). It was on Celebrity Flora. I’ve also dropped that kind of dough on a few other cruises. Most, I thought were worth it. I’ll gladly do it again for a top suite on Celebrity Edge Class or on Viking Ocean. RCI Crown Lofts - yea, maybe. I would never spend that kind of money on NCL, Carnival, Oceania, Princess, or HAL though.

Just use common sense. Tables on lido are usually multi purpose. Nothing wrong with a group sitting there and enjoying cocktails. Playing games inside the buffet restaurant at a table is totally void of common sense.

The problem with the Haven is it’s on NCL. I enjoyed the experience while in the confines but when out and about, you still have to endure the NCL nonsense. RCI and Celebrity suites are my favorites and imo, have the best perks. Plus, they are on beautiful, awe inspiring ships. I prefer suites on these 2 lines over most luxury cruise lines.

Thank you. And thanks to you and the other experts here for all the information. For others, I know Paul personally and can vouch for his experience. DH used to work with him.

Unfortunately, as people get more self absorbed, buffet table hogging is becoming more common. I have seen people playing cards or other games at buffet tables at peak times and while others are searching for tables on every one of my last several cruises. This is not limited to the mainstream lines as someone else suggested. This happens on every line. Fact.

Wow! No one EVER said anything like that. You really need to stop with the melodrama.

This comment makes no sense. How exactly have the so-called naysayers “lost out?” When educated maritime experts say they are not in support of the new procedures, I tend to trust them. Oh, and here is where you are wrong. You keep saying the USCG approved this method, as though they are in support of it. They are not. In reality, the USCG did not oppose this method because it technically meets the letter of the law. In other words, they couldn’t stop it. That does not mean they support it, and I know for a fact they don’t. So please stop typing as though you know what you’re talking about.

So, you’re a wannabe vlogger, or as they call them now, content creator, but kids glued to their iPads and phones bug you? Those 2 things go hand and hand. Dont take this wrong. I’m not trying to flame you. I just dont think people are realizing how much the tik tok obsession is hurting society - in many ways.

Anyone, professional or not, can look up and read the law. Anyone who takes the time to do that will see that the people you are contesting are right, so perhaps it is time you back off from this topic.

I have cruised both lines, and I have been on the Arcadia. Without hesitation, I recommend the brand new Queen Anne. Cunard is an excellent cruise line and while I haven’t been on Queen Anne (yet), I’m familiar with that class of ships from HAL. The photos and renderings look amazing. As mentioned, Arcadia is long in the tooth, and it shows. P&O is a good line but I don’t think these 2 ships are comparable.

Silversea is an excellent cruise line. I’d rate them up there with my favorites. Great choice! Regarding age, you will be among the youngest on board. No doubt. But I wouldn’t call it a retirement home. While the crowd will be older, it’s more of an active crowd than it is a nursing home crowd. You will have no problem socializing and having a good time with other passengers.

My opinion on favorites has changed several times over the years. Currently, my favorites are Viking Ocean and Celebrity. I favor them both for different reasons (VO for food and overall quality, and Celebrity for their ships). Also, one of my all time favorite cruises was on Celebrity’s expeditionary cruise Flora. I can’t wait to try VO’s expeditionary ship Octantis. For overall entertainment, my favorite is Royal Caribbean. I’m always amazed at the high quality and complexity of the shows they manage to provide. On the low end, the lines I am least likely to book again anytime soon are Carnival and Oceania. Carnival ships are way too crowded, live entertainment is horrible, and I feel I just don’t fit in with the crowd. Oceania is disappointing because they are the typical - if you say it on the internet it must be true - type of business. They used to be a great line but I’ve seen a steady decline since falling under NCL.

If we’re talking all lines, my favorite meals have consistently been on Viking Ocean and Silversea. But since the op asked about big lines, I’ll stick with Celebrity as my first recommendation.

I’ve sailed several times post covid and I recommend Celebrity. I was quite happy with my meals.

I’ll expand that to say any expeditionary cruise might fit your bill. If you’re looking to book a smaller premium line, my first recommendation is Viking Ocean. VO is also doing expeditionary cruises. Have you considered a river cruise? One word of caution. Do not let anyone here try to tell you that negative passenger behavior, such as those who overindulge, doesn’t exist on premium and luxury lines. Anytime you combine a thousand people, there will always be sour apples in the mix. Always!

One of my all time favorite cruises was to the Galapagos on Celebrity Flora. Everything about the experience was excellent. I highly recommend it for an unconventional cruise.

I’ve cruised Disney a few times and I agree with the overwhelming sentiment here. It’s not worth the money and I don’t think they’re any better than RCI. In fact, I prefer RCI between the two. I think Tapi said it best. I recommend a big RCI ship like Icon, Oasis Class, or Quantum Class and as mentioned, you can’t get those out of Tampa. That said, Radiance Class ships are very pretty.

Since Quantum Class has the separate enclosed pool for families, they don’t need to open the solarium to kids in cold weather. Another reason to love Quantum Class.

Another vote for Quantum Class. Huge, great views, and cascading pools.

If you want wow, look at Royal Caribbean. Princess ships are kinda vanilla in the wow category. I would lean toward the longer vacation.

Reflection is a great ship! Behind Edge Class, those Solstice Class ships are some of my favorites. I’m glad you were equally as impressed with your first X cruise.

I’m a former partner of a large travel agency and I can give you recommendations from having actually sailed all these lines, unlike others who will bash them despite never having actually sailed them. I agree with the first couple responses, and I first recommend Celebrity. IMO, they have the most beautiful ships at sea. Plus, they still have great entertainment and nightlife that you will not find on the so-called higher end cruise lines. The martini bar is one of my favorite venues. You mentioned specialty restaurants. I also think Celebrity has the best specialty restaurants. Also, fwiw, I’ve sailed numerous luxury lines and yet my most favorite cruises in recent years have been on Celebrity. The new Edge Class ships are amazing. The Solstice Class ships are also stunning. Holland America is another good option if relaxation is your focus. The nightlife is lacking, and gets stale after a few nights though. Also, consider Royal Caribbean. While still mainstream, I always thought they were a step up from Carnival. If you’re looking for “wow,” this is the line to book, especially Oasis and Quantum Class…..and predictably the new Icon.

Take a look at Saga for a similar, kid-free line. Sticking with smaller, all inclusive ships, but maybe with some kids on board, I first recommend Regent and Silversea. Viking is my preferred line but I’ve had excellent experiences on these other lines. Azamara is another great alternative. Oceania is ok but I do not recommend them. My experiences on that line have been a noticeable step down from Viking. In fact, I recommend Virgin or Celebrity over Oceania.

That’s a tough one because my answer would have been Viking. Take a look at Silversea, especially their enriched voyages. I took a cruise last year to Alaska on Silver Muse, and it was excellent. They had excellent speakers. Otherwise, I’m not sure who else to suggest. Other similar lines like Oceania and Azamara have fallen short in that area.

Celebrity Edge