How do I compare amenities of different cruise lines?

[Alaskabound2011]

I am in the beginning stages of planning an Alaska Cruise for 2011, and I’m a bit overwhelmed with my choices. First I would like to narrow down which cruise line we want to sail with. Does anyone know of a easy website to do a comparison of the different amenities offered by each company?

I’m interested in finding out things such as:

• Which ships have a good kids program for my (by that time) almost 4 year old son.
  
• Which ships can best cater to my vegetarian (ovo-lacto, we eat eggs & dairy) diet.
  
• Which ships will have programs focusing on natural Alaska.
  
• I’m also having trouble figuring out what activities and programs are offered on the specific ships that sail to Alaska.
  
• Do any cruise lines offer a discount for the third person in the room who is a child, or will my son always be full price?
  

I guess what we want is a ship that caters to BOTH the adults and the child in the group. One who has fun and silly ship programs along with education programs about the natural wonders of Alaska. I’m not looking for fancy and upscale, more comfortable and laid back, maybe with flexible dining times. We will probably get a balcony cabin, but not a suite.

Thanks for any help you might be able to give this overwhelmed planner!

[Hlitner]

I am in the beginning stages of planning an Alaska Cruise for 2011, and I’m a bit overwhelmed with my choices. First I would like to narrow down which cruise line we want to sail with. Does anyone know of a easy website to do a comparison of the different amenities offered by each company?

I’m interested in finding out things such as:

• Which ships have a good kids program for my (by that time) almost 4 year old son.
  
• Which ships can best cater to my vegetarian (ovo-lacto, we eat eggs & dairy) diet.
  
• Which ships will have programs focusing on natural Alaska.
  
• I’m also having trouble figuring out what activities and programs are offered on the specific ships that sail to Alaska.
  
• Do any cruise lines offer a discount for the third person in the room who is a child, or will my son always be full price?
  

I guess what we want is a ship that caters to BOTH the adults and the child in the group. One who has fun and silly ship programs along with education programs about the natural wonders of Alaska. I’m not looking for fancy and upscale, more comfortable and laid back, maybe with flexible dining times. We will probably get a balcony cabin, but not a suite.

Thanks for any help you might be able to give this overwhelmed planner!

You should cross-post this same message in the "Family Cruiser" forum. As to Alaska, you are probably going to choose between RCI, and Princess. We have excluded Holland America (we personally love this line) because we think their kids programs are lacking when compared to RCI and Princess. As to the veggie diet, all the cruise lines will have some options in their dining rooms. All the lines will usually have a lecturer who offers some talks on Alaska, but we are not sure what you mean by "Natural Alaska." Everyone taking Alaskan cruises are taking the cruise to see the natural beauty and there are tons of excursion options. The major cruise lines offer very similar excusions in each port (they usually buy from the same tour companies). By the way, both Princess and RCI (and also Holland America) now offer flexible dining programs that allow you to dine as you please. You can specify this type of dining option at the time you book.

 

Hank

[Essiesmom]

If you haven't done so already, find a travel agency and pick up an armload of brochures, take them home and study them. Talk to a travel agent who is experienced with cruises. And if they recommend one line over another, ask why, and why they don't like the other lines. My travel agency specializes in Celebrity and HAL, but happily books my Carnival cruises. EM

[cb at sea]

Alaskan cruises are more about the destination, than the ship....I don't know that many cruise to Alaska and don't make full use of the ports, so you'll be off the ship a good deal of the time!

[AO781]

Does anyone know the NCF fees for Celebrity cruises? 3-day? 6-day? 8-day? and 12-day Europe? Thanks!

[Essiesmom]

Does anyone know the NCF fees for Celebrity cruises? 3-day? 6-day? 8-day? and 12-day Europe? Thanks!

What are NCF fees? And perhaps you should post this on Celebrity board. EM