Non-American Cruise Lines on par with Celebrity?

[BluesCruise]

I'm asking this here, because I prefer Celebrity amongst the mass -market cruise lines, and I want the opinions of like-minded cruisers. So far, I've steered clear of non-American lines, wary of smokers and language barriers. This can sometimes severely limit the options for a particular itinerary, e.g. Canary Islands. My question is: Which non-American cruise lines have you actually cruised on that you would cruise on again?

[cruisestitch]

It might be instructive to ask the opposite -- what non-US cruise line would you never cruise on again, and for me, it's Costa. And that was way before the ship ran aground. I wouldn't sail on Costa under any circumstances. Give me a free cruise, and I wouldn't. Pay me, still no.

[helpthejuggler]

Would Cunard qualify. Owned by Carnival but different style. Currency onboard is even USD.

[ghstudio]

I'm asking this here, because I prefer Celebrity amongst the mass -market cruise lines, and I want the opinions of like-minded cruisers. So far, I've steered clear of non-American lines, wary of smokers and language barriers. This can sometimes severely limit the options for a particular itinerary, e.g. Canary Islands. My question is: Which non-American cruise lines have you actually cruised on that you would cruise on again?

 

I don't think there are any "American" cruise lines with worldwide cruises. Rcl and carnival are not us companies. I believe celebrity is registered in Malta.

[BluesCruise]

To be clear, I mean cruise lines that cater mainly to American vs.Non-American passengers, regardless of registry.

 

Also, I'm interested in lines that are not generally more expensive than Celebrity.

[timtam2]

Well, P&O UK would be good for the area you are looking to cruise in

[BluesCruise]

To be clear, I mean cruise lines that cater mainly to American vs.Non-American passengers, regardless of registry.

 

Also, I'm interested in lines that are not generally more expensive than Celebrity.

[cruisestitch]

"Rcl and carnival are not us companies. I believe celebrity is registered in Malta."

 

This is not my understanding. Their parent company is US based, traded on the American stock exchange, headquarters in Miami.

 

Some of their ships are registered in Malta.

[mafig]

It might be instructive to ask the opposite -- what non-US cruise line would you never cruise on again, and for me, it's Costa. And that was way before the ship ran aground. I wouldn't sail on Costa under any circumstances. Give me a free cruise, and I wouldn't. Pay me, still no.

 

 

I agree with cruisestitch, except for the free cruise or pay me part .... then I'd probably say yes.:D

[boogs]

"Rcl and carnival are not us companies. I believe celebrity is registered in Malta."

 

This is not my understanding. Their parent company is US based, traded on the American stock exchange, headquarters in Miami.

 

Some of their ships are registered in Malta.

 

Correct. They are indeed US companies. That they register their ship in other parts of the world is done for legal and tax purposes. The currency on board is US. The language is English. Most of their policies follow those of US companies. And they are required to follow US maritime regulations in regards to sanitation, pollution controls, passenger safety, and crime reporting.

[petronella]

I don't have much experience to go on, but I've sailed for a total of 22 nights with P&O (UK) and 14 on Royal Caribbean.

 

Food, staterooms, crew etc are all comparable, in my opinion and all excellent. I thought RCI better for kids (but then we didn't have kids with us with P&O) and for sure they have the razzamatazz factor, if that is what you are after. P&O was quieter and more traditional with regard dress codes. Evidence of officers on RCI was close to zero, whilst on P&O they were everywhere and very friendly.

 

As a couple ( late 50s) we preferred P&O but travelling with family and children, RCI was perfect.

 

p.s. we are non-smokers and didn't encounter issues on either line. We don't use the casino and just avoid smokers if we encounter them.

[bighairtexan]

I've cruised on MSC which is an Italian line. All the announcements were in 4 or 5 languages, service was "different" and more reactive than proactive. The ship was beautiful and the food was mostly very good.

There WAS more smoking and even in the Caribbean, I found folks from USA to be in the minority. Many more Canadians and Europeans. I enjoyed the experience and went in w/ an open mind that it WOULD be different. It was. Different is just fine.

[pris993]

We cruised Cunard, Queen Victoria, thought is was superior to Princess, Celebrity, HAL and NCL which we also cruise on by part in terms of service, style, food quality and entertainment. We are elite on Princess and Celebrity, 2 star on HAL.

 

I have not been on Costa or MSC... would not cruise these lines.

[CathyCruises]

Way before the Costa Concordia, we shared a van to the airport in Venice with three nice ladies who had just disembarked either MSC or Costa--I wish I could remember which. In any event, they were devastated because their cruise was terrible, food awful, 'never again' type of thing. They seemed like they were reasonable people and seasoned travelers--I felt terrible for them. It certainly didn't make me want to branch out!

[jomf]

I would suggest a cruise with P & O. Similar types of passengers if you stick to the smaller ships. Service etc on a par.

Smoking is still allowed on balcony's though I think.

 

Mostly Brits onboard with a smattering of other nationalities.

[stratixman]

Correct. They are indeed US companies. That they register their ship in other parts of the world is done for legal and tax purposes. The currency on board is US. The language is English. Most of their policies follow those of US companies. And they are required to follow US maritime regulations in regards to sanitation, pollution controls, passenger safety, and crime reporting.

 

Wrong. They are not US companies.

 

RCL is incorporated in the Republic of Liberia. Their ownership includes RCL, Celebrity, Azamara, Pullmantur, TUI Cruises, and CDF Croisieres de France. RCL and Celebrity both have corporate headquarter offices in Miami. RCL is listed on the NYSE.

 

Same with Carnival. Carnival owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises Seabourn; P&O Cruises, Cunard, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Iberocruceros, and P&O Cruises. Carnival is incorporated in Panama and has its headquarters located in Miami (Doral). It trades on the NYSE. Carnival is a foreign corporation. Princess was originally incorporated in Bermuda. I am not sure if it retained separate incorporation after being acquired by Carnival. But in any event it is not a U.S. company. I have not investigated the domicile of Carnival's subsidiaries but as far as I know none are incorporated in the US.

 

Norwegian Cruise Lines a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong, which also owns Star Cruises. Genting is not a US corporation. NCL is incorporated separately in Bermuda, with headquarters in Miami. It trades on the NASDAQ exchange. NCL is a foreign corporation.

 

Disney Cruise Line is the marketing name of Magical Cruise Company Limited, which is subsidiary of Disney Company. Magical Cruise Company Limited is incorporated in the UK with its operational headquarters located in Celebration Florida. It is not a US company.

 

Having headquarter offices located in the U.S. or being listed on a US stock exchange have anything to do with a company being considered a U.S. company.

 

With the exception of NCL, none of the above cruise lines have ships registered in the US. The lone NCL ship registered in the US is the Pride of America. This registration is needed to allow the Pride of America to sail between US ports of call in Hawaii without running afoul of the Passenger Services Act that would otherwise require it to visit at least one foreign port if the ship were itself foreign registered. Registering a ship in the US has absolutely no affect of making its corporate owner a US company.

[coldweathergirl]

Consider Paul Gauguin cruises if you want something different. Although their prices look daunting at times, they include airfare from LAX to Tahiti or wherever the cruise starts and ends. You can also get cruise only pricing. All beverages are included as well. They sail primarily in the South Pacific but occasionally have a different itinerary. We have sailed twice with them and loved every minute of it.

[camarodrivenrs]

I found my Costa cruise very enjoyable. I think Europeans and Americans expect different types of service, with the American way of service being much more pampering and in your face, while the European is more in the background, but in my case they always got me what I asked for. I've got my first Celebrity cruise coming up, but I would place Costa ahead of Carnival from my perspective. I would cruise Costa again and would like to try MSC.

 

I will put a disclaimer in, I speak Spanish and my girlfriend speaks French so we found the diverse culture to be lots of fun. I would not sail Costa or MSC during the holidays because they have deals that encourage too many families with children for my taste.

[ghstudio]

Correct. They are indeed US companies. That they register their ship in other parts of the world is done for legal and tax purposes. The currency on board is US. The language is English. Most of their policies follow those of US companies. And they are required to follow US maritime regulations in regards to sanitation, pollution controls, passenger safety, and crime reporting.

 

They are only required to follow us regulations for ships that dock at any us port. The eXpedition, for example does not have to follow any us regulations since it never leaves the galapagos. However celebrity voluntarily meets the regulations...but the key word is voluntarily.

 

All of the companies want you to believe they are us companies...but if you talk about taxes or liability law, they suddenly aren't us companies. It's marketing vs reality.

[ORV]

FWIW, on the subject of Costa, I've been on one Costa cruise, I would rank it higher than Princess or Carnival. That was only my experience, I know others will and have varied. It was a Caribbean cruise. I've heard it's different when you sail them in the Med. Probably wouldn't go again, but it was alright.

[BluesCruise]

Thanks to those who answered my inquiry. I don't think I'm ready to try something so different, especially not as a solo.

 

To the thread -jackers still debating who owns what, and what's registered where, carry on...

[Jayneykul]

We went with Cunard on queen Victoria earlier in the year and loved it. The food was slightly better (IOHO) than celebrity but the entertainment was no where near in the same league.

MSC never never again

NCL no thanks