Which cruise line will you Never, Always and Try to cruise with and why?

[KWW88]

21 minutes ago, drew69 said:

Tried Carnival, believe me, it is not the children that are a problem on Carnival ships, it is the adults!  

EXACTLY!!

[George C]

Never again - NCL and Carnival 

always

rccl for entertainment 

celebrity for suite perks

msc - for their yacht club 

would try - almost anything 

 

[Tatka]

30 minutes ago, retired dude said:

never again, carnival for the obvious reasons, ncl poor food , service and entertainment...

 

 

I agree about food on NCL being not the best (on average), but I thought entertainment was their strong suit.

 

RCI, NCL & MSC usually have very nice entertainment.

[FlyerTalker]

46 minutes ago, retired dude said:

Love celebrity but the new AI program will make it cost prohibitive for us to continue sailing with them even though we are elite with them..

 

For those that want an upscale environment without the all-inclusive, I highly suggest you look into Oceania.  Stateroom size may be an issue on their smaller ships, but the ala carte pricing makes it an alternative to consider.

[HxFx]

2 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Never:  Any cruise line that does not require 100% vaccinated passengers and crew including no children unless they are vaccinated too.  For the present time anyway.

 

Oh well, a non-COVID thread was nice while it lasted!

[marieps]

On 4/6/2021 at 1:12 PM, paulh84 said:

Outlet Mall of the Seas has lost its appeal. 

 

 

 

That one had me burst out loud.

[TrulyBlonde]

6 minutes ago, HxFx said:

Oh well, a non-COVID thread was nice while it lasted!

Agree. It was such a pleasure reading these posts and not being inundated with the negative we all must hear about daily. 😞

[marieps]

Never: Carnival, and as we enjoy the occasional casino visit, Viking.

 

Try:  AMA.  Gonna do our first river cruise July 2022.  O was in this category until our 2019 TP, now it's an always.

 

Always: O and now not quite always =X=.  The whole keeping sure to be cancelled cruises on the schedule until after FP got very old.   Squirrelly FCC awards left a bad taste as well.

 

 

 

Edited April 7, 2021 by marieps

[TeaBag]

2 minutes ago, marieps said:

Try: AMA  Gonna do our first river cruise July 2022.
 

You will love it.  River cruises are so different and it's lovely to be docked in the middle of town.

[HxFx]

Well, I’m pretty new to leisure cruising but like many other things, I’ve researched the heck out of it so I have opinions!

 

Never again: USS Carl Vinson - at least not working on it! I would definitely due a Tiger Cruise 🤣

 

Always: One that has a great itinerary, good reputation for food, and good flow so it at least seems not too crowded. I cruised on the Summit; food was yummy and being out of Puerto Rico there were a ton of port calls so would do that again. I would prefer fewer attempts to get us to buy Specialty Dining (though they did get us twice so I guess it works!). I also went on a Carnival Elation cruise that a friend wanted me to join her on. I admit Carnival wasn't my first choice but I would do Carnival again if the itinerary were right but on a newer ship. I did absolutely love Guy’s Burgers though!

 

Try: I’d actually like to try a variety of styles to see what I would like. I think with a big group, a Royal mega ship could be fun because everyone can do their own thing and I like choices. At the same time a SeaDream cruise to some of the smaller ports would be great. I think the more sea days, the more activity on the ship is needed for me. I am in my 50s but a kid a heart so I wouldn’t mind a fun slide or two on some of my cruises! Based on my research I think my go to will probably be a Navigator of the Seas type ship but who knows! I love reading why everyone likes what they like.

[marieps]

11 minutes ago, TeaBag said:

You will love it.  River cruises are so different and it's lovely to be docked in the middle of town.

Oh fantastic!  Thanks much.  Can't wait.  

[TrulyBlonde]

2 minutes ago, marieps said:

Oh fantastic!  Thanks much.  Can't wait.  

I have done 3 river cruises. Rhine, Rhone, and Danube. Honestly, I cannot stand them. First one was a B2B and the Danube was with Tauck. We like to do touring on our own and I feel they are too regimented. We would often leave the group and meet up later. Just wanted to give you a different perspective.

[KWW88]

25 minutes ago, TrulyBlonde said:

I have done 3 river cruises. Rhine, Rhone, and Danube. Honestly, I cannot stand them. First one was a B2B and the Danube was with Tauck. We like to do touring on our own and I feel they are too regimented. We would often leave the group and meet up later. Just wanted to give you a different perspective.

I have seen videos posted, but am wondering from a person who has done these river cruises, what was the on-board experience like, dining, things to do, type of passenger?

 

[marieps]

14 minutes ago, KWW88 said:

I have seen videos posted, but am wondering from a person who has done these river cruises, what was the on-board experience like, dining, things to do, type of passenger?

 

Welcome all perspectives...hope we don't get flamed for hijacking the thread!

[TrulyBlonde]

8 minutes ago, KWW88 said:

I have seen videos posted, but am wondering from a person who has done these river cruises, what was the on-board experience like, dining, things to do, type of passenger?

 

The cabins are so tiny to begin with. We are rather private and feel due to the size of the river boats, you are constantly having people in your face. Tauck on the Danube was the best one for us. We learned and booked their largest cabin. We also had our own dinner table nightly, which is what we prefer. Tauck  does have access to wonderful venues (much more special than most). Those were the highlights. Other than Tauck, you mainly sit in long tables, low ceilings, so acoustics are terrible. 

Host JazzBeau does a river cruise forum on CC. Best if you read thru that to give you an idea of likes and dislikes.

 

We only went on the 3rd one because we like to spend close to a month in Europe. We combined the river cruise with a land tour on our own and then Azamara ocean cruise in the Adriatic. DH would kill me if I ever booked another river cruise LOL!

[HskrCrsr]

1 hour ago, HxFx said:

Oh well, a non-COVID thread was nice while it lasted!

 

If I am not mistaken, that was from TeeRick, and I for one am willing to cut him a LOT of slack on that. There is another thread that was mostly about COVID and vaccines, and from time to time, somebody would comment (banter, I think, was a good description) off-topic and TeeRick would try to get back on track. Regrettably, I was one of those people. (Maybe I am again, now?) So it was nice, and will be again, but TeeRick earned forgiveness from me. Of course, I am new here and still trying to earn my stripes. 

 

And I see marieps has just commented about hijacking this thread. And so it goes. 🙂

 

So to comment back on-topic, I first cruised Disney and that was my gateway to Celebrity. I thought Disney did a good job 18 years ago of allowing adults to be away from kids. I understand that has changed. Always Celebrity but willing to give Disney another shot. Anti-Disney comments are blasphemy.

[KWW88]

36 minutes ago, marieps said:

Welcome all perspectives...hope we don't get flamed for hijacking the thread!

LOL, I don't think it has been hijacked, River cruises (assuming that was your reference point) are part of cruising, that is why I like TrulyBlondes perspective.  

[hcat]

4 hours ago, m8zenblue said:

On our first cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on embarkation day we were docked next to a Carnival ship, we were on the Holland America Eurodam.

We are not that old, 60ish, lol.

But, the noise, loud music and drunks that we saw on that ship was ridiculous, and it was still hours from departing.

At that moment I swore I would never ever cruise with Carnival.

We would love to cruise on Disney one day with grandsons !

 

If Carnival ships are  docked anywhere near your ship you will experience their noisy  DJs , boom boom bass, and awful music while docked  ( ruins your pool deck or  balcony relaxation for the day)   Many of their " guests" are also very loud and  obnoxious party animals in port,  travel in lg groups, block roadways and sidewalks .  Not much fun shopping even if you can get into a store.

 

Really kills that port whether  one gets off or stays onboard!

[KWW88]

8 minutes ago, hcat said:

 

If Carnival ships are  docked anywhere near your ship you will experience their noisy  DJs , boom boom bass, and awful music while docked  ( ruins your pool deck or  balcony relaxation for the day)   Many of their " guests" are also very loud and  obnoxious party animals in port,  travel in lg groups, block roadways and sidewalks .  Not much fun shopping even if you can get into a store.

 

Really kills that port whether  one gets off or stays onboard!

I have only been on a Carnival side show once, and will never do so again.  I went because a very dear friend, so wanted to go on a cruise, and what they offered was good for her budget.  We both agreed we would never put ourselves through anything like this again.  TBH, it was not just the 20 somethings, the 40 & 50, jeez I think they packed more funnels than I did underwear.  

[TrulyBlonde]

1 hour ago, HskrCrsr said:

 

 

 

So to comment back on-topic, I first cruised Disney and that was my gateway to Celebrity. I thought Disney did a good job 18 years ago of allowing adults to be away from kids. I understand that has changed. Always Celebrity but willing to give Disney another shot. Anti-Disney comments are blasphemy.

Actually, I see you are in San Diego. Our last 2 Disney cruises have been out of your port. My Grandson is in Newport Beach and it is so easy for me to fly from CO and do their Halloween on the Seas cruises. It is perfect Grandparent time, only 3 days and he can go back to his parents:)

 

HIs Mother and my other daughter all came for our last cruise. Just the 4 of us. Gramie babysat and they both enjoyed the adult pool, their wine, and the family bonding. ( Now, for you single girls, don't expect to pick up any hot men. They are there, but not available 😉

I also found that by booking their concierge cabin, the 4 of us were VERY comfortable and the amenities were also worth the extra cost. The cabin was beautiful, luxurious, and better than most suites I have stayed in on our many cruises.

This is just FYI info for all of you here on cc.

[HskrCrsr]

7 minutes ago, TrulyBlonde said:

Actually, I see you are in San Diego. Our last 2 Disney cruises have been out of your port. My Grandson is in Newport Beach and it is so easy for me to fly from CO and do their Halloween on the Seas cruises. It is perfect Grandparent time, only 3 days and he can go back to his parents:)

 

HIs Mother and my other daughter all came for our last cruise. Just the 4 of us. Gramie babysat and they both enjoyed the adult pool, their wine, and the family bonding. ( Now, for you single girls, don't expect to pick up any hot men. They are there, but not available 😉

I also found that by booking their concierge cabin, the 4 of us were VERY comfortable and the amenities were also worth the extra cost. The cabin was beautiful, luxurious, and better than most suites I have stayed in on our many cruises.

This is just FYI info for all of you here on cc.

Yep, cruising out of San Diego would be great for DW and me. The Halloween cruises look good and tempting. Glad you had a good time on that cruise!

[ChucktownSteve]

Never again: Carnival, too obvious. Tried them twice 30 years apart.

Never: Cunard- too stuffy

Always: none because there are too many variants to be that loyal even though Elite on XX.

Sometimes: HAL, XX, Oceania and Azamara depending upon ship, itinerary and value. Sailed them all.

Leaning towards mostly: Regent. Have three booked and expecting to be so pleased it may be my go to; although not yet cruised. (We're spending our nieces' and nephews' inheritance.) lol

Like to try: Seabourn, Viking Ocean.

Edited April 8, 2021 by ChucktownSteve

[Germancruiser]

6 hours ago, AllureOfVacation said:

Never: TUI and AIDA - I can not imagine flying abroad, e. g. to an embarkation board somewhere in the Caribbean or in Asia, just to board a ship with 2000+ other Germans. No, Thank you. By the way, I have no doubt that the service is excellent, there are many great reviews. 

 

I totaly agree- pre pandemic I would have written- NEVER - EVER! The sheer desperation - so to speak- drove me to give TUI- Cruises a try. Out of Germany ( Kiel and Hamburg) no flying requiered- no shore excursions- just right to relax and forget C19 for a while- well almost...!

The service and the food haven been absolutly comparable to X. I did one 4 nighter and one 7 nighter. The only problem : GERMANS- all round- and THAT I can´t stand! LOL

[ChucktownSteve]

Forgot to add to Never: RCL because their ships are too large with too many kids.  I don't want to have to make a reservation for everything.  I'm on vacation.

[GUT2407]

I really dislike the mega floating theme parks, so that limits me. Mrs Gut isn’t allowed fly, so that puts further restrictions on us. But

 

Princess has been our “go to” fleet

Celebrity are pretty much equal to them.

 

NCL was alright, would sail again if itinerary and price were right

Same for RCCL

 

Our Cunard cruise probably wan’t a fair comparison as it was just a small part of a World Cruise and many of those on the whole trip, or longer legs, seemed to dislike us “blow ins”

 

P&O Aus, and Carnival, aren’t a never, but gee there would need to be other attraction.

 

Azamara and Ociana are on iur bucket list but so often require flights at one end or the other.

 

some Expedition trips look great but generally aren’t wheelchair friendly.