New cruise line/brand suggestion needed

[Mary_Cruise254]

 

I’m seeking a suggestion on a line to look into/sail that I would enjoy. In my initial research celebrity seems to be the closest but I’d love some input and advice from experienced cruisers. 

 

I’ve cruised twice with Disney in 10 years- we loved: great food quality, amazing service, impeccable rooms thoughtfully laid out, lounges, very clean, ship design, and really just everything has been awesome.

 

I feel like cruising overall I’m a complete newbie. We just happened to try Disney (once with, once without kids) but I’ve never really found another line I have thought “yes we’d love this too!” And with many there are red flags that make a line seem unappealing for me personally. Our priority is great food quality, comfort, relaxed atmosphere and I guess you’d call it luxury but casually so. I am not interested in lines with strict mandatory dress codes, nor am I interested in heavy party brands. Budget wise- well I’ve cruised Disney so you know a bit higher price isn’t going to scare me off. I’m willing to wait and save up for an ideal experience. 

 

Our cruising party is 2 adults active. 50yo. Love food, good cocktails and lounges, mellow vibes not party people. 

[njhorseman]

41 minutes ago, Mary_Cruise254 said:

 

 

I’m seeking a suggestion on a line to look into/sail that I would enjoy. In my initial research celebrity seems to be the closest but I’d love some input and advice from experienced cruisers. 

 

I’ve cruised twice with Disney in 10 years- we loved: great food quality, amazing service, impeccable rooms thoughtfully laid out, lounges, very clean, ship design, and really just everything has been awesome.

 

I feel like cruising overall I’m a complete newbie. We just happened to try Disney (once with, once without kids) but I’ve never really found another line I have thought “yes we’d love this too!” And with many there are red flags that make a line seem unappealing for me personally. Our priority is great food quality, comfort, relaxed atmosphere and I guess you’d call it luxury but casually so. I am not interested in lines with strict mandatory dress codes, nor am I interested in heavy party brands. Budget wise- well I’ve cruised Disney so you know a bit higher price isn’t going to scare me off. I’m willing to wait and save up for an ideal experience. 

 

Our cruising party is 2 adults active. 50yo. Love food, good cocktails and lounges, mellow vibes not party people. 

I'd consider the premium lines Oceania, Viking Ocean or Azamara, all with relatively small ships compared to the mass market lines, casual on board ambience and  catering to adults.

[CDNPolar]

12 hours ago, Mary_Cruise254 said:

 

 

I’m seeking a suggestion on a line to look into/sail that I would enjoy. In my initial research celebrity seems to be the closest but I’d love some input and advice from experienced cruisers. 

 

I’ve cruised twice with Disney in 10 years- we loved: great food quality, amazing service, impeccable rooms thoughtfully laid out, lounges, very clean, ship design, and really just everything has been awesome.

 

I feel like cruising overall I’m a complete newbie. We just happened to try Disney (once with, once without kids) but I’ve never really found another line I have thought “yes we’d love this too!” And with many there are red flags that make a line seem unappealing for me personally. Our priority is great food quality, comfort, relaxed atmosphere and I guess you’d call it luxury but casually so. I am not interested in lines with strict mandatory dress codes, nor am I interested in heavy party brands. Budget wise- well I’ve cruised Disney so you know a bit higher price isn’t going to scare me off. I’m willing to wait and save up for an ideal experience. 

 

Our cruising party is 2 adults active. 50yo. Love food, good cocktails and lounges, mellow vibes not party people. 

We have sailed with Viking 10 times now - Ocean and River - and have 4 future cruises booked.

 

We find they have great food, exceptional crew and service standards.

 

Viking's most extreme dress code is "elegant casual" for evenings but this is more no flip flops and cut off shorts in the dining venues at night.  Relaxed dress code.  Clean and covered is what I call it.

 

Viking is not a party environment, however folks do have fun.

 

No casinos, no chain by the inch, etc.

 

Viking seems expensive when you first look at a cabin price, but when you consider what is included, it is worth it.  We would spend more on a mass market brand for a lesser experience if we included everything we got from Viking.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 4/27/2024 at 6:32 PM, Mary_Cruise254 said:

Our cruising party is 2 adults active. 50yo. Love food, good cocktails and lounges, mellow vibes not party people. 

I would definitely look into Celebrity and Princess. For Celebrity I'd go Reflection and newer, and for Princess I'd aim for Regal Princess and newer (but I'd give Sun and Star Princess ships a bit more time to iron out the brand new ship wrinkles first).

 

Even our kid's favorite line is Princess.

[Mary229]

My first question is where do I want to go and who is really great in that area?  Then I narrow it down from those ships 

[Mary_Cruise254]

@mary229 that doesn’t answer my question - I’m seeking lines that align with what I’m looking for in a brand. 

[Mary229]

4 minutes ago, Mary_Cruise254 said:

@mary229 that doesn’t answer my question - I’m seeking lines that align with what I’m looking for in a brand. 

It depends on where you are going.  My first thought was she sounds like she would enjoy river cruising but that would depend on where you are going 

[cruiseaholic777]

Try Celebrity they sound like the best fit for you. I am not an expert but I have been on 35 cruises so I have some experience.