One question that is always being asked is “Which cruise line is the best?” This is practically an impossible question to answer, simply because each cruise line offers unique features and onboard entertainment.
I’m not going to answer that question, instead I’m going to write a brief summary from each line and let you choose which one best suites your needs and vacation goals. Each line offers land excursions as well as their own unique onboard entertainment and activities.
Because of the sheer length of this article, I’m posting 2 different blogs. Expect to see the second article next week. It is in no particular order.
Carnival
The Carnival fleet currently has twenty ships, with two more ships with a maiden voyage planned within the next year. With the slogan “The Fun Ships,” it’s no surprise they have something for everybody.
Carnival travels to many destinations including Europe, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda. No matter where the travel bug might take you, Carnival is there to show you the way.
Many of the ships provide an “adult only” retreat, where the adults can leave the kids behind and enjoy some peace and quiet. Another feature the ships provide is segmented kids areas. There is the “Camp Carnival” geared towards children ages 2-11, “A Circle of Friends” geared towards kids 12-14, and “Club O-2” for kids 15-17. These ships are truly family friendly!
Other attractions include water slides on board, giant movie screens that play movies, sports, news, and concerts, as well as miniature golf and shopping. There is never a dull moment aboard a Carnival ship.
The nightlife on board is just as varied as the day time activities. There are several lounges around the ship that cater to everyone’s style, from Jazz to Romance to Latin genres. If seeing a Broadway show is more your style, there are nightly “Spectacular Shows” in the main theatre.
Princess
Princess has a fleet of seventeen ships cruising around the world. They travel to many destinations including Alaska, Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific, Asia, Mexican Rivera, Australia, New Zealand, Panama Canal, Canada, South America, Caribbean, Europe, as well as world cruises.
Princess Cruises are about fusing education and entertainment together. They offer several classes as part of the “SholarShip at Sea” program, including cooking demos, ceramic painting, and digital photography. They also offer classes to the younger crowd, “Edutainment.” These classes include everything from squid dissecting to roller coaster building.
Like many cruise lines, Princess offers entertainment programs for different age groups. These are places where children can interact with people their own age. Princess offers two different programs, one for children ages three to twelve and a teen center. The teen center is packed with PS 3s, movies, karaoke, and everything to keep a teenager entertained. Don’t worry adults, you aren’t left out of this! Aboard the ship is a golf simulator, ping pong tables, shuffleboard, a jogging track, as well as basketball and volleyball courts. If fitness and games are not your forte, there is also a spa and casino on board.
Nightly entertainment includes production shows in the main theatre as well as movies under the stars on a 300 square foot movie screen above the pool. The newest addition to the entertainment line up is the talent show that Princess is introducing this year to their ships. If you feel like laughing a night away, there are comedy shows on board, but if your more interested in just relaxing, check out of the many lounges offered onboard a Princess ship.
Royal Caribbean
Like the other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean offers cruises all around the world including, Alaska, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Dubai/Emirates, Europe, Hawaii’, Mexico, Panama, and South America.
Every night is something new. There are themed parties, that range from Toga night to 80s night and Masquerade Ball. They also provide karaoke for those brave enough to sing on stage. There is a rock climbing wall and a flow rider that you can relax and float around.
There are events for the little ones as well. They group the kids up by age, so they can play and meet kids of their own age. The aquanaut (ages 3-5) enjoy adventure science, as well as story time. Explorers (ages 6-8) perform in Adventure Theater, participate in scavenger hunts, as well as ice cream sundae parties. Ages 9-11 (Voyagers) participate in talent shows and x-games, while the Teens (either 12-14 or 15-17) get to enjoy the features of the ship, supervised of course, such as the rock climbing wall, flow rider, as well as activities of their own, x-games, dodge ball, BBQs, teen casino, karaoke, and improve nights.
No matter where you find yourself on a Royal Caribbean ship, you will not be lost for new adventures!