Some times you choose the ship. Some times the ship chooses you.
Ahoy there, fellow sea adventurers! Indeed, selecting the perfect cruise ship for your vacation is no easy feat. Before you even dive into the depths of ship selection, you must first navigate the vast ocean of cruise lines and the vibes they produce. No two cruise lines are exactly alike. One cruise line may offer a party-centric atmosphere, while another opts for a more laid-back sailing experience, all while cruising the same azure blue waters on the exact same itinerary.
I imagine that if you’re a newbie to the cruising world, and you are thinking about taking your first one, the decision can feel as daunting as navigating uncharted waters. Without a compass of past cruise experiences, how is one to know what they may like or dislike? You can, however, probably decide a general category to which you belong, that would likely fit with one of the cruise lines. How does one choose? Fear not, fellow travelers, for even the most hesitant landlubbers can find their sea legs with a bit of introspection.
I know there are the people out there that just say that they would never take a cruise, for any reason. I don’t get it. That’s like saying you wouldn’t ever taste pizza. How would you feel if you made it to your death bed, an angel appeared and said “man, you should have tried the sushi. It was going to be your favorite thing.” This post isn’t for the I-will-never-go-on-a-cruise people. But, I hope that those of you preparing for your first foray onto the high seas would take a moment to research where you should spend your time. It would be a shame to take a cruise and not enjoy it because you picked a ship that had a vibe that didn’t mesh with your personality, especially if another ship would have been the perfect vacation for you.
Here’s an example; Viking versus Royal Caribbean. Picture the Royal Caribbean ships, veritable amusement parks at sea, boasting more water park features than there are decks on the average Viking ship. Thrills abound, especially if you’re cruising with the family in tow. But ah, the Viking ship, a sanctuary of serenity where children are as rare a sight as a mermaid’s kiss. In fact, they won’t even allow your kids onboard unless they are 18 years of age. Which is better? Well, that depends on your penchant for poolside tranquility versus the joyful cacophony of waterslide-induced laughter. It’s all about your personal tastes. If you want a more laid back time, “resting your eyes” while lounging poolside in a recliner WITHOUT the screams of children free falling from the World’s tallest waterslide at sea, then Viking might be the way to go. If you can’t wait to try that freefall waterslide, Viking isn’t for you.
Some times you choose the ship. Some times the ship chooses you.
Of course, there’s more to a cruise line than meets the eye. Price, size, ports, itineraries—the list goes on!
Let’s start with the almighty dollar. Cruise lines span various price points, from budget-friendly to luxurious indulgence. Carnival Cruise Line, the epitome of the budget option, offers a fun-filled, casual experience without breaking the bank. But if you’re seeking a touch of elegance, Princess, Holland, or Celebrity may beckon with their more upscale offerings. I wouldn’t call any cruise “cheap”, because you are going to be spending a decent amount of money no matter which cruise line you choose. I don’t think I would call any one of them “expensive” either. There are several that are going to have a much higher price for a cabin, but there are typically a lot of amenities or increased quality when you start paying those higher fares.
If you would ask the average person, they can probably name one or two cruise lines. Ask a person who has an interest in cruising and maybe they could name five or six. But, there are many, many more than that. That’s understandable that most people only know a few, since there are just four cruise lines that are responsible for more than fifty percent of the cruises taken each year. Of the major cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line is probably the most well known option that you could call the budget option. A cruise with a similar itinerary on a Royal Caribbean ship compared to a Carnival ship might be more than double the price. Inside that lower priced cruise also comes a different atmosphere. It’s more casual, way less pretentious and bills itself as the “fun ship”. Those words, to me, mean more noise and silliness, like sexiest man alive contests and the like. Nothing wrong with any of that, but it is certainly a different experience than you will find on a Holland America cruise.
There are some more upscale cruise lines, like Princess, Holland and Celebrity lines, that will cost more for a similar cruise than a Royal Caribbean, Norwegian or MSC cruise (and certainly a Carnival cruise), but none of these more upscale cruises would cost near as much as a voyage on one of the more luxurious lines like Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, or the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. It will be difficult to navigate the actual cost when comparing some of these cruise lines against one another, because some of the luxury or more upscale cruises will include things in their price that are not immediately part of the lower cost package. Things like drink packages, Wi-Fi, crew appreciation (tips) and other things. Sometimes the luxury line’s price may even include airfare to and from the departure port. You will also find that typically, the higher the cost of the cruise, and the more luxury experience that is advertised, the more room you will have. This applies to both the room size and the area on the ship, as compared to the floating amusement park style ships that carry thousands of passengers.
And let’s talk about those huge numbers of passengers. Ship size. Ship size plays a pivotal role in your seafaring saga. Whether you’re aboard a behemoth or a cozy catamaran, each offers a unique social dynamic. While mega-ships boast endless amenities and entertainment options, smaller vessels foster a sense of intimacy and camaraderie among passengers. Personally, I enjoy sailing on everything from the biggest ships that exist, to super-small catamarans that carry just 20-60 people across the Caribbean, stopping along the way to drop anchor near great snorkeling and SCUBA diving. There’s a real difference in being on a trip where you are traveling with thirty people versus six thousand. Believe it or not, you are going to end up meeting and getting to know a lot more people on the small vessel than you will poolside with seven hundred, or even seven thousand. Plus, those smaller vessels can often navigate into those hidden gems of ports that their larger counterparts can only dream of.
And let’s not forget the type of cruise itself. Are you yearning for an expedition to far-flung destinations like Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands? These voyages, led by experts in the sciences, promise a deeper connection with the natural world. Think exploration. Setting out to sea on an expedition to Antarctica and the remote destinations that you really couldn’t visit any other way than by a ship. Maybe you don’t want to see the penguins in Antarctica. Okay, spin around the other direction and take in some Polar Bears in the Arctic. It’s like you are part of a team of explorers, forging into the wild to discover unknown lands. And maybe you are.
Lastly, consider the itinerary—the roadmap of your seafaring adventure. Whether you’re cruising the icy waters of Alaska or venturing into the tropical embrace of the Caribbean, your journey should align with your personal schedule and travel aspirations. The actual list of dates and ports of call that the ship will make. For me, this is the reason that I will soon be embarking on the Majestic Princess to cruise the Southeastern area of Alaska. It was chosen for the specific reason that it fit my schedule. It wasn’t the ship itself, it wasn’t the ports of call. No, this upcoming Alaska cruise was planned because the date of embarkation and the date of the return fit squarely into my additional plans that include some non-cruise travel to Las Vegas, Nevada and the great State of Tennessee.
So, fellow travelers, heed these words as you navigate the seas of ship selection. Remember, it’s never too early to plot your course for adventure. Bon voyage!
