Which cruise line is the most upscale?

[Anonymous]

We did a Ponant/Smithsonian cruise which had amazing gourmet food and in depth, expert lead tours. I’m also a fan of Nat Geo/Lindblad, which is more active and less “fancy” (but just as pricey). If you go Ponant, know that it’s normally a French line except for their Smithsonian partnered departures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While everyone's debating cruise lines, let me drop a truth bomb – private yachting is where it's at! Forget crowded decks and buffet lines, on a private yacht, it’s just you, the ocean, and the luxury of doing whatever you want, whenever you want.

This is my dream. Anyone know the cheapest yacht experience I could buy for 2 passengers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got an email from Ritz Carlton about their cruise ship. I’m sure it’s nice and I’m sure I can’t afford it.

I’ve only been on one cruise and it was on Carnival. Carnival doesn’t get a lot of love, but we actually had a great time.

I enjoyed my Carnival cruise as well. The food was good and it was a fun cruise, fun passengers and staff. I don’t know why it gets so much hate.

[Anonymous]

Can teens eat in the specialty restaurants on Royal Carib?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does silversea allow children?

I think the only one that does not allow children is Virgin.

[Anonymous]

Hahahahaha!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While everyone's debating cruise lines, let me drop a truth bomb – private yachting is where it's at! Forget crowded decks and buffet lines, on a private yacht, it’s just you, the ocean, and the luxury of doing whatever you want, whenever you want.

Was just coming to say this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can teens eat in the specialty restaurants on Royal Carib?

Yes, my elementary age kids ate at the specialty restaurants with us every evening this summer. We would ask for their food as soon as we set down then take them to the kids club when their were done and finish our meal in a more enjoyable pace. I do not believe Royal has an adult only restaurant like Disney cruise line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does silversea allow children?

I think the only one that does not allow children is Virgin.

No one under 18 on Viking...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Viking or Norwegian

Norwegian?? Heck no!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can teens eat in the specialty restaurants on Royal Carib?

Yes, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Celebrity?

Also - I've looked at some "family friendly" luxury lines - ie select itineraries during certain times of the year - where you get burned is their cabins just don't work for ~4, so its like $20K, and then at that point who wants to drop $20k on a ...cruise.

I’ve been on many cruises but only one Celebrity cruise, it reminded me of royal caribbean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The top luxury so-called 6-star lines are usually considered to be:

Regent Seven Seas, SilverSea, Crystal, Hapag-Lloyd, and Seabourn.

The next tier down includes lines like Viking Ocean, Ritz-Carlton, Seadream Yacht Club, Explora, Azamara, and Oceania.

Next would be mass-market upscale lines like Curnard, Holland America, Princess, Disney, Virgin, and Ponant.

The next tier of mass market lines includes brands like Royal Carribbean and Norwegian.

Expedition cruising is a different market, with different lines and vessels.

This is mostly correct, but Disney isn’t on par with Ponant, Holland, etc.

Disney is expensive and usually provides excellent service, but its food isn’t the same quality as Ponant, Holland, etc. But it is the best line for young kids.

Holland American is owned by Carnival and it is NOT “luxury”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I got an email from Ritz Carlton about their cruise ship. I’m sure it’s nice and I’m sure I can’t afford it.

I’ve only been on one cruise and it was on Carnival. Carnival doesn’t get a lot of love, but we actually had a great time.

I enjoyed my Carnival cruise as well. The food was good and it was a fun cruise, fun passengers and staff. I don’t know why it gets so much hate.

We aren’t cruisers, but our one and only cruise was Carnival. I did think I would like it, but it was so fun and completely relaxing. The pool was a little mobbed, but rest of the ship provided plenty of space to relax.

The food IMHO, was fine. It seemed the fancier the restaurant tried to be the less impressed I was with the food. That said, there were PLENTY of options and nobody starved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While everyone's debating cruise lines, let me drop a truth bomb – private yachting is where it's at! Forget crowded decks and buffet lines, on a private yacht, it’s just you, the ocean, and the luxury of doing whatever you want, whenever you want.

This is my dream. Anyone know the cheapest yacht experience I could buy for 2 passengers?

I want to try the Zantium cruises up the coast of Croatia