River Ship Line #: Crystal River Cruises
Crystal River Cruises launched in 2016 with custom-built river ships. The company is dead-set on matching the top-of-the-line service of its ocean ships in this offeringand it’s certainly got readers convinced. The fleet has five river shipsfour of which, Crystal Bach, Mahler, Debussy, and Ravel, are Europes only all-suite, all-balcony river shipssailing the Moselle, Rhine, Danube, and Main rivers. Guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience, with free butler service, unlimited drinks , WiFi, and fitness classes.
Best Alaska Cruise For Families
If youre cruising with grandkids, a luxury cruise is definitely going to strain the budget. Based upon recommendations from friends and family, Princess or Holland America are good choices for multigenerational Alaska cruises.
Disney has also started sailing in Alaska, which makes an excellent option if youre cruising with very small children. Of course active teens will appreciate the adventure of an UnCruise experience.
Large Ship Line #: P& o Cruises
The United Kingdoms premier cruise lineand the worlds oldest, having commenced passenger operations in 1837P& O sails Europe, North America, and the Caribbean with a crowd made up primarily of British nationals. As such, prepare for the ships amenities to have a British bent . Three of the fleets five current ships fall into the large category, while its two upcoming ships, MS Iona and her as-of-yet unnamed sister, will be mega-ships.
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Medium Ship Line #: Silversea Cruises
Silverseas fleet has five ships, of which just two are technically medium-sized, with passenger counts around 600 peoplebut thats considered quite a large number for the luxurious cruise line, which specializes in smaller vessels, including five ships in its expedition fleet. Silversea Muse is the newest and largest ship, making her maiden voyage in 2017. Despite her relatively small size, Muse has eight restaurants for her passengers, all of whom are accommodated in spacious suites. As a cruise line, Silversea sails to more than 900 destinations around the world.
Cruisers Are Coming Back
According to the Cruise Line Industry Association, 74% of cruisers are likely to sail in the next few years, and two out of three are willing to cruise within the year.
Your friends, neighbors, and people you dont know but are for some reason friends with on Facebook are starting to take vacations again. Major cruise lines expect to have the majority of their ships sailing again by the end of 2021. Ships are going to fill up soon, but youll want your space. If you want a bit more space in fact, maybe on a ship where not only adults are vaccinated, but no more than 5% of the guests are unvaccinated kids, then Celebrity Cruises may be worth a shot.
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What Are The New Rules For Cruise Ships
Be prepared for a lot more admin than you may have been used to pre-Covid. First, there are the form-filling and testing requirements to enter the country of departure. Everywhere is different for Greece and Italy, this is a passenger locator form and an antigen test, while for Barbados, its a form and a PCR test.
On top of this, virtually all cruise lines will want to see proof of double vaccination and most will test you, free of charge, at the departure terminal. Some lines, including Seabourn and Celebrity Cruises, insist on a PCR test in the 72 hours before embarkation, rather than an antigen test.
The Fit-to-Fly tests required to return to the UK have been scrapped, although youll still need to book a Day Two test . The test kit comes with an order number, and without that number, you cant fill in the UKs Passenger Locator Form and without the form, you cant board the flight home. Make sure you cruise with a smartphone, tablet or laptop with internet access to complete the form, as the cruise line cant do it for you.
Lind Rcl And Nclh Are Top For Value Growth And Momentum Respectively
The cruise line industry is part of the broader travel and tourism industry, focused primarily on providing sea-based vacation experiences. Companies in the industry own and operate cruise ships in various destinations worldwide, offering a variety of itineraries and themed cruises. They also may provide other travel and vacation services. The big cruise line companies include Carnival Corp. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. . The cruise line industry has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions and other social-distancing measures. The Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to pose a public health threat, posing new risks to the industry.
All pure-play cruise line stocks available to U.S. investors are underperforming the broader market, having provided total returns below the 35.7% total return of the iShares Russell 1000 ETF over the past 12 months. This market performance number and all statistics in the tables below are as of Sept. 9, 2021.
Below, we look at the top 3 cruise line stocks with the best value, least sales decline, and most momentum.
There are just 4 pure-play cruise line companies easily available to U.S. investors, but we look at them in our usual style. Because the entire industry has suffered losses in the most recent quarter, the value section below will be based on price-to-sales ratio rather than the usual price-to-earnings ratio .
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Medium Ship Line #1: P& o Cruises
The British line P& O Cruises is the oldest in the world, established in 1837 to ferry mail and passengers between the United Kingdom and the Iberian Peninsula, but it began to offer leisure operationsthe very first cruises as we know themas early as 1844. The ships cater to a primarily British audience, and they provide good value for a classic cruising experience. Guests enjoy traditional activities like shuffleboard, dance classes, and pub quizzes. The ships typically sail in Europe, though they do have ports of call in Asia and the Middle East.
Medium Ship Line #: Oceania Cruises
Its all about the food on Oceania Cruises. Its 1,250-passenger MS Marina and MS Riviera offer restaurants by Jaques Pepin, a six-course Dom Perignon dinner with a pairing of three vintages, a cooking center where passengers of all cooking skill levels can take classes, and culinary-themed excursions, like a visit to the market in Nice with a chef. Its four smaller Regatta-class ships also have excellent dining options, like the Polo Grill and the Italian eatery Toscana. Two new 1,200-passenger ships are on the way for Oceania, set for delivery in 2022 and 2025.
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Small Ship Line #: Australis
Some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world can be found in Patagonias Tierra del Fuego, and Australis takes its passengers right into the heart of them aboard the all-inclusive Ventus Australis or the Stella Australis. Each day, passengers disembark their ship and navigate the icy waters in zodiacs, getting up close and personal with glaciers and penguins along the way. It doesnt get more off-the-beaten-path than this.
Sitka: Sea Otters Raptors & Bears Oh My
- Who Offers This Excursion? This Sitka cruise excursion is offered by almost everyone: Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, Princess, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, and Royal Caribbean, oh my!
- Find 8 other excursion options on my guide to the best Sitka cruise excursions.
While youll be trying to spot wildlife throughout your Alaska cruise, I thought it was important to include a diversity of excursions on this list. This excursion is arguably one of the best chances to see wildlife and sea life in any cruise port!
This wildlife-focused day cruise is offered the sister company of Alaskan Dream Cruises . Ive read the book of their family company history and I know theyve perfected this tour over decades of service. Its the excursion with the best boats, the best experience, and the best chance to see wildlife. Need I say more?
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Medium Ship Line #1: Marella Cruises
U.K.based cruise line Marella, which is operated by TUI UK, has a fleet of six ships that hold between 1,100 and 2,000 passengers, sailing itineraries around Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean, with some special journeys to Asia. The sailings are billed as all-inclusive, and they do include alcoholic beverages and tips, but some of the specialty restaurants cost an extra fee.
Black Friday 2021 Cruise Deals
The official start of the Holiday Season is upon us! No, not ThankgivingBlack Friday! While people all over the country snag deals on everything from washing machines to air fryers, cruisers are gearing up for the cruise industrys annual Black Friday savings!
Weve got cruises on sale all over the world from some of the most popular cruise lines so if youre looking to book for 2022 and beyond, now might just be the best time. Here are some of the best Black Friday Cruise Deals we found this year!
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What Can I Look Forward To In 2022
Next year is shaping up to be a bumper time for the cruise industry. More than 25 new ships are launching, from Silverseas newest ship, the swanky Silver Dawn to Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas, the worlds largest ship.
Emerald Cruises and APT are both launching luxury yachts in Croatia, while Hurtigruten and Aqua Expeditions will offer new cruises in the Galapagos. Luxury hotel group Ritz Carlton will dip a toe in the water for the first time with the launch of its sleek new megayacht, Evrima.
Ambassador Cruise Line, the first new British line to launch since 2010, launches in April, with the Ambassador Ambience embarking on its maiden voyage to the Norwegian fjords. Meanwhile, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line, P& O Cruises and Carnival will all be smashing the champagne over the bows of their new ships.
Time, too, to start planning for 2023 and beyond, when an extraordinary array of world cruises await. Royal Caribbeans spectacular world voyage, leaving in December, will take a whopping 274 nights to sail to 65 countries on all seven continents. Celebrity Cruises Edge will sail from Rome to Sydney, with 25 stops in 52 nights. Silverseas 131-day expedition from Ushuaia to Greenland is now waitlist only, while Oceania Cruises 180-day circumnavigation sold out in a single day. Cruise fans arent wasting any time, thats for sure.
Small Ship Line #1: Silversea Cruises
Silversea’s five expedition ships stop in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Galápagos, and Antarctica on shorter duration sailings, but they also offer around-the-world itineraries for an international clientele. Off-the-beaten-path excursions make for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like penguin spotting in Antarctica or private catamaran tours in tropical locales. In September 2019, Silversea completed its first journey through the Northwest Passagea monumental featwith the Silver Explorer, a 144-passenger expedition vessel. The fleet was joined by the new Silver Origin, a Galapagos-specific ship, in 2020.
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River Ship Line #: Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenics 15 luxurious river ships sail waters across Europe and Asia, from the Danube in Germany to the Irrawaddy in Myanmar to the Volga in Russia. Each voyage is completely all-inclusivetransfers, excursions, all food and beverage , and gratuities are covered in the ratemaking for a truly relaxing and stress-free experience. And did we mention theres butler service for every cabin?
Small Ship Line #1: American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines has the unique distinction of operating not only old-school paddlewheelers in the United States, but also contemporary river ships. And they dont just sail on the Mississippiyou can also explore the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest, too. Beyond that, the 13-strong fleet also has oceangoing vessels that explore the coasts surrounding the entire country, from New England to Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico.
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Small Ship Line #: Ecoventura
As Ecoventura operates a fleet of three expedition yachts with a capacity of only 20 passengers, you know youre getting a personalized experience on board. The ships sail two week-long itineraries in the Galápagosyou can combine them both if you want more time with the islands incredible wildlife. The luxurious ships each have 10 well-appointed cabins, a lounge where naturalists provide lectures and briefings before excursions, a dining room and bar, a library filled with scholarly tomes on the Galápagos, and a sundeck for relaxation.
Whats Happening With River Cruises
River cruises restarted in summer and the most popular routes set sail along the Rhine, Danube, Seine and Rhône. The season is largely over now but 2022 is shaping up to bring a full comeback, with several new ships to look forward to. Arena River Cruises, Saga Cruises and APT Travelmarvel are all launching new ships, while German-owned A-ROSA is introducing A-ROSA Sena, the first riverboat with hybrid power that will enable it to glide silently into port.
Some interesting new products are being introduced, too. Riviera Travel has announced Cruise and Explore voyages on the Rhine, Rhône and Danube, a series of pared-down voyages that allow the passenger much more freedom. Guests arrange their own travel, book their own shore excursions and only eat one main meal a day on board. The ships will stay in port late so passengers can dine ashore. This is all reflected in the price, of course.
Something else to look forward to in 2022 is the Netherlands massive Floriade exhibition, which runs from mid-April for six months. Floriade is only held once every ten years and is one of the biggest garden festivals in the world. Cruises to Dutch and Belgian waterways next summer all offer a chance to visit, with transfers and entrance fees arranged.
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Medium Ship Line #: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
As far as all-inclusive cruises go, Regent Seven Seas is the real deal. Everything from specialty excursions to meals and alcohol to airfare is included in the rates. Even the mini-bar is free! The only things youll have to pay for are spa treatments, laundry, and the casino. The cruise lines five ships each carry 750 passengers or fewer, but the ships are actually quite large, offering each guest plenty of personal space, especially in their cabins. Regent Seven Seas specializes in round-the-world itineraries.
When Do Cruise Lines Discount Unsold Cruise Cabins
You cant predict when an awesome deal will crop up, but you can make a decent guess.
Sales tactics can be implemented at any time before the ship actually sails. We can see them weeks or months prior to the scheduled sailing. It really depends on the cruise line and the occupancy they are trying to achieve, says Mahnken. Of course, the cruise lines tend to avoid discounting until they have to, so we generally see many tactics pop up after the final payment.
Sixty to 90 days out is often the sweet spot, when final payments have come due and cruise lines can see which cabins remain empty. Start your deal hunt three months before departure, knowing it might be weeks before you start to see deals on unsold cabins.
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The Best Cruises In Alaska
Cruise lines are in the business of giving their guests a good time, so theyâve all got something going for them. Here are our picks for Alaskaâs best, in a few different categories.
- The Best Ships for Luxury: Luxury in Alaska is defined in 2012 by Regent Seven Seas and Silversea. If you want a more casual kind of luxury , the Seven Seas Navigator offers just that on an all-suite vessel with excellent cuisine. Silversea, on the other hand, represents a slick, Italian-influenced, slightly more formal luxury experience with all the perks â big suite cabins and excellent food, linens, service, and companions. Both Regent and Silversea include fine wine and booze in their cruise fares. For the ultimate Alaska experience in a small-ship setting, check out the intimate offerings of American Safari Cruises, where soft adventure comes with upscale accouterments.
- The Best of the Mainstream Ships: Every lineâs most recent ships are beautiful, but Celebrityâs Infinity is a true stunner, as is its sister ship, Millennium. These modern vessels, with their extensive art collections, cushy public rooms, and expanded spa areas, give Celebrity a formidable presence in Alaska. And the late-model Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess have raised the art of building big ships to new heights. Both of these vessels will again be in Inside Passage service this year from Vancouver.
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Best Cruise Lines In The Mediterranean
With another win, Viking tops three of U.S. News’ six categories, this time for its presence in the Mediterranean. In every instance, it is followed by Seattle-based Seabourn Cruise Line, Carnival Corporation‘s ultra-luxury brand.
Seabourn has five ships, which hold between 450-600 passengers and cruise to more than 400 destinations. As part of a multi-year agreement, the cruise line has contributed more than $1.5 million to support UNESCO, which grants its guests “unique access” to more than 170 World Heritage Sites, according to its website.
Also on the list: Oceania Cruises , Crystal Cruises , Costa Cruises , MSC Cruises , Silversea Cruises , Holland America Line , Norwegian Cruise Line , Princess Cruises , Royal Caribbean International and Cunard Line .
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