Small Ship Line #1: Ponant
Fine French cuisine, Hermès bath products, and personalized service come standard on Ponant’s fleet of globe-circling ships. The line has recently expanded its original fleet of four expedition ships and one sailing yacht with six new Explorer-class ships designed for a form of luxury expedition-style cruising, each featuring an infinity pool, an underwater viewing lounge, and itineraries that include destinations as far-flung as Papua New Guinea and West Africas Bissagos Islands. It also acquired Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019, adding another ship to the fleet. Ponant will launch Le Commandant Charcot, an ice-breaking expedition ship, in 2021.
Best Educational: Princess Cruises
- Ship Name: Emerald Princess
- Itinerary: Ketchikan, Alaska Juneau, Alaska Skagway, Alaska Sitka, Alaska Hubbard Glacier, Alaska Seward, Alaska
The 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess doesnt have as many over-the top amenities as other vessels do, but it does have a solid program for teens. The teens club on Emerald Princess is called The Beach House and has a modern, chilled-out vibe. The club hosts movies, hip-hop classes, video game competitions, and sports contests. Plus, teens have a separate sun area and hot tub. Princess also hosts the Voice of the Ocean, modeled after the popular talent show. The cruise line also has a partnership with Discovery, so inquisitive young minds can go stargazing or learn about the destinations from educational speakers. Outdoors, theres a nine-hole miniature putting course, a sports court with basketball hoop, and movies under the stars out on the pool deck.
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.
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Disney Cruise Line: Disney Magic
After a five-year hiatus, the 2,700-passenger Disney Magic returns to Greece this summer with three Mediterranean voyages departing from Rome. Port stops include Santorini, Mykonos and Piraeus . Teens can marvel at archaeological wonders like the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Parthenon. Back on ship, teens can sing along to live Broadway-style musicals, such as Tangled: The Musical and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular. The AquaDuck is another fan favorite among teens. This heart-pounding three-story body slide drops riders into a watery tube through a trap door over the side of the ship. At Vibe, kids can chill out, watch television, play video games or simply socialize with other teens.
Best Modern Cruise: U River Cruises
Courtesy of U by Uniworld
- Ship Name: The A
- Itinerary: Haarlem, Netherlands Düsseldorf, Germany Cologne, Germany Koblenz, Germany Rüdesheim Germany Frankfurt Germany
Geared towards millennials, U River Cruises takes a hip approach to river cruising, with modern, stylish ships featuring chic rooftop lounges with ice bars and fabulous, trend-setting dining venues. Theres also yoga, paint and wine classes, and themed cruises that bring special guests onboard, ranging from celebrity drag queens to famous tattoo artists. On the 120-pasenger A ship, cabins include adjustable mood lighting, USB ports, built-in Bluetooth speakers, and luxurious baths with heated mirrors and plush bathrobes. Plus, theres dedicated rooms for solo travelers or groups of three. On the Rolling on the Rhine cruise, the ship stays late in port, with night excursions in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and others included in the fare.
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The Best Cruise Lines For 20
At Cruise1st, we are regularly asked about the best cruise lines, ships and itineraries for younger audiences looking to combine heart-racing fun with the luxury so often linked to cruising.
And whilst we know of the cruise lines which offer the activities wed have found fun back in our 20s , we thought wed seek the help of somebody currently the right side of 30 to shed some light on the matter.
So, here we are talking to Jamie Edwards, a real-life 20-something about the cruise lines which excite him and his friends. Jamie is a keen cruise fan, and a travel blogger over on Explore with Ed. He has pointed out the five cruise lines he reckons are best for those in their 20s, highlighting the features sure to appeal to the younger cruise fans amongst us.
Heres Jamie from Explore with Ed, with his five top cruise line picks for 20-somethings:
The 21st Century is an exciting time for the cruise industry, with ships constantly being built in response to the surging demand. This means cruise companies are pulling out all the stops to deliver bold designs and innovative features, like the Central Park gardens on Royal Caribbeans Oasis Class ships and the snow room aboard Norwegian Escape.
These groundbreaking facilities provide a perfect mix of relaxation, adventure and nightlife, which is ideal for 20-somethings searching for a stylish getaway.
Who Would I Recommend A Costa Cruise To
Id recommend Costa cruises to people who want a cheap, lively, fun cruise. Potential cruisers should be aware of what is included in the cruise fare and about the number of languages spoken onboard, if these things arent a problem then a Costa cruise can be a great budget friendly option. Id describe Costa cruises as being cheap and cheerful.
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Royal Caribbean Symphony Of The Seas
Come spring 2020, Royal Caribbeans massive and marvelous Symphony of the Seas will already be two years old. But this perfect cruise ship is still playing all the right notes for teens and adults alike. This vessel remains the biggest cruise ship in the world and continues to have something to dazzle every age group. Your teenager will want to zipline nine decks above the Symphonys Boardwalk play laser tag in an indoor arena challenge their new BFFs from the teen club to a soccer match on the sport court ice skate at sea , dance the night away at the RED all-ages after-hours party, and see Hairspray! The Musical on stage. Oh, and theres a couple of rock climbing walls, three awesome waterslides, one epic dry slide through the mouth of a sea monster, huge half-moon-shaped hot tubs open late into the night, and FlowRider surfing and body boarding. Symphony of the Seas is nothing short of a teen dream.
River Ship Line #: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld’s 17 ships cruise around the globe in Europe, Egypt, Russia, China, India, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Their excursions offer passengers the opportunity to get a little closer to their destinations of choice, with visits to local homes, farms, and artisans, and every excursion is rated by ability level. In 2018, two of its ships were overhauled for a new venture, U River Cruises, with itineraries, dining, and activities that appeal to younger prospective passengersthink silent disco, mixology classes, and rooftop camping.
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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.
% Adult Only Cruise Lines
People who are looking for a relaxing and quiet cruise trip can now opt for adult only cruises. No more yelling children in the pool or crying toddlers in the restaurants. This relatively new concept has emerged due to the popularity of adult only areas aboard regular cruise ships. It was only a matter of time before this was extended to entire ships.
While most cruise lines still focus on offering family-friendly cruises, there are some that have pioneered adult-only cruises. Their ships are either entirely kid-free or at least their kid-friendly facilities keep away traveling families. Some cruise lines simply have adult-only ships others still accept children, but definitely have fewer on board.
The key to finding adult-only cruises is looking for those sailings that lack family appeal. Ships without children facilities and cruises with a strong focus on culture, food and history will naturally have far fewer kids onboard. Below, youll find some of the best adult-only cruises available today.
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Small Ship Line #: 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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Medium Ship Line #: Seabourn Cruise Lines
Dont think of Seabourn as a typical cruiseit ships are much more akin to mega-yachts, with ultra-luxurious decor, service, and dining. The fleet currently has five vessels, the largest of which carry 600 passengers. Their small size allows the vessels to dock in small ports all around the world . Many of the cruise lines guests are lifelong learners, and they flock to the nightly Seabourn Conversation program, which brings all sorts of intriguing figures, from Steve Wozniak to Elaine Paige, on board for lectures and casual chats. In 2015, Seabourn announced a partnership with celebrity chef Thomas Keller, who crafted new menus for the three existing ships and spearheaded new restaurants on the two newest ships, Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation.
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Best Cruises For Couples Looking For A Smaller Ship
Couples looking for a romantic vacation with an intimate feel love the smaller ships of Viking Ocean Cruises, all of which accommodate fewer than 1,000 guests. The dedicated staff on each of Vikings cruise ships is there to serve your every whim as your travel from port to port.
And because Vikings ships are smaller in size compared to ocean liners like those of Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line, they can dock and spend quality time in smaller ports around the world.
One of the best cruises for couples offered by Viking is the North Pacific Passage voyage, which starts in Tokyo and ends in Vancouver. The couples cruise is 23 days long and visits four different countries.
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?
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The Best Cruise Lines For Singles
Firstly, youll want to choose a cruise line that has other passengers in your age group. If youre under 30 or 40, then youll want to consider the following cruise lines which attract a younger crowd:
- Carnival
- Royal Caribbean
- Celebrity Cruises
If youre looking for a fun adults-only cruise, then I would highly recommend Virgin Voyages. Richard Bransons new cruise line is unlike any other and the first ship, Scarlet Lady, is the ideal place for younger singles to meet and have fun.
Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line both offer singles mixers events. These can be a great place for single parents to get together at set times while their children are in the care of the kids club.
What To Expect On A Msc Cruise
The experience on an MSC cruise is fairly relaxed and generally speaking quite fun.
MSC do have formal nights of sorts but the dress codes arent strictly enforced, to learn more about this, including what you can and cant wear, check out this post: MSC Cruises Formal Nights: Everything You Need To Know.
When it comes to dining the majority of dining is fixed but there are some flexible options too for certain guests.
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Our Picks For The Best Cruise Lines For Young Adults
Millennials tend to spend their money on experiences instead of on material things. The following best cruise lines for young adults know this and have catered their ships and activities to this. On their ships, youll find nightclubs and concert venues, along with things to do like bar crawls, hiking excursions and onboard zip lining.
The Best Cruise Destinations For Singles
The next thing to think about is the destination. Youll probably want to pick somewhere warm, as the combination of sunshine and swimwear will set you off on the right path.
If youre in the US, then a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas is a great option. These short cruises tend to include a day at a private island where you can spend the day at the beach with people from the ship.
If you live in the UK, then a short cruise with an overnight stop in Amsterdam would be a great option for people who like to have a good time. Consider booking an excursion with the cruise line as a way to get to know your fellow passengers better.
Shorter sailings, particularly weekend cruises tend to attract more groups of friends and solo travellers. On a longer cruise, youre likely to find more couples and families.
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Small Ship Line #: Ponant
Fine French cuisine, Hermès bath products, and personalized service come standard on Ponantâs fleet of globe-circling ships. The line has recently expanded its original fleet of four expedition ships and one sailing yacht with six new Explorer-class ships designed for a form of luxury expedition-style cruising, each featuring an infinity pool, an underwater viewing lounge, and itineraries that include destinations as far-flung as Papua New Guinea and West Africas Bissagos Islands. It also acquired Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019, adding another ship to the fleet. Ponant will launch Le Commandant Charcot, an ice-breaking expedition ship, in 2021.
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Best Cruise Lines For Couples On The Go
Couples looking for an active vacation can look to Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean, which offer action-packed activities and entertainment onboard their biggest ships.
Carnival Cruise Lines fun ships have multiple entertainment venues, as well as hopping bars and night clubs, ensuring a lively onboard atmosphere day and night. Outdoor activities include pools and hot tubs, twisting waterslides, volleyball, mini-golf, and more. Onboard the Carnival Vista and the Carnival Horizon, you can find the SkyCourse, a thrilling ropes challenge perfect for adventurous couples. Another new attraction is BOLT the ultimate roller coaster at sea that will be available onboard Carnivals upcoming new ship, the .
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a long list of activities onboard its newest ships. The Norwegian Bliss, Joy, and Encore all have the Racetrack the first go-kart course at sea, an outdoor laser tag, and thrilling waterslides. The Joy and Encore also have the Galaxy Pavilion, a large arcade with VR games, rides, and race cars. Headline shows include Broadway hits such as Jersey Boys and Kinky Boots, and other entertainment includes a comedy club, and a Beatles cover band. There is no shortage of bars and lounges onboard, ranging from a mojito, wine, and whiskey bar, to a brewpub.
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Small Ship Line #1: Seadream Yacht Club
Sailing through the Caribbean, around Europe, or across the Atlantic on either of SeaDreams two 112-passenger yachts means quickly getting to know your fellow guests. Facilities on the six decks include a pool, whirlpool, and casino, but the real highlight is the watersports marina that can be lowered down to the waves for easy ocean swimming, kayaking, and more. The ships often overnight in port, allowing guests the opportunity to experience the local nightlife before taking off for their next destination. In 2021, SeaDream will launch a 110-cabin luxury expedition yacht, SeaDream Innovation, that will sail to all seven continents.
Best Cruise Line For Romance
Adults looking for a romantic getaway can do worse than setting sail with Princess Cruises. In fact, the line has an entire section of its website dedicated to travelers looking for romance.
So what makes Princess a winner for couples looking to enjoy each other? First, there is more of a focus on romance than with other cruise lines. For example, if youre looking for fun and romantic, theres the Love Boat Disco Deck Party. For others, there are cooking demonstrations and wine-tastings. Heck, there are even ballroom dancing classes if you want to practice for elegant night.
And while there are places to get married on pretty much any cruise ship, Princess also has anniversary, engagement and honeymoon packages available.
Furthermore, the more sophisticated atmosphere of Princess ships mean that fewer families set sail on the line.
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