Small Ship Line #: Crystal Yacht Cruises
A two-ship line no longer, Crystal introduced a yacht to its fleet in early 2015. Crystal Esprit, equipped with its own two-person submersible, as well as butler service for every suite . The ship has space for just 62 passengers to enjoy cruises within its focus regions of the Seychelles, Adriatic, and West Indies. The line will also introduce a luxurious 200-passenger expedition ship in 2021, Crystal Endeavor, which sails to remote locations like the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as urban ports around the world.
Why Cruise Ships Are The Worst
Cruise ships are terrible for the environment. Their heavy use of fossil fuels means that even on a short week-long cruise, a person would produce the same amount of emissions as 18 days on land. They also emit large amounts of sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide and have terrible waste management policies.
Is It Better To Book Through Cruise Line Or Travel Agent
The biggest advantage of booking a cruise through a travel agent is personalized advice from a knowledgeable source. A good travel agent will discuss your vacation preferences, budget and other travel needs and suggest which cruises will be the best fit.
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Mega Ship Line #: Royal Caribbean International
If you truly want to feel like youre living in a floating city, Royal Caribbean is the cruise line for you, given that it has the four largest cruise ships in the world. Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas top the lists in terms of passenger count , length , and gross tonnage . Given their size, these ships provide every amenity you can think ofand plenty you cant even imaginefrom waterparks to world-class musical productions to autonomous bars staffed by robots to double-decker suites with slides for the kids. Youll find these behemoths sailing the Caribbean and Mediterranean throughout the year, but with so many activities on board, you might not even want to leave the ship.
The Best Cruises For Families Couples The Affluent And More According To Us News Plus Secrets For Saving On Cruises
Fishermen tie up their wooden boat next to a cruise liner in St John’s Harbour.
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These cruise lines offer a sea of savings.
U.S. News & World Report released its 2020 list of the best cruise lines, on Tuesday, naming Royal Caribbean International as the best cruise line for your money. Royal Caribbean inched up from its No. 2 spot on the previous years list, knocking Celebrity Cruises which had been the No. 1 best cruise line for your money down a spot. Norwegian Cruise Line took the No. 3 slot.
Factors like an impressive list of amenities , abundance of dining options and variety of itineraries at an affordable price point propelled Royal Caribbean into the top spot, the U.S. News report revealed.
U.S. News looked at 17 cruise lines and 176 ships, evaluating them on cruise ship quality, reputation among travelers, results from health assessments conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, price class, itinerary offerings and more.
Here are the top-ranking ships in each category.
For the money:2. Royal Caribbean International3. Seabourn Cruise Line
No matter which cruise line you decide to take, experts say there are a number of strategies that can help you save big when booking a cruise.
Cruise in the shoulder season. Saglie calls this cruising on the edges. For example, while the peak pricing for a cruise to Alaska is in the peak of summer June, July and August — you can save big by going in May or September.
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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.
Medium Ship Line #: Viking Ocean Cruises
Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched six ocean-going vessels since 2015, the most recent being the brand-new Viking Jupiter, whose maiden voyage took place in February 2019. The ships are nearly identical, carrying 930 passengers each, housed in balcony staterooms. Though not all-inclusive, Viking Ocean guests do receive one free excursion in each port , beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and an unlimited Wi-Fi connection.
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How Cruise Ships Fill Their Unsold Cabins
If some cabins are still unsold before a cruise, some passengers might get a call from the cruise line offering a discounted upgrade to a higher category cabin. They do this to both cut their losses on the rooms and to also try to get you hooked on that higher category stateroom. And often. it works.
Small Ship Line #: Paul Gauguin Cruises
The single ship Paul Gauguin focuses solely on the Pacific, treating its 332 guests to picture-perfect beaches and dramatic scenery in Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Fiji year-round. On Mota Mahana, the lines private island in French Polynesia, passengers sip cocktails from the floating bar, or paddle out over coral reefs on kayaks and paddleboardsstraight from the ships water sports marina. For those wanting to get under the waves, an onboard PADI scuba program certifies divers in some of the clearest waters on the planet. Best of all? The ships rates are all-inclusive. In 2019, Ponant acquired the cruise line.
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Who Has The Best Deal On Cruises
But TripAdvisor is also an excellent site for travel deals, including on cruises. TripAdvisor Cruise, which launched in April, is already among the best websites for cruise dealsit lets you nab the lowest price by comparing more than 70,000 ocean and river cruises from some 60 of the best cruise websites.
These Ships Scored Lowest At Last Inspection
Overall, the average scores of cruise lines were strong, with no line averaging below an 89. That said, there were a few lower scores on the inspection reports for individual ships in our search:
Regal Princess : 77 This ship had the lowest score listed during our search and was one of the few to score below 86 . According to the inspection report, violations included various issues ranging from incorrect chemical levels in pools to an employee with fingernails that were too long to improper food storage. Overall, however, Princess scored high marks. Across the fleet, the most recent inspections average 95.8, with no other ship scoring below a 93.
Le Boreal : 84 You might not have heard of Ponant, as its not quite a household name. Its ship, Le Boreal, features only 132 staterooms and was last inspected in late 2017, according to the CDC website. During that inspection, the report says there were issues with food storage, as well as 36 live flies in different food service areas.
Queen Elizabeth : 86 An 86 is a satisfactory mark according to the CDC, but it is still lower than most among the scores we analyzed. The Queen Elizabeth had some issues with pool chemical documentation and dishwashing equipment in the kitchen during its last inspection in 2018.
Note: Two other ships in our search, AIDAaura and National Geographic Sea Lion also scored an 86 in their most recent inspections .
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Tips To Stay Healthy On A Cruise
Even on the cleanest cruise ships, germs exist and easily spread from person to person. Because everyone is kept in such close proximity, if even one person is sick, the illness can quickly spread and potentially infect hundreds of passengers. For example, a crisis occurred on Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Sea in January 2019 when more than 500 passengers were stricken with norovirus. Nearly 9 percent of the cruise ships passengers were infected, and the ship was forced to return to its home port early. Suffice it to say, you should never take your health for granted while traveling. Be proactive and encourage the people around you to do the same.
To protect yourself on a cruise ship, use the following tips:
For more information regarding the best things you can do to stay healthy during your next voyage, check out our blog post How to Not Get Sick on a Cruise.
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Are Drink Packages On A Cruise Worth It
A Cruise Drink Package Is a Good Deal If Sure, it can be painful when you pay a few hundred dollars for drinks before your cruise even starts. But once youve gone ahead and paid, you have the luxury of being able to order drinks at most bars and restaurants without having to worry about your final bill.
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Large Ship Line #: Princess Cruises
Part of the Carnival family, Princess Cruises has a fun claim to famethe TV show The Love Boat was set on its Pacific Princess ship. If youve never seen an episode, youre in luck, as one of the onboard TV channels airs reruns around the clock. But you wont want to stay cooped up in your stateroom when you discover all the activities on board its 17 ships, from its special Seawitch craft beer program that sees the cruise line partner with breweries around the world to Discovery at SEA, a series of programs based on TV shows from the Discovery, Inc. family of networks, including Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel. In October 2019, Princess Cruises newest ship, the Sky Princess, set sail, debuting a new class of stateroom called Sky Suites, which is the lines most luxurious offering. Its next two ships, Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess, are scheduled to launch by the end of 2021.
River Ship Line #: Viking River Cruises
Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and six ocean vessels in its fleet. Under Viking River Cruises, the company’s riverboats explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhône in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, and the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its Culture Curriculum offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally.
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Which Cruise Line Is The Most Luxurious
Best Luxury Cruise Lines
- #1. Viking Ocean Cruises. #1 in Best Luxury Cruise Lines.
- #2. Seabourn Cruise Line. #2 in Best Luxury Cruise Lines.
- #3. Crystal Cruises. #3 in Best Luxury Cruise Lines.
- #4. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. #4 in Best Luxury Cruise Lines.
- #5. Azamara Club Cruises. #5 in Best Luxury Cruise Lines.
- #6. Oceania Cruises.
Are Restaurants On Cruise Ships Free
Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra. Prices are typically marked at each venue.
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Small Ship Line #: Metropolitan Touring
Operating three expedition vessels in the Galápagos, Metropolitan Touring is the ideal cruise line for those seeking a casual experience in the wildlife hotspot. The tiny ships, which only accommodate between 40 and 78 passengers, have a laid-back atmosphere where the focus is very much on wildlife spotting. The company also offers land-based tours in mainland Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia that can be combined with a Galápagos expedition.
Large Ship Line #: Royal Caribbean International
Though Royal Caribbean is perhaps best known for its mega-ships, it has quite a number of large ships, toothe 3,100-passenger Voyager-class ships, for instance, were once the worlds largest, until Royal Caribbean debuted the larger Freedom class and subsequently the Oasis class. Each class had its own series of firstsVoyager of the Seas was the first ship to have an ice rink and a rock-climbing wall, while Freedom of the Seas introduced the first FlowRider surf simulator at sea.
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Enchantment Of The Seas Royal Caribbean International
This ship features an indoor pool for colder climates as well as a Ben & Jerrys ice cream bar! It has internet services you can include in your ticket if you plan on working during your trip. Unlike most ships, this line offers nightly entertainment in the three-story central atrium. Expect your trip around the Caribbean to be an adventure you and your family will remember for many years to come.
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.
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River Ship Line #: Avalon Waterways
With a fleet of 20 river ships, Avalon has quite a few itineraries throughout Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Egypt, and Peru, though it charters ships in those last two destinations. Avalons own purpose-built ships are incredibly spacioussuites are 30 percent larger than the industry standard and feature fully retractable floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Cleanest Cruise Ships Afloat
If you’re worried about how safe cruise ships are, here are the 30 cruise ships that the highest cleanliness scores on CDC inspections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people “often associate cruise ships with acute gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus. But acute gastrointestinal illness is relatively infrequent on cruise ships despite its notoriety.”
According to the CDC, between 2008 and 2014, 74 million passengers sailed on cruise ships within the jurisdiction of its Vessel Sanitation Program. Only 129,678 passengers met the program’s case definition for acute gastrointestinal illness and only a small proportion of those cases were part of a norovirus outbreak.
Nonetheless, the CDC says, norovirus is a very contagious virus and it spreads quickly in confined spaces — whether that be a cruise ship or a hospital. You can get norovirus from an infected person, from contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. It leads to stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and vomiting.
In its Vessel Sanitation Program, designed to help cruise ships prevent GI illness outbreaks, the CDC conducts unannounced inspections of the ships twice a year in U.S. ports, and trains cruise ship employees on sanitation practices. The inspections look at the ships’ water supplies, medical centers, galleys, dining rooms, swimming pools, housekeeping practices, pest management, children’s play centers, and ventilation systems.
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Small Ship Line : Quasar Expeditions
The first luxury line to sail the Galápagos, Quasar Expeditions is best known for its in-depth trips aboard its two intimate ships that carry fewer than 32 passengers each. Yet note the street cred of said ships: One of the two, the Grace, is the former yacht of Princess Grace of Monaco. The other, the Evolution, will allow you to retrace Darwin’s footsteps in the Galápagos. Book the Baltra Island itinerary, where you’ll work your way from San Cristobal Island to Baltra, and explore all the central and southern islands of the archipelago in between.
Is Msc The Worst Cruise Line
The best and worst cruise lines of 2020 have been named by Which? and its Viking Ocean Cruises claiming the top spot once again and MSC anchored at the bottom for a second year running. Second in the annual ranking was Saga Ocean Cruises, followed by Azamara in third. Second-bottom of the table was Holland America.
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Medium Ship Line #1: Msc Cruises
Showing up for the third time on our list, MSC Cruises is clearly beloved by many! The Swiss cruise line has just four medium-size shipsthe Lirica classwhich accommodate between 2,000 and 2,600 passengers. Theyre also the oldest ships in the fleet, though they each underwent refurbishment as part of MSCs Renaissance program to modernize interiors and expand their size. The line is known for its Mediterranean inspirationthough its fleet sails far beyond the region, calling at ports all over the worldso youll find delicious Italian food on board no matter where your ship is taking you. MSC sailings are quite lively, especially at night, with many guests partying at nightclubs into the late hours.
Large Ship Line #: Disney Cruise Line
If theres one thing Disney Cruise Line does well, its hospitality. The company has taken every lesson its learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its four cruise ships, the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The ships are designed for families through and throughthere are numerous themed activities every day, from meet-and-greets to full-blown parties with Disney charactersbut there are plenty of adults-only areas that provide a respite from little ones. That said, the ships are not over-the-top when it comes to Disney decor. In fact, theyre quite elegant, taking design inspiration from early-20th-century ocean liners and sporting Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetics. The four ships currently sail the Caribbean Alaska Europe the Pacific Coast and the Panama Canal. Three more ships are scheduled to be added to the fleet between 2022 and 2023.
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