How do Top Cruise Lines Stack up?
Trying to decide which cruise line is best is almost like trying to announce the best NFL team in a partisan crowd. So try to remember that this article is based on an unofficial rating of some of the major cruise lines. In fact, the selection of a line depends much on what a particular customer is looking for. Some think the cheapest cruise is the best, or the most luxurious, or the most kid-friendly, or the one providing the finest service. So try to read this article with these concepts in mind. Your top-rated cruise line may not be your neighbor’s. On one web site, cruisers rated cruise lines with the following criteria: Food, Entertainment, Activities, Staff, Accommodations, and Value. I only chose the lines that had at least 25 reviews. Here’s how they ranked:
Disney: 90.0
Celebrity: 85.4
Royal Caribbean: 83.4
Holland America: 75.9
Princess: 74.2
Carnival: 71.6
Costa: 65.0
Norwegian: 63.1
Disney is ranked highest above, but they are by no means the least expensive. Obviously, a huge draw for Disney is kid-appeal. The family programs are unparalleled. However, the ships can be quite elegantly appointed and there is a section on the ship for adults only. (However, the Italian-theme restaurant for adults only has an extra service charge). Just the same, it is families with young children who are most likely to select Disney cruises.