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New Cruisers Tip #9: Choose the Right Line
By Dave | August 8, 2008
All cruise lines are not created equally. Some are geared toward families, others toward adults only. Some are meant for fun, while others are meant for pampering and luxury.
This tip for new cruisers deals with the aspect of choosing the right cruise line. All too often, I read about people who had a lousy cruise because the environment was right for them. I don’t necessarily blame them for this problem, but like any other vacation, you should do your research prior to booking.
Sometimes it’s obvious. Disney Cruise Line is geared toward families; the kids specifically. While I’m sure it happens, you probably won’t find an eldery couple taking a retirement vacation onboard the Disney Magic. Other times it’s not quite as obvious. If you’ve never been on a cruise before, and having done no research whatsoever, you just might not know what kind of cruises “Cunard” has to offer.
One of the best ways, in my opinion, to get a good idea of a cruise line’s target audience is to go to their website. Of course, this would be my first choice since I pretty much live on the Internet. But if you’re not quite as net-savvy, calling the cruise line and getting a brochure will do the trick as well. (Another quick tip: the brochures are usually free. I order them every year at no cost to me, not even shipping.) By doing either of the two methods above, you will probably get a good idea of what the cruise will be like. If every other page shows adults in fancy clothing, it’s probably not the ideal line for your family. On the other hand, if you’re an older couple, if the first picture you see on the brochure/website is a kid going down a water slide, that might not be the best line for you either.
Another great indicator, although not nearly as foolproof, is price. The typical rule of thumb is: the more expensive the cruise line, the more adult-oriented. Again, this is not always true. Disney is very expensive, but is geared toward young families. But this is certainly something to keep in mind as well.
Bottom line: do your research. Find out more about the cruise line you’re interested in prior to sailing. This will help assure you have a good time on your vacation.
Now, here’s a short list of a handful of cruise lines, in order from most kid-friendly to most adult-oriented. (Based on my own opinion.) If you click on the line you’re interested, you’ll be redirected to their website so you can begin your research.
- Disney Cruise Line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean International
- Celebrity Cruises
- Princess Cruise Line
- Cunard
- Crystal Cruises
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