By Contributing Writer
Cruise
vacations are a favorite among vacationing families, honeymooning couples, friends and singles looking for fun and
romance. And who can blame anyone for wanting the security and predictability of an all-inclusive cruise? Choose carefully, and you can find yourself sailing the
Caribbean or the azure waters of the Aegean without having to worry about budgeting for meals and tours. With the explosive growth of the cruise industry, you'd be hard-pressed to plan a vacation without finding at least one cruise ship package that doesn't meet your needs.
Carnival Cruises
Carnival cruises emphasizes "fun for all, all for fun," which conveniently also happens to be their tagline. If you've seen any of their ubiquitous advertisements, you'll know that they focus on providing their passengers with plenty of opportunities to make the most of their time on the high seas. Carnival pioneered the trend of "mega-ships," offering everything from nightclubs and casinos to rock-climbing walls. Families and large- to medium-sized groups in particular love the festive, energetic atmosphere of a Carnival cruise, and you can often find big bargains for various destinations. The line specializes in ships close to home, especially the Caribbean and Bahamas, so if you'd prefer to spend more time cruising and less time getting to your ship, Carnival may be perfect for you.
Carnival Cruise Lines
(888) 227-6482
carnival.com
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers passengers its innovative and unusual "Freestyle Cruising" concept, which is more reminiscent of smaller, more intimate private cruises than the large ships of modern cruising. Unlike most cruise ships, which require travelers to eat within designated mealtimes and at specific tables, Freestyle Cruising emphasizes a more casual approach, with no fixed mealtimes, open seating policies and relaxed dress codes. Norwegian prides itself on offering plenty of dining options that focus on regional and gourmet dishes so that passengers can sample scrumptious steak for lunch and Japanese teppanyaki for dinner. In addition, Norwegian also offers destinations as varied as Alaska, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, South America and Europe.
Norwegian Cruise Line
(866) 234-7350
ncl.com
Holland America Line
Holland America Line caters to the discriminating cruise ship passenger who doesn't necessarily shop solely for bargain prices. One of the largest premium-priced cruise lines, Holland America is renowned for its gourmet dining and stylish, spacious staterooms. Established in 1873, it's one of the oldest cruise lines still operating today and proudly maintains its distinguished tradition of elegant and sophisticated cruising. Although it's now owned by the Carnival Corporation, it maintains its reputation as the more genteel "older sister" of its more modern parent company. It offers a truly global network of destinations, from Alaska to Oceania, including New Zealand.
Holland America Line
(877) 932-4259
hollandamerica.com
Disney Cruise Line
If you've been to Disneyland, you know to expect nothing less than a fabulous and fun-filled experience on a Disney cruise ship. Indeed, the company that a mouse built doesn't disappoint. Family-friendly through and through, Disney cruises cater to the needs of parents and children alike, from its private Bahamian island, where families can come and go as they please after the ship docks, to the laser-like focus of all its employees on customer service. That doesn't mean that honeymooning couples will feel left out, since there are plenty of adult-only groups who enjoy the Disney experience, but this is definitely family territory. Kids will never be without anything fun to do.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Vacations
Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(800) 951-3532
disneycruise.disney.go.com
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises epitomizes luxury cruising at its finest. Although the line offers activities for passengers of all ages, Crystal's reputation rests on its sophisticated programs targeting its affluent demographic. It boasts spacious staterooms, many with private verandas; educational programming featuring well-known personalities from fields as varied as literature, broadcasting, film, and the food and wine industries; award-winning dining options; and a global clientele. Although it has only two ships, the Serenity and the Symphony, it's renowned in the industry for its unparalleled elegance and high-end experience. Destinations range from Africa to Oceania.
Crystal Cruises
2049 Century Park E.
Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 785-9300
crystalcruises.com
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