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In our series on Choosing The Right Cruise Line, we talked about#common elements among cruise lines, what we called the Core Experience as well as some#important factors to consider up front that normally get looked at down the road. #We also talked about the role of a travel agent in the whole process.As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing a cruise line for the very first cruise. #I’d like you to come away from that first cruise with a positive experience, convinced that cruise vacations are just exactly what you want out of a vacation. #That is entirely possible by considering the suggestions given here. #Let’s take a quick look at some general impressions about cruise lines for different groups of people that hold true today:
  • Honeymooners- Princess Cruises still has the whole Love Boat thing going for it and they’re pretty hard to beat in this area. #All cruise lines have a wedding and/or special occasion department that specializes in these things but Princess followed by Royal Caribbean come in as front-runners
  • Seniors- Holland America is the first line that comes to mind but not always the best choice. #If nightlife is your thing, Holland America won’t be. #Luxury lines may be a good choice and are often less expensive than they may seem in comparison to mass-market lines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean. #Luxury lines tend to include more in the price so the total vacation package comes out as an easier one to budget and they commonly offer onboard programs tailor made for seniors
  • Families- The ships of Disney Cruise Line come out a clear winner with decks of the ships devoted to kid-friendly activities. #Carnival’s branded age-appropriate program is quite popular as is Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean youth program. #Kids will like any major cruise line but will tend to have more fellow kids on Carnival or Royal Caribbean, a little fact to file away if you’re looking to avoid children on your vacation.
  • Solo Cruisers, once the outcasts that didn’t fit an industry-wide double occupancy standard that demanded they pay double, are seeing some sunshine on the horizon. #Norwegian Cruise Line‘s new Norwegian Epic features single studio staterooms designed for one person at a reduced rate. #Royal Caribbean recently hinted that they may be headed in that direction when refurbishing older ships. #This is all good news for the solo cruiser. # Solo and looking for a friend? #It might be worth the nearly-double price to sail a line with typical passengers similar to you. #This is totally a travel agent question you need to ask.
  • Active people- Royal Caribbean is the answer to your prayers. # Your activity level can almost be matched to one of the various classes of ships offered by the line. #New Oasis-class ships have everything from that rock climbing wall mentioned earlier to surfing at sea and everything in-between. #Not that other lines don’t have something for you. #All lines have a fitness center, jogging track and get-involved activities for those who wish to participate. #You’ll find a “walk for_____” on just about any sailing and shore excursions are clearly and accurately rated on your activity ability level.
  • Couch Potatoes will love just about any line but one with ships that have huge outdoor video screens surely comes to mind as a first choice. #Actually, the whole nature of a cruise vacation, no cooking, cleaning, or doing any thing on any certain timetable, is reason enough for couch potatoes to sail. #Get a couch potato on the right cruise ship and they may not want to leave. #Something not thought of much, in-cabin entertainment, is huge with cruise lines and many have devoted considerable resources to programming.
Tomorrow, in the final installment of this series, we’ll talk about one last group of people. #It’s a group many would like to be included in; bargain hunters. # Really good ones have some qualities that are not as elusive as they may seem.Related articles




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