Mainstream Large Ship Cruise Lines

• Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines - the leader of the general megaliner market, RCCL delivers an enjoyable product. Food is good (but not gourmet), and service is pleasant. A multitude of onboard activities, exciting itineraries, and a good reputation means RCCL satisfies most of the cruisers out there. Not all ships are big and new (the new ones are featured on the commercials), so ask your travel agent what to expect on your particular cruise ship. RCCL is also known for some small cabins! The larger, newer ships offer rock climbing, ice skating, and more. RCCL is great for pretty much every middle America lifestyle, especially for those active, independent individuals who thought cruises were just for "boring stuffy people."
• Carnival Cruise Lines - dubbed "Funship" for a reason, Carnival Cruise ships always have a sort of energetic buzz. Older ships are styled in a hyper Vegas themes, with bright colors galore, but newer ships (and refurbished older ships) have been decorated a little more tastefully. Carnival's grown up in the last few years, with a little more taste and refinement. For example, the food and restaurant service is now excellent, on the level of premium cruise lines. Carnival still caters to the every-man. Service outside the restaurant can be unsatisfactory at times.
  
• Norwegian Cruise Lines - NCL is Carnival's competition, but there are some major differences between the two liners. Carnival's food is much better than NCL's (with the exception of some of NCL's specialty restaurants), while NCL's service and cruise style probably outbeats Carnival. NCL started a concept called Freestyle Cruising, which allows for great dining and cruising flexibility while at sea. NCL also offers more departure ports , including an expansion in 2003 of domestic ports to draw the drive-market (that is, allowing customers to drive from their home cities instead of having to fly). NCL has a wide range of ships, from some incredible newer ships with many dining options, to some small, older ships with small cabins to boot.
  

Premium Large Ship Cruise Lines

• Holland America -- Holland America is a true premium cruise with class and special touches. The service is extra-friendly (maybe the best in the premium category), and dining excellent. Holland America is suitable for all ages, and kids are treated well. The ambiance is cheerful and relaxing. You'll find special touches onboard, especially for suite passengers.
  
• Celebrity Cruise Lines -- Celebrity is sophisticated without being pretentious. Service, food, the aesthetics of the ship -- all excellent. Celebrity offers some great price values too. Celebrity is one of the few ships that offer a refreshing array of on-ship activities, going well beyond the usual art auction-bingo game-skin care demonstration offering of other megaliners.
  
• Princess Cruises -- Princess Cruises bridges the gap between general and premium categories. She probably rivals RCCL in quality levels, and competes with Holland America for client base (that's just my observation). Food and service are consistently good, with some recent efforts to improve the food. Some of her ships are high "wow" factor, and are simply stunning. Princess does a great job of offering a wide range of shore excursions as well.
  
• Costa Cruises -- looking for something different? Costa Cruises is "Cruising Italian Style." Two of her ships sail the Caribbean in the Winter months, with the remaining fleet dedicated to Europe. Costa breaks from the pack in offering a distinct theme -- Italian cruising. The ships are appointed with fine Italian art and sculpture, and the newest ships (Mediterranea and Altantica, both set for the Caribbean in winter 2003/04) are incredible! These ships are fanciful interpretations of Italy's classics -- Fellini movie-inspirations on one, Italian city-inspirations on the other. You'll find Italian cooking classes, language lessons, toga parties, and an overall Italian ambiance. Many onboard are European, since Costa's exposure to the American market is rather minimal.
  Disney Cruise Lines -- Disney always does everything top-notch, and their cruise line is no exception. DCL operates two ships out of Port Canaveral (near Orlando on the Atlantic side), with one ship sailing 7 night cruises, while the other operates 3 and 4 night cruises. Even if you aren't a Disney fanatic, you will have the time of your life. Everything is classy, fanciful, and relaxing. Dining takes place in a series of dining rooms, and you rotate every night along with a waitstaff that rotates with you. DCL also has their own private Bahamas island, which is heaven. Service is outstanding, and entertainment is the best at sea. For a honeymoon, combine a cruise with a land stay at Disneyworld, and you're all set!

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