How to choose the best cruise line for you: family, inexpensive, luxury

• The cruise industry sees an influx of beginners.
• If you are one of them, use this guide to decide which cruise pipes suit you best.
• This article is part of “Well Charted”, a series for travelers who plan cruise adventures.

If you, like many travelers, are interested in testing cruising waters, one of your first steps should be to determine your ideal cruising line.

Going on vacation at sea is not as simple as choosing where and when you want to go. Like hotels, the cruise industry extends over budget lines to float five -star stations.

Some are perfect for families, while others do not allow children – some are intended for gourmets and others take care of bachelor parties.

Choose judiciously, or you might not be satisfied with your vacation. If you do not know where to start, use this guide to help you navigate in the waters.

For a budget getaway

Cruises can be an economical vacation option, with prices often including accommodation, food, entertainment and several equipment on board.

Consider Carnival Cruise Line, Margaritaville at sea and MSC Cruises if you want the best blow for your money.

Margaritaville at sea (yes, that Margaritaville) sells two night trips from Palm Beach, Florida, in Bahamas for as little as $ 25 per person per day. Expect bars and restaurants named after Jimmy Buffett songs and a simple cruise experience -but perhaps dated -.

As for MSC, the European cruise giant always expands its American presence. But if you don’t mind being a semi-immersed adopter, you can take advantage of its itineraries from two to four nights for a total of Less than $ 300 per person, many of which start in the popular cruise ports of Florida.

If you prefer classics, try carnival. He has an inheritance of animated travel, parties and affordable, the cheapest for less than $ 100 per person per day. Expect a diversified crowd, families with children with university spring breakers and bachelor parties.

For family holidays

The new Carnival ships will not be the most affordable. But they will have a roller coaster, a string route, a water play area and outdoor games – perfect for keeping entertained children.

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If this is the ultimate priority, remember to reserve one of the new ships of Carnival, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line or Disney Cruise. These ships offer slides, mini-golf lessons and clubs for children and adolescents.

Royal Caribbean is best known for its giant ships, some welcoming more than 7,000 people. More space means more activities – its larger ones have a carousel, a surf simulator, top slides, a ice rink and a zip line and a zip line.

Norwegian’s most recent ships are slightly smaller. But they always have out -of -competition installations, such as an arcade of virtual reality, a kart course and outdoor games such as Beerless Pong.

And we cannot forget Disney. The brand alone should win the youngest guests. Otherwise, the fireworks, the character meet and salute, and the spots named after the Disney films (Zootopia “on the theme of the candy store, anyone?) Could help you.

Family cruises can start at less than $ 100 per person per day. Expect to pay more for Disney or any new ship.

For example, the last utopia of the Royal Caribbean seas has three night routes from more than $ 180 per person per night.

For travelers who love luxury

Not all cruise ships are giant and animated. But if you want a peaceful and all understood vacation aboard a small ship – and prefer richer retirees than young children – prepare to pay five -star prices.

In the world of luxury cruises, prices exceeding $ 500 per person per day are the standard. But with the price, you will get a caviar service, butlers and a crew that will know your name before presenting you.

You will not have to look for hard for truffle or liver-fat dishes, and you will not pay a pocket for fanciful cocktails and predict. According to cruise driving, equipment such as WiFi and excursions can also be complementary.

Luxury ships are also much smaller than their counterparts of gigantic general public, which allows them to visit more exclusive destinations. Expect various routes, including small Pacific islands, European rivers and Antarctica.

As such, these ships can often accommodate only a few hundred guests – instead of a few thousand.

Popular options include Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas, who belong to Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian respectively.

For a traditional cruise (think of black nights), try Cunard. For more contemporary ships, consider Crystal, Explora Journeys, Atlas Ocean Voyages and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht collection.

Look for the Viking luxury cruises, Uniworld or the newcomer if you prefer cruise rivers.

For a high -end trip without breaking the bank

If you want a soft -priced -price vacation, high -end options such as Princess Cruises and Holland America could satisfy your luxury itching.

On a high -end ship, a step at the bottom of luxury, customers can expect chic cocktail salons instead of slides, as well as a relaxed atmosphere without the nervous children competing for a zip line.

Take the CRIGNIAL CELECTIVES CRUSTS Gen X, for example. The new most elegant ships of the brand belonging to the Royal Caribbean group have elegant interiors, high restaurants and an invited capacity more than 3,850 – ideal for travelers who want a large crushing ship.

For smaller shop style ships, try Oceania Cruises. Its largest ship welcomes less than half of Celebrity’s guests. And unlike his competitor, he has wifi and free coffee.

The same goes for free specialized restaurants of the oceania – crucial for a cruise driving that prides itself on eating on high -end.

For a younger and more optimistic crowd, there are virgin journeys.

The fleet of Kid-Free Cruise Line has a feeling of Miami Resort, a colorful decor adapted to Instagram and funny catering options. If you feel daring, you can even be inserted at the tattoo store on board.

Starting costs vary from business to the other, from around $ 100 per person per day for celebrity and the princess to more than $ 150 for Virgin and Oceania.