johanna

If you were going on a Carribean cruise for the first time,were in your 40s and were lucky enough not to have to watch every penny,which cruise line would you choose? I've been reading your questions and answers and can see problems with certain ships,but which ones are your favorites?

eric

any one but Carnival.

Easy

Radisson - huge suites on the Mariner and some of the best food on the seas.<BR><BR>Crystal - Harmony or Symphony - consistently named the best cruise line by Conde Naste magazine. Great service and food.

Silversea

Without a doubt, the most elegant line is Silversea !!<BR><BR>Top food and service 24 hours a day.

winner

Try Seabourn; it is more friendly than Silverseas, but its best cruises are in other parts of the world than the Carribean.

Sandra

I have been on all of the luxury cruise ships. It just depends on what you like. No question that the rooms on the Radisson Seven Seas Mariner are the largest at sea, and the food an service on that ship is fantastic. The complimentary wine and no tipping is great, too. It's probably the best cruise value in the world. BUT, there is no promenade deck. <BR>Crystal, on the other hand, charges you for every beverage and the gratuities can get pretty steep, too. BUT, the outside space on this ship is wonderful, with lots of deck chairs everywhere, and a wrap-around promenade deck. I especially like the aft decks on Decks 8 and 9 for just hanging out with a good book. Very quiet and a great place from which to watch the world go by. <BR>I was on Silver Cloud in Europe. The staff was so snooty, but then so were most of the guests. Very impressed with themselves. The service wasn't all that great, either. Seabourn is very formal, if a bit warmer than Silversea. So I would go with either Radisson or Crystal. One more thing, with the staterooms being so large and comfortable on Radisson, and with them providing liquor in the cabins, people tend to spenda lo of time in their rooms; whereas on Crystal, there's a much livelier scene in the lounges before dinner. Just an observation. I'd be curious to know which one you pick!

Paul Therault

There are many variables. It all depends what a person's lifestyle is and what they expect on a cruise. <BR><BR>Same with hotels. Some people just want a place to sleep and could care less about the service and amenities. These people just wish to save money. They would choose a cruise that is the cheapest.<BR><BR>Some people cruise just one line and are satisfied. They do not wish to change and no one can talk them into changing. Cruise lines like these people and offer them many past-passenger amenities.<BR><BR>Some people like to have fun on a cruise and others like to sit and read and be waited on hand-and-foot.<BR><BR>Some people choose a cruise for the itinerary.<BR><BR>A forum like this tends to be the place for people to vent their anger and dissatisfation with their cruise. Stands to reason why there are so many complaints about mass-market ships. For each and every person that complain about a cruise there are thousands that are very satisfied or somewhat satisfied. You do not hear from them. <BR><BR>There are thousands of people that are more than satisfied with Carnival but fear posting since they do not wish to be ripped to shreds.<BR><BR>There are problems that people experience on any vacation or cruise. Just that the people that cruise on the above lines certainly are not going to post on a forum like this to vent their anger. They realize it will do them no good. They go directly to the cruise line.<BR><BR>Paul