Anna_Galea

Hi, This year me and my family are thinking on going on a cruise for the first time, a western or eastern mediterranean cruise. I have short-listed 3 cruise liners that I am interested in - the Costa, Celebrity or Carnival.

Which cruise liner of the three has the best food (my family loves eating at good restaurants when we go on vacation), and also out of the three have the best level of service and entertainment, and organization?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I would really love to enjoy our first cruise.

qwovadis

cruisecritic.comdetailed reviews on each ship.
Celebrity best for me all things considered usually
but new ships are better than old ships check your
SHIP review ratings. Carical is a more kid firindly line with all the good and bad of that.Carnival owns Costa not the best rep currently have done one out of Venice cheap not great.
So generally for me Celebrity.

jacketwatch

Scratch Costa and not just d/t to recent events. Their overall ratings are below the standards of other mass market lines. Now what ships R U considering? That makes a difference as well.

Anna_Galea

Thanks for your replies. I was considering the newest ships, the Celebrity silhouette, or Carnival Breeze or Costa Fascinosa. I also had a look at the Norwegian Epic. These all do a mediterranean cruise in Summer. I am not after the itinerary but rather want the best cruise experience, since it is the first cruise for all the family. So the Carnival cruise lines are on the same level as the Costa, or are they higher rated? I will be having two teenage kids with me, would they have plenty of things to do on the Celebrity?
Thanks for any advice.

jacketwatch

Actually you have selected two ships that are yet to be in service, the Breeze and the Costa ship so there are no reviews. The reviews for ships in their respective class give an edge to Carnival and the overall best rating is celebrity. FWIW we have cruised with CCL twice and have had good experiences. We took our 1st Celeb cruise last Oct. and it was very posiitve. I think your best bet for a cruise experience is celeb. However the kids would probably prefer the Breeze and I sort of think that as this is a brand new ship they will strive to impress. Good luck. Larry

KVR

Cruise Critic would give you a better idea and understanding of the differences in cruise lines. Based on my own personal experience, I have sailed with Carnival twice and would never sale with them again. We experienced party type people, too many kids and terrible tasting food. We have been on 2 Princess cruises and enjoyed both of them. In the future, I would definatly go with Celebrity if I found the right iteniary. They seem to have a more mature atmosphere and they have started a pre-pay alcohol program. I really hate having to watch my intake or get slapped in the face with a huge bar bill at the end of the cruise. To me, that is not a vacation.

jacketwatch

I forgot to add that the Celeb ship was voted best in its class per a CN Traveler readers poll.

Eschew

Any reason why you are looking at those three cruise lines and not anyone else?

The three you listed, Costa, Celebrity or Carnival are quite different and cater to different markets.

Costa target market is Europeans. English will not the first language on board. You will hear ship board announcement in multiple languages, and English usually would be the last one, after Italian, German, French, and Spanish.

Celebrity is more prestine and more resort like and their competition would be Princess. They cater to the middle age crowd. Hollands caters to much older crowd (at least that's the reputation)

Carnival caters to the younger crowd 25-45, and tehir competition would be RCCL. (NCL is inconsistent and would fit in here)

So, you have pick 3 completely different criuse lines with different target audenence.

As to food, Celebrity used to have the best food around. Unfortunately, since the departure of their corporate chef a few years ago, the quality control and food quality have slided. The food is still good, but not what it used to be. You can see cost cutting all over.

Carnival's food quality had improved over the year and they are actually pretty good, but I hate their "style". I really don't care much about the costuming and the "sing & dance" routines by the service staff in the dining room from time to time.

If you want really good food on a cruise ship, go to the "pay extra" specailty restaurants. Some are truly amazing.

In terms of service, I would say all of them are about the same.

In terms of Entertainment, the Carnival is definietly more showy and more Vegas like at the main theatre. But all the cruise lines have the same stuff: shops, casinos, trivias, games, Karaoke, night club, dance bands, piano player. They are all there. (I like the library of the Princess ships but who goes to the library during a cruise other than me? It is the most quiet and relaxing palce on the whole ship.)

Each ship tries to create their own "siganture" items but they usually don't last as everyone copy each other.

Princess has big 100 foot screen "Movie under the stars". Everyone has big outdoor screens now but Princess is the only one who offers milk and cookie, popcron etc at the movirs, at elast for now. Carnival was the first to have water slides. Everyone has them now. RCCL has rock climbing walls, but otehrs has them as well. Celebrity has real grass putting greens. Princess has adults only area, NCL has skating rinks, Disney is the only one that has unique things that people can't copy: Disney characters.

Well, you get the idea ... you may want to identify your list of "likes" and "dislikes" and go from there. We don't pick ships. We go by itenary and destinations. All things being equal, then we pick ships.

We have been on many cruise lines and hoenstly, the differences are not all that staggering. Obviously, there are premium ships and they charge a premium for it (example: Winestar and some smaller ships cruises.)

On the other hand, if you ask my wife, she will tell you which one she likes and which one she doesn't like, but it is strictly a personal choice, or a one time thing that triggered her "likes" or "dislikes".

It took me a while to convice her to go back to a certain cruise line becasue she felt the ship was "dirty" and had poor housekeeping practices. (She found the bed spread folded and stored under the bed daily after the turn down service without any plastic bag or otehr protective covering). In reality, I believe it was only one lazy employee that she came across that gave her that bad impression.

She wouldn't stop saying how great a cruise line was after a service staff go out of the way to get her freshly grounded ginger when she wasn't feeling 100%. Again, it is one employee, one time, made her feel great. But, she insisted that the ervice on that cruise line is better than everuyone else when the fact is really one employee.

Good luck in picking!

CruzInsider

I think the key here is that this is your first cruise - Carnival is by far the most popular and affordable options. They have excellent food, large staterooms by industry standards and entertainment that many enjoy. I went on my first dozen or so cruises on them and never realized that there was more out there and, frankly, didn't care.

Now that I have been on other lines, like Celebrity, I never want to step foot on another CCL cruise again. However, when I was offered an opportunity to cruise on the inaugural cruise of the Carnival Magic (the Breeze will be much like the Magic) I was delighted by the new innovations they included. You and your family will have a great time.

When you've got one sailing under your belt I'd set my sights on other experiences such as those mentioned above - Princess, Celebrity, The Norwegian Epic or the Breakaway coming soon ....

Costa caters the a European crowd which is fine if you are used to traveling to Europe, but if not, I'd wait on that - although they do have two new ships coming out this year!!

Bon Voyage!!

Anna_Galea

Thanks for all the advice, I have now shortlisted to Carnival Breeze, or Celebrity Silhouette, they have different itineraries, one is a western mediterranean cruise and one an eastern mediterranean. I have been to most of the western mediterranean cities, but not to some of the eastern ones. But as I said, itinerary does not really bother me, as we can easily do the other option the some other time. I am giving in to my husband's wish this time to go on a cruise, so I am focusing more on my cruise ship experience, since we are first-time cruisers. We usually always hire a car and tour around a few countries around Europe, or focus on one country, like italy, and travel literally from its north to its south. We live in Europe, and we do know how to speak Italian. I also had a look at the Norwegian Epic, which roughly has the same itinerary as the Carnival Breeze, it says it has a freestyle type of cruising, I do not know if that is better, and whether their food is of a higher standard than the Celebrity and Carnival. We would for sure go one or twice to a speciality restaurant, but as we are a family it would be too expensive to go every night, so I guess I would choose the cruise that has the best food in their main dining rooms. I also think that it is not fair that we have to pay extra, as the food in the main dining room should be just as good. But I guess that is business to make more money. I read reviews that said that food is terrible in both cruise lines, and others say that it is good, and that baffles me, as usually when a restaurant in Europe, any country, is good, then you read good reviews everywhere. I still would like anyone who went on NCL to also share their experience. I tried to find the newest ships, as even when we go on holiday, I always love to stay in brand new hotels, or B&Bs. I love the new feel. Thanks again for all your posts and suggestions

Anna_Galea

ONE OTHER QUESTION

We travel with two teenage kids, and a 12 year old girl who is both menatally and physically disabled. She does not need a wheelchair yet, as she still fits in a special needs buggy. She cannot walk and has to stay on her pushchair or on a bed during the time we are in a cabin. Do you think I should request a room for the disabled, or should we stay in a normal cabin. I would much prefer that we have priority embarkation and debarkation, especially because of our daughter, and if this is only possible if we take the cabin for the disabled, then we shall do so. Also, we would like a separate cabin for our boys, should we take an adjoining one, one opposite another or next to each other? A seaview one would be fine for us, and an interior cabin fine for the boys. Also, is it true that it is better to book rooms mid ship, and in what level woul be the best for the ship so that it would not be rocking too much if the sea is rough. I can see that all of you that answered to my reply are experienced cruisers, so I do have a lot of questions to ask!! Thanks again.

Eschew

If you live in Europe, you will be more comforatbel with what Costa has to offer. If you are down to Carnival Breeze, or Celebrity Silhouette, both are fine choices.

As I haev said earlier, it is 2 different style of cruising between Carnival & Celbrity. One is more "ritzy, showy, Vegas like" and the other one is more pristine and relaxed. It really depends on what you enjoy.

Yes, you should ask for a cabin for disabled person. They have wider doors and no raised step to the bathroom. Both cruise lines offer kids program to keep kids busy and you should take advantahge of that.

Adjoining cabins usually are balcony cabins so if you want to save some money, across the hall interior and an outside would be good.

The teenage boys would probably likes the Carnival style better.

jacketwatch

E is correct in that you can request a cabin for the disabled. We got one by chance once and it is bigger but we were told that by law if a handicapped person requested one we would have to move so you should be able to get one.

I have heard several times that NCL seems to have a lower quality of food in the MDR as if to steer people to the speciality places. I dunno as I've never taken them.

An amidships cabin is best in terms of feeling the least amt. of motion and the lower the better for that purpose.

Based on my two cruises on CCL and the one we had on Celebrity the food for me in he MDR was close with a sl. edge to Celeb. You will find that cruisers seem to differ the most on food quality as it is so subjective. Hey, I've never gone hungry so unless your are a gourmand you will be fine on either one.

For the ship experience I will say that we've never felt so welcomed on a ship like we were when we embarked on Celebrity.

Anna_Galea

Thanks Eschew and jacketwatch and all others for your replies. I will most probably select a cabin for the disabled, as it would be easier to move the buggy around and more space for us if it is roomier and bigger. Would you know if they are located in a specific level? A step would not make much difference as we still would have to carry her to the bathroom, she is not heavy at all, but I am sure a little more room would help. Also, it wouold help greatly that we would have priority embarkation and debarkation, and not to stay in queues it sure helps. We always get priorty entrances to museums, etc. My only little concern might be that we might not be able to take some excursions, like those that have stairs. Usually we always take her everywhere and we just lift her up the stairs with her in the buggy, or lift her up the stairs and the buggy separately. It it not too much of a problem since I have three men to help me in the family, as the boys are in their late teens, one sixteen and the other nineteen, and till now they always come with us on holidays. From some reviews I read, I see that the celebrity is just a little bit of a higher class than the Carnival, but then, as you both say, it might be more fun for my teenagers to go on Carnival. Maybe celebrity caters for the older generation (like me and my husband, lol, we are in our late forties). If it were between Costa and Carnival, I would choose Carnival, as I would love to experience the American feel. We are not that fussy on food, as long as it is good, but I read so many revies that said that one cruiship or the other had really bad or cold food, etc, but maybe it might be that particular cruise and not the cruiseline in general. From your reviews I am sensing that Celebrity is a bit on the higher class, and Carnival is a more relaxing and fun. I think I will omit NCL for now, but if we enjoy this cruise, I shall certainly be interested in going again on a cruise. We always like to travel around, and I always used to think that it is boring to be stuck in a ship for so many days, but I have had a change of heart, and now I think I would like a relaxing holiday for once. We alwa;ys do hundreds of kilometres by car when we go abroad, we do see a lot on the way, but it is now time for my husband to relax and let others take him around!!! Another question, would the lowest levels have more noice from the engines, and would they be submerged in waters when the sea is rough, especially in the lowest two or three? I am literally new to cruising, and do not have friends that have cruised. Thanks again

Eschew

I wouldn't say one is higher class than the other (as they are all mass market) but Celebrity is definitely more resort like and relaxed, cateriing to, yes, your age group. If you want an American feel, you should be able to get it from both.(Carnival has more action, party like atmosphere)

There are lots of things to do and places (on board) to visit on sea day. My favorite past time on sea day is to attend lectures, go to the library (and some ships have great library, and quiet too!) or go to a social function like an informal "bridge" (card game) gathering. Some ships would have a piano player or a string trio/Quartet playing light classical music at the Attrium, we would sit there and have a coffee and enjoyed the music. We got to do all the things that we normally don't do, or can't do at home, for whatever reason.

You can choose to be where the actions are, or choose to stay away from the action. The ship is big enough and have enough things going on to do both.

Make sure when you ask for a disabled cabin, the cabin can accomdate more than 2 people in that cabin. They may or may not have the convertable bed built in.

On a modern cruise ships, all passenger decks are way above the water line, and you can hardly feel the ship moves, except for really rough water which I don't belief you will come across at the Caribbean sea.

You may (and I doubt it if anyone can) feel a bit of virbration if you cabin is located close to the smoke stack. We try to book our cabin away from the public access passage way, and that's people noise that we want to get away from.

Most ship has their disabled cabins located closed to the "main" deck and close to elevators. That would be typically deck 6 or 7 (plus or minus 1 depending on ship).

If you are new to cruising, you may want to take a look at some of these articles. http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/

Cruise holidays are quite different from a land holiday. You can be travelling together for days but yet everyone has their own space and activities, except at your own pre-determined time.

We travelled with friends from time to time and we don't see each other at the ship at the time, except at dinner, which was pre-arrnaged. Sometimes, we will go to a show together, or an excursion together, but it is at our choice. (us and them)

Your boys will love the freedom on the ship and not having to be tied to the family 24/7.

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask. I am quiet sure someone will answer.

Anna_Galea

Thanks soooo much Eschew for your real useful information. That is another problem that I am contemplating on whether or not to take a disabled cabin, as we might be restricted on the number of passengers and position of cabin, as we need to take two cabins, and most probably it would be impossible for us to take two interconnecting cabins, one of which would be for the disabled. But if reviewers think it would be worth it, especially if they are more spacious, then I guess it would be worth asking for them. So the public access passageways are found near the internal cabins only, or also near the ones with seaview. I feel such a fool asking these questions, but I literally have never been on a cruise ship before, except on some very small cruise ships that go for a day tour, like in Venice or Greece. We are going on a Mediterranen cruise, not a Caribean one, although we sure would like to do that one day. I am absolutely sure that I am going to start loving going on cruise ships, I feel that this is the time to start experiencing them, it must be my middle age crisis, lol, but as you said, cruises nowdayas cater for the very young ones as well, and I am sure I am going to be pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. I kept putting off going to cruises for a few years now, despite my husband always hinting that he would like to go on a cruise, so this time we shall give him a rest from all the driving we always do on holiday. Plus, you are so right, it will give the boys more freedom to do what they want on holiday since they are now getting older. So the main passagways are wide passageways you see on the plans of the cruise ships, and do outside cabins not have main passageways? Another question, would it be better to take the early dinner slot time or the later one? We do not like to eat early, and do take some time to get all of us ready, especially myself since I also have to take care of my disabled child to wash etc. But if we take the late dinner slot, would we still have time to see the shows etc? One last question, is i worthwhile taking the ship's excursions or would we easily manage by ourselves, or get a private excursion that we might find on the shores? The ship's excursions are very expensive, especially since there are five of us. If it is possible, we might even rent a car from the harbour and drive around ourselves. My only fear is that we might not arrive back in time before the ship leaves, especially if we take a private excursion from near the shore. All advice will really help. Thanks again.

jacketwatch

There are usually to shows, one after each dinner seating so it should be fine. As fro the excursions I still say go private. Just plan well so you are back in time. People do this all the time so it should be no issue at all.

Betsy

Cruisecritic is a huge website devoted to cruising. There is an entire section on cruises for people with disabilities. Go to cruisecritic.com-->Boards, then scroll down to Special Interest Cruising and click on Disabled Cruise Travel.

After you book your cruise you can join your ship's "roll call" and "meet" your fellow passengers and even plan shore excursions with them prio t. Private excursions cost about 50% less than those provided by the cruise line.

Bon Voyage!

Betsy

Ooops. "prio t" should be "prior to the cruise." Shouldn't have been multitasking

ParrotMom

Having had the opportunity of using a disabled cabin on I believe it was the Celebrity Soltice, I can highly recommend them,because the bathroom is much, much bigger, the shower area is huge and the buggy can be wheeled right in.. and there is a stool and several shower heads if I remember. There is a ramp to go out on the balcony and instead of using a key to open the cabin door there is a large push button. I can't remember if it is only in a Handicapped cabin, but the clothes rack in the closet came down. My husband was disabled and was put in a separate area for embarking and disembarking. I will tell you the staff on Celebrity is incredible, they helped him on and off the ramps. Oh yes, there is also a automated sling that will enable your child to get in the jacuzzi and/or the pool.

Frankly, as for advice for almost 20 years if that is possible, I've received wonderful, wonderful advice from THIS FORUM, especially Eschew and others like him. I've have found on the Cruise Critic site many very strongly opinionated cruisers especially where the discussion comes to Celebrity/Princess. Through the years I've tried to "play it forward"and the best advice is finding private tours which can be indivdualized for your group.