Cruises - Comparing Cruise Lines To Hotel Chains

Some comments in another thread got me to thinking about comparing the various cruise lines against something many FT’ers are very familiar with: Hotel Chains.

As background, I’ve taken a couple dozen cruises but certainly have not been on all the cruise lines. But I do try to keep up with what’s happening in the industry and do lurk and post on several cruise IBB’s.

Here’s my take and I’m certain that YMMV:


Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Category: Seabourn, Silverseas, Crystal, Radisson and possibly Cunard depending on cabin category.

Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton Category: Holland-America, RCCL and Celebrity.

Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn Category: Princess, NCL, Carnival, and Disney.


Now I realize this is not exactly a scientific comparison. A good or bad experience with one hotel or ship can cloud your judgment of the whole chain or cruise line.

Curious as to how you would rank the various cruise lines above including any I may have overlooked.

I pretty much agree - except Radisson is now Regent - and while I haven't been on RCCL, I might move them down into the lower category.

I would move Crystal down one. Just my opinion. It is on the edge of not being as good as it used to be. It usually wins the Conde Naste polling because it has mobs of loyal customers who make sure to vote every year.

Crystal is no where near Seabourn or Silverseas for regular dining as it still has 2 seatings with table assignments and charges for the extra quality and extra service restaurants.

I can't put a cruise line that doesn't have open seating for dinner in the top class.

I would move Princess and Disney up one to mid-tier and move Celebrity up one-half to something along the lines of a JW Marriott. Not quite the Four Seasons, but better than a Westin.

Mike

Pretty accurate.....I've heard wonderful things about Radisson.

Holland America and Celebrity are a half-notch above; as mikeef said, perhaps like a JW Marriott or a Westin. And Disney is horribly underrated in that listing above--they, too, should be in that same category.

I would move Crystal down one. Just my opinion. It is on the edge of not being as good as it used to be. It usually wins the Conde Naste polling because it has mobs of loyal customers who make sure to vote every year.

Crystal is no where near Seabourn or Silverseas for regular dining as it still has 2 seatings with table assignments and charges for the extra quality and extra service restaurants.

I can't put a cruise line that doesn't have open seating for dinner in the top class.

I beg to differ -- I think Crystal is right up there, just for a different type of clientelle that likes the more traditional and formal seating arrangements. And, BTW, they do NOT charge for the optional restaurants (one Italian and one Japanese on each ship) -- but guests are "encouraged" to leave a separate gratuity for the servers. That's not unreasonable or out of the ordinary on a line that has not included gratuities as part of the price (Silversea and Seabourn have a no tipping policy because they build it into the cruise fare without disclosing it as a separate line item).

Some comments in another thread got me to thinking about comparing the various cruise lines against something many FT’ers are very familiar with: Hotel Chains.

As background, I’ve taken a couple dozen cruises but certainly have not been on all the cruise lines. But I do try to keep up with what’s happening in the industry and do lurk and post on several cruise IBB’s.

Here’s my take and I’m certain that YMMV:


Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Category: Seabourn, Silverseas, Crystal, Radisson and possibly Cunard depending on cabin category.

Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton Category: Holland-America, RCCL and Celebrity.

Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn Category: Princess, NCL, Carnival, and Disney.


Now I realize this is not exactly a scientific comparison. A good or bad experience with one hotel or ship can cloud your judgment of the whole chain or cruise line.

Curious as to how you would rank the various cruise lines above including any I may have overlooked.

Cholula -- thanks for this thread. It's an interesting exercise. Here's my take...

I would add SeaDream Yacht Club to the top tier; move RCCL down to the bottom (their food is HORRID and they nickle and dime you on everything); move Princess and Disney up to the mid tier.

Totally agree with taking Crystal down a notch - I hate being nickel and dimed and I felt that way one our one cruise with them. Their fares don't reflect the fact drinks, some gratuities, and other items Silversea and Seabourn include are not included - they are often higher.

Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Category: Seabourn, Silverseas, Crystal, Radisson and possibly Cunard depending on cabin category.

Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton Category: Holland-America, RCCL and Celebrity.

Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn Category: Princess, NCL, Carnival, and Disney.

I would move Disney up a notch and move RCCL down a notch. I would also call the bottom tier "Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton", the middle tier "Westin" and keep the top the same name as you called it. :)

I have only sailed on Princess and Holland America, and overall, my choice is Princess.

The facilities were pretty much the same. Maybe HAL was a teeny bit nicer, but just barely.

Maybe HAL had a little bit nicer food, but we just aren't foodies and there is an over-abundance of good food (read fresh salads and veggies, and grilled fish and chicken) available in Princess. The rest is just excess for me.

The people on Princess were a whole lot younger and more active. I will admit that the HAL cruise we took was the beginning of a 34 day cruise so that might have driven up the age, but even as old as I am, those people looked really OLD.

I love being able to bring my own wine on board Princess and have parties and share in my suite.

I really love the free internet on Princess.

We now get to bypass the boarding lines on Princess so that is also very cool as well.

Overall my vote, between HAL and Princess, has to go to Princess. They also always have pretty cool dance bands. ^

Cholula -- thanks for this thread. It's an interesting exercise. Here's my take...

I would add SeaDream Yacht Club to the top tier; move RCCL down to the bottom (their food is HORRID and they nickle and dime you on everything); move Princess and Disney up to the mid tier.

Having sailed on 6 continents on Sea Dream (when it was Sea Goddess), I would compare the service to the finest 5 star hotels in the world. Fine food, gorgeous ambiance, everything included, including fully stocked bar and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic everywhere on the ship). Intimate setting. We have lifelong friends from our 20 voyages (including Ship's Officers; even attended the wedding of one who is now a Captain of Seabourne). Truly, I have never experienced finer service in any 5 star hotel. When we were shown to our cabin we were asked by our stewardess if she would like to unpack for us. We had anything we wanted at any time of day, including caviar in our cabin or hamburgers in the jacuzzi at 4:00AM.
I can't imagine traveling on a ship with hundreds or thousands of pax..although, we did once do a Transatlantic crossing on the QE2. It was very relaxing but not particularly fun. The Sea Goddess (Sea Dream) was the epitome of elegance. I would never consider going on a ship with more than 200 pax. We had total access to the Captain's Bridge. That is the best!!

Having sailed on 6 continents on Sea Dream (when it was Sea Goddess), I would compare the service to the finest 5 star hotels in the world. Fine food, gorgeous ambiance, everything included, including fully stocked bar and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic everywhere on the ship). Intimate setting. We have lifelong friends from our 20 voyages (including Ship's Officers; even attended the wedding of one who is now a Captain of Seabourne). Truly, I have never experienced finer service in any 5 star hotel. When we were shown to our cabin we were asked by our stewardess if she would like to unpack for us. We had anything we wanted at any time of day, including caviar in our cabin or hamburgers in the jacuzzi at 4:00AM.
I can't imagine traveling on a ship with hundreds or thousands of pax..although, we did once do a Transatlantic crossing on the QE2. It was very relaxing but not particularly fun. The Sea Goddess (Sea Dream) was the epitome of elegance. I would never consider going on a ship with more than 200 pax. We had total access to the Captain's Bridge. That is the best!!

As Mr. Old Penny believes that single malt Scotch is the only possible prevention for seasickness, we are better off on liquor included cruises. Crystal drove us about half crazy with changing for all sorts of things that are not extra charge on true luxury ships. Our future bookings will be on Seabourn and with the suggestion of the above post, Sea Dream.

Crystal has become a semi-mass market cruise line.

Crystal is also having a problem caused by booking large bridge playing groups on some of the cruises which lowers the quality of the trip for everyone else as they take over areas of the ship and suck up the reservations for the extra price restaurants.

Here’s my take and I’m certain that YMMV:


Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Category: Seabourn, Silverseas, Crystal, Radisson and possibly Cunard depending on cabin category.

Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton Category: Holland-America, RCCL and Celebrity.

Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn Category: Princess, NCL, Carnival, and Disney.


RCCL is overrated by your rankings and Princess is underrated. Swap them and your closer to reality.

Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Category: Seabourn, Silverseas, Crystal, Radisson and possibly Cunard depending on cabin category.

Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton Category: Holland-America, RCCL and Celebrity.

Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn Category: Princess, NCL, Carnival, and Disney.

We've sailed on Cunard,HAL,Celebrity,Princess, and Carnival. We recently completed a trans-Atlantic on Oceania (http://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_Home2.aspx?PageUID=64bba38e-d8cb-466d-8b9a-7dd908f1ff1c), and I'd squeeze them into a new category as "Hilton with an upgrade to Executive Floor and Lounge." :)

Seriously we loved it and are looking forward to two more cruises on Oceania in February. We'll be on one with a brother-in-law who recently sailed on Regent and we'll be interested to see how he compares them.

We always have a good time almost every place we go.

As long as we can have a balcony that allows us to lay in bed and watch the world go by for as late as we desire, plenty of good fresh fruits, veggies and grilled fish or chicken and decent wine whenever we want it, dance lessons in the day time, and good bands, that play good dance music, and a not-too-crowded dance floor at night, we are happy.

Of course, free computer access and good dance friends on board, just sweeten the pot. :)

We've sailed on Cunard,HAL,Celebrity,Princess, and Carnival. We recently completed a trans-Atlantic on Oceania (http://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_Home2.aspx?PageUID=64bba38e-d8cb-466d-8b9a-7dd908f1ff1c), and I'd squeeze them into a new category as "Hilton with an upgrade to Executive Floor and Lounge." :)

Seriously we loved it and are looking forward to two more cruises on Oceania in February. We'll be on one with a brother-in-law who recently sailed on Regent and we'll be interested to see how he compares them.

Agree on Oceania. Mrs. Cornroaster and I just completed our second Oceania cruise (GIG to EZE) on Insignia and enjoyed the ship just as much as we enjoyed IST to ATH in Fall 2006 on Nautica. I was looking at this thread trying to figure where to place Oceania and I think you have it just about right.

As Mr. Old Penny believes that single malt Scotch is the only possible prevention for seasickness, we are better off on liquor included cruises. Crystal drove us about half crazy with changing for all sorts of things that are not extra charge on true luxury ships. Our future bookings will be on Seabourn and with the suggestion of the above post, Sea Dream.

Regent is also all-inclusive (beverages including most alcoholic beverages with wine at dinner except for "ultra-premium" stuff, tips, in-suite setup of either 2 standard or 1 premium bottle) - so the only extras that most people would have are shore excursions and spa charges and for "new" passengers internet access. We've been on Regent/Radisson on 9 cruises now and always have a pleasant experience. Although we don't have much to compare since we've only been on Regent except for a Danube River cruise

Of course, free computer access and good dance friends on board, just sweeten the pot. :)

It's worth noting that the free internet access on Princess only comes if you have a suite (all internet is free) or a $75 (or more, depending on length) credit if you are Platinum or above (six or more completed cruises). A huge benefit of Platinum, by the way, is the free upgrade on the travel insurance.

The good dance friends, however, come completely free of charge. :D

We were visiting my parents last night and the discussion of cruise lines came up. They did a 35-day repositioning cruise on Oceania and loved it. I'd put it in the JW Marriott "tweener" category. We all noted, though, that the big subject of discussion on cruises is how the line that you are currently on is never as good as the one that you just took! :)

Mike