We are going on our first cruise this summer to Alaska. I did a long survey of various forums and had come to the conclusion that Carnival is the walmart of cruises with highly variable quality, Celebrity is like the target chain and Princess Cruises etc though of Target quality have prices like Eddie Bauer. The interesting thing is that Celebrity prices are pretty close to Carnival prices this summer mainly because RCCL is in a very poor financial shape (BB2 junk bond rating and there is a sell rating) whereas CCL owner of Princess and Carnival is more sound. Thus from a consumer point of view, if one thinks RCCL will not go bankrupt this year, then Celebrity offers best value for money. Anyway this is my arm chair surfing finding and will know for sure only after a few cruises. Anyway we are booked on the Celebrity Millenium for a July South bound Alaska cruise Though I am still looking for a 2 for 1 offer from Princess. But summer bookings have picked up and the possibility of further mark downs is decreasing.