Not all cruise ships are created equal!
Despite the glossy ads, not all ships are created equal. Choosing the best ship for your cruise vacation is a lot like choosing the best hotel for a land vacation. If you are are paying for a "Holiday Inn" vacation but expecting a "Ritz Carlton" experience, you are bound to be disappointed.
The same is true for cruise ships. There is a wide variety of product quality, amenities and services among cruise lines - even though the TV ads can all look the same!
The first step in choosing the right ship for your cruise vacation is to understand where the cruise lines fall on the price and service spectrum. There are 3 standard classifications for Cruise Lines from CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association). Ranging from Contemporary as the lowest priced up to the Luxury lines as the most expensive. We have added comparable hotels by category as well.
Contemporary $$ -----> Premium $$$ -------> Premium Plus $$$$ ------> Luxury $$$$$
This does NOT say that a Luxury cruise is "better" than a Contemporary cruise line, just as the Four Seasons hotel is not the best choice for all travelers. Some travelers prefer the relaxed, informal style of a Contemporary cruise line like Norwegian Caribbean while others prefer the upscale dining and services of a Premium line like Princess Cruises or the exclusivity of a luxury brand like Crystal.
