Where can you go on ziplines, waterslides, and rock climbing walls in the same hour?
I've sailed on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian ships. Here's which was my favorite — and how to choose the right cruise for you.
15.11.2024 - 20:25 / insider.com / Royal Caribbean
If you're considering a family cruise, you'll likely end up on a Carnival, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean ship.
The three mass-market cruise lines are especially popular in the US. And for good reason — their relatively affordable fares, flashy amenities, and large ships are irresistible for wide-eyed children and their budget-seeking parents.
As expected, they're all great options for cruising families. If you're one of many travelers who want to hop on the vacation-at-sea trend but don't know where to start, here's how their newer ships compare.
Carnival has 27 ships that sail between 2,124 and 5,362 guests. Book the newer ones for amenities like roller coasters and miniature waterparks.
Most of Carnival's 2025 cruises will sail to the Caribbeans. The least expensive four-day option — a roundtrip Port Canaveral, Florida, voyage to the Bahamas, and Carnival Corp's private resort, Princess Cays — starts at $290 per person.
In April, the cruise line launched its latest ship, the 4,126-guest Carnival Firenze. It's technically not a new build — the company acquired the four-year-old vessel from its sister brand, Costa Cruises, in 2022.
There's no roller coaster. Instead, it offers activities like ropes and mini-golf courses, three waterslides, a children's water playground, and two pools.
When a few rounds of foosball and ping-pong have worked up your appetite, you'll have 16 dining venues to choose from.
Nine are complimentary, from beefy burgers at the Guy Fieri burger stall to grilled vegetables at the al fresco grill. The pizza and sandwich stands are free, too.
You'll have to pay extra for sushi, steak, and teppanyaki. The same goes for Firenze's bars, where you'll often find $13 cocktails and $9 beers.
Or, save the money and splurge on a "Terrazza"-level cabin for perks like a private lounge. This category includes interior and balcony staterooms but excludes ocean views and suites.
Norwegian's 18 vessels accommodate between 1,880 to 4,220 travelers. Its next floating resort — the 3,750-guest Norwegian Aqua — is scheduled to launch in 2025 with indulgences like a hybrid roller coaster waterslide and a high-tech sports court.
Most of the company's 2025 voyages will sail to Alaska, the Caribbeans, Europe, and Asia. The cheapest four-day itinerary starts at $565 per person for a roundtrip Jacksonville, Florida, cruise to the Bahamas, including a stop at its private island.
It's the only cruise line on the list with a semi-inclusive "More at Sea" — formerly known as "Free at Sea" — promotion.
The benefits depend on the duration of the voyage. For a minimum three-day sailing, they include complimentary alcohol, a specialty dinner for two guests, and 75 minutes of WiFi. (These updated advantages start in
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
travelpulse.com
03.12.2024 / 21:21
What Travel Advisors Would Like to See at Royal Caribbean's New Private Destination Perfect Day Mexico
Since opening in May 2019, Perfect Day at CocoCay has become Royal Caribbean's top-rated destination around the world. The colorful island in The Bahamas is so popular that the company has decided to build a second private destination in Mexico. Slated to open in 2027, Perfect Day Mexico will be situated in Mahahual, a village on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
thepointsguy.com
03.12.2024 / 14:05
How to earn thousands of airline miles by booking a cruise this week
Cyber Monday is here. This year, it seems to be turning into Cyber Week, with cruise deals running through midweek and, in some cases, much longer. But what if I told you that you could stack the cruise lines' current offers with a way to score up to 60,000 bonus miles from your favorite airline just by booking a sailing?
cntraveler.com
02.12.2024 / 11:33
14 Best Cyber Monday 2024 Cruise Deals to Book Now
Cyber Monday has just begun, and there are tons of competitive deals from now through Travel Tuesday. With so many sales to sift through it might be hard to pinpoint the best Cyber Monday cruise deals, but rest assured—we have you covered. Today is one of the best times of the year to score heavily discounted cruise fares, bundled packages, onboard credit, and much more ahead of Wave Season in January. On this list, we've included cruises from across the globe—South Africa, England, Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii just to name a few destinations. While the destinations are beautiful, the itineraries, excursions, and sales are just as stellar. Whether you're plotting out 2025 travel or want to book a last-minute 2024 trip, we've got you covered. Below, find the 14 best Cyber Monday cruise deals running this season.
insider.com
01.12.2024 / 12:51
I sailed on Royal Caribbean's newest giant cruise ship. These were my 8 favorite amenities.
Royal Caribbean's latest vessel, Utopia of the Seas, is enticing first-time cruisers with quick three- and four-night voyages.
cntraveler.com
29.11.2024 / 12:13
14 Best Black Friday 2024 Cruise Deals to Book Now
Black Friday has just begun, and there are tons of competitive deals from now through Travel Tuesday. With so many sales to sift through it might be hard to pinpoint the best Black Friday cruise deals, but rest assured—we have you covered. Today is one of the best times of the year to score heavily discounted cruise fares, bundled packages, onboard credit, and much more ahead of Wave Season in January. On this list, we've included cruises from across the globe—South Africa, England, Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii just to name a few destinations. While the destinations are beautiful, the itineraries, excursions, and sales are just as stellar. Whether you're plotting out 2025 travel or want to book a last-minute 2024 trip, we've got you covered. Below, find the 14 best Black Friday cruise deals running this season.
insider.com
29.11.2024 / 00:29
I uprooted my life and moved across the world to teach at a Japanese high school. These are the 3 things I learned, and why I'd do it again.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nic Lim , an author from New Zealand who moved to Japan for four years to work as an English teacher. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.
insider.com
27.11.2024 / 11:07
I bid $100 to upgrade my cabin on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship. It was worth it to have a window.
I'm not a gambler, but the one exception is on a cruise.
nytimes.com
27.11.2024 / 10:15
Battle of the Mega-Ships? A European Behemoth Heads to the Caribbean.
At the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on the west coast of France, MSC World America is the latest mega cruise ship to near completion. Scheduled to cross the Atlantic in March, the vessel will be based in Miami, where it will offer Caribbean itineraries and take on the likes of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Carnival’s Celebration.
euronews.com
26.11.2024 / 02:01
Iceland volcano 2024: Is it safe to travel and is the eruption affecting flights?
A volcano in Iceland has erupted for the seventh time since December, spewing red lava through a 3-kilometre fissure on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
insider.com
22.11.2024 / 15:57
I stayed in Royal Caribbean's 'promenade' cabin for the first time. The window wasn't perfect, but it was worth the upgrade.
What do you get when you cross an interior-facing cruise cabin with a window?
travelpulse.com
19.11.2024 / 20:36
These Are The Best Cruise Ships in the World Right Now, According to Travel Advisors
Savvy travelers know that the itinerary is just one piece of a great cruise vacation—the ship is also equally as important. But how to decide which vessel is right for you?