Ships
Norwegian Crown, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Wind, Price of Aloha, Pride of America, Pride of Hawaii
About The Company
Norwegian Cruise line, the originator of contemporary cruising, was founded in 1966 by three Norwegian shipping companies as Norwegian Caribbean Line. The line was bought by Star Cruises in 2000, and has been replacing its older, smaller ships with brand new, larger vessels. NCL also operates NCL America, with all-American crews and a base in Hawaii (most comments apply to both brands).
Freestyle Cruising is the NCL branding. Its fleet is diverse, so the cruise experience can vary (there is more standardization aboard the larger, newer ships), although this makes for interesting character variation between the various ship categories. The senior officers are the only thing Norwegian (except aboard NCL America vessels, where they are American).
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Ships
Amsterdam, Maasdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Prinsedam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam, Westerdam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam
About The Company
Holland America Line (owned by Carnival Corporation) was founded in 1873, and its name is a leftover from the days of transatlantic travel between Holland and the United States. Its newest ships get larger and larger as the line now caters well to (multi-generational) families with children.
Suitable For
Holland America Line ships are best suited to older couples and singles (and their grandchildren), who like to mingle in a large ship, in an unhurried setting with fine quality surroundings, with plenty of eclectic antique artwork, decent (thought not gourmet) food and service from a smiling Indonesian / Filipino crew that likes to serve but doesn’t have the finesse that many passengers would expect from a “premium” product.
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Ships: Costa Allegra, Costa Atlantica, Costa Classica, Costa Condcordia, Costa Europa, Costa Fortuna, Costa Marina, Costa Magica, Costa Mediterranea, Costa Romantica, Costa Serena, Costa Victoria
About The Company:
Costa Crociere (parent company of Costa Cruises) was founded in 1860. Costa specializes in cruises for Europeans (or passengers with European tastes), and particularly Italians (during the summer European season). Costa has undertaken an aggressive newbuild policy in recent years, in order to modernize the company’s previously ageing fleet of different sized ships.
Most ships are well maintained, although there are inconsistencies throughout the fleet; the same is true of cleanliness – some are extremely clean, while other’s are, how to say it kindly, a little dusty around the edges, as are its shore tenders. The ships have a distinctive European “feel” to them, in their decor and manner of product delivery, which is very laid-back. Carnival Corporation, parent company of Costa Cruises, purchased part of the company in 1997 and the rest in 2000.
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Ships: Century, Constellation, Galaxy, Infinity, Mercury, Millennium, Summit, Zenith
About The Company
Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1989. In the 1990s (its formative years), it established an outstanding reputation for its cuisine, particularly in the main dining rooms, with its formal presentation and service. It advertises itself as being a premium line with a taste of luxury, and that, in a nutshell, sums it up rather nicely (the product delivery on board being far superior to that of its parent company, Royal Caribbean International).
Suitable For:
The ships are best suited to well educated adult couples (both young and not so young), families with older children and teenagers, and singles who like to mingle in a large ship setting with sophisticated surroundings, reasonably decent entertainment, and food and service that are extremely good, at a price that represents outstanding valeu for money. Read the rest of this entry »
Ships: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legen, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Victory, Celebration, Ecstasy, Elation, Fantasy, Fascination, Holiday, Imagination, Inspiration, Paradise, Sensation
About The Company:
Carnival Cruise Lines is a brilliantly organized company whose large resort ships provide opportunities for active fun. It is the world’s largest and most successful single cruise line. More than 20 new ships have debuted since the line was founded in 1972
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