Do different cruise lines have different personalities ?

Was on a cruise this past week, and a gentleman at our table said, “He didn’t really find much differences in the cruise lines !”. 

I actually differ in this thought … I say there are differences !  Need to look at the details !

Are they known for their …

Food ?
Desserts/pastries ?
Quality of meats ?
Entertainment ?
Night Life ?
Production shows ?
Day time activities ?
Service ?
Smiles ?
Helpfulness/caring attitude ?
Cleanliness ?
Attention to detail ?
Ratio of staff to cruisers ?
Décor ?
Art appreciation ?
Updating their ships ?
Smaller/quaint ships ?
Modern amenities ?
 
Was on Carnival just a month ago.  To name a few of their specialties … They seem to be into their dinner menu presentations. Desserts were very good.  Love to entertain you in the dining room.  And had towel animals. Heavy into comedy and sing-around-the-piano music !  Didn’t see much of the cabin staff.

Then I was on Norwegian two weeks later.  To name a couple … More late night activities (folk seemed up later).  Focus much on their “pay for” dining venues (we didn’t make it to the complimentary dining this time).  Variety of food in their lido café.  They had two “high pay” productions.  Again, didn’t see much of the cabin staff.

Next on Celebrity.  All their staff were smiling, till we discovered a couple of folks near the end of the cruise.  Their food at dinner and desserts were great.  Complimentary desserts great at the Coffee Café.  Not too much variety in their lido café, outside of pizza, spaghetti, Asian, and hamburgers/hotdogs.  However, they did have complimentary sushi every night.  Their shows were great, and they mostly used their Celebrity singers and dancers.  Saw the cabin staff more and they were very helpful with a pleasant greeting !

Have been on Princess a couple of times this last year.  They have a motto, that there staff must greet each person and stop talking to each other as you pass.  Love their complimentary foods at the Coffee Café.  Their Lido café offered a variety, with scrumptious desserts.

Hadn’t been on a Royal Caribbean this year, but they are usually known for their service too.

If my 1^st choice is how the staff greats you, Celebrity would win this year.  And Princess comes in a close 2^nd.   Celebrity might have to win in their dining menus too … However, I may be playing favorites, because I just disembarked 2 days ago !

I think sometimes, we take for granted “service” and just expect it.  Yet, there are cruise lines who provide a much better display, such as Celebrity and Princess, as I have named above.

And remember … New ships mean something … Bigger ships too.  All in what you’re looking for !  Quaint ? Late night activities ?  Good food ? Service ?

If you’ve cruised on the same cruise line over and over … You might see a total difference, if you opt in the future, to try a new line !  It is true, you get what you pay for … But if you are savvy and flexible in dates, you can take advantage of some great offers the cruise lines are providing, during non-peak sailings !  Why not try something new next cruise !

It’s not always “just about price” !