Disney Cruise Line Logo

Disney Cruise Line is a cruise line owned by – can you guess – The Walt Disney Company.  Their headquarters are in Celebration, Florida. Their main goal is to have luxurious, elegant and “family friendly” cruises.

Disney Cruise

Disney Cruise Line operates with two ships – Disney Magic (built in1998) and Disney Wonder (built in1999). Disney cruises have a exclusive port of call – a private island in Bahamas called Castaway Cay. Each sip have 875 guest rooms, which have similar design, lots of restaurants and places to have fun. Not only for children, but for the whole family. Time on ship is adjusted for babies, young kids, teens, and adults, so everyone will have a great time. In the end, they are classified as luxury cruise line. Thing different from other luxurious cruise lines is that Disney Cruise ships don’t have casinos onboard. They also don’t have libraries (like anyone read books on such great vacation).

In near future, this cruise line will make two more ships. Disney Dream (will be finished in 2011) and Disney Fantasy (2012). Both of them will have a capacity of 4.000 passengers, or if you like this number better, there will be 1.350 rooms.

Disney Cruise Ship

Cunard Cruises Logo

Cunard Cruise Line – part of Carnival Cruise Line Corporation, was founded in 1840 by Samuel Cunard. Cunard got a deal with British government to transport Royal mail from Britain to America. In 19th century, Cunard was building bigger, better, faster and luxurious ships. In 20th century, Cunard wanted help from Britain’s government to build the biggest AND fastest ship in the world. They agreed and helped the company, but in return, Cunard must permit their ships to be used as armed merchantmen in time of war. They made two new ships, Mauretania and Lusitania, which were bigger then the largest ship in the world by one third.

In newer history – 1998. Cunard became part of Carnival corporation (for a small fee of US$500 million).

In their long history, thay had more than 50 ships, but now there are only 2 in service.

Cunard Cruises Fleet

• Queen Mary 2 (2004)
  
• Queen Victoria (2007)
  
• Queen Elizabeth (building)

Cunard Cruises Ship

Cruise ships are like hotels, but on water. They offer everything a 5 star hotel could offer you. You go there to relax and enjoy while lying on the sun, swimming, or just relaxing while watching beautiful sea. All cruise lines have strict environmental regulations which they must follow, so sewage and waste water from showers and sinks don’t end up in sea.

Every passenger has a life jacket in his room, and every passenger has assigned life boat in case of an emergency. Capacity of lifeboats exceeds number of passengers and crew on a cruise ship. Statistically speaking, cruises are safer places than regular hotels. Fires or any type of crime is happening more often in regular hotels. All ships have rooms with satellite TV and phone, and in some cases internet.

Did you maybe heard somethin about cruise ship dining, and you didn’t believed it? Well, it’s true. Food is fantastic. At every single meal you’ll get big choice of appetizers, salads, soups, vegetables, main courses and desserts, and each day menu will be different.

So as you see, we highly recommend to take a cruise for your next vacation, and we are 100% sure that you’ll have a great time, maybe even the best time in your life!

Royal Caribbean Logo

Royal Caribbean International (originally Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines) was founded in 1968. as union of Norwegian ship owners who wanted to expand their market to the US. They are second biggest cruise line in the world now. Their headquarters are in Miami, Florida, USA.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Fleet

Each Ship of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line have a lounge at the top of the ship which offers great panoramic views. There are also lounges, bars, gyms, spas, a main dining room and alternative restaurants. There is a onboard rock climbing walls also

Oasis class

• Allure of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas

Freedom class

• Freedom of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas

Voyager class

• Voyager of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Adventure of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas

Radiance class

• Radiance of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas

Vision class

• Legend of the Seas
• Splendour of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas

Sovereign class

• Monarch of the Seas
• Majesty of the Seas

* Cruise Expert is curently building a huge database with all ships descriptions, guides and pictures… check it soon

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Ship

MSC Cruises Logo

MSC Cruises (part of Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. – MSC) with headquarters in Naples, Italy, was founded in 1987. Before that, in 1960’s Achille Lauro founded a cruise line called Lauro Lines, from which MSC Cruises were born. In that era, there were only two ships operating – Angelina Lauro and Achille Lauro. Unfortunately, you can’t go on a cruise with either of these two, since they both sunk. Achille Lauro sunk in 1996. near coast of South Africa because of a fire (all passengers were saved).

Their biggest competitor is Costa Cruises, since both of them are in Italy. Few years ago, Costa Cruises was bought by Carnival Cruises, and since then, Costa plan and construct their ships with much similarities to Carnival Cruises. On the other hand, MSC Cruises are making and designing their own ships. They made a huge breakthrough in 1990s for organizing low cost but high quality cruises.

MSC Cruises Fleet

• MSC Armonia
  
• MSC Sinfonia
  
• MSC Lirica
  
• MSC Opera
  
• MSC Musica
  
• MSC Orchestra
  
• MSC Poesia
  
• MSC Fantasia (Flagship)
• MSC Splendida
  
• MSC Melody (previously called Melody only)

Ships under construction:

• MSC Magnifica (2010)
• MSC Meraviglia (2011)
• MSC Favolosa (2012)

* Cruise Expert is curently building a huge database with all ships descriptions, guides and pictures… check it soon

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruise Destinations

Their main terrain is of course Mediterranean, and some of their stops are: Italy, Greece, Malta, Canary Islands, Croatia, Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Istanbul and even the Ukraine. There are more and more cruises in Northern Europe…

Some more info

Interesting thing to know is that Sophia Loren, famous actress was a godmother ta all MSC ships which are made after MSC Lirica.

On all MSC Cruises ships strong Italian-influenced ambient is present. They mainly sail in Mediterranean, so their passengers are mostly from Europe. There is more and more people from UK and Ireland every day. On MSC Cruises in Caribbean, more than 90% people is from USA. All announcements on ships are spoken in Italian, French, Spanish, German and English language.

Italian food and good wines are one sure thing on MSC Cruises.

Cruise West Logo

Cruise West on Alaska

Cruise West – Cruise line stationed in Seattle, Washington. They were founded in 1973 by Chuck West,and firstly they started as Alaska tour operator. In 1990’s they wanted to expand their business, so bought some new ships and expanded their destination list with Columbia & Snake Rivers, British Columbia, California’s wine country, and into Mexico’s Sea of Cortes. They are something totally different from other cruise lines we review here, since their ships have capacity 78-138 passengers.

Cruise West Fleet

with capacity of passengers

• Spirit of Oceanus – 120 guests
• Spirit of Yorktown – 138 guests
• Spirit of Endeavour – 102 guests
• Spirit of Glacier Bay – 102 guests
• Spirit of ‘98 – 96 guests
• Spirit of Discovery – 84 guests
• Spirit of Alaska – 78 guests
• Spirit of Columbia – 78 guests
• Pacific Explorer – 100 guests
• Amadeus Diamond – 148 guests

Costa Cruise Logo

Costa Cruise (Costa Crociere S.p.A.) is Italian cruise line based in Genoa, Italy. Their slogan is “Cruising Italian Style“, and they offer you high quality service mixing sophisticated and elegant European culture with spirit of Italian people. Costa Cruise offers cruises all around the world, from 7 days and more.

They started in 1800’s, as a transportation company, shipping fabrics and olive oil between Genoa and Sardinia in Italy. Costa Cruise was founded in1924. as Costa Line, and at start they transported people between Italy and South America. Later they became the biggest and (some say) best cruise line in Europe. Now, they are part of Carnival Corporation.

Costa Cruise fleet has currently 14 ships sailing, Costa Deliziosa will start sailing in 2010. and 2 more Concordia class ships are currently built and will start cruising in 2011. and 2012.

Costa Cruise Ship

Costa Cruise Fleet

• Costa Marina (1990)
• Costa Classica (1991)
• Costa Allegra (1992)
• Costa Romantica (1993)
• Costa Victoria (1996)
• Costa Atlantica (2000)
• Costa Europa (2002)
• Costa Mediterranea (2003)
• Costa Fortuna (2003)
• Costa Magica (2004)
• Costa Concordia (2006)
• Costa Serena (2007)
• Costa Luminosa (2009)
• Costa Pacifica (2009)

Joining Costa Cruise fleet shortly:

• Costa Deliziosa (2010)
• Concordia class ship (2011)
• Concordia class ship (2012)

* Cruise Expert is curently building a huge database with all ships descriptions, guides and pictures… check it soon

Costa Cruise Destinations

Atlantic Ocean and Canary Islands, Canada and United States, Eastern and Western Caribbean, Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Far East, Indian Ocean / Mauritius, Middle East, North Europe and Norwegian Fjords, South America and Transatlantic.

Some more info

Some years ago people didn’t like lots of smokers onboard. Italy made a law, as whole European union which restrict people to smoke in some areas. So now, you can’t smoke everywhere, but if you are a smoker you wouldn’t mind it, because restrictions are not to harsh. You can’t smoke in restaurants and some lounges and bars. There is no ashtrays in hallway, so probably you can’t smoke there too. But everywhere else you can, even in your room (if you have a room without windows, don’t be afraid, air conditioning is great). You can ask your cleanser to bring you an ashtray, and if he says that smoking in room is forbidden, just show him a little book which you’ll find on your table (ship rules), which say that if you want to smoke ask your cleanser for an ashtray

Years ago, staff on ship were mostly Italians, and people didn’t like their lack of English skills. Now, staff are mostly people from Philippines, India and South America, and they speak English very good. They are really polite, and they’ll help you in any situation. You have a cleanser works in your and maybe 4-5 more rooms, so every time you leave your room, when you return it will be clean…

Celebrity Cruises Logo

Celebrity Cruises – founded in 1988, later in 1997 merged with Royal Caribbean International. Headquarters of Celebrity Cruises is in Miami, Florida. They were founded by a Greek company, so the X in their logo is the Greek letter chi, for “Chandris”. On Celebity Cruise ships you can find large swimming pools and lounges, aft-glass dining rooms, libraries, elegant spas and gyms, lots of restaurants, great balcony and suite rooms…

They make big ships, but breaking myth that luxury and prestigious cruises must have smaller ships with small number of passengers. They managed to build good planned ships, so even when ship is full, it seems like half empty, as there is no crowd or lines.

Celebrity Cruises Ship

Celebrity Cruises Fleet

• Celebrity Century
• Celebrity Mercury
• Celebrity Millennium
• Celebrity Infinity
• Celebrity Summit
• Celebrity Constellation
• Celebrity Xpedition
• Celebrity Solstice
• Celebrity Equinox

Carnival Cruise Logo

Carnival Cruise Lines – located in Miami, and founded in 1972. They are the worlds biggest cruise line! They made a huge breakthrough with their great cuisine, creating good program for children, and making trips with unusual destinations, like Alaska and Atlantic Canada, when all others classical itineraries like Caribbean and Bahamas. Their huge step was when they offered short 3-5 days vacations, which was a huge success.

Carnival Cruise Lines are one of the biggest innovators in cruise niche. In1996. the made a first cruise ship which was weight more than 100.000 tons – Carnival Destiny. They were also the first cruise line which made completely smoke-free ship – Carnival Paradise. After 6 years of no cigarette smoke, now it has limited smoking policy. You can smoke in casinos and few lounges, but you can’t anywhere else, even in your room or outside.

Carnival Cruise Lines Ship

Carnival Cruise Lines Ship Deck

Carnival Cruise Lines Fleet

Holiday Class

• Carnival Holiday (1985)
  

Fantasy Class

• Carnival Fantasy (1989)
• Carnival Ecstasy (1991)
• Carnival Sensation (1993)
• Carnival Fascination (1994)
• Carnival Imagination (1995)
• Carnival Inspiration (1996)
• Carnival Elation (1998)
• Carnival Paradise (1998)

Destiny Class

• Carnival Destiny (1996)
• Carnival Triumph (1999)
• Carnival Victory (2000)

Spirit Class

• Carnival Spirit (2001)
• Carnival Pride (2001)
• Carnival Legend (2002)
• Carnival Miracle (2004)

Conquest Class

• Carnival Conquest (2002)
• Carnival Glory (2003)
• Carnival Valor (2004)
• Carnival Liberty (2005)
• Carnival Freedom (2007)

Splendor Class

• Carnival Splendor (2008)

Dream Class

• Carnival Dream (2009)

Future ship: Carnival Magic (2011)

Cristal Cruises Logo

Crystal Cruise Lines – usually called Crystal Cruises is a cruise line with two ships in their fleet – Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Capacity of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity is approximately 1000 passengers each. Cristal Cruises company was founded in 1988., headquarters are in Los Angeles, and owner of this cruise line is Japanese company Nippon Yusen Kaisha. More than 70% of passengers on this cruise line are comeing from the USA, and big majority of them is from California. Their luxury ships are on some guides rated in top 20 of all currently cruise ships.

The line offers Caribbean cruises, Mexico cruises, Mediterranean cruises, Australia & New Zealand cruises, Northern European cruises, New England & Canada cruises and Panama Canal cruises. Each year Crystal Cruises also offer a World cruise on Crystal Serenity ship, which lasts about 110 days.

They have really good and deserved reputation for dining onboard. They are also famous by their wine cellars, sushi bars… Their programs for children aren’t as good as Disney Cruise or similar, but in a luxury category of cruise lines they are one of the best in that field.

Crystal Cruises Fleet

• Crystal Symphony (1995)
• Crystal Serenity (2003)

Crystal Cruises Ship