Navigating the Seas: A Savvy Guide to Choosing Your Ideal Cruise Line
Let’s chart a course through the choppy waters of cruise decisions and let us explain why there are some crusie lines we do not sell or recommend.
1. The All-Inclusive Advantage
Picture this: You’re lounging on the sun deck, sipping a chilled cocktail, and gazing at the horizon. The best part? You’re not calculating extra charges for that drink—it’s all included. Here’s why we love all-inclusive cruise lines:
No Bill Shock: Say goodbye to the dreaded final-night invoice ambush. With all-inclusive fares, you won’t be hit with unexpected charges for drinks, specialty dining, or gratuities. Smooth sailing, indeed.
A higher Quality at a Lower Price: These cruise lines offer better value than their 3-star counterparts. You’re not just paying for a cabin; you’re investing in an experience.
2. Avoiding the Troubled Waters
We steer clear of certain operators with a less-than-stellar reputation. Brace yourself for some candid reviews:
P&O Australia: Once a well renouwned brand that built it's reputation on imigration from the UK to Australia, has lost it's lustre after chasing the bottom of the market.
You get what you pay for. And at the budget end you will be sharing your dream holiday with those happy to wallow in the bottom of the market, with meaning to be rude, think the Kuta Beach or Spring Break crowd.
Passengers report serious service failures, dated ships with visable rust, and a general sense of “meh.” It’s like ordering a gourmet meal and receiving a microwave dinner.
Costa Cruises:
Quirky Italian flair meets inconsistency. Some love it, others…not so much. Expect a mix of delightful pasta and puzzling decor decisions. When servive is bad in Europe, it is really bad and this is what you will generally find onboard. If things go wrong, you won't find any help or assistance onboard, or indeed before or after you board.
NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line):
Freestyle, casual cruising that sounds appealling to some, but with a side of hit-or-miss. While some of their new ships absolutely shine, the ones they send down to Australia are their clapped out old relics, that are over run, with run away kids and drunken parents. Unless your idea of a dream hioliday is a crowded party where the DJ plays elevator music, best you don't book.
NCL Hawaii is the only ship that cruises around the Hawaiian Islands. Why? The Jones Act requires that a ship be flagged in the USA and crewed by Americans to cruise between domestic ports in the USA. This means that their cost base is significantly higher, whereas all other worldwide cruise lines are flagged in tax-free havens.
As such, the level of service and the age of the ship mean that the quality of the product is subpar compared to what international operators can offer.
The passenger mix is also problematic, attracting a Vegas-like party culture.
There are some great repositioning cruises to and from Hawaii between Astralia and Alaska. However, these are more expensive and only operate in April or October. They are also longer and involve many days at sea. If you want to cruise Hawaii, this is the only way we recommend to do so.
That being said, occasionally, we hear that some people have enjoyed cruising with NCL, but these reports are greatly outweighed by reviews in which others report to us that their dream holiday was anything but.
2/3 Night Taster Cruises
Take careful note of this advice. Avoid cruises at all costs, such as 2- or 3-night. Why? Because they’re often packed with party-goers celebrating hen and buck’s nights. Picture rowdy dance-offs and quirky inflatable pool toys. If you’re seeking tranquility and genuine exploration, opt for longer voyages.
Bill Shock is real
With these budget lines, you are paying for a cruise ONLY. Everything else onboard is an additional expense. Additionally, these lines are continually, relentlessly asking you to pay for this or that, which can be very draining on what should be a carefree holiday. Most people who have cruised previously will tell you that on their first cruise or two, onboard expenses got totally out of hand, and final accounts total several thousand dollars are not uncommon. That is why our inclusive fares often work out many hundreds of dollars cheaper.
The Partner Dilemma: Cheap vs. Memorable
Some think booking a quick, cheap cruise is smart, especially if their partner is unsure about cruising. We hear every week ... "How bad can it be?".
Let me tell you, it's so bad that your partner will return home and say never ever again, and if that happens, your cruising days are over.
Please don't fall into this trap, as you will never be able to climb out of it
My favourite analogy: Everyone loves a cheap bottle of wine.
But if that wine is undrinkable, then you have wasted your money.
Take our advice, don't waste your money and those valuable, and finate holidays you work so hard for all year. If you can only afford a budget cruise, you really are better off saving up an extra year and letting us find you a great one.
What do here is focus on all inclusive deals that often times work out cheaper than 3-star lines like the ones mentioned above.
We fully understand that this might be disappointing for you to hear, and we routinely turn business away like this every week. Many agents will book any cruise or line you ask them to. We won't do that. We would rather be up front and honest which means we will lose some business, but at the end of the day we will maintain the loyalty of our customers.
Remember, choosing a cruise line is like selecting a lifeboat—it matters. So, weigh your options, read reviews, and set sail with confidence. If you decide to book one of these lines because of budget or whatever reason, you may well have a great cruise, and we hope that is the case. Although we won't be able to assist you this time, please come back and see us next time.
Fair winds and following seas, fellow adventurers!
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