Maria Saenz, senior travel counselor at Montrose Travel, isn’t alone awarding Best Value to Oceania Cruises — at least what she describes as the “Penthouse Suite category.” Founded in 2002, “Oceania delivers an extreme value overall [with] butler service, in-suite dining options, amenities and inclusions [that] other lines will charge more.”
Where to go is typically the first question cruisers ask themselves, so it’s no surprise that Best Ports of Call drew the most “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” responses from our panelists. One passenger’s exotic Caribbean seaside town is another’s overcrowded tourist trap. But overall, says Jason Colman, an elite cruise counselor scholar certified by the Cruise Lines Industry Association (CLIA), Oceania Cruises offer “the most intensive look at some of the world’s greatest cities — with most sailings including an overnight or two in port.” Maria Saenz, senior travel counselor at Montrose Travel, agreed. “Oceania’s customer base is well-traveled and they do hit the best ports in any given itinerary. They know when and where to stay overnight.”
There are two schools of thought when it comes to choosing your cabin. Some say, spend as little time in your room as possible. There are excursions to be enjoyed (or, lounge chairs to be sat upon). On the other hand, being comfortable during your “off hours” means more rest and relaxation — and a better overall cruise experience. Either way, according to nearly half of our experts, the Best Rooms are found aboard Regent Seven Seas ships. Lori Herzog, a senior cruise consultant at CruiseCenter.com, describes all-suite staterooms that feature “residential-style décor, flat-panel televisions, large living areas for entertaining and in-room dining.” And, they average 350 square feet.Even on the best cruise, you should get off the boat at least once. Every cruise company is eager to arrange shore excursions that range from simple shopping trips in nearby towns to heart-pounding helicopter tours.
There’s a reason that cruises are popular among families: It’s easy to keep the kids busy, and toddlers can’t get lost. (At least not for long.) But which cruise is best for families? The traditional response is Disney Cruise Line, which operates two nearly identical liners, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.In the survey’s closest race, Disney Cruise Line actually failed to take the title for Best Family Cruise. Instead, Royal Caribbean International squeaked ahead of the mouse with 45 percent of the vote (compared to Disney’s 42 percent). According to CruiseCenter.com’s Lori Herzog, “Royal Caribbean offers a fantastic program for families since their ships are large and have multi-faceted venues to entertain kids and families of all ages.”But the cruise industry is an ever-evolving business. The Avid Cruiser’s Ralph Grizzle recommends family cruisers stay tuned for industry developments. “Disney has a trick or two up its sleeves with its two new ships, the first coming in 2010.”
