I’ve been on five cruises so far, each offering its own unique vibe and experience. My first cruise was a couples trip with Princess Cruises, which truly stood out for its exceptional food—gourmet meals that felt like dining at a five-star restaurant every night. Then I took two cruises with Carnival as a family, the undeniable “party cruise” brand. And most recently, we sailed with Royal Caribbean, which I found offered the best customer service by far.
Here’s my honest take: Carnival was the most fun, no doubt, but as someone who isn’t a party girl, it sometimes felt a bit much. On the other hand, both Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises tend to feel a bit geriatric—my daughter and her best friend were literally the only 18-year-olds onboard. While I spotted children from newborns to high schoolers scattered around, the 18-to-40 crowd was surprisingly scarce.
We love trivia nights, but the questions felt targeted at people born in the 1960s and 1970s, which made it tough for younger folks to get fully engaged. Fortunately, Olivia is quite eclectic in music genres.
What I really want is a cruise that isn’t all party, but also not all snooze and snob.
The Royal Caribbean ship was beautiful and comfortable, while the Carnival Cruise ship was brightly colored. But the constant nickel-and-diming got to me—why isn’t Wi-Fi included? Hotels do it, so why not cruise ships? It’s frustrating. And the constant begging of you to take photos to then bombard you with costly packages. And then they offer marketing for certain stores on the ports. Capitalism at its finest. I don't drink liquor like that to get an unlimited beverage pass, and consuming the lemonade and iced tea are just asking for diabetes. This time I ordered water for my beverage package, because a girl has to stay hydrated.
I’m thinking about trying Norwegian next, hoping for a better mix of entertainment, comfort, and value. But looking at the destinations, I’ve pretty much covered most of the Caribbean islands offered on cruises. The Mediterranean and African cruises look incredible, but they tend to be long—22 days to see Africa, often with overnight stays, which makes sense but feels like a bigger commitment than I’m ready for right now.
So, I’m considering taking a short break from cruising to explore Asia, Africa, and more of Central and South America on land. There’s so much to see and experience outside the ships!
Where do you think I should go next? I’d love your recommendations on destinations that blend culture, adventure, and a touch of relaxation—without feeling like a party or a slow-motion tour.