Sailing away on a cruise — whether docking in the tropics of The Bahamas or the chillier abode of Alaska — is one of the best vacations you can opt for.

Why, you may ask? From my experience, the all-inclusive nature of cruises allows you to generally save money on a la carte travel expenses — like food, checking luggage and other forms of entertainment — and they’re the type of vacation I always look forward to. That’s right, nearly everything you can hope for or want is already on board.

Since I was a young girl, my family and I sailed on a family cruise annually. The process of handing over my boarding pass and packing for a seven-day getaway is second nature to me (and yes, I can tell you everything you’ll need to know about attending the Broadway-style productions, beating the buffet lines and dressing up for the lido deck’s White Hot Party).

Since my first toot-toot cruising adventure, I’ve experienced the following major lines: Carnival, Celebrity, NCL and Royal Caribbean. Plus, I will be embarking on my first Princess Cruise in April 2024 to California, Oregon and parts of Canada for its 7-Day Pacific Wine Country itinerary.

“The biggest perk that attracts people to cruising is the value,” Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, told the New York Post. “To be able to travel for less than $100 per person, per day, and have your lodging, meals and entertainment all included in the cost is incredibly enticing. Even cruises that come at a higher cost – say, river or luxury cruises – tend to have strong value. In addition to the expected inclusions, those lines will often include things like alcoholic beverages, shore excursions and sometimes even airfare and transfers.”

As you’re gearing up to book your next year’s vacation, I’ve put together the all-in-one cruise review, chockfull of notes on what each major line is virtually known for (some with a more dazzling reputation for world-class dining, with others more of a favorite for family trips with younger children).

Additionally, I interviewed a team of travel agents to ask all the questions in the in-depth FAQ section following this review: when to book, navigating the ship when you’re on board, what to know as a first-time cruiser, what to pack and more.

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How many times I’ve sailed on this cruise line: 9

Where I’ve traveled to, collectively: Florida, The Bahamas, Bermuda

Food / dining rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Entertainment rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

An overview of NCL

As the most frequent cruise line on which I’ve sailed, NCL holds some of my fondest cruise memories. I’ve always traveled with my immediate family — my parents, my sister and my brother — and have also sailed with aunts, uncles and cousins on the same line throughout the years. In short, there’s something for every age.

I’ve sailed on NCL in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 — practically every year growing up before we began our brief family cruise hiatus to vacation on the Jersey Shore. As for itineraries, we’ve rotated The Bahamas and Bermuda every so often as our embarkation port has always been New York and we never grew tired of the seven-day activities and destinations.

“Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its relaxed Freestyle cruising,” Ilana Schattaeur, content creator behind Life Well Cruised, a popular website and YouTube channel that shares cruise travel tips with both new and avid cruisers, told The Post. “There are no dress codes or set dining times, which appeals to those who enjoy setting their own pace. NCL has some of the best entertainment at sea, with great shows, live music and entertainers.”

While all cruise ships are different, NCL has some jaw-dropping features on some cruise ships as well.

The clientele and entertainment

Compared to other cruise lines I’ve sailed on, NCL tends to have way more children on board. If that doesn’t appeal to your idea of a vacation, Carnival has the closest experience to NCL from what I’ve experienced; Royal Caribbean has the same amount of children onboard, more or less, while Celebrity is about 90% adult (but more on that below).

My family and I have always enjoyed the entertainment aboard NCL — so much so that we’ve recognized when some other cruise lines have fallen short or provided different experiences. On NCL, you can expect a Broadway-style production every night in the main theater, complete with professional dancers, vocalists, performers, magicians, musicians, and the like. Your cruise director will likely double as a game show host on some nights during the cruise’s version of The Newlywed Game and a “Dancing with the Stars” style competition in one of the lounge areas.

NCL also hosts live jazz and Latin performances in some of the lobbies during the daytime. These are nice to sit down and watch if you’re not dining or relaxing on the deck. Plus, trivia games happen here, and there’s typically a nice prize at the end for serious players who started attending from day one.

Of course, you’re bound to be entertained by NCL’s casino on board. For all cruises — not only NCL — you can expect the hours to change or come to a halt when each ship is docked in port (side note: this is because of each port’s gambling laws; the cruise has to be a few knots away from port to resume operation). While I never cruised on NCL when I was at least 21 years old, this was a family hotspot for some of my family members who enjoy playing Blackjack or the slot machines (or my mom, who has a lucky penny machine).

The food and dining

Real talk — I’m Italian, so my family speaks about food (1) highly and (2) often. If NCL didn’t offer good food, we wouldn’t have sailed on it year after year. However, we were pleased with not only the food in the main dining rooms but also the service. Typically, there’s a small team of about four or five waiters who will serve your particular table each night, so you develop a nice relationship and banter with each of them during your vacation. Overall, it’s a nice touch, and we’ve always felt well-served and appreciated as guests.

The indoor buffet, as well as some outdoor burger stations and bars, were nice touches on NCL. When traveling with my family, we found it was fairly simple to enter and leave quickly (and, the most important part: to find a table without much of a wait). Of course, this is dependent on what time you eat, but we’ve always found a mix of stations — from make-your-own pasta counters to an all-you-can-eat Asian gourmet — for every preference.

For an extra surcharge per person, you can opt to experience NCL’s specialty dining restaurants. We’ve experienced a steakhouse, a French restaurant and an Italian one. While specialty dining restaurants vary from ship to ship, we always go for the steakhouse for the best chops and sides, and we remember NCL’s being one of the best we’ve experienced. The French restaurant was a unique experience (especially because the wait staff presented each of our entrees on dome-shaped silver platters) and the Italian one was just OK.

The bottom line

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser who’s looking to book a family vacation or haven’t sailed on an NCL liner before, I can’t recommend the line enough. It has been quite a while since I’ve traveled with the cruise line but I remember each detail vividly. From the incredible service, my family and I experienced to the fun events and delicious, well-varied food options, there are plenty of voyages you can choose from for a fair price, depending on when you book.

How many times I’ve sailed on this cruise line: 3

Where I’ve traveled to, collectively: St. Martin, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos

Food / dining rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Entertainment rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An overview of Carnival

Carnival is dubbed “the fun ship” for a reason! My family and I have previously sailed on the liner twice before, though I was fairly young to remember the experience. However, I have plenty of pictures with the Carnival mascot when he made an appearance during embarkation, and I remember enjoying the karaoke entertainment, talent shows and more.

I sailed on the Carnival Magic in July 2022, my most recent joyride from the Atlantic to what I consider the best cruise itinerary I’ve ever been on: New York to Puerto Rico, then to St. Thomas and lastly to Turks & Caicos. From my experience of predominately venturing to The Bahamas or Bermuda, having the unique opportunity to visit Turks & Caicos, specifically, was a memorable and exciting one.

My 2022 vacation aboard Carnival was with my best friend from high school and my best friend from college, so the experience wasn’t my typical kumbaya-family gathering. We had a boatload of fun (ha!) exploring our ports of call, planning group outfits (naturally, as twenty-something-year-olds) and hopping from one event to the next on our itinerary. That said, Carnival was one of my most fun cruises yet, and one I recommend for adults who are looking for a quality yet good time.

“Carnival is known as the Fun Ships for good reason,” Schattaeur adds. “Carnival cruises all have a waterslide, making their ships popular with families and kids. Carnival’s newest cruise ships, Mardi Gras, Celebration & Jubilee all feature The Bolt, the world’s first roller coaster at sea.”

The clientele and entertainment

Aboard Carnival, my friends I noticed the majority of cruisers were around our age (in their 20s and 30s). However, we did find quite a few families on board as well, so it wasn’t a clubby type of experience. Unlike the NCL and Royal Caribbean clientele, we found a good amount of Carnival passengers from the local tristate area.

The entertainment on Carnival was exceptional. The entertainment was one of our favorite characteristics of the cruise line — from the exquisite 80s rock show to the Latin-style dancers who looked like pros from “Dancing with the Stars.” We especially loved our comedian who performed about three or four nights. We saw him nearly every night — waiting in line to score the best seats — and loved his improv, off-the-cuff style of comedy.

The deck parties were incredible as well, especially the Sail Away party on the first day and the White Hot party with disco and pop music. Bright lights illuminated every angle of the lido deck, and we truly felt like we were having the time of our lives in the middle of the ocean.

The food and dining

Because I’ve traveled on NCL more often than Carnival, I didn’t have as high of hopes for the food and dining in 2022. This was only because my family and I viewed NCL’s dining options highly, but Carnival was just as good — truly.

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the buffet-style options because we were always on the move, so we found ourselves visiting the indoor and outdoor buffets during breakfast and lunch hours. Much to my surprise, Carnival had a more pleasing buffet than NCL during my years sailing with that line; I found a diversity of options — including a make-your-own omelet station, where I found myself ordering a veggie-packed breakfast nearly every morning — and delicious fruit and pastries.

Because my friends and I lived on the pool deck to read our books or listen to our favorite playlists, we loved the outdoor Mexican buffet for the most delicious shrimp burritos, chicken tacos and all the sides. While the food was delicious in the main dining room each night (so much so that one of my friends couldn’t stop ordering the shrimp cocktail as an appetizer and the molten chocolate lava cake for dessert nearly every night), the dining experience was a bit different from any cruise I’ve experienced.

The reason? Carnival paired us with another couple who we’ve never met to dine with each night — not a dealbreaker but more so a surprise. Luckily, we ended up loving them and looked forward to catching up with them each evening we ate in the formal dining room. They were a middle-aged couple from Canada, and all three of us still talk on Facebook to this day!

The real star of the show was the steakhouse specialty restaurant we decided to pay extra for. We had the most unreal shrimp cocktail (surprisingly, even better than the main dining room) and stuffed mushrooms, along with a surf-and-turf variety for our entrees. The interior of the room compared to the traditional main dining rooms was a bit more elegant with a “high-class appeal,” so we loved this evening in particular.

The bottom line

I would love to travel on another Carnival cruise and have zero doubt that I’d find another unique itinerary to embark on. The food and entertainment is excellent, with the only caveat that the crowd does skew younger. I’ve never had a smoother embarkation or disembarkation, either; everything was well-organized and the service was the cherry on top to the grandeur service we experienced.

How many times I’ve sailed on this cruise line: 1

Where I’ve traveled to, collectively: Bermuda

Food / dining rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Entertainment rating: ⭐⭐⭐

An overview of Celebrity

After years of cruising on predominately NCL cruises, I sailed on the Celebrity Summit in 2017. My parents, brother and I were excited to experience a new ship — and we were pleasantly surprised.

The entire feel and ambiance of this liner was majestic, elegant and world-class. Booking rates, of course, depend on when you finalize your travels but it wasn’t wildly expensive from what I remember.

Two major aspects of Celebrity that — at least to me — are what the line is known for include (1) its relaxed and more mature appeal and (2) the food. OMG, the food (but more on that later).

“Celebrity has earned a reputation over the years for great food, beautiful ships and attentive service,” Schattaeur says. “With its Edge class cruise ships, Celebrity has raised the bar, offering an upscale cruise experience, with innovative and modern spaces. Celebrity Cruises is a perfect fit for vacationers who appreciate dining, contemporary shows, wellness and fun.”

The clientele and entertainment

When my family and I embarked on Celebrity Summit, we loved the regal flair the ship had to offer. Every corner of the ship — from the grand lobby to each restaurant — was immaculately detailed. It felt like we were sailing on The Love Boat from way back when.

As a whole, Celebrity has a more mature appeal, which is why the crowd skews older. Sure, there were some children on board but not plenty by any means; for that reason, Celebrity is an excellent choice for couples to enjoy some much-needed R&R if a cruise is what they’re looking for.

Because of the crowd, there weren’t as many large-scale deck parties or impromptu “nightlife” functions. Of course, Celebrity has a wonderful casino and a detailed itinerary, so this was not a dealbreaker. My brother and I found ourselves heading to comedy shows, grabbing a drink after dinner and walking around the beautiful ship.

My parents sailed on the Celebrity Summit again in 2022, and my mom said “The ship was still magnificent — very classy and upscale.” She also said the “food was delicious” and “even though it was a smaller [vessel], it still had all the bells and whistles.”

The food and dining

If there’s anything you take away from a Celebrity experience, it’s this: the food is beyond amazing. Each night was better than the last, and the ship had exceptional desserts we practically swooned over. Because the food was so amazing, there wasn’t a great need nor desire to experience the a la carte specialty restaurants.

In 2017, my family and I decided to purchase the Celebrity Summit cookbook — yes the food was that memorable. We had it signed by the maître d’, and we’ve recreated the cruise’s unforgettable creme brûlée. As a whole, everywhere you went had melt-in-your-mouth, world-class cuisine options.

The bottom line

I would love the opportunity to travel on Celebrity Cruises, and it’s a line I’d book in the future with my partner. It’s the ideal relaxing cruise that you’ll love, even as a first-time cruiser.

How many times I’ve sailed on this cruise line: 1

Where I’ve traveled to, collectively: Florida, The Bahamas

Food / dining rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Entertainment rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

An overview of Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has been applauded for years for its ultimate experience — as it should, because its fleet of ships is massive and there are spectacular accommodations on board, like a merry-go-round, a tightrope aqua-acrobatics show and an ice skating rink.

I set sail on the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas in August 2023. It’s the most recent cruise I’ve been on — and one of the more recent cruises I’ve been on with my family, along with my two cousins, my family friend and her boyfriend — and a new cruise line entirely.

We embarked on a seven-day cruise to Florida and The Bahamas (if you couldn’t already tell, I’m a big fan). At first, we weren’t quite used to the layout of the ship, but then we started to grow more and more familiar with where we were going and what the liner had to offer within a few days.

Historically, I’ve always viewed Royal Caribbean as “the expensive ship.” In reality, my family simply favored NCL and our former experiences with the cruise line, so we truthfully haven’t gotten around to booking a Royal Caribbean cruise until this year.

The experience was similar to NCL, but with a more modern twist. Of course, NCL has debuted new ships like the Epic and the Prima, but we’ve never quite been on a ship like Royal Caribbean’s — and the food and overall vibe of the ship was the most similar to our former experience.

“Royal Caribbean is known for their innovative cruise ships, impressive entertainment and fun onboard activities,” Schattaeur offers. “They have the largest cruise ships at sea, complete with zip-lines, an ice skating rink and a Central Park neighborhood (with thousands of live plants). There’s something for everyone on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship — and no way anyone could get bored!”

The clientele and entertainment

Royal Caribbean is, generally speaking, a smorgasbord of different ages. There are a fair amount of children and older couples alike, so nobody feels quite out of place. The decks are huge, and we especially loved The Salarium — the adults-only deck that was partially insulated to avoid some winds and breeze, complete with hot tubs, outdoor patio furniture and a full-throttle bistro set-up where you can grab buffet-style food in a pinch.

At first, I was disappointed with the entertainment. I couldn’t find a main theater! I thought, “How could that be? It’s too large of a ship not to have one!” However, while there is a main theater, several of Royal Caribbean’s productions — at least on the Oasis of the Seas — was found in the ice skating rink (for a unique Frozen on Ice show — and on the deck for a unique diving-and-dancing, Cirque Du Soleil-style presentation.

The comedians were OK. Because they didn’t perform in the main theaters, we had to venture to the bow or the aft of the ship to attend (and, because of the scale of Royal Caribbean’s ships, that can be a hike). Additionally, if you’re more sensitive to ocean waves and the occasional rocky feeling, you won’t like staying there. We had to leave after about 15 minutes or so (we love cruising during Hurricane Idalia!) simply because of our comfort level.

The food and dining

My family and I were pleased with the dining options in the main dining room and elsewhere. There’s an entire deck that resembles the interior of a shopping mall that housed a lovely hole-in-the-wall serving fresh soups, fresh paninis (which we loved), pulled pork sandwiches, fruit cups and more easy-grabs. While the buffet experience could have been better — including the desserts on the cruise — we enjoyed trying new meals and loved the specialty steakhouse restaurant, Chops.

The bottom line

Royal Caribbean had the smoothest embarkation we’ve ever experienced, though it’s disembarkation was a little all over the place. The cruise was a new experience for us, compared to others we’ve set sail upon, and I’d be interested to explore future itineraries on this cruise line. Plus, you can’t beat some of its deals — depending on when you book, of course.

Ahead, the New York Post consulted a team of travel agents and seasoned cruise experts to add their expertise on when to book, what to know about cruising and much more. Also, now’s the time to book your vacation for 2024!

“The Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas are all popular with cruisers,” McDaniel told The Post. “They’re a great first-time cruise for U.S.-based travelers, and there are so many ships and islands to choose from, with plenty you can book without breaking the bank.”

Not to mention, there are some great short cruise options for first-time cruisers that span three to four days. “For West Coast travelers, the Mexican Riviera is also a fantastic option for the same reason,” McDaniel adds.

Additionally, Caribbean and Bahamas cruises are some of the most popular cruises, especially for those planning winter getaways. “Sunny skies, white sand beaches and turquoise waters have an appeal to both the first-time cruiser and the frequent cruiser,” Schattaeur says. “Cruise line private islands, like Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, Carnival’s Half Moon Cay and MSC’s Ocean Cay are popular destinations in their own right.” (And, from my experience, Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay was a dream!)

Bridgett Quinn Webber, cruise travel agent, echoes Schattaeur’s call-out about the Caribbean, as it’s not only popular but “can be so easily accessed from Florida ports, and there are so many different islands to choose from.”

While the world is full of oceans, some people are wanting a different type of cruise experience. “It’s important to remember that river cruises are a great option,” Webber adds. “Beyond just the Rhine and Danube Rivers, we are seeing people wanting to explore more exotic destinations like the Chobe River and the Mekong River.”

“Some of the best restaurants are at sea,” Stewart Chiron, president of The Cruise Guy (who has been on a whopping 318 cruises!), told The Post. “Cruise lines frequently associate with top-rated Michelin star, master and celebrity chefs to provide the world’s finest and most exciting culinary experiences. Many restaurant venues play off the stars in the sky and views of the sea, which are unparalleled.”

According to McDaniel, cruises can be “a real paradise for foodies.” Now, more than ever, cruises are beginning to expand and invest in dining options on board. “Cruising is often synonymous with buffets — and while those free, casual, dining venues are still plentiful at sea, the introduction of specialty restaurants has helped raise the caliber of offerings,” she offers.

Specialty dining often comes with a per-person fee, offering anything from a la carte, to $100 or more per person. “Many times you’ll see a specialty restaurant led by celebrity chefs, which is a great way to taste their specialties,” McDaniel adds. “You can have everything from high-end Mexican and French fare to Asian, Italian and American steakhouses.”

Webber also notes how cruise lines put a lot of effort into providing delicious food and drinks for their guests (after all, it’s not like you can just go to the next city over for dinner!)

“Nearly every ship has a buffet, which is perfect for people who want to eat on the go or sample lots of different types of food,” she offers. “Besides the main dining rooms, cruise lines have also invested in their specialty restaurants, and often have partnerships with world-class chefs like Thomas Keller and Seabourn, or Oceania and Jacques Pepin.”

Not to mention, she recently took her 14-year-old nice on her very first cruise and she had rave reviews for 150 Central Park onboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas (editor’s note: I never dined here while on board, but it looked delish!). “The sophistication of the restaurant combined with a premium dining experience has her hooked on cruising!” she says.

What’s more, Schattaeur shared with The Post her incredible cruise ship specialty dining experiences. “Some that stand out include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Teppenyaki, a hibachi style Japanese restaurant; this is not only a delicious meal, but a fun one!” she highlights. “Guests sit at a table with other passengers, while a talented chef prepares generous portions of fried rice, vegetables, shrimp, meat and chicken, all while entertaining the guests.”

According to Chiron, “Broadway, Las Vegas, magic, comedy, music and motivational and inspirational lectures” are all housed on board. The newer the ship, the more advanced theater-style productions you’ll experience.

“Entertainment runs the gamut at sea – from Disney’s incredible productions for kids, to Broadway-caliber shows featuring phenomenal talent,” McDaniel explains. Fun fact: before American Idol and her incredibly successful career, Jennifer Hudson was a cruise ship performer, she tells us.

On smaller ships – river, luxury or expedition – entertainment tends to be a bit more subdued, per McDaniel. “Where they shine is in the onboard enrichment – bringing local experts onboard, and bringing the destinations you’re visiting alive even before you step foot off the ship,” she says. “From cooking classes and shopping excursions with the chef to lectures with naturalists and internationally renowned experts in their field.”

One of Schattaeur’s fondest memories aboard a cruise was an ice skating show. “During a family cruise when our children were young, the skating show cast asked for young volunteers from the audience,” she remembers. “Our son Ethan, who was 5 years old at the time, raised his hand — little did he know that he’d be part of the show! He and 7 other children were given clown costumes and we’ve driven around in a clown wagon on the ice, and we have some photos, family memories and a great story to share.”

In short, the early bird gets the worm!

“With cruises, it’s almost always best to book as far in advance as possible, to find the best deals and cabin selection,” Schatteur advises. “This can be a year or more before a cruise. Many people don’t realize that once they book, most cruise lines will honor a lower advertised price up until the final payment. This is why many frequent cruisers book early.”

Webber believes in the as-soon-as-possible mentality as well. “The demand for cruising has never been higher and space is very limited,” she adds. “To avoid disappointment, I’d contact your travel advisor well in advance of your preferred sailing.”

McDaniel also tipped off that the cruise industry has its own dedicated sales period, called Wave Season, when cruise lines across the industry offer deals en masse. “If you missed scoring a Black Friday or Cyber Monday cruise deal, look for Wave Season deals starting in January and running through March (sometimes even April),” she recommends.

Not to mention, sailing during the holidays is extremely popular. “Booking cruises during the holidays is traditionally a slow period as people are more focused on family and friends,” Chiron adds. “Pent up demand, reduced availability and high costs for land-based vacations still causing higher booking levels at this time of year.”

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