I love cruises and so does my family! I have been on 22 cruises since I was a kid and usually go on 1 or 2 cruises a year. Here is the breakdown of cruiselines: 6 Carnival, 5 RCCL (with number 6 booked for next summer), 4 Princess, 4 NCL, 2 Disney, and 1 Celebrity. I have been on new and old ships, small and large ships, ships with freestyle dining vs. set time dining, ships that have lots of activities and ships with few activities scheduled during the day, etc. I have been on several ships more than once. I have visited Canada, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, Mediterranean, British Isles, Baltic Sea, Alaska and Hawaii on various cruises. There are a lot of factors to consider when booking a cruiseline. The first thing to consider is no two cruiselines, no two cruiseships, no two cruise directors/staffs, no two experiences even on the same particular ship will ever be the same. Activities, food selection, staff, etc. change. Cruiseships age. I've been on a cruise ship when it was new and loved it and another time when it was old and falling apart and didn't care for it. I have enjoyed the food on some ships more than others even within the same cruiseline. I have been on big ships which rely more on having mini golf courses, ice skating, etc. vs. scheduling activities during the day, so I found those to be more boring as I prefer to do scheduled activities like crafts and trivia.
On the whole, I have had more positive experiences with cruises than negative. My most negative experience was when I had a suitcase delivered to me soaking wet on an NCL ship and had to go through a lot of aggravation to have guest services pay to have my clothes cleaned. But I have other positive experiences with NCL. So I choose not to let the negatives interfere with my planning. Having tried so many different cruiselines and ships, I know what I like. I like smaller ships, with lots of activities, keeping the same waiters, not sitting with other parties at my table, trying different itineraries, NYC/NJ departure ports (when possible to save money and the need to fly), etc. I know what cruiselines I like for particular itineraries. When cruising Alaska or Europe, I prefer Princess. When I want a Disney experience, I book Disney. When I am looking at the cost, I choose Carnival.
I will say that Disney is the only cruiseline on which I even bother going to the shows, as I find the others to all be boring. But on the whole I will cruise with whatever cruiseline fits. For those who don't like Carnival (which as a teen I was one of them), I recommend the Carnival Glory which usually goes to Canada during the summer. I've been on it twice and it seems to attract a nice group of people and it is well maintained.
My favorite RCCL ship is the Jewel of the Seas and not one of their larger ships. I found it to be a beautiful ship and loved how the glass elevators overlooked the ocean. I was on this ship in April and the Disney Magic at the beginning of August, and honestly I think it was nicer than the Magic except it didn't have the Disney vibe.
In terms of the kids programs, I have found my nieces and nephews aren't big on the kids' programs, no matter what cruiseline, including Disney. Although, I admit when I look at the Disney program, listed in the Navigator, I am pretty impressed. So the kids' programs, don't factor in when we pick a cruiseline.
The best thing you can do is figure out what you like and what is most important to you in a cruise. If the only thing that will make you happy on a cruise is having a Disney experience, choose Disney. But if you just want a good cruise experience, you can have fun and enjoy any. I know I do.
on board was more like $600. Paid for excursions in St. Petersburg. Fabulous cruise. Worth every penny.
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Great cruise line with excellent food and service.
