Hi, I've been cruising since 1992 myself, but not anymore after the pandemic. My friend enjoys dressing up for dinner and good food. In the past, he has cruised on Cunard, but there are noticeable cost cuts there as well. Could someone recommend a cruise line that still has those two criteria (2 weeks no more than 2500USD/pp ..read more

Hi there!   The annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference is coming up in a few weeks, where representatives from the global cruise industry descend on Miami for a week filled with cruise discussions, panels, programming & more.   This year, the Luxury Cruise Line CEO panel is inviting Cruise Critic members to submit questions to be considered for the conversation. CEOs will be on-hand from Silversea, Regent, Ponant, Seabourn & Ritz-Carlton.   To help develop the panel, we'd love to hear from you.  What questions do you have for the luxury line CEOs? Whether yo ..read more

So I've been talking with a travel agent who found me 2 cruise options this summer - both to Scandinavia - one on Regent Seven Seas and one on Ponant. I had been leaning towards Regent, but they only have very expensive staterooms left. Is it worth the hefty price tag? Has anyone cruised on both and can give me a nice comparison?    Any and all advice would be great!   Thanks!   ..read more

Hi all, I am looking at galapagoscruises and I am wondering if anyone has tried the Celebrity Flora and Silversea Origin of either of these two and the ponant cruises. Mostly wondering about the food level on the cruises and whether there is a huge gap between flora vs origin that justify the pricing difference. I am adding ponant because this is my only frame of reference and I was very happy with the food quality. Not a big fan of super american/casual menus, and enjoyed a lot of the more french leaning food on ponant. Thanks everyone ..read more

Hi all, I took my first cruise with Ponant and really loved it but I am looking for alternatives to compare that may fit my group better. Friends are looking to come with us so we would be a group of 6-9, early 40s. I loved the tropical expedition with ponant because we felt like in the middle of nowhere, in nature, being at places that we would not usually access. I really the zodiacs taking us to different islands/beaches and I am not looking to go visit towns. Although given our group, a bigger pool would be ideal so we can actually swim on board. I do want a smaller ship, (<600, ideally ..read more

We are seriously considering a cruise on Ms Europa 2 later this year. We have previously sailed on Crystal, Silversea & Cunard Queens Grill. I have read the reviews and seen some videos of the ship and so far we are liking the look and sound of it. My husband is second generation German and does speak a little, I don't speak German at all but this being the Europa 2 I'm sure this won't be an issue. I am interested to experience the ambience on board wth a passenger mix that will be, I'm sure, quite different to the cruises we have previously been on.   Another thing that will be quite ..read more

I'd love to hear about these new entrants to the luxury category ..read more

Please help me decide on a cruise to choose. Who- husband and wife- mid 30s-  What- 10 year anniversary cruise Where- Mediterranean  When- late August/ September    We have two small children - but they are NOT coming with.    Budget- around $10,000 not including air fair, excursions, hotel before or after ect. Not a strict budget but around that.    What we like- upscale , luxury, not big party scene, don’t mind being youngest, good food, quality drinks , we love private areas ( like the retreat on holland America).    Our options  1) Oce ..read more

Hello, brand new member and my first post so thanks for reading.  A little about us: we are recently retired, (55 and 62) and so far have been on two Viking cruises, Barcelona to Rome and just last month Panama Canal.  Really liked Viking, but am considering an alternative for our next cruise.  Here is what we loved/liked about Viking: Beautiful ship (Sky) and very clean Great customer service-top notch Incredible spa Really enjoyed the port talks and on board historian. Truly the "thinking man's" cruise line" Very comfy king size bed(a must for us as we are both 6" and ne ..read more

Hi all Great forum as always and very friendly members.  I know cheap and luxury don't go together but what cruise lines offer a luxury type cruise at relatively lower price? I have done two Cunard cruises (not sure if they fall in the luxury band) and the prices per person weren't too bad.    Silversea and seabourn definitely out of my budget!    I'm a very keen foodie and 38yrs old.    Thanks for all your advice and recommendations.    We are in the UK aswell and would prefer something less than 10 days.  ..read more