Step on board one of Royal Caribbean International's fleet of ships (22 in total, including the Independence of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas) and sail off into ports around the world. RCI's itineraries include New Zealand, the Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Europe and repositioning options, which are cruises that sail from one port to another without stopping. A cruise aboard an RCI cruise ship includes activities such as an ice-skating rink, boxing ring, water park, duty-free boutique shopping, theaters, swimming pools, kids' clubs and massage.
Frequent cruisers aboard Royal Caribbean may wish to join the free Crown & Anchor Society, the cruise line's version of a frequent flier (or in this case, cruiser) program. The free program offers returning cruisers discounts, cabin upgrades, invitations to onboard drinks parties and other goodies such as in room champagne and treats. Royal Caribbean offers an affiliate Visa card, which you can use just like a regular credit card, but earn points toward free cruises and discounts toward cruises.
Royal Caribbean International
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132-2096
800-398-9819
royalcaribbean.com
Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) bills itself "The Fun Ships," with a fleet of 23 cruise liners with names such as Destiny, Fantasy, Elation, Spirit, Pride, Valor, Conquest, Glory, Triumph and Dream, to take vacationers around the world. Cruise enthusiasts in the Charleston, South Carolina area may appreciate the fact that CCL is the only major cruise line (as of September 2010) to cruise out of the Charleston port. Carnival also sails out of multiple ports in Florida and Canada, New Orleans, Baltimore, Norfolk, Seattle and Galveston. A cruise on CCL may take you into countries such as the Caribbean (itineraries for the Western, Eastern and Southern are available), Bermuda, Hawaii, Canada, New England and short "cruises to nowhere."
While on board a Carnival cruise, you'll enjoy unlimited included dining options, such as three daily buffets, 24-hour room service, a grill and pizzeria, two or more upscale restaurants per ship, sushi bar and assorted other eateries varying by ship. Carnival offers both a free frequent sailing program (to join, you just have to cruise with Carnival more than one time) and an affiliate Master Card. Both offer discounts on future cruises, room upgrades and onboard perks.
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178
888-227-6482
carnival.com
The motto of Princess Cruises is to "Escape Completely," which the cruise line hopes you'll do aboard its fleet of 16 ships, including the Ruby, Golden, Pacific, Sapphire, Sun and Coral Princess. Princess Cruises sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Seattle, San Francisco, Quebec, New York City, Los Angeles and Whittier and into ports in Europe, Tahiti, the South Pacific, South America, Asia, Mexican Riviera and around-the-world itineraries. Join the free Princess Captain's Circle, a frequent cruiser program offering perks such as a newsletter, membership pin, cruise atlas, discounts and priority disembarkation.
You'll find a few options separating Princess from the other cruise lines. Three of its ships (Pacific, Royal and Ocean) offer small-ship cruising, with under 700 passengers (compared to the 3,000 or more you'll find on both Princess and other traditional cruise ships. Also, Princess offers five cabin styles instead of the traditional four (interior, which means no window; ocean view; balcony; and suite), with an extra option of an ocean view obstructed room, which is a reduced-price window cabin that may be blocked by a lifeboat.
Princess Cruises
24844 Avenue Rockefeller
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
800-774-6237
princess.com
