carnival dream cruise belize

• CruiseMapper
• Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Dream

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

• Galveston (Texas)

Carnival Dream current position

Carnival Dream current location is at Gulf of Mexico (coordinates 22.54503 N / -87.46862 W) cruising at speed of 20.2 kn (37 km/h | 23 mph) en route to Galveston. The AIS position was reported 15 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Dream

Carnival Dream current cruise is 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean . Prices start from USD 1059 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 23 Jun, 2024 and ends on 29 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Dream

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Carnival Dream Itineraries

Carnival dream review, review of carnival dream.

The 2009-built Carnival Dream cruise ship is one of the Carnival fleet's largest and the first Dream-class vessel, together with Breeze and Magic  as well as Costa Diadema .

The vessel (IMO number 9378474) is currently Panama- flagged (MMSI 370490000) and registered in Colon .

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3646-passenger ship Carnival Dream was floated out on October 24, 2008. When first launched, Carnival Dream was the biggest ship operated by Carnival, though she was later surpassed by Carnival Magic and Carnival Breeze, which were delivered in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The liner features facilities similarly designed on the previous CCL ships while presenting some new features. Significant alterations were made to Deck 5's public areas and the exterior promenade running the boat's entire perimeter. A comedy club and a couple of themed bars were added during the 2012 drydock refurbishment . An interesting fact is that around 20 minutes of the "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked" movie was filmed on Carnival Dream.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Dream staterooms (1823 total) include 56 Suites, 841 Balcony, 221 Oceanview and 719 Inside, including 254 connecting, 35 wheelchair-accessible, 61 Spa and 193 Family cabins, in all 34 grades. On Carnival Dream were introduced the fleet's new categories "Deluxe Oceanview", "Cove Balcony" and "Cloud 9 Spa" cabins.

Most staterooms are sized 170-185 ft2 / 16-17 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 35-45 ft2 / 3-4 m2. Deluxe Oceanviews are with two separate washrooms and advertised as "Family cabins" having max capacity 5 passengers. Cove Balcony (located beneath the lifeboats on Deck 2) have partially enclosed verandas.

The boat has 14 passenger decks of which 9 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The two formal dining rooms on Carnival Dream are Scarlet (1122 seats) and Crimson (744 seats). Both restaurants are the focal point of dining onboard and feature red decors with Murano glass chandeliers. For those who like laughter with their food, is the Punchliner Comedy Brunch, taking place in the MDR (main dining room) only on sea days. The real foodies who are curious about how the galley feeds so many people, have to check out Chef's Table. For US$75 per person, you'll be able to meet the head chef and tour the galley, as well as dine on a multi-course meal at a private table, while watching the chefs at work.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Dream restaurants and food bars.

• Crimson Restaurant (744-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and “Anytime Dining”)
• Scarlet Restaurant (1122-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings, open seating breakfast and lunch; "Seuss At Sea"-themed breakfasts for $5 cover charge)
• Wasabi Bar (sushi bar, complimentary; serves as salad bar during the day)
• The Gathering Lido buffet restaurant (825-seat self-service restaurant with various complimentary takeaway food stations)
• The Chef's Art Steakhouse (108-seat, reservation-only specialty restaurant, serving seafood and prime beef).
• Seafood Shack (added in 2018; open only for lunch and dinner at an additional cost; offers New England clam chowder in a bread bowl, fried buffalo shrimp, steamed lobster, and other options; prices range from around US$5-$12 and orders can be made at the counter).
• Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (added in 2017) is an open-air complimentary BBQ restaurant on Promenade Deck.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Lanai's outdoor seating areas are one of the best features aboard Carnival Dream. Ocean Plaza is another important venue and meet-and-greet hub, often missing on smaller Carnival ships. It offers a little something for everyone with a specialty coffee bar, dance floor, and bars offering drinks-of-the-day. In 2012 two new bars were added as part of Carnival's Fun Ship 2.0 refurbishment program. BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar offer tequila and rum-based cocktails, as well as the signature ThirstyFrog Red beer of Carnival.

Carnival Dream is the first Carnival ship to boast (as a newbuild) a water park with multiple slides. Dream also features a wide outdoor promenade with an outdoor cafe and whirlpools in four different places along the outside edge of the deck.

The following official YouTube video reviews Carnival's Dream-class vessels (Breeze, Dream, and Magic) as facilities and onboard amenities.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Dream lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Encore! Theatre (1400-seat show lounge for a live show and music productions; features the “Playlist Productions” live musical mixes and “Hasbro Game Shows")
• Dream Atrium (11-deck high midship open floor area, featuring Dream Lobby Bar with piano and dance floor)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop; offers branded gear, special occasions gifts, tuxedo rentals)
• Rendezvous Lounge (a 23-seat club with bar)
• FunHub (24-hour Internet computers room; free Intranet offered for information on onboard programs, menus and scheduled events)
• Circle C (complimentary kids' club and lounge area with video games, parties, movies, planned activities)
• Club O2 (teens only lounge with movies, karaoke, video games, themed parties); Warehouse Video Video Games Arcade
• Jackpot Casino (484-seat, with slot machines and gaming tables; features gambling tournaments and complimentary classes)
• FunHub (with Internet/Intranet computers)
• The Lanai (60-seat promenade with Lanai Bar-BQ Bar and four cantilevered Whirlpools; Power Walking/Jogging Track)
• Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge with Plaza Cafe)
• Caliente Disco and Nightclub; Sam’s Bar; Burgundy Lounge (hosts the Punchliners Comedy Club); Song Lounge and Bar
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (for Mexican drinks)
• RedFrog Pub (120-seat, with indoor and outdoor seating, games, live music, international beers selection and Thirstyfrog/RedFrog beer)
• Sunset Pool area; Waves Pool area
• Camp Carnival (complimentary kids play area)
• Cloud 9 Spa (Thermal Suite, Oriental Steam Bath, Aroma Steam Bath, Steam Rooms, Sauna, Lacanium, Thalassotherapy pool)
• Carnival WaterWorks (kids pool play area with Twister water-slide and AquaPark)
• Seaside Theatre (with a huge LED screen for movies, sports events, concerts, with a stage for live performances)
• City Sports Park (featuring outdoor relaxation area, 18-hole mini golf course, Ping-Pong Tables, multisport court and Sports Bar)
• Serenity (adults only relaxation area and Serenity Bar).

Itineraries

Carnival Dream cruise itinerary program is based on departures from New Orleans LA to Eastern and Western Caribbean. Feature port destinations include Cozumel Mexico, Nassau Bahamas, Belize , Jamaica, Roatan , Grand Cayman (George Town) .

Carnival Dream - user reviews and comments

Photos of carnival dream.

Carnival Dream ship related cruise news

Port Galveston TX charts course for continued growth as new cruise ships set sail in 2024

As the 4th-busiest cruise port in the United States, the Port of Galveston, Texas, is gearing up for another year of expansion. Coming off a record...

Carnival Jubilee debuts as Galveston's first new cruise ship

On CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Jubilee, Santa Claus took a break from his sleigh to assist in the debut of the first newbuild cruiser...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line unveils ships and itineraries visiting Grand Bahama's new port Celebration...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has commenced the sale of ~400 voyages that visit Celebration Key, its newly developed private cruise port destination in...

CCL's Carnival Legend ship to homeport in Galveston TX in 2025

In the ongoing rollout of its 2025-2026 deployment, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has announced that in the fall of 2025, Carnival Legend will join...

CCL-Carnival opens 2025-2026 Caribbean schedule with new itineraries from Galveston TX

With a strategic focus on forward planning, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line initiates the commencement of its 2025-2026 deployment phase, unveiling an array...

Carnival Dream cruise ship helps rescue 17 people close to Belize

Carnival Dream’s crew members helped rescue 17 people stranded in the Belize Channel on Wednesday, May 17th, after the boat of the group...

Passenger medevaced from Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Dream

On May 6th, 2023, a medical emergency took place on CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's ship Carnival Dream shortly after it left Galveston Texas for an 8...

Coast Guard helicopter nearly crashes into ocean while performing medevac from Carnival Dream

A US Coast Guard rescue helicopter attempting to perform a medical evacuation from a cruise ship on Saturday, April 29th, nearly crashed into the...

CCL's ship Carnival Jubilee to boast 2 new sea-themed zones

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship - Carnival Jubilee, will debut later this year and introduce two new ocean-themed areas, The Shores and...

CCL brings 4th cruise ship (Carnival Miracle) to Galveston Texas

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line announced it is expanding its offerings in Galveston (Texas USA), by bringing a 4th ship, Carnival Miracle, to the port to...

•   show more news

Other Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Freedom
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Carnival Dream Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Carnival Dream was one of the biggest stars in the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked" (2011). Dream is Carnival's first vessel of the DREAM-class, and at the time the biggest-ever built in Italy (until 2016 when was launched Carnival Vista ). Sisterships from this series are Breeze and Magic , and also Costa Diadema .

Carnival Dream drydock 2021

In 2021 (July-August) Carnival Dream was drydocked at Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNdM Shipyard in Marseille France ) for mainly general maintenance works.

During the drydock, the liner's old hull design (white hull, with a red line running its entire length) was replaced with the new trademarked livery (red-white-blue) introduced on Mardi Gras.

Carnival Dream refurbishment 2017 review

The list of deckplan changes after the 2017 drydock refurbishment (January 30 - February 11) in Freeport Bahamas included:

(Promenade Deck 5) "Guy's Pig & Anchor Barbeque Smokehouse" is a complimentary, open-air complimentary restaurant located on the Lanai Promenade. The Smokehouse is designed by Guy Fieri (Food Network). Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse's menu features BBQ favorites, like pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, smoked Andouille sausage, Guy Fieri's traditional sides and gourmet burgers, a variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends.

(Lido Deck 10 / portside, replacing the "Pizzeria" poolside bar) BlueIguana Cantina is a complimentary poolside Mexican cuisine eatery. Among the specialties are fresh-made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, salsa bar, a huge selection of toppings.

(Lido Deck 10 / starboard, replacing the "Grille" poolside bar) Guy's Burger Joint is a complimentary poolside premium burger bar.

(Promenade Deck 5) Alchemy Bar is the Carnival's "cocktail pharmacy"-themed lounge with professional mixologists (dressed in lab coats) "prescribing" traditional and exotic (moniker) concoctions from a variety of liquors and ingredients.

(Promenade Deck 5) Bonsai Sushi is a premium sushi restaurant offering sushi, sashimi, bento "ships", plus popular Japanese beers, sakes, cocktails.

(Lido Deck 10) Pizzeria del Capitano offers 5 different varieties of hand-tossed pizzas - Margherita, Quattro Formaggio, mushroom, prosciutto, pepperoni. It is complimentary, and open 24 hours a day. All pizzas are traditionally oven-baked.

The ship's drydock in June 2021 (at Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard in Marseille France ) included mainly general maintenance works as well as repainting of the hull.

• Cruise Destinations
• Belize-Cruises

• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia

* Coming Soon

• Things To Do
• Past Guest Photos

There are plenty of reasons why a cruise to Belize should top your travel bucket list. A tropical paradise that promises adventure, both onshore and off? You better Belize it! Crystalline rivers flow through impressive lowland jungles, home to wildlife of various stripes. (And various spots.) Silky-sand beaches, waving palms and colorful coral gardens are just part of Belize’s natural wonders. And they’re all yours to explore when you take a cruise to Belize, where surprises await around every corner, including underwater. Whether mountain biking through a lush rainforest or snorkeling with the marine life, you’ll experience things you can only imagine… that is, if you haven’t tried a Belize vacation yet.

• The Cayo District is where you’ll find an impressive system of underground rivers and caves.
• Go exploring, old-school-style, with local ancient ruins Cahal Pech, Altun Ha, or Xuananunich.
• Enjoy snorkeling on this hemisphere’s largest barrier reef.

Things to do in Belize

Gotta see belize.

We have a few ideas for you.

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are included.

TAG & THEY’RE IT!

Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #belize — you may see them right here.

• Travel Insurance
• Help Centre

Any questions?

Mon-Fri 9AM - 5PM

Depart From

Cruise line, departure date.

6 Nights Mexico & Belize Cruise on the Carnival Dream Departing on the 7th July 2024

• Pricing Grid

Want an easy, cheap way to travel internationally? Cruise the Caribbean.

Nearly every time Kristin Chapman takes a cruise, she heads to the Caribbean .

The 38-year-old medical librarian has been on more than a dozen cruises, and itineraries packed with a variety of tropical destinations in the region have kept her coming back.

“What I really found enjoyable about the Caribbean was it really does give you the longer port days because the islands are so close together,” said Chapman, who lives in Connecticut. “It does make you feel like you have had more of an experience in where you're going, rather than the days at sea that you have in between different islands (on some other cruises).”

Caribbean cruises offer an easy, often affordable way to travel internationally from the U.S. “It’s a great way to check off a bunch of countries on your map,” Mike Harris, director of sales at online travel agency The Cruise Web.

Why are Caribbean cruises so popular?

Caribbean itineraries are the default choice of many cruisers – and with good reason. 

“Specifically, for the American market, it’s close to home,” said Harris. Cruise lines sail to the Caribbean from ports in cities ranging from Miami to Baltimore to New York City. “These are domestic ports that a lot of the country can drive to,” he added.

Once travelers set sail, there is something for everyone. “The versatility of the Caribbean is what makes it unique,” Harris said. That’s true of both the wide range of cruise lines operating there – including post-COVID-19 newcomers like Virgin Voyages – as well as its mix of beaches, cuisine, history, adventurous activities like cave tubing and zip lining and nightlife.

That combination of factors has proven increasingly compelling to guests. Demand for Caribbean cruises was up nearly 5% in the first two quarters of the year compared to the same time in 2019, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization.

The Caribbean’s market share in the industry is also at 44%, an increase from 34% in 2019, said Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.

Pro tip: Cruises that leave from the Caribbean, like a Carnival Cruise Line sailing Chapman took from San Juan, Puerto Rico, tend to have fewer sea days and maximize your time in port.

When is the best time to take a Caribbean cruise?

The region has long been seen as a “warm weather destination” where travelers can go to escape the cold, according to Paige.

But in recent years, more lines have begun offering Caribbean sailings all year. “They have year-round great weather, but it’s more than just the weather,” she said.

Still, Harris said passengers will find the most variety of ships there from November through March. “You'll get the big contemporary ships, you get the medium premium brands, but you also get the very small deluxe and luxury brands that are going to very small, exclusive islands that a lot of people just haven't heard of,” he said.

In the summer, smaller ships typically reposition elsewhere – like Alaska or Europe – and the Caribbean is mostly populated by big ships catering to families with kids out of school.

( Click here for USA TODAY’s cruise line guide ).

Are Caribbean cruises expensive?

Because so many itineraries are offered throughout the year, Harris said travelers can often find cheaper sailings than in some other destinations. “You can find a Caribbean cruise for as low as $60 a day, all the way up to $2,200 a day just depending on the experience you’re looking for,” he said.

These items are banned on cruises: Read this before you pack

Upcoming Caribbean cruises

◾ Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas ship will sail a four-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary departing Nov. 15. The cruise will sail round-trip from Miami with a stop in Labadee, Haiti. The fare starts at $272 per person based on double occupancy, according to the line’s website .

◾ Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun ship will sail a 12-day Caribbean cruise round-trip from Baltimore, departing Dec. 9. The cruise will stop in San Juan; Philipsburg, Sint Maarten; Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda; Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Cabins start at just under $849 per person based on double occupancy, according to the line’s website .

◾ Carnival Cruise Line will offer a round-trip six-day Western Caribbean sailing from Galveston, Texas, leaving Dec. 10. The sailing on the line’s Carnival Dream ship will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, as well as Belize. Available cabins currently start at $809 per guest based on double occupancy, according to Carnival’s website .

◾ Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn ship will depart on a 10-day cruise from Bridgetown, Barbados, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 26. Passengers will visit Bequia in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Castries, Saint Lucia; Saint John’s; Gustavia in St. Barts; Saint Thomas; Spanish Town in the British Virgin Islands; and San Juan. Fares currently start at $5,350 per guest based on double occupancy, according to the luxury line’s website .

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

How to Decide the Best Cruises to Book in 2024

C ruises are a type of vacation many people enjoy, especially us. They allow for an all-inclusive trip where you can partake in your favorite activities on the ship and off, with selected excursions. But what is the best cruise for you?

It's easy to indulge in gourmet cuisine that seems ever-flowing and never-ending and to enjoy ship amenities. We consider these things when planning a cruise and weighing the options. Here, we share other factors for you to consider to find the best cruises for you, like health and safety, ship-within-a-ship experiences, and even ports of call to factor into your decision.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase,  at no cost to you . We truly only recommend hotels, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best Cruises to Book: Top Considerations

Different types of cruises vary in cost, from river cruises to mega-ship cruising to yacht cruising and beyond.

Ocean and river cruises , for example, have similarities yet differ in amenities and dining options. They tend to target different ages and types of travelers. Additionally, the ship size helps determine what ports they can stop at.

Maybe you cruised once and didn't like it, yet something has piqued your curiosity again. We truly believe there is a cruise for everyone! If you tried a huge ship and didn't love it, seek out small ship cruises. Or vice versa.

The ship size is one of the top considerations to start exploring the best cruise to book. That will also determine where you look for a cruise.

Start Your Best Cruises Search by Size

We recommend trying different varieties of size cruise ships. Try a small or medium-sized ship if you took a cruise on a large ship in the past.

You can consider a cruise line with 500 passengers, for example (like Hurtigruten ), or go even smaller, like 200-passenger river cruise ships (like Emerald Cruises ). You can even go smaller and try yacht cruises !

We have included resources for you if you're unsure of what size cruise to book. Or, you can reach out to our preferred travel agents to have a conversation about it.

Mega-Cruise Ships

Larger ships, which are the most readily available and approachable for families and couples overall, have thousands of passengers. Sometimes, they have upwards of 1,000 to 4,000 guests depending on the cruise line and ship. And cruise lines seem to be outdoing themselves, making them bigger and larger every year.

Because of their size, mega ships often have sizeable fitness centers/gyms, big spas offering many treatments from massages to teeth-whitening, and multiple pools and hot tubs.

Here are our top three places to look for current prices and offerings if you're going to look up cruise vacations on big ships:

• Cruise Direct
• Cruise Critic

Small Ship Cruises

On the contrary, river and yacht cruises usually have one pool, max, and one or two spa treatment rooms. Some ships don't have a pool at all. Some cruise ships have gyms, while others don't. A good example is Emerald Cruises vs. Viking – Emerald Cruises river cruise ships have a gym and a pool, and Viking Longships do not have either.

A small cruise may be perfect for a couple traveling abroad, wanting to experience something special and more intimate. In this case, river cruises, barge cruises , and expedition cruises are the perfect cruises to consider. These cruises travel to unique destinations.

Take an eco-focused cruise to Alaska , a journey to Antarctica , or a river cruise to the wine region of Portugal on the Douro River.

But depending on your needs, desires, and preferences, often the favorable guest-to-crew ratio and intimacy of a small cruise is just what you need for your best cruise vacation.

When we sailed on Star Clipper , there was one small massage room on the top deck. But it was perfect, and the massage was incredibly affordable. It was just what we needed.

Ports to Consider for the Best Cruises

Maybe you want to go to big ports, like in Barcelona, Spain, Marseille, France , or Nassau in the Bahamas. These are big cruise ports that larger ships go to. Or, say you want to go to small, lesser-known European destinations that only river cruise ships can dock at.

The ports you have in mind may inform your decision of the best cruises for you. Additionally, if you don't have a passport or want to stay very close to home in the United States, consider a closed – loop cruise itinerary.

United States Embarkation Ports

One of the benefits of going on a cruise from the United States is that you can potentially drive to the port or quickly fly there from within the country. (Don’t forget to check if you need a passport if your cruise heads to other ports outside of the USA.)

US cruise ports are plentiful! There are dozens of ports over the coastal United States, from California and Florida to Maryland, New York, and South Carolina.

Five of the most popular ones that are all near major airports and highways are the cruise ports of:

• Seattle, Washington
• San Diego, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Miami, Florida
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida

All major cruise lines have a cruise leaving from one of the ports above.

If you're gravitating towards the idea of a United States River Cruises, it will surely leave from a United States port. Some are even inland, like along the Mississippi River or Tennessee River.

International Cruise Ports

If you want to sail in other countries or even continents, when considering the best cruises, consider cruises that sail through Europe, Asia, or South America.

Great cruise itineraries sail the coast of places like Chile, Japan, and the UK. You usually have to start somewhere outside of the United States for this, though some cruises that start in the USA sail to Mexico and Central America.

A Central America cruise may stop in Panama (and even go through the Panama Canal), Costa Rica, or Belize. A popular Mexico port of call on the east coast is Cozumel, and Porto Vallarta is popular on the west coast .

As an example, we sailed on Celebrity Apex from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and we stopped at Belize City, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. Another example was when we were able to go to three continents in eight days during a Celestyal Cruises vacation.

Destination Ports of Call

Suppose you are interested in a cruise that goes to a particular region of the United States, North America, or the world. In that case, you will want to search by destination or embarkation port.

Examples are:

• For a cruise to Baja California (which sails into Mexico), leave Los Angeles.
• Do you want to cruise to Alaska ? Search for cruises that leave from Seattle, Washington.
• If you want to sail to the Caribbean, you’ll likely depart from the Port of Miami, Tampa, or Fort Lauderdale. This is because they are all Florida ports.
• Are you cruising to the Great Lakes ? You’ll want to leave from the Midwest or Northeast, including Chicago and Boston.
• If you want to sail to the Mediterranean, in Europe, search for a cruise that leaves from Barcelona, Spain.

Best Cruise Lines to Consider

The best cruise lines are likely all names you’ve heard, even if you’ve never been on a cruise. However, if you’re starting to look into the world of cruising, some may be new to you!

Mega-Ship Cruise Lines to Look into for Your Next Cruise Vacation

• Celebrity Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Viking Ocean Cruises (they have a popular river cruise line too)
• Holland America Line
• Virgin Voyages

Small Cruise Lines to Consider for Your Next Cruise

• Emerald Cruises
• Alaskan Dream Cruises
• Maple Leaf Adventures
• American Queen Voyages
• American Cruise Lines
• AmaWaterways
• European Waterways
• Hurtigruten
• Linblad (including National Geographic cruises)
• SeaDream Yacht Club
• Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection

Cruise Pricing

The search criteria on any cruise's or third-party cruise-booking website contains the categories we shared above. However, there are more factors for you when you determine the best cruise to book. Price is a result that pops up in search results, affecting which cruise you book for your next vacation.

Cruise prices will vary based on the following factors:

• Length of the cruise.
• Cruise destinations (or ports the cruise visits).
• The season you’re sailing.
• How many guests are in your cabin or stateroom. (Most cruise lines allow two adults and two children, maximum.) 
• Category of stateroom you book: inside, outside view, balcony or suite, for instance.

For small cruise ships, the price may also vary depending on the supply and demand. This is true for larger cruise ships too (especially for seasonal demand) but with smaller cruise ships, the smaller the ship and the more in demand the cruise line or itinerary, the more money the cruise.

Read more about what's included with river cruises , in particular.

Best CruiseS Prioritize Health and Safety

If you are concerned about the number of people on a cruise ship, we would argue that cruising is one of the safest ways to travel . This was true pre-pandemic and remains true now.

We have always appreciated the measures cruise lines take to ensure it is the safest way to travel.

This includes sanitization of the ship, cleaning all areas of the vessel, and the lengths they go to report these methods to the public. No other travel industry sector does so much, so publicly for its guests.

Additional Factors to Consider When Deciding What Cruise Is for You

Other factors may influence your decision about what cruise you book, which you may not have previously considered. 

Deciding what amenities or bonuses you desire before booking your cruise is important. The following few sections will provide helpful tips when considering a cruise vacation.

Travel Agent Kickbacks and Perks

If you book a cruise with a travel agent, there is the potential to get an onboard stateroom credit to use on the ship. Many people use the credit for things like cocktails, dining reservations, or spa treatments.

Ready to Book Your Cruise or INquire?

Use our preferred travel advisors, bolds travel, because….

• They take away the hassle of travel planning : time spent on the phone with the cruise line could be time you spend doing other things.
• You don't pay them a dime : their service is free (this is because they get paid by the cruise line or destination).
• Their experience: They have decades of experience and attention to detail.

Loyalty Programs

If you’re the type of person who likes to be rewarded for loyalty, consider cruise lines that reward repeat cruisers. 

For example, Disney Cruise Line has its “ Castaway Club ,” and Princess has its Captain’s Circle. Some enrollment is automatic after your first cruise, and others you have to sign up for.

Ship-within-a-Ship Cruises

The ship-within-a-ship cruise category is for cruisers who want a large ship’s amenities, activities, and entertainment but the exclusive treatment of smaller cruises.

These are clubs, of sorts, within a cruise you book before you reserve a suite, for instance, with access to a concierge level. In addition, you’ll gain privileged access to private pools, restaurants, and services like a butler 24/7.

Ship-within-a-ship cruises will cost you a little more than another category room, of course. But that’s because of the added services you’re receiving with it. 

For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has The Haven, and Princess has its MedallionClass . One of our favorites is The Retreat with Celebrity Cruises , where guests get perks like eating at Luminae and have access to suite perks, including in-room workout gear if you sign up for an AquaSuite .

Private Islands

Some cruise lines have private islands that are cool to visit. Only the cruise line’s ships will visit them.

For example, Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean itineraries go to their island, CocoCay. Disney Cruise Line’s Caribbean sailings go to Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island. 

These islands have been developed with cruiser vacationers in mind. So they’re complete with memorable excursion adventures, waterslides, rides (like zip lines), bars, restaurants, and more.

Family Friendliness

Some cruise lines are more friendly towards multi-generational groups. 

Disney Cruise Line has repeatedly been voted the best cruise line for families, which is not a surprise to anyone! Other cruise lines aren’t necessarily known for their “youthful” activities. Rather than wave pools and rock climbing, they focus on fine dining and casinos.

More children and families will be on cruises when kids’ school breaks occur, regardless of the cruise line. This is expected during spring break, summer break, and winter break.

There are things to keep in mind to determine if a cruise is a right fit for your family, especially if you have young kids:

• Onboard a ctivities , like laser tag, go-karts, ice skating, and more.
• If there is childcare onboard , including what ages it covers. Onboard childcare means that you can check your kids into a “babysitter” service. They can be supervised and play with other children their age while you enjoy the cruise as adults only for a few hours. Some cruise lines require additional payment for this service.
• Bathtubs : It may seem like a silly thing to consider, but if you have a young toddler who doesn’t bathe in a shower and you need a tub for bath time at night, you will want to check to see what the bathroom situation is in the cabins before you book. Some cruises have cabins with standing showers only, and others have tubs too.
• Kids sail free : Sometimes, to entice you to book a particular cruise, a company will have promotions for “kids sail free,” as long as two paying adults are in the cabin.

Culinary Cruises

One of the cool things about cruise lines in the past few years is their focus on culinary experiences.

Various cruise lines, from big to small, focus on Epicurean experiences. If you're a gourmand and seek vacations entailing special food experiences, look for notable sailings featuring celebrity chefs or special menus .

For example, Emerald Cruises and Scenic have featured cruises with Bravo celebrity chefs onboard.

The Future Of Cruising is Bright, No Matter the Best Cruise for You

No matter the year, cruising is on a constant upward trend, with more people wanting to go on cruises each year. That is why the future of cruising is bright, with new ships being introduced every year.

Going on one of the best cruises will only feed your desire to keep on cruising!

Planning a cruise? Read this next:

• 23 Ways to Be a More Eco-Conscious Cruiser Before, During + After a Cruise
• 11 Memorable Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas
• Over 25 Nonfiction Cruise Books and Assorted Cruise-Appropriate Reading by Crew, Cruisers, Scientists, Explorers and Historians