Best Cruises for Value, Families & Adventure

Time to book your cruise! January – March is when most cruises are booked, regardless of departure date. That’s because this is “wave season,” which is when cruise lines and consolidators offer their very best deals. It’s also when most folks are knee (or at least ankle) deep in snow and an exotic cruise is most appealing!

But there are so many cruise lines and cruise ships and destinations. How do you know which is best? If you’re not sure whether you’d like small ship cruising or large ships then read my post CRUISES: WHICH IS BETTER…SMALL SHIPS OR BIG SHIPS?

Click here for more cruising tips!

Typically, the best bargains will be found on bigger ships. That’s because more passengers mean that cruise lines can afford to practically give away the cabins with the idea they will make their money in the casinos, shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty dining, beverages, etc.

I have compiled a list to help you. It features the Top Five “best cruise” winners for 2015:

BEST OVERALL (color me surprised that Royal Caribbean didn’t make the Top Five)

1. Disney Dream
2. Disney Fantasy
3. Celebrity Reflection
4. Holland America Eurodam
5. Celebrity Eclipse

Note: Tipping and on-board charges have become a sore spot for many cruisers. Many are amazed when a $#&! tally of shipboard charges is slipped under their door at the end of the cruise! But Holland America offers an array of cruises that always include accommodations, meals, fuel surcharges, taxes and most recreational activities AND cruisers can incorporate the costs of beverages, airfare, tipping, hotels in port cities, and premium amenities like massages into their cruise costs when booking so that there will be NO on-board charges.

BEST FOR VALUE

1. Carnival Freedom
2. Carnival Liberty
3. Holland America Eurodam
4. Norweigan Jewel
5. Disney Fantasy

Note: It’s darn hard to beat Carnival’s prices. Click here to check out their LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE!

BEST FOR FAMILIES

1. Disney Dream
2. Disney Fantasy
3. Disney Wonder
4. Disney Magic
5. Norweigan Getaway

Note: It’s no surprise that Disney wins BEST FAMILIES category. Click here for a FREE Disney Cruise Planning DVD!

BEST FOR ADVENTURE

1. Coral Expeditions
2. Windstar (pictured here)
3. Paul Gauguin Cruises
4. Un-cruise Adventures
5. Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas 

Note: Newly launched (Quantum Class) Anthem of the Seas offers more on-board active options than most other ships AND cruisers will have more off-ship adventure options, such as bobsledding in Ocho Rios; zip-lining on the world’s largest overwater run in Royal Caribbean’s private port in Labadee, Haiti; and golfing in Grand Cayman, as well as swimming with dolphins, diving, biking, horseback riding and parasailing throughout the Western Caribbean.