WHAT MODEL SHIP DO YOU DRIVE?
Quite often people ask me if I was comparing a cruise ship to a hotel, how would I rate them. (I wouldn’t).
But as this question keeps popping up, I feel there is a need out there to “compare.”
As always, I have to preface that with, no two Ford cars, Hilton hotels, or cruise ships are the same. In other words, your Ford is green; mine is yellow. Or, your Hilton is on a beach, that one is on a golf course.
Furthermore, there are over 400 cruise ships in service. And more than 30 cruise lines.
How do you compare?
With that in mind, here is a light-hearted look at comparing ship lines, hotel brands, and car models.
This list is for giving the non-cruiser a little direction (maybe) when searching for a cruise. Remember, there is more than one cruise line, and there is something for everyone.
Comparing.
Again, these are only MY opinion, and you should take them VERY generally. YOUR idea is also correct.
Another major point, the order of cruise lines, hotel brand or car company, does not, never has, denote a rating.
In general, these are some of the cruise lines advertising towards the USA market.
CRUISE LINE HOTEL BRAND CAR COMPANY
Carnival Days Inn / Hampton Ford / Chevrolet
NCL Holiday Inn / Ramada Dodge / Honda
MSC Embassy Suites / Doubletree Toyota / Nissan
Royal Caribbean Marriott / Hyatt Mercury / Buick
Princess W Hotel / Grand Hyatt Chrysler / Hummer
Celebrity Hilton / Westin Cadillac / Lincoln
Holland America Waldorf – Astoria Lexus / Audi
Crystal InterContinental / Fairmont C Class Mercedes
Oceania / Azamara Ritz Carlton / JW Marriott 500 series BMW
Windstar Relaix & Chateau / Belmond SL convertible Mercedes
Viking Ocean Kempinski / Aman S Class Mercedes, 700 BMW
Seabourn Rosewood / Dorchester Land Rover
Silversea Four Seasons / Park Hyatt Bentley / Rolles
Regent Seven Seas St Regis / Mandarin Porsche
Is this the ONLY list to use?
Of course! This summary is not a list but more suggestions. Keep in mind this is only a partial list of hotels/cars. Not even all the cruise lines are on the list.
If you drive a Lexus, MUST you sail on Holland America and stay at the Waldorf? Do NOT go down that path.
However, If you drive a Bentley, you are probably not going to be happy with Carnival. In like manner, if you sail on Silversea, you probably are not going to be driving a sub-compact car.
See if there is a car or hotel brand that “fits” you best. (If yours is not on the list, choose a similar brand) Start with the cruise line next to your favorite hotel/car.
How many “features” does it have from your wish list?
Then look at the one right above (if there is one) and the one right below. Try these cruise lines on and see how they “feel.”
This comparison MAY help you go from comparing 30 cruise lines, down to comparing 2 or 3. This lower number, in turn, may reduce the stress level.
Or we can ramp your stress level up a few more degrees. Add the cruise lines that are marketing to the UK or European travelers.
What about the exploration ships? Riverboats? The Good Ship Lolly Pop?
Then there is the Disney Cruise Line, which is more theme park afloat than a cruise ship. For hotels, I would compare it to a Disney Hotel and as for cars…. In other words, it is tough to compare it to anything except Disney.
Summary.
In my next post, I will compare cruise lines with shampoos, vegetables, and most similar reality show – NOT!!
In the end, comparing is usually not a great idea.
However, matching the person to the right cruise line/hotel, adventure/vacation is.
There is nothing more upsetting than meeting a guest who is on the wrong ship for them. It happens more than you think. Even with the sun every day and free champagne, they are not going to “love” their cruise.