Most major cruise lines goes to Caribeen, each has different flavor. Even amount same cruise lines, each ship has unique features. As for on-board activities, it all depends on the Cruise Director that happens to be there. He is the one decide what kind of entertament options to put on. Here is a short list of major ones:
Carnival: has reputation as Party Cruise or Booze cruise, tend to attract younger passenger. Average age will be around 40. Though their food and service may suffer from their low budget operation. They have been trying to fix this with their newer ships.
Royal Caribeen: Very similar to Carnial, though attract more families, especially with their voyoger class ships. Their vision class ships has some outstanding features, and is considered as some of the best designed criose ships.
NCL: famed for their free style cruise, though not everyone will like that setup. Lots of family too.
When you choose this cruise line, make sure you book on their newer ships: Sun, Sky, Down. The freestyle is not working very well with their old ships
Princess: my personal favorite. More upscale, yet sedate environment. Better food and service. Their personal choice cruising option works out much better than NCL's freestyle.
Celebrity: well known for their gourmet cooking. Tend out attract much older passengers. Not the best option if you have kids.Though the quality of their food has declined a little on their new ships, the millennium class.
HAL: known as "god's waiting room", their average passenger age is well over 60. On some longer segments, average age can hit 70+. So if you are under 40, you may want to think twice before pick this one.
Costa: owned by Carnival Corp, but operates as a European cruise line with Italian theme. Not my cut of tea, but if you like Italian food and like to mingle with munch of Europeans, then this may be your cruise line.
Overall, it's hard to say which cruise line is better since it all depends on how old you are, whethere you are active or not, going there with your mate or your family, how important food is to you, and what you plan to do on land.
The price you have quoted is very good if you are going during spring break or with premium cruise line: Princess, Celebrity, HAL. Otherwise you should find a better deal.
Carnival: has reputation as Party Cruise or Booze cruise, tend to attract younger passenger. Average age will be around 40. Though their food and service may suffer from their low budget operation. They have been trying to fix this with their newer ships.
Royal Caribeen: Very similar to Carnial, though attract more families, especially with their voyoger class ships. Their vision class ships has some outstanding features, and is considered as some of the best designed criose ships.
NCL: famed for their free style cruise, though not everyone will like that setup. Lots of family too.
When you choose this cruise line, make sure you book on their newer ships: Sun, Sky, Down. The freestyle is not working very well with their old ships
Princess: my personal favorite. More upscale, yet sedate environment. Better food and service. Their personal choice cruising option works out much better than NCL's freestyle.
Celebrity: well known for their gourmet cooking. Tend out attract much older passengers. Not the best option if you have kids.Though the quality of their food has declined a little on their new ships, the millennium class.
HAL: known as "god's waiting room", their average passenger age is well over 60. On some longer segments, average age can hit 70+. So if you are under 40, you may want to think twice before pick this one.
Costa: owned by Carnival Corp, but operates as a European cruise line with Italian theme. Not my cut of tea, but if you like Italian food and like to mingle with munch of Europeans, then this may be your cruise line.
Overall, it's hard to say which cruise line is better since it all depends on how old you are, whethere you are active or not, going there with your mate or your family, how important food is to you, and what you plan to do on land.
The price you have quoted is very good if you are going during spring break or with premium cruise line: Princess, Celebrity, HAL. Otherwise you should find a better deal.