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I've been on 6 different cruise lines, here are the pros and cons of each one

C ruising is one of my favorite kinds of family vacations . Whether I’m looking for sun-drenched beaches in the Caribbean , scenic views in Alaska, or city-hopping around the Mediterranean, cruises are a fun and hassle-free way to sample a variety destinations all around the world. Once I decide where I want to go on a cruise vacation, my next step is to pick a cruise line. 

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I’ve sailed with most of the major cruise lines for families that depart from the United States and around the globe, and each one has its pros and cons. If you’re thinking about taking a cruise at some point in the next year or so, now’s the time to book for the best prices and availability. But before you do, make sure you’re choosing a cruise line that fits your personality and vacation style.

Table of Contents:

• Disney Cruise Line
• Carnival Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Virgin Voyages
• Princess Cruises

How to choose a cruise line: pros and cons of each one

Here are my recommendations based on my personal cruise experiences with some of the world’s most popular cruise lines.

How we chose these cruise lines:  Read our methodology for selecting family cruise vacations .

1. Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) pioneered the concept of family-friendly cruises. Its sailings give everyone a chance to see beloved Disney characters, watch fun Broadway-caliber shows, and have dedicated spaces and activities for kids and adults.

Pros of Disney Cruise Line

Stateroom design: One of my favorite things about Disney Cruise Line is the stateroom design. Fleet-wide, most of the staterooms have DCL’s signature split bathroom, where one bathroom has a toilet and sink and the other has a tub shower and a sink. Additionally, there’s lots of storage space, a privacy curtain to divide the room into two spaces, and luggage can easily roll under the bed. In some staterooms, there’s additional space for sleeping five people with a pull-down Murphy bed, which is great for larger families.

CARIBBEAN DREAM: These 6 cruise lines offer the best Caribbean cruises for families  

Rotational dining: Disney is known for its rotational dining concept , where families will move through three distinct dining rooms at dinner throughout their cruise (and the dining room waitstaff moves with you). Each ship has different dining rooms, but a fan-favorite continues to be Animator’s Palate, which is available on the Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy , Disney Wonder , and Disney Magic . One of my favorite dining rooms is Worlds of Marvel on the Disney Wish (and coming to the Disney Treasure in 2024).

Dedicated spaces for kids and adults: Disney cruises cater to children with dedicated kids spaces, activities, and entertainment, but adults can have just as much fun. On all of Disney’s cruise ships , there are spaces that are exclusive for adults , too, like pools, lounges, bars, and restaurants. No matter your family’s makeup, everyone will have a space they enjoy.

Cons of Disney Cruise Line

Price: One of the biggest cons to a Disney Cruise vacation is the price compared to other family-friendly cruise lines. Disney does offer discounts on cruises throughout the year, but they’re not available to every type of guest or sailing date. 

No drink packages: Another con for some people is that Disney Cruise Line does not offer drink packages, so you’ll be paying for each cocktail, specialty drink, beer, wine, or specialty coffee individually. These charges can add up quickly if you aren’t careful, so be sure to put a spending limit on drinks and check your stateroom folio often to be sure you’re staying within your budget. 

STAR WARS AT SEA: With Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge and Cargo Bay, every day is ‘Star Wars Day at Sea’ on the Disney Wish

2. Carnival Cruises

Sailing with Carnival Cruises always feels like a fun party. The cruise line is known for its big ships that are filled with big personalities. I always tell people that Carnival is a great starter cruise line to see if you like cruising, or if you want a cruise where the party never stops. 

Pros of Carnival Cruise Line

Price: One of the biggest pros for Carnival Cruise Line is the affordability factor. Carnival is constantly running deals on cruises, so it’s easy to find a discounted sailing . The price for its smaller, older ships is usually cheaper than the bigger, newer ships, but depending on where you want to go and what season, the cost could vary greatly between cruises. To get the best deal, I recommend calling Carnival to book directly because the booking agent can play with discounts and sometimes combine them to give you a better deal than what you can get by booking online.

NO HIDDEN FEES: 7 best all-inclusive cruise lines in the world  

Celebrity chef-backed restaurants: Carnival is noteworthy for its celebrity chef-backed restaurants. Kids and adults love the burgers and BBQ that come straight from Guy Fieri’s Flavortown kitchens, and everyone can get a taste of the Big Easy from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse on Carnival Mardi Gras , Carnival Celebration , and Carnival Jubilee . And don’t forget about everything fried chicken at Big Chicken from Shaquille O’Neal.

Easy loyalty program: Every cruise line has a loyalty program. Carnival’s is called the VIFP Club , and it’s one of the easiest loyalty programs to understand and move up in. After just one cruise you’re enrolled and get members-only offers, and the perks go up from there, including priority check-in and boarding on embarkation day, $25 to use in the casino, and cabin upgrades. 

Cons of Carnival Cruise Line

Older ships feel very dated: Even though Carnival’s newest ships are bright and shiny, its older ships feel very dated. While the brand does put the older ships, like the Carnival Elation from Jacksonville, Florida, through dry dock repairs and upgrades, those upgrades are mostly for cleaning and maintenance and not to make the ships feel newer. 

Food and service can be hit-or-miss: Even though the celebrity chef-backed dining is very good, the rest of the food offerings on Carnival’s ships can be hit-or-miss, even in specialty dining restaurants that cost extra on some cruises. On a recent sailing, I dined in Chibang, which is a mash-up of Mexican and Chinese; the food was just okay and I felt rushed through the entire meal. I was hustled in and out the door for dinner in about 30 minutes. The main dining room can also have a lot of variation where some meal services are perfectly paced and others are rushed or exceptionally slow. 

3. Royal Caribbean

Families looking for another option for a fun cruise that’s not Disney will love Royal Caribbean . In fact, this is my pick for the best cruise for multigenerational travel. 

Pros of Royal Caribbean

Beautiful private island: One of Royal Caribbean’s most exciting offerings is its private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay . The island is home to family beaches, a spacious pool with a swim-up bar, a massive water park, and more. It’s also going to debut a new adults-only area, Hideaway Beach, in early 2024. If you choose to order a drink package it’s valid on the island, and lunch is served at a beachside BBQ so you don’t have to go back to the ship for a meal. 

TEEN-FRIENDLY CRUISES: 5 cruise lines that know how to keep teens (and their families) happy  

Variety of homeports: Royal Caribbean has one of the largest number of home ports around the world. Some of the most exciting home ports outside of the United States include Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; Dubai, UAE; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sydney, Australia; Singapore, Singapore; and Shanghai, China. From North America, there are 14 different home ports, including Miami, Florida; Galveston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Seward, Alaska.  

Over-the-top amenities on each ship: Royal Caribbean has some of the most over-the-top cruise amenities among the lines I’ve sailed with. Many of these amenities and activities are included in the overall cruise fare, which is even better. Kids and adults can enjoy things like water slides and splash pads, a surf simulator, rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice skating, observation pods, bumper cars, laser tag, and more. 

Cons of Royal Caribbean 

Ships can feel crowded: Royal Caribbean ships are some of the biggest in the world, meaning that the larger ships can feel crowded. On Wonder of the Seas , there are 2,876 staterooms that can accommodate up to 7,084 guests; and on Icon of the Seas, the, 2,805 staterooms can accommodate up to 7,600 people. Even though guests are split between more than a dozen decks, it can still get overcrowded at the pool, the buffet, or in theaters for showtime. 

4. Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is ideal for families vacationing with teens or adults looking for a getaway of their own. The newest Norwegian ships are stunning with high-caliber entertainment and fun around every corner.

Pros of Norwegian Cruise Line

Included dining options are great: Norwegian Cruise Line’s included dining options are stellar. After sailing on Norwegian Prima last year, I was blown away at the quality of the main dining room food for breakfast and dinner. At breakfast, I had one of the best iterations of steak and eggs I’ve ever had. I also love Indulge Food Hall, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served and you can pick from a variety of made-to-order dishes ranging in cuisine style from Indian and Mexican to ramen and salads.

BRING THE LITTLE ONES: 10 toddler-friendly vacations that are just as much fun for parents  

Glamorous staterooms: The staterooms on Norwegian are simple and refined, with plenty of storage, comfortable beds, and a decent-sized bathroom. I like that Norwegian also offers solo accommodations for those traveling alone. The solo staterooms are priced exclusively for solo travelers, and those guests also have access to the private Studio Lounge. 

Fantastic onboard entertainment: Norwegian pulls out all the stops for onboard entertainment. While sailing on Prima , I was able to see a Broadway-caliber show detailing the life of Donna Summer, head into a lounge with live rock-and-roll music every night, enjoy live bands around the ship, and even take in a few comedy shows. There’s no end to the amount of entertainment onboard, and it often goes into the wee hours of the night. 

Cons of Norwegian Cruise Line

Added activities add up quickly: Unlike other cruise lines where most activities are included, Norwegian’s best activities are an added cost per person, which adds up quickly. Things like go-kart racing, an afternoon in the virtual reality Galaxy Pavilion, and mini-golf are all additional costs once you get onto the ship. 

Boring private island: Norwegian’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay , is one of the most boring private islands I’ve been to on a cruise. While the beach is pretty, there are not a lot of included activities, and getting to the island is a challenge since you have to take a tender boat to and from the ship. However, there are some fun excursions you can book on the island, like swimming with pigs, taking a guided kayaking tour, or renting water sports equipment. 

5. Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line that caters to the party lifestyle and makes sure everyone always has a good time. 

Pros of Virgin Voyages

Vast entertainment options: No matter which Virgin ship you end up sailing on , there’s going to be a huge variety of entertainment. When I sailed with Virgin, I loved the live music around the ship and the pop-up entertainment that sometimes just happens in the main atrium area. At night, there are a few places to see shows, including drag and acrobatic performances.

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Richard’s Rooftop: Those staying in a suite are welcome to enjoy Richard’s Rooftop, which is a dedicated area on an open deck for suite guests. This area has a hot tub, plenty of cushy loungers, a dedicated bar and bar team, and great views of the ocean passing by. Every day there’s also a Champagne happy hour, where bartenders will continuously walk around filling up your cup until you tell them to stop. 

Cons of Virgin Voyages

Scarlet Night can be hard to get into: One of the hardest things for me to become involved with was Scarlet Night. This is the premier party of Virgin Voyages where every guest dresses in red and is encouraged to explore the ship for pop-up entertainment before heading to the pool deck for an all-night party.

The overall story of Scarlet Night is hard to follow if you don’t get to the right places at the right times on the ship, and I found that the staff didn’t really care to help people who looked lost and did not know what to do during “free exploration” time. I’ve heard that some of the pinch points of Scarlet Night have been worked out since my sailing, so I would say just go with the flow of the night and try to make friends with other guests to venture around the ship together. 

Cabins aren’t maximized for storage: The biggest con for Virgin Voyages is that the standard cabins feel more like an IKEA showroom than a luxury escape on a brand-new ship. The cabins lack enough storage for longer sailings, and the beds are not tall enough to roll suitcases underneath. 

6. Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises mainly caters to older adults looking for a more chill vacation with elevated service. 

Pros of Princess

The Sanctuary: One of the best things about Princess Cruises is the Sanctuary, which is an adults-only deck space that you can pay to use for a day or for the entire cruise. The Sanctuary comes with a dedicated team that learns your preferences quickly, from where you like to sit to when you enjoy lunch (which can be brought to you). Besides having a serene oasis, the Sanctuary means you’ll always have a comfortable lounge chair to enjoy. When I was on Caribbean Princess over the summer, I was always greeted with a smile when I walked up the Sanctuary and spent most of the day enjoying the breeze and sunshine.

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Onboard staff is fantastic: Princess crew members are among the most dedicated to guest service I’ve seen. Everyone knows your name by day two of the cruise, knows your preferences for things, and can even give you tips about what you may enjoy around the ship or at some ports of call. 

Cons of Princess

Entertainment feels dated: I wanted to like the entertainment, but most of it felt very dated, especially the shows in the main theater. The musical performances were mostly songs from my grandparent’s era, and the acting was just okay. I did enjoy the nightly 18+ entertainment that was hosted by the entertainment staff, but overall the entertainment offerings were weak relative to other cruise lines.

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 10 tropical destinations you can visit without a U.S. passport  
• 50 family vacation ideas for the best trip ever  
• Why a Holland America cruise was the perfect multigenerational vacation for my family

The post I’ve been on 6 different cruise lines, here are the pros and cons of each one appeared first on FamilyVacationist .

Front Row Seat for Beautiful Scenery

This impressive stateroom offers the added indulgence of a balcony and gives you more space than a standard stateroom. Enjoy your own private outdoor space with a table, two chairs, and a relaxing view of the inspiring scenery surrounding you, whether a beautiful sunset over the ocean or a new city to explore. It’s also perfect to enjoy cocktails before dinner or a leisurely breakfast.

• Approx. 214 to 222 sq. ft., including balcony
• Balcony with 2 chairs and table
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Comfortable queen or two twin beds ▲
• Refrigerator.
• Flat-panel television
• Private bathroom with shower
• 100% cotton, high-thread count linens
• Spacious closet
• Desk with chair
• Hair dryer & bathroom amenities
• Digital security safe

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins.

Photos, floor plan diagrams, and amenities represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship. Certain stateroom categories may vary in size and configuration by ship. Square footage varies based on stateroom category and deck location.

• CruiseMapper

Crown Princess cabins and suites

Crown princess staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Crown Princess cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Princess Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Crown Princess cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

2-Bedroom Family Suite

Layout (floor plan), balcony suite, balcony cabin, oceanview cabin, interior cabin, crown princess cabins review.

Crown Princess cabins with balconies are 887 (80% of all the 1108 outside rooms). Wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are 31 (of which 1 suite, 4 mini-suites, 16 balconies, 4 outsides, 6 insides).

Follows the review of Crown Princess staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

Crown Princess Suites have a walk-in closet (ample storage space), living room (sofa bed, desk), vanity, table, armchairs, bathroom (WC, shower stall, whirlpool bathtub, double sinks).

Family Suites are with 3 connected rooms (the living room is in between). Both bedrooms are with ample closet space, bathroom (shower, bathtub), desk, drawer. The living room has a sofa bed, floor-ceiling sliding doors lead to a large balcony.

Bonus amenities in all Suites are the deluxe mattress/pillows, 2 smart HDTVs, CD/DVD player, upgraded bathroom amenities (massage showerheads, luxury bath products), luxury furniture on the balcony, complimentary services (Spa Thermal Suite, Internet Cafe, laundry/dry cleaning, one-time mini bar).

All balcony accommodations feature sliding glass doors (floor-ceiling) opening to a private verandah, equipped with round table and patio chairs.

Balcony cabins have ample closet space, bathroom (shower), desk, drawer, and some have additional beds for 3rd/4th person.

Oceanview cabins have picture window (category OE have Porthole Window, and category OV are with an obstructed view.

Inside cabins have the same size and amenities as Ocean-View rooms but lack the window.

All Crown Princess cabins as amenities have living area (vanity, desk, seating), 2 twin beds (convertible to queen), deluxe bedding sets (Egyptian cotton linens), closet, desk, smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, bath products (shampoo, body lotion, conditioner), mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, evening turndown service, complimentary 24-hour room service.

During drydock 2018 refurbishment, all Crown Princess staterooms were upgraded with the company’s new signature “Princess Luxury Bed”. The new “cruise bed” was developed in collaboration with PhD Michael Breus (commonly known as “The Sleep Doctor”) and the designer Candice Olson. The new cabin beds feature a luxury pillow-top mattress, individually wrapped coils (reducing surface sway) and hypoallergenic duvets.

“Club Class Mini-Suite” is a new cabin category that was rolled out fleetwide in 2017. The new (VIP-guest) Mini Suite cabins offer the following complimentary services and amenities – “Club Class Dining”, Elite Lounge exclusive access, complimentary in-cabin dining (hours d’ oeuvres), priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering. Club Class Dining includes a separate area part of the MDR (main dining room) reserved for Club Suite guests only. The exclusive dining experience includes expedited seating, dedicated waiter staff service, exclusive menu (featuring chef’s specials) and tableside preparation of some dishes. Club Class Dining is available for breakfast and dinner every day, and also for lunch on sea days only. The new suites replaced some existing mini-suites. Their cabin size and layouts remained the same as the other mini suite grades.

Crown Princess cabin and suite plans are property of Princess Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

10 times you do not need to tip on a cruise

Like it or not, tipping culture is alive and well on cruise ships.

When you book a cruise, you also agree to tip the crew. Most cruise lines add a daily gratuity or service charge to your fare, either prepaid in advance of your sailing or once you are on board. They also add auto-gratuities to many onboard purchases. Independently, you're also expected to tip tour guides, porters and the room service delivery person.

Once you're in this tipping mindset, you might be tempted to hand out extra cash every time you interact with a crew member. Thankfully, that's not necessary. Here are 10 times you do not need to tip on your cruise (though you might want to anyway).

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

When sailing luxury lines

Luxury cruise lines — such as Seabourn , Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises — include crew gratuities in the cruise fare. You are not expected to tip on these sailings at all.

However, slipping your butler or favorite waiter or bartender some cash is welcome; good service should be rewarded. You might also want to express your thanks by donating to the crew fund, which provides treats and entertainment options to the hard-working crew.

When you buy an all-inclusive package

Certain upscale lines sell inclusive packages that cover drinks, Wi-Fi and, sometimes, crew tips. Book one of these packages on lines such as Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises , and you won't have to pay an automatic gratuity charge. Do not feel that you need to give additional tips to your waiter or room steward.

When imbibing, with an asterisk

When you order a drink in a bar, restaurant or lounge on a cruise ship, it's typical for the cruise line to include a 15% to 20% gratuity on your bill, so that $6 beer may actually cost you $7.20. If you have a drink package, tips are included.

Additional tipping is not required, even if there's a blank line for an "additional gratuity" on your check. However, some cruisers swear they get much better service (as in, their name and favorite drink order are remembered, and maybe they even get some complimentary tastes) if they slip the bartender 20 bucks or more at the beginning of the cruise.

The asterisk is this: If you have a favorite bar staff member who's gone above and beyond to take care of your adult beverage needs, by all means, show them your appreciation.

Of course, it comes down to personal choice. Rewarding your favorite server at the end of the cruise is a nice thing to do but not mandatory at all.

Related: Best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package

At the spa and beauty salon

Onboard spas and salons also include a tip of about 18% on top of the cost of your soothing massage or perfect blowout. Again, you'll find a space on your receipt to add a tip if you want to go beyond that, but it's not expected.

Many cruisers have added an extra gratuity, not realizing one was already added to the treatment price, and effectively tipped double on an already expensive splurge. Don't fall into that trap.

At specialty restaurants

Gratuities are typically included in the extra $10 to $100 per person you'll pay for the steakhouse , sushi bar and other specialty restaurants on board your ship. A tip may be included in the set fee for the restaurant or automatically added at the end of your meal.

You are not expected to add more if the tip is already included. However, if the waiter sneaked you an extra order of escargot or otherwise made the meal a truly memorable experience, you may want to add a few bucks to your bill.

Related: Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The best meals you can have at sea

When crew members handle special requests

During your cruise, you may have special requests, such as extra towels or pillows. You may need help opening your cabin safe or need someone to fix a wonky shower or toilet. Tips are not expected for these services. Handling these requests is part of the basic duties of the ship's room stewards (covered by the ship's auto-gratuity) and maintenance staff.

At the kids club or youth program

Most kids programming is complimentary, and the youth staff does not expect gratuities. If your child falls in love with a particular counselor, it's OK to slip them a cash bonus at the end of the cruise to say thanks. A heartfelt note and drawing by your child is also a lovely way to express appreciation.

Related: The best cruise lines for families

When you see a show

You are not expected to tip the magician doing sleight of hand, the costumed Disney character posing with your child, the musicians performing on the pool deck or the guy running the trivia contests. The onboard entertainers are paid to make your cruise more enjoyable, and they expect no additional compensation beyond your applause.

One exception is the piano bar player, who may put out a bowl for song requests and tips. (The bigger the tip, the sooner he'll play your song.)

When you purchase an ice cream or coffee

When you order an ice cream cone or gelato at the ice cream parlor or cappuccino at the coffee shop , you won't see a tip jar as you would on land. No tipping is required — though you may find an automatic gratuity added to your check, just as in the bars.

When you meet an officer

It is considered an insult to try and tip the captain, officers and the ship's senior team, including the cruise director, hotel director and executive chef. These men and women receive good salaries commensurate with their years of training. Besides, slipping the captain a $20 bill won't get you to the Bahamas any faster.

Bottom line

Cruise ship crew members work hard at the goal of delivering your dream vacation. They spend months at a time away from their homelands and are often supporting families on the other side of the world. A few bucks might not break your bank but can make a significant difference in their lives.

Even if you dislike tipping culture, always pay the automatically added tips because it makes a difference to the onboard staff. Consider rewarding your favorite crew member or the most helpful staff with a little something extra — but don't feel that you need to constantly hand out cash to everyone you meet on board.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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I sailed on Margaritaville at Sea's newest ship. The 5-night cruise is a pretty great value, but I wouldn't go again.

• I went on a 5-night cruise aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander that began sailing this year.
• Its cabins and amenities are superior to Paradise, the first ship in the cruise line's fleet.
• Islander is a pretty great value overall, but it still left something to be desired for me.

Margaritaville at Sea had a rocky entrance into the cruise industry — but things could be looking up with its newest ship.

A partnership between Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Margaritaville at Sea had its maiden voyage with  Paradise in 2022.

It didn't go well. Early cruisers called Margaritaville at Sea the "Spirit Airlines" of the sea , criticizing Paradise as having quality issues and a lack of engaging entertainment, dining options, and thematic touches.

I didn't absolutely love my time on Paradise, either, but I recently gave the brand another chance with its second ship, Islander.

I was more prepared for my second Margaritaville at Sea cruise.

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander made its maiden voyage in June.

Like Paradise, Islander is not a new ship but a former Costa Cruises ship. Islander is about 24 years old and has been refurbished for Margaritaville at Sea.

I was curious to see how the 12-deck, 1,105-stateroom ship compared to Paradise, which has 13 decks and 658 cabins.

I selected a cozy interior stateroom , the ship's entry-level accommodation, for five nights. I booked it during Margaritaville at Sea's summer sale, which got me about 30% off.

The total cost was $465.05 per passenger, including taxes and port fees. The rate didn't include add-ons like drink packages or excursions.

This was a great deal compared to what I paid to sail on Paradise last year. On that cruise, I paid $330.70 for a two-night sailing.

I found more Margaritaville fun on the Islander.

If you like Paradise, you'll probably love Islander. Not only do you get longer cruise itineraries , but also you get more dining, bars, and activities.

There are six new eateries out of one dozen offerings, including the complimentary Mexican Cutie Cantina, which serves street tacos for breakfast and lunch; Island Eats, an adults-only outdoor seafood shack; and Islander dining room, which costs extra.

There are 13 bars and lounges, including a three-story LandShark Bar and Lookout and an invite-only speakeasy.

I think the Islander's staterooms are better, too.

My interior stateroom was smaller than it was on Paradise, but the cabin was comfortable and had more Margaritaville vibes.

I appreciated the palm-tree wallpaper, duvet covers that had subtle sateen parrots, and a "Livin' on Islander Time" throw pillow.

I found amenities on Islander that I didn't experience on Paradise.

While on the ship, I received a printed daily newsletter filled with onboard activities.

These included two new live production shows: the country-themed "Conky Tonkin' at Sea" and song, dance, and acrobatics show "Caribbean Heat Remix."

The itinerary also included things like a magic show, theme nights, a mini-golf course, a waterslide, and a circus-themed workshop.

There are several things worth splurging on, too.

Everyone's fare includes access to Fins, the main dining room. It's the only complimentary sit-down restaurant, so I opted to add a dining package to my cruise.

During booking, I added the Ultimate Dining Chill package for $107, which allowed me to try all of the specialty restaurants on board.

It includes dinner at JWB Prime Steakhouse, brunch and dinner at Islander Dining Room, and a $25 dining credit to each of the following restaurants: Far Side Sushi, Tiki Grill, and Island Eats.

I recommend this package if you want to try all the dining options.

I also bought unlimited WiFi for $67.50. It was mostly reliable.

I felt there were some downsides to Islander, though.

In my opinion, the ship's Fins Up! fitness center looked depressing.

I visited daily and found it was almost always empty. Though it was nice to have the place to myself, it still wasn't my favorite.

The space felt minimally stocked with a couple of treadmills, rowers, and weight machines. Its porthole windows were frosted over, so I couldn't even admire the ocean while working up a sweat.

I definitely preferred the gym on the Margaritaville at Sea's older ship, which had much better views.

The Islander's Port of Indecision buffet also let me down — as one of the few complimentary dining venues, it often had long lines.

Plus, the food selection wasn't very impressive compared to other cruises I've been on.

I expected a dozen or more stations with things like sushi or build-your-own noodle bars like I've seen on other cruise lines. However, I found the buffet on the Islander felt limited, mostly just featuring a few hot dishes, a salad bar, and desserts.

Fortunately, though, the buffet had plenty of seating to accommodate its crowds.

I was also put off by the color of the pools.

During my trip, the pool water looked greenish and I found it unappealing, making this the only ship I've sailed on where I didn't go swimming.

I asked the onboard crew about the water, and they said nothing was wrong with it.

When asked about the pool, a representative for Margaritaville at Sea wrote in an email that the water can sometimes have temporary discoloration when it's being actively filtered and chlorinated.

They added, "The water is always safe to swim in even when this occurs and we test the water quality continuously twenty four hours a day, seven days a week through the onboard filtration computer system."

I think Margaritaville at Sea took the complaints about Paradise into consideration when refurbishing Islander.

On this cruise, I got the sense Margaritaville at Sea really took into consideration the negative feedback it received about Paradise.

I found sailing with the Islander to be a much more improved and elevated experience than when I was on Paradise in 2022.

The staff seemed passionate and proactive, and the rooms looked more thematic. Whereas Paradise lacked an immersive Margaritaville experience, Islander is a spirited good time.

But both ships still lack amenities and luxurious perks that many other cruise lines have that I love, including eateries open 24/7, high-quality gyms, and spas with hydrotherapy and thermal suites.

It's unlikely I'll sail Islander again unless there's another major renovation — but I must admit that Margaritaville at Sea's price point and vibes can't be beaten. The Islander a pretty good value for a cruise.

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