Best ships for first-timers

6. Infinity /Constellation /Summit /Millennium
(Celebrity)
These ships, the newest in the Celebrity fleet, aim to provide an uber-upscale cruise experience - on a moderate traveler's budget. Among the highlights? A two-story library, retro ocean liner-themed alternative restaurant, all-glass seaview elevators, Concierge Class staterooms (with extra services) and the AquaSpa, featuring a thalassotherapy pool.

7. Carnival Victory /Carnival Conquest /Carnival Glory
(Carnival)
If your choice is between cruising or Vegas, check out these megaships in the Carnival fleet. The atmosphere onboard is exuberant -- each ship has a different theme that's carried out in unique ways throughout its public rooms. Entertainment, particularly in the evenings, is geared for sociably-minded travelers; and there's plenty of options, whatever your interests.

8. Norwegian Star /Sun and Norwegian Dawn
(Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian's newest ships incorporate "Freestyle Cruising," meaning first-time cruisers can enjoy the unregimented lifestyle of dining whenever and wherever they please, plus other freedom-full features. These ships feature 9 or 10 alternative restaurants, 12 lounges, special enrichment rooms, outstanding spas and spacious staterooms, including two private Garden Villas on the Star. These ships also offer another unique-to-mass-market-cruising option: flexible embarkation, similar to that of hotel checkout procedures, which eliminates the need to wait, en masse, with hordes to debark.

9. Disney Magic /Wonder
(Disney)
Disney blends the traditional elegance of a vintage ocean liner with a kid-friendly environment, making these ships great choices for first-time family cruising. Although the ships lack a disco and casino, parents can enjoy Beat Street, an evening entertainment district with clubs offering country music and karaoke, cigars and cognac, and comedy, and Paolo's, an adults-only alternative restaurant. While the ships are slightly different, decor-wise, the real choice comes down to length: Disney Magic sails seven night itineraries, while Disney Wonder offers three- and four-night trips.

10. Carnival Spirit /Pride /Legend /Miracle
(Carnival)
Carnival's Spirit-class ships, which, size-wise, fall in the middle of the fleet (between its mid-sized vessels and mega-ships) and offer a great blend of features from both. These ships introduce some crowd-pleasing firsts for Carnival, including an alternative supper-club style restaurant. Other features include a wedding chapel, with stained-glass windows and a central aisle available for weddings and other ceremonies.

Cruise Critic, which launched in 1995, is a comprehensive cruise vacation planning guide providing objective cruise ship reviews, cruise line profiles, destination content on 125+ worldwide ports, cruise bargains, tips, industry news, and cruise message boards.

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