How to Measure Cruise Line Value: Service and Comfort

One means of evaluating and differentiating the level of service and luxury a cruise line offers is by the crew to passenger ratio. Mainstream-priced lines generally have one crew member for every 2.5 passengers or more. Luxury lines generally have one crew passenger for fewer than every 2 passengers. The lower the ratio of crew to passengers onboard, the more attentive and personal you can expect the service to be.

Luxury and comfort is also defined by the space ratio -- how much elbow room each passenger has on a ship. While some feel a small ship with fewer people is more intimate, the size of the ship isn't relevant as regards onboard space ratio. Onboard space ratio measures how many passengers can be accommodated on a ship relative to its size. Crystal Cruises accommodates about 1,000 people on a ship size some cruise lines have 3,000 people on.

On ocean-going cruise ships, there are many different price points. Price is dictated by two factors: the stateroom type and location. Basic stateroom types are interior staterooms (no window or balcony, ocean-view staterooms with a porthole or window, ocean-view staterooms with balcony, and then suite categories.

Most cabins on cruise ships within a type are the same size, but are priced differently based on location. Mid-ship staterooms are priced slightly more than those forward or aft on the ship. Staterooms on higher decks are usually priced higher than those on lower decks.

On luxury cruises, staterooms are often larger than mainstream cruises, and may feature walk-in closets, more luxurious bathrooms, and concierge or butler services in select categories. On river cruises, stateroom size is generally smaller and more compact, and there are fewer pricing categorie.

We all appreciate the difference between a fast food hamburger and a gourmet burger made with quality ingredients and 100% premium ground beef (and no filler). Both can be satisfying, but there is a difference in the quality of ingredients and preparation, and how it is served. Princess Cruises makes it's burgers fresh onboard, while some other mainstream line bring aboard frozen patties.

While dining on any cruise is quite satisfying in meeting our gastronomic needs, on deluxe ships dining is, at its best, like dining at a fine restaurant each evening. Deluxe lines spend far more on ingredients and quality than mainstream lines, and offer a different level of culinary delight.

Most cruise lines offer alternative dining venues onboard requiring advance reservations. These are usually finer dining restaurants, and have an additional charge from $20-$35.

Generally speaking, luxury cruises ($350 per person per day on up) will cost more than mainstream-priced cruises ($75 - $250 per person per day), with premium cruises falling somewhere in between. However, because luxury cruises often include far more amenities than mainstream cruise lines charge for, and the service level and cuisine is at a much higher level, the actual price difference can be far less than meets the eye.

Having touched on just a few key factors in deciding on the right cruise for you: service, comfort, cuisine and price, you can now consider whether you'd prefer Luxury Cruises, Premium Cruises or Mainstream Cruises. Outside of this main categories, you might also consider River Cruises, and Small Ship or Expedition Cruises.

Whatever your choice, our cruise experts are here to help and secure your best cruise deals.