Cunard, Regent and SeaDream Are Top Rated, Respectively, for Large, Mid-Size
and Small Ships While Royal Caribbean, Crystal and Windstar are Most Popular
in Each Size Category
NEW YORK, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Zagat released the results of its first
Cruise Line survey today. The survey, conducted on ZAGAT.com, covers 22 major
cruise lines as voted on by 2,379 regular cruise-goers who had taken 9.5
trips, each averaging nine days. All told the surveyors had taken a total of
22,700 separate cruises.
"The survey reveals what the cruise line industry is doing plenty right, but
that there's still room for improvement," said Tim Zagat, CEO of Zagat Survey.
"Hopefully, these new results will help consumers during a time when making
informed decisions is more important than ever."
Background: The cruise lines in the survey were categorized as follows: Large
Ships (1,500+ passengers), Mid-Size Ships (200 to 1,500) and Small Ships (less
than 200), based on the average size of the ships in its fleet. Each line was
then rated on Zagat's signature 30-point scale for five aspects of its
performance: (1) Cabins, (2) Service, (3) Dining, (4) Facilities and (5)
Shipboard Activities, with an "Overall Score" based on an average of the five
separate ratings.
Smooth Sailing: The top cruise lines, based on their Overall Scores, are
Cunard Line (Large), Regent Seven Seas (Mid-Size) and SeaDream Yacht Club
(Small). Lines with mid-size ships tended to get the highest overall ratings.
Thus, following Regent were Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea all with a score
of 26 out of a possible 30. Following with overall rating of 25 are Cunard and
Disney. Based on their ratings, the major category winners are as shown below:
Large (1,500+) Mid-Size (200 to 1,500) Small (<200)
------------- ---------------------- -----------
Top Rooms Cunard Regent SeaDream
--------- ------ ------ --------
Top Service Cunard Seabourn SeaDream
----------- ------ -------- --------
Top Dining Cunard Seabourn SeaDream
---------- ------ -------- --------
Top Facilities Cunard Crystal SeaDream
-------------- ------ ------- --------
Top Activities Disney Crystal Lindblad
-------------- ------ ------- --------
Top Overall Cunard Regent SeaDream
----------- ------ ------ --------
When asked to name their personal favorites, the surveyors chose Royal
Caribbean (Large), Crystal Cruises (Mid-Size) and Windstar Cruises (Small).
Setting Course: When choosing a cruise line, 88% of surveyors say that Ports
of Call is their principal consideration, with Past Experience (81%) and
Ticket Price (80%) following close behind. Other major issues are Cruise
Duration (72%), Dates (69%) and Balcony/DeluxeRoom Availability (64%).
Departure Ports are cited by 61% of surveyors, with Ship Size and Activities
tying at 58%.
Staying Afloat: As a result of the recession, many lines lowered their prices.
The three named as "best for budget cruises" are Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa
Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line in that order. When asked how the economy
has affected their cruising, 47% say they're looking for better values, while
23% report cruising less. Surveyors report these alternate ways to be
cost-conscious: 20% are limiting their excursions, 19% are choosing cruises
that depart closer to home, 15% cut back on what's included in their packages,
10% choose less expensive rooms and 5% take shorter cruises. A lucky 18% say
the recession hasn't affected their cruising habits, while an unlucky 19% say
they "don't cruise enough to have habits yet."
Choppy Water: Although cruising is all about feeling good and relaxing, we
asked surveyors about their top complaints: crowds/lines (23%),
embarking/disembarking (15%), other passengers' behavior (12%), bad food
(11%), poor service (11%), room sizes (5%), smoking (4%) and extra charges
(3%). Surprisingly, bad weather, motion sickness, ship size and fixed dining
times were not serious concerns.
More Winners: Other categories with smoother sailing are as follows:
Top Fitness Centers Top Live Entertainment
1. Celebrity Cruises 1. Disney Cruise Line
2. Cunard Line 2. Cunard Line
3. Royal Caribbean 3. Royal Caribbean
Top Nightlife Top Spa Services
1. Disney Cruise Line 1. Cunard Line
2. Royal Caribbean 2. Disney Cruise Line
3. Cunard Line 3. Celebrity Cruises
Top Onboard Shopping Top Casinos/Gambling
1. Cunard Line 1. Cunard Line
2. Disney Cruise Line 2. Royal Caribbean
3. Royal Caribbean 3. Celebrity Cruises
Top Excursions Best for Singles
1. Princess Cruises 1. Carnival Cruise Lines
2. Celebrity Cruises 2. Royal Caribbean
3. Cunard Line 3. Norwegian Cruise Line
Top Itinerary Choices Best for Romantic/Honeymoon
1. Cunard Line 1. Cunard Line
2. Holland America Line 2. Celebrity Cruises
3. Celebrity Cruises 3. Princess Cruises
Best for Kids Best for Weekend Getaways
1. Disney Cruise Line 1. Disney Cruise Line
2. Royal Caribbean 2. Royal Caribbean
3. Carnival Cruise Lines 3. Carnival Cruise Lines
Best for Families Best for Budget Cruises
1. Disney Cruise Line 1. Carnival Cruise Lines
2. Royal Caribbean 2. Costa Cruises
3. Carnival Cruise Lines 3. Norwegian Cruise Line
Best for Seniors Best for Expedition Cruises
1. Holland America Line 1. Celebrity Cruises
2. Cunard Line 2. Princess Cruises
3. Celebrity Cruises 3. Holland America Line
The Survey in Detail: Please visit (www.zagat.com/cruiselines) for the full
survey results. Here's a sampling of outtakes from our surveyors, which were
deemed 'not fit for print.'
"A conga line is not conducive to good digestion."
"No activities for anyone who isn't an alcoholic seeking random sex."
"They cater to the newly wed and nearly dead."
"Great if you like hairy chest contests."
"A rust bucket filled with rowdy people."
"The more you booze, the better you cruise."
"Bathrooms so small you have to sit on the toilet sideways."
"It does attract a crowd - it's called 'God's floating waiting room.'"
About Zagat Survey, LLC
Zagat Survey is the world's most trusted source for information about where to
eat, drink, stay and play around the globe, and as such has become a symbol of
quality. Zagat Survey rates and reviews airlines, restaurants, hotels,
nightlife, movies, music, golf, resorts, shopping, spas and a range of other
entertainment categories in more than 100 countries and has been lauded as the
"most up-to-date, comprehensive and reliable guides ever published" and as "a
necessity second only to a valid credit card." Zagat content is available in
print, on the web, on the mobile web, iPhones, BlackBerry and on TV. For more
information, visit ZAGAT.com.
SOURCE Zagat Survey
Tiffany Barbalato, +1-212-404-6416, tbarbalato@zagat.com, or Nicholas
Sampogna, +1-212-404-6417, nsampogna@zagat.com
