difference between cruises

Which cruise line is best for me? The differences between cruise lines.

It's not too likely that many people talk to a travel agent about visiting Alaska and leave convinced that instead, they want to take a cruise...to the Caribbean.  For that reason, instead of talking about destinations right out of the gate, I want to cover the question of which cruise line to try out.  I so often see the question, "What is the best cruise line?"  Well today I will share with you the answer to that question...

All of them!

That may sound like a cop out, but really, like many things, this is very subjective, so it's about finding the right cruise for you and your travel party.  All cruise lines have something unique to offer and different markets to which they cater.  Deciding that cruising is only good or bad, exhausting or relaxing, formal or casual, etc is like saying that restaurants are all loud or all dark.  

There are many cruise lines, so let's start by breaking them out into several categories.  I'm going to focus on some of the US focused brands, but I think it will make it pretty easy to figure out where others (such as P&O or Pullmantur) fall:

Contemporary: Carnival Cruise Line , Royal Caribbean International, NCL. MSC Premium: Holland America Line , Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises Ultra-Premium: Oceania, Azamara Luxury: Cunard Ultra-Luxury: Regent Seven Seas , Crystal, Silversea Specialty:  Disney Cruise Line , Windstar, Star Clippers *Keep in mind that these categorizations aren't necessarily indicative of price*

Ask yourself what are you looking to get out of a cruise.  What attracted you to the idea of taking a cruise?

Contemporary Cruise Lines

Contemporary (sometimes called "mass-market") lines like Carnival are fantastic for families, as they tend to do a great job offering something for everyone.  Activities for young kids, areas just for teens, night life and up-scale dining for adults, and plenty entertainment and activies the whole family can enjoy together.  Their broad appeal isn't just because they do many things, it's frequently that they do these things  really well .  To that point, you'll see many young couples, retirees, and even corporate groups on mass market lines - it's not just families looking to check off as many boxes as possible.  These lines often focus on activities, not just experiences.  In my experience, this is especially true of Royal Caribbean.  Bumper cars, ice skating, rock climbing, surfing, and more - it's can be a thrill-seekers dream, and so much more fun than the whole family showing up for 2 o'clock bingo.  All of these possibilities are book-ended with exciting or relaxing destinations on land, and quality dining and rest at sea.

Premium Cruise Lines

Premium lines tend to feel a bit more relaxed and upscale, where the focus is more on the vacation experience than the actives.  Food and drink options tend to be a bit more refined as well.  This doesn't mean your resigned to staring out a window with a glass of single malt and watching the sea go by (which can be lovely, and may be just what you're looking for out of a trip), but don't expect indoor sky-diving on Celebrity.  Think of a premium resort, rather than a family resort, or an amusement park.

Specialty Cruise Lines

On our list we listed Disney Cruise Line as a 'specialty' line as they're a bit of an outlier - but you might consider them a premium line as well.  All contemporary and premium lines have programs for kids, but Disney Cruise Line is the line that puts the biggest part of their focus on the childrens' experiences.  What makes them a premium line then?  Well, while price isn't the biggest factor is determining in which category a given line falls, it's still a factor, and DCL ( Disney Cruise Line ), offers a great product, but it comes at a premium price.  Further, many DCL cruisers are going specifically for the Disney experience, at times, more than they're traveling for a cruise experience - in this way, they come in a bit differently than NCL, for example.

Ultra-Premium Cruise Lines

Ultra-premium lines are, in some ways, a newer division in the market.  These lines generally attract very seasoned cruisers who live the cruise lifestyle.  Lines like Oceania are known for attracting foodies, and the attention to detail in this category is the key - rather than the breadth of offerings.  Generally they offer smaller vessels as well, which allow for a more intimate experience and access to more unique ports of call.  Bigger isn't always better when it comes to cruise ships.  Interestingly, these lines also tend to be a bit more casual.  Oceania in fact calls it's dress code, "country club casual."

Luxury Cruise Lines

I've put Cunard in it's own category, Luxury.  Not because other lines aren't luxurious, but because of what this category has come to represent.   Cunard Line has been around for over 175 years, having won the first Royal Mail contract crossing the Atlantic.  I could publish an entire site about Cunard , as their offering is really something unique, that I personally enjoy, despite how contrary many find it to my personality.  For the purposes of this summary I'll simply explain that a Cunard voyage (especially one of their famed Trans-Atlantic crossings) is like the movie Titanic up until the iceberg scene.  It's formal, but it's something that simply doesn't exist any longer outside of Cunard .  

Ultra-Luxury Cruise Lines

The ultra-luxury segment is one few of us will have the pleasure of experiencing, but the name should be pretty self-explanatory.  These are generally all-inclusive experiences that cater to those looking at take trips more reminiscent of a private yacht tour than anything you've seen a commercial for.  Custom experiences are created, and truly exotic destinations visited with world class service.  For those wanting the most refined and perfectly choreographed of experiences, this is where it's at.  The recently launched Regent Seven Seas Explorer  features a $150,000 Savoir No. 1 bed in the ship's most luxurious suite.  Really.

Whatever type of cruise line seems to be a fit for your cruise, there is certainly more research to be done in this article, but hopefully this gives you a start.  Check back to read about more tips to help you plan your first cruise.

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Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival: Which Is Right For You?

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Table of Contents

Fleet size and type

Onboard activities, family atmosphere, destination availability, loyalty program, carnival vs. royal caribbean recapped.

Both frequent and first-time cruisers are sure to recognize brands like Royal Caribbean or Carnival. As two popular cruise lines in the U.S., both have plenty to offer passengers who are looking for sun, fun and adventure.

But which is better, Carnival or Royal Caribbean? Or is there much of a difference? The answer lies in where you want to go and the kind of experience you want to have.

Depending on what you’re looking for in a cruise vacation, the Carnival Cruise versus Royal Caribbean debate has fans on both sides of the aisle (or should we say pier).

Here’s a thorough comparison so you can decide between Royal Caribbean or Carnival.

Winner: Royal Caribbean

Both cruise lines have many ships in varying sizes, including several new and elaborate ships. Both companies are market leaders in terms of fleet sizes.

That said, Royal Caribbean has more ships and they’re often larger, which means additional dining, activities and lodging options for passengers.

Royal Caribbean's fleet

Royal Caribbean has 27 ships, with more on the way. While ship size isn't always a deciding factor on which is better, Royal Caribbean tends to have larger ships with flashier amenities. In fact, Royal Caribbean has five of the largest passenger ships in the world based on gross tonnage and passenger capacity.

Its largest ship at the moment, Wonder of the Seas, weighs 235,600 gross tons and can carry more than 9,000 passengers and crew members. Its oldest ship is the Grandeur of the Seas, which launched in 1996. Its ships range from accommodating 2,400 up to nearly 7,000 guests.

Carnival's fleet

Carnival has 23 ships in its fleet with more on order. Its oldest ship is Carnival Sunshine, which made its first sailing in 1996.

Its ships range in size, hosting around 2,100 to 5,200 guests. Carnival Celebration is the line’s largest and newest ship with a gross tonnage of about 180,000 tons and space for over 5,200 passengers. 

» Learn more: How much does a cruise to the Bahamas cost?

Winner: Carnival

This is hard to compare because the cost varies depending on the date you’re traveling and where you’re going to. Like airlines and hotels, demand can vary, which means the price does, too.

Other factors that can influence price are holiday periods, cabin type and advance purchase time. 

In general, both lines compete in the same space. While other cruise lines like Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea may specifically target the upscale sector, both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer a wide range of price points.  

Royal Caribbean pricing

Given the wide range of cabin types, including high-end suites and typically more elaborate decor, it’s not uncommon to see higher prices with Royal Caribbean. 

When searching for a three-night Bahamas cruise departing from Miami in August 2023, Royal Caribbean is offering a cruise for $403 per person for an interior cabin, not including taxes or fees. A suite will run you $609 before taxes and fees.

This price point is higher than Carnival for the interior cabin, but lower for the suite.

Carnival pricing

When it comes to Carnival or Royal Caribbean, the prices hover in the same range — although on many dates and itineraries, Carnival tends to underprice Royal Caribbean.

For a three-night Bahamas cruise, also departing from Miami in August 2023, Carnival has interior rooms starting at $274 per person before taxes and fees. A suite costs $786 per person before taxes and fees.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

Both lines offer a range of accommodations, from inside cabins to top-notch suites with luxurious extras.

This category would otherwise be a tie were it not for some of the unique features that Royal Caribbean has added on its newer ships on both ends of the pricing scale.

Royal Caribbean cabins

In the interior cabins of its newer ships, Royal Caribbean has added real-time, virtual balconies that provide the sensation of having an actual balcony (without the breeze or temperature, of course). This is a unique way to balance price with experience, but of course, nothing can replace a real balcony.

On the high end, some of its newest family suites have in-room slides and game rooms spread across two floors. 

Carnival cabins

Like its competitor, the cruise line has something for every budget. It doesn’t have the same bells and whistles as Royal Caribbean offers, though.

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth the cost?

Both lines offer plenty to keep you busy without ever needing to leave the ship. These include a daily itinerary of events from contests, game shows, live entertainment and casino specials.

While not every ship has every type of amenity, both lines do an excellent job of creating variety. Royal Caribbean wins this category because of its additional and unique activity offerings.

Royal Caribbean's onboard activities

What gives this line the win in this category is that it has special amenities that others don’t — like the FlowRider surf simulator, where guests can try their hand at a free surf lesson.

Simulated skydiving, ice skating, trapeze lessons, escape rooms and rock climbing walls add to the fun. Don’t miss the SeaPlex, which has plenty of indoor activities like roller skating, basketball courts and bumper cars.

Royal Caribbean is one of the largest producers of live entertainment. Each year, it runs more than 13,000 performances, surpassing Broadway and London’s West End combined. This includes those conducted in or under the water at the cruise line’s AquaTheater, specifically built for aqua acrobatics in the world’s deepest pool at sea.

You’ll also find the world’s tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship, according to Guinness World Records.

Carnival's onboard activities

The family-style activities on this line range from pools with waterslides and kids’ clubs to playgrounds, ropes courses, mini golf and basketball courts.

Carnival also has plenty of evening entertainment from musical productions and Broadway-style shows to headlining entertainers and comedians. There are game shows, like Family Feud, that guests can be a part of for added fun.

The Carnival Mardi Gras and Celebration ships offer rides on the first roller coaster at sea, and three ships have the SkyRide (aerial biking).

If you’re sailing with the family, both cruise lines offer kids' programs, swimming pools and waterslides. Also, both have private islands in the Bahamas with pools and water parks.

On board, the mix of other passengers can determine the overall experience, but both cruise companies do an excellent job of offering fun for all ages. Carnival wins this category for its more laid-back atmosphere and the number of children-specific activities.

Royal Caribbean for families

Perfect Day Island at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s expansive private island with water activities, dining areas and plenty of beach. It also has the region’s largest wave and resort pools.

Back on board, young guests can explore the adventure science lab or a 3D puppet show.

Royal Caribbean has so much that knocks it out of the water on the unique onboard amenity front, but most activities are geared toward all ages. When it comes to youth-oriented variety, it generally offers a bit less.

Carnival for families

Half Moon Cay is Carnival’s private island with horseback riding in the sea, a mock pirate ship, water activities, villas to rent and a coastline with lounge chairs.

The Seuss at Sea program offers fun for young travelers, including costume parties and themed breakfasts with their favorite Dr. Seuss characters. Even the spa has treatments for teenagers seeking a little pampering.

There’s also a NASA-inspired space program for kids, an IMAX theater and a thrill theater that simulates being on hair-raising roller coasters.

» Learn more: Family vacation planning tips I learned on the fly

Winner: Tie

Both cruise lines offer excellent dining options that span a global palate profile, but if you’re looking for specialty dining, Royal Caribbean has more options.

Still, if you’re looking for variety, it’s hard to tip the scale in favor of either brand — although Carnival deserves props for offering more well-known food options without an extra fee.

Royal Caribbean food

It's hard to go hungry on a Royal Caribbean ship because of its numerous dining options and specialty dining choices. One area where it falls short is name recognition, with fewer celebrity chefs lending their brand to its onboard eateries. Jamie Oliver is one, and a familiar favorite is Johnny Rockets. Carnival still has more specialty venues.

Carnival Cruise food

This brand is well-known for its tasty food and celebrity partnerships with names like Guy Fieri and Emeril Lagasse.

If the names mean nothing, the brand may still resonate, with partnerships like Guy’s Burger Joint and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse. Many of these celebrity chef and specialty dining venues are complimentary, unlike those on Royal Caribbean.

Both lines deploy their fleets on substantial itineraries in many parts of the world. Interesting options include both the Panama Canal and trans-Atlantic crossings.

Royal Caribbean itineraries

The route map for Royal Caribbean ships is widespread, covering the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe and Australia, among other places.

It has a large number of North American departure points. The line even offers a South Pacific sailing that visits places like Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Carnival itineraries

Carnival does a lot of Caribbean and Mexico itineraries from more than a dozen North American ports of call. It also sails around the world, including to eclectic places like Papua New Guinea and Greenland.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for family travel

Both cruise lines offer plenty to do after the sun sets — from live entertainment and karaoke to dance clubs and comedy hours. But Royal Caribbean has a greater number of head-turning evening activities to please night owls.

Royal Caribbean nightlife

From sublime jazz club vibes to thumping nightclub venues, Royal Caribbean offers several options for after-dark entertainment.

Among its offerings are Playmakers Bar & Arcade, which pairs drinks with arcade games, and Boleros, a Latin-themed nightclub with music, dance and cocktails. Most spectacularly, many ships have robotic bartenders that can prepare special cocktails at the touch of a button and a bar that levitates within the inside of the ship.

Carnival nightlife

Live music is available in many venues, but it’s the DJs in the nightclub that keep things busy late into the night.

There are also piano bars and spots to take free dance lessons. Havana Bar mixes in some Cuban flavor to cocktail hour while the tiki bar switches the theme to a South Pacific atmosphere.

Overall, however, the after-hours entertainment just seems less flashy and sophisticated.

» Learn more: 6 cruises where you don’t need a passport

Both lines offer loyalty programs with substantial perks depending on your status level. Those who aren't members of the program can still opt to pay extra for those perks.

Still, it’s better if you get perks for free as part of the loyalty program. In this realm, Royal Caribbean wins — it has a reciprocal partnership with sibling companies like Celebrity that can increase the benefit opportunity.

Royal Caribbean loyalty program

Special onboard events, discounts and benefits are available for members of Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, the Crown & Anchor Society. The number of perks rises based on the status you hold.

Members earn status by sailing often with Royal Caribbean. The program also offers a status match if you have elite status on Celebrity cruises, making it easier to attain status.

Using the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card can also help members inch closer to a free cruise or onboard discounts via the points they earn.

Carnival loyalty program

Carnival’s loyalty program — cleverly dubbed the Very Important Fun Person Club, or the VIFP Club — operates in a similar manner. The more points you earn and the more often you cruise, the more perks you get.

A great way to earn points is with The Carnival World Mastercard , but with few non-cruise perks, it’s not the best option to use when making other purchases.

VIFP Club’s scale is smaller, since it doesn't provide reciprocal perks on other sibling brands. This is an immediate drawback when comparing the two, but it still makes sense to join the program if you sail often with Carnival.

Is Royal Caribbean or Carnival better? Assuming both cruise lines can fit your date, destination and amenity preferences, Royal Caribbean comes out ahead. This is particularly true if your budget can accommodate the higher cost for interior cabins and/or you aren’t traveling with kids. 

Meanwhile, more price-sensitive solo/couple travelers may prefer Carnival. It offers ample specialty dining and activity options, not to mention a good experience at a generally cheaper price point. While suites are more expensive for traveling families, the entertainment available to young cruisers is hard to beat.

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Cruise vs. all-inclusive resort: Which budget-friendly option is best for you?

Travelers looking for an easy vacation, with accommodations and activities bundled into one package price, often compare cruises and all-inclusive resorts to find their ideal trip. On a cruise ship or at a resort, you've got restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment and kids clubs all in one place, saving you from doing loads of research for every aspect of your trip. Even better, many (or all) of these amenities are included in the upfront price, helping make these vacation types budget-friendly.

Sure, you can choose pricey luxury cruise lines or upscale resorts , but when you book a cruise or all-inclusive resort, you can rest easy knowing you're getting the convenience of an all-in-one vacation without a ton of extra expenses.

The question then becomes: Which vacation type is better for you, a cruise or an all-inclusive resort? The answer depends on which sorts of things you want included in your base price and which ones you'd rather purchase a la carte. Additionally, what type of trip you're looking to take matters.

To help you decide which option is best for you, you'll first need to understand which activities and amenities cruises and all-inclusive resorts actually cover in their base rates. Then, you can compare the similarities and differences before picking between the two.

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Cruises: What's included?

Cruises are often pegged as all-inclusive vacations, but exactly what is included varies by cruise line and cabin type . When pricing out a cruise vacation, you'll need to know the details of what your line covers in everyone's fares and what add-ons you can buy to make your trip more inclusive.

Let's start with the basics. All cruise fares on any major cruise line include accommodations with en suite bathrooms; meals in select restaurants (typically a large main dining room and a buffet venue, plus perhaps a few other eateries); basic drinks (tap water, coffee, hot and iced tea, milk and select juice at breakfast); use of pools, hot tubs, lounge chairs and fitness equipment; kids clubs and programming; and some kinds of daytime and evening entertainment.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Whether you're sailing mass-market Carnival Cruise Line or ultra-luxe Regent Seven Seas Cruises, your base fare will include the aforementioned items.

High-priced luxury cruise lines will typically also include a large selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, gratuities for the crew, Wi-Fi access and meals in smaller, themed restaurants. However, this isn't always the case.

To see how inclusions vary, let's take a look at a few examples.

Royal Caribbean is a big-ship line that caters to couples and families. Its entry-level fares cover just the basics mentioned above. You might find discounted rates and free kids fares (when sharing a cabin with two paying adults), but it is not known for throwing in freebies like Wi-Fi or tips unless you book a suite.

Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite-class fares are more inclusive than standard fares. Book a Sky-class suite and you'll receive free Wi-Fi for each guest, room service and meals in the exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant, as well as access to a lounge with complimentary evening drinks and snacks. Book a Star-class suite and you'll get even more fare inclusions, such as meals in all specialty restaurants, a Deluxe beverage package (including booze, soda and premium coffee drinks), minibar items, tips and laundry.

Related: 5 things I love about Royal Caribbean's new suite neighborhood — and 3 that need work

Norwegian Cruise Line takes a different route. Its "Free at Sea" promotions (which seem to run continuously these days) allow everyone to make their base fares more inclusive, depending on which version of the sale is running. At press time, the fare inclusions for the first two guests per room extended to free airfare, Wi-Fi, a beverage package and excursion and specialty dining credits. (Third and fourth guests sail free and therefore don't receive the additional inclusions.) Sometimes the deal includes fewer freebies or offers fewer inclusions with the cheaper cabins.

A luxury line like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, arguably the most inclusive cruise line , always covers airfare and transfers, shore excursions, pre-cruise hotel stays, all beverages (except the most ultra-premium bottles), Wi-Fi, gratuities, dining in all onboard restaurants and laundry service.

Additionally, many cruise lines offer all-inclusive beverage packages or specialty dining packages as add-ons to your cruise fare to make the rate more inclusive. Some lines have inclusion packages that combine a few things. For example, Windstar Cruises charges an extra $79 per person per day ($89 if purchased on board and not pre-cruise) for included Wi-Fi, drinks and tips.

Related: How to get free or cheap drinks on a cruise

If you're trying to assess the value of a cruise fare, especially as compared with another cruise line or an all-inclusive resort, you'll need to look at which vacation activities you'll be doing and tally up your all-in vacation cost. Less-inclusive cruise lines will be cheaper to book initially, but high onboard spending could make the trip cost more than a more-inclusive line with pricier base fares. Or, you may love the idea of included cocktails, wine and beer, but if you don't drink multiple alcoholic beverages each day, you may find that you'd spend less purchasing drinks a la carte.

All-inclusive resorts: What's included?

It's not just a clever name. The upfront price you pay when you book a stay at an all-inclusive resort is, for the most part, all-inclusive. While there certainly are amenities and experiences you can add to enhance your stay, the price you see when you click "Book Now" is the price you get.

Typically, this means your accommodations, a fully stocked minibar, meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, kids club access, nonmotorized water sports and daily entertainment are included in the upfront cost. If you want to visit the spa, have a romantic dinner on the beach or reserve a cabana (with or without bottle service), you'll have to pay extra.

Related: 8 lessons I learned from my 1st all-inclusive vacation

Among the amenities that are included, you are not relegated to just one bar and dining establishment to frequent during your stay. Most all-inclusive resorts have multiple food and beverage outlets and often shops where you can grab coffee and ice cream as well. You'll also be treated to entertainment and activities throughout the day and into the evening, and most resorts offer a decent mix of family-friendly and adult-oriented activities .

For example, if you are most interested in an all-inclusive tropical beach escape, Hilton's all-inclusive properties in Mexico and the Caribbean have a variety of dining options to choose from, as well as multiple pools, fitness facilities, kayaks and paddleboards, daytime games and activities, and live entertainment come nighttime.

If you prefer hitting the slopes to lounging seaside, all-inclusive ski resorts offer a similar pricing structure in a different environment. Accommodations may be in a rustic-style lodge, private cabin or traditional hotel room. While there may be fewer dining options, meals are typically more artfully prepared than at a massive beachfront resort. Activities include skiing and all-terrain-vehicle rides in winter and horseback riding and mountain biking in summer.

Related: Why I loved my 1st all-inclusive hotel experience

What may not be included are gratuities for servers, bartenders, housekeepers and the porter who delivers your luggage to the room. Some brands, like Sandals and Beaches, expressly state that their employees cannot accept tips, but this is not true of every all-inclusive resort. You may be able to find this information on the resort's website, by reading reviews or by calling ahead to ask so you can be prepared with cash (in the correct currency) for tipping during your trip.

It's also important to keep in mind that unlike booking a standard hotel room, the cost of your all-inclusive trip will vary based on the number of guests. You must enter the exact number of children and adults to get an accurate price — and yes, we learned this the hard way .

Related: Tips for booking hotel rooms for large families

When choosing whether an all-inclusive resort vacation is the right choice for your budget, you can rest assured that the price you see when you make your reservation will get you a bed to sleep in, meals to eat and plenty to keep you busy during your stay. What you may want to consider is whether you will take advantage of all those included offerings and if the resort you're interested in has the kind of food, activities and entertainment you'll enjoy.

Cruises vs. all-inclusive resorts: The travel adviser perspective

To truly compare these two similar-yet-different vacation options, TPG turned to John Lovell , president of Travel Leaders Group. Lovell has more than two decades of experience as a travel industry executive and not only advises others on travel, but is an avid traveler himself.

Related: 4 scenarios when you should use a travel agent

If you are currently in the midst of choosing between a cruise and an all-inclusive vacation, Lovell assured us that both options are "open and honest about what they are going to charge you for."

While there may be upcharges for Wi-Fi, excursions or fine dining, providers tend to be upfront and transparent about those costs. Hidden costs shouldn't be an issue, but you do need to do some research prior to your trip so you have a good idea of what's included in the cost and what may be an add-on.

"If you are going on a seven-day cruise, for example, adding a drink package and excursions at each port can add hundreds of dollars to your budget," Lovell said. "If you are comparing one cruise line to another, and one claims to be $799 for a week and another is $599 but doesn't include Wi-Fi or a drink package, the $799 may actually be a better deal."

Related: 6 ways to get a deal on a cruise

There isn't as much variance at all-inclusive resorts unless you are partial to top-shelf liquors and beachfront massages.

So which is a better value? The short answer is: "It depends."

"Both cruising and all-inclusive resorts offer wonderful experiences," Lovell said. "You can do a budget-friendly cruise and have a wonderful experience and you can do the same thing at an all-inclusive."

They both offer great experiences, but it really comes down to identifying what you want out of your vacation and finding a cruise or all-inclusive resort that offers it.

"In addition to working with a travel adviser who is an expert on both types of trips, the best thing a consumer can do is decide what they want out of a trip," Lovell said.

Bottom line

If you are looking for an opportunity to visit multiple destinations without having to pack and unpack at each stop, a cruise vacation may best suit your needs. You'll need to be OK with some vacation days spent entirely on the ship at sea and smaller accommodations, as cruise cabins tend to be smaller than hotel rooms at similar price points. As mentioned earlier, some lines are more inclusive than others, so you may end up with more additional expenses than at an all-inclusive resort.

If you are looking for a family-friendly beach vacation where you can spend time with your kids but also drop them off at the kids club when you need a little quiet time, an all-inclusive resort may be your best choice. You will need to be fine with multiple days on the same beach (versus visiting different destinations), and you'll want to be mindful of the fact that you'll likely need to pay extra if you want to explore beyond the resort's gates and experience the local culture.

Once you've determined your personalized vacation needs, all that's left to do is to find the cruise or all-inclusive resort that offers what you are looking for and do the math to get the true total cost of your vacation. You'll be lounging with a drink in hand in no time.

What Is the Difference Between Cruise and Ship?

By Robert Palmer

Cruise and ship are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences between the two. Cruise ships are generally larger and more luxurious than regular ships.

Cruise ships have a variety of amenities, such as casinos, spas, live entertainment, swimming pools and other recreational activities that can make a cruise vacation more enjoyable. Ships, on the other hand, are typically used for transportation purposes and do not offer the same level of amenities as cruise ships.

Size : Cruise ships tend to be much larger than regular ships; they can range from being 500 feet long up to 1,000 feet long or more. The size of a cruise ship is important due to the number of passengers it can accommodate for a voyage.

Cruises also require much more staff than a regular ship – from housekeeping staff to chefs to entertainers – so the larger size allows them to easily accommodate these personnel. The capacity of regular ships depends on their purpose but usually falls somewhere in between 100-300 passengers.

Amenities : As previously stated, cruise lines offer much more than just transportation. They provide an array of amenities such as on-board casinos, spas, swimming pools and live entertainment that can help make your vacation one you’ll never forget. Regular ships do not typically include these amenities; they usually focus solely on transportation.

Costs : A major difference between cruises and conventional shipping is cost; cruises tend to be significantly more expensive than regular shipping due to their expansive size and high levels of luxury available on board.

Conclusion : In conclusion, while both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to choosing the right type of vessel for your needs, it’s important to keep in mind that cruises offer a much higher level of luxury than conventional shipping vessels. They also come with a higher price tag which may be out of reach for some people.

What Is the Difference Between Cruise and Ship? : Cruise vessels are generally larger in size with more luxurious amenities such as casinos, spas and live entertainment while ships are mainly used for transportation purposes and don’t include those types of amenities. Cruises also tend to be significantly more expensive than traditional shipping vessels.

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Maryland lacrosse cruises past Virginia, advances to title game vs. Notre Dame

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Final: Maryland cruises, advances to third title game in last four years

That Maryland defense 🔒 #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/YUu52JICQZ — Maryland Men's Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) May 25, 2024

No. 7 Maryland held No. 6 Virginia to its lowest goal total of the season by dominating from the opening face-off. The Terps will play on Monday afternoon for the third time in the last four years after their 12-6 win over Virginia.

The six goals are the fewest Virginia has scored under Lars Tiffany, who took over after the 2016 season. Payton Cormier, who led the nation with 64 goals in the regular season, was held to just one goal on Saturday as Virginia's season ends in the semifinal for the second season in a row.

This was about as perfect of a performance as Maryland could have. They gelled at every level and completely denied Virginia of any significant possession time or momentum. The Terps will look for their fourth title in program history on Monday when they will take on No. 1 Notre Dame.

END 3: Maryland extends the lead to seven

BURLACE TO SPANOS!! Terps are rolling, 11-4 #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/A3enFsSyEM — Maryland Men's Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) May 25, 2024

Another dominant period for the Terrapins has Virginia on the brink. With 15 minutes to play, Maryland leads 11-4.

Daniel Kelly has a hat-trick for Maryland, while Daniel Maltz and Eric Spanos each have two goals.

HALF: Maryland continues to cruise

A POLE GOAL TO THE HOUSE. #NCAAMLAX x 🎥 ESPN2 / @TerpsMLax pic.twitter.com/hczCKZur1o — NCAA Lacrosse (@NCAALAX) May 25, 2024

Maryland has limited Virginia to just six shots on goal through a half of play. The Terps lead 7-3. 

Luke Wierman has been the best player on the field for either team. He's 10 for 12 on face-offs, with eight ground balls and a goal.

Virginia's potent offense has been completely limited as the Cavaliers have been unable to string together passes in the offensive zone. All three of their first half goals were unassisted.

END 1: Maryland dominates the opening 15

Virginia's Connor Shellenberger opened the scoring of the second semifinal with a goal just 55 seconds in. But since then it's been all Maryland, as the Terps lead 4-1 after the first quarter.

Maryland was ball-dominant, best shown by Luke Wierman, who already has four ground balls and a goal.

Luke Wierman doing Luke Wierman things Terps have scored three goals in 80 seconds and lead 4-1! Watch: ESPN2 #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/RqczhlJqmW — Maryland Men's Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) May 25, 2024

The shot margin is 6-3 in favor of Maryland.

⏰ Maryland and Virginia are underway in the national semifinal

No. 7 Maryland takes on No. 6 Virginia for the right to play No. 1 Notre Dame in Monday's national championship. Watch live on ESPN2

👀 What the stats say

Here's how the statistics break down between the Cavaliers and the Terrapins.

🧐 How they got here

Both Virginia and Maryland have taken shocking paths to the semifinals by upsetting a top-three seed team. Virginia defeated No. 3 Johns Hopkins, 11-10, in a stunning quarterfinals upset. Meanwhile, Maryland had to fight out No. 2 Duke, 14-11, to advance to the semifinals.

Here's a look at each team's wins to the national semifinals:

📺 How to watch Virginia vs. Maryland

In a rematch of the 2021 national championship game, No. 6 Virginia will take on No. 7 Maryland in the 2024 DI men's lacrosse national semifinals at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 25. Here's how to watch: 

• Date : Saturday, May 25
• Time : 2:30 p.m. ET
• TV channel : ESPN2 |  Watch online
• Location : Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 📈   Live stats

📚 Championship history

Below is every NCAA DI men's lacrosse championship winning team since 1971. 

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Q1 rundown: norwegian cruise line (nyse:nclh) vs other hotels, resorts and cruise lines stocks.

The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) and the rest of the hotels, resorts and cruise lines stocks fared in Q1.

Hotels, resorts, and cruise line companies often sell experiences rather than tangible products, and in the last decade-plus, consumers have slowly shifted from buying "things" (wasteful) to buying "experiences" (memorable). In addition, the internet has introduced new ways of approaching leisure and lodging such as booking homes and longer-term accommodations. Traditional hotel, resorts, and cruise line companies must innovate to stay relevant in a market rife with innovation.

The 15 hotels, resorts and cruise lines stocks we track reported a mixed Q1; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 1.4%. while next quarter's revenue guidance was 0.8% below consensus. Inflation progressed towards the Fed's 2% goal at the end of 2023, leading to strong stock market performance. The start of 2024 has been a bumpier ride, as the market switches between optimism and pessimism around rate cuts due to mixed inflation data, and while some of the hotels, resorts and cruise lines stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they collectively declined, with share prices falling 1.3% on average since the previous earnings results.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH)

With amenities like a full go-kart race track built into its ships, Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) is a premier global cruise company.

Norwegian Cruise Line reported revenues of $2.19 billion, up 20.3% year on year, falling short of analysts' expectations by 2%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' earnings estimates but a miss of analysts' revenue estimates.

“We are pleased to report that we exceeded our guidance metrics for the first quarter of 2024. Thanks to robust consumer demand and continued success on our operational efficiency efforts, we are raising our 2024 full-year guidance for key metrics including Net Yield, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS,” said Mark A. Kempa, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

The stock is down 15.5% since the results and currently trades at $15.98.

Is now the time to buy Norwegian Cruise Line? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free .

Best Q1: Playa Hotels & Resorts (NASDAQ:PLYA)

Sporting a roster of beachfront properties, Playa Hotels & Resorts (NASDAQ:PLYA) is an owner, operator, and developer of all-inclusive resorts in prime vacation destinations.

Playa Hotels & Resorts reported revenues of $300.6 million, up 9.8% year on year, outperforming analysts' expectations by 6.3%. It was an exceptional quarter for the company, with an impressive beat of analysts' revenue estimates.

Playa Hotels & Resorts scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is down 10.6% since the results and currently trades at $8.44.

Is now the time to buy Playa Hotels & Resorts? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free .

Weakest Q1: Choice Hotels (NYSE:CHH)

With almost 100% of its properties under franchise agreements, Choice Hotels (NYSE:CHH) is a hotel franchisor known for its diverse brand portfolio including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, and Clarion.

Choice Hotels reported revenues of $331.9 million, down 0.3% year on year, falling short of analysts' expectations by 3.2%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with a miss of analysts' revenue estimates.

Choice Hotels had the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. The stock is down 5.5% since the results and currently trades at $115.42.

Read our full analysis of Choice Hotels's results here.

Travel + Leisure (NYSE:TNL)

Formerly known as Wyndham Destinations, Travel + Leisure (NYSE:TNL) is a global vacation company that provides travelers with vacation ownership, exchange, and travel services.

Travel + Leisure reported revenues of $916 million, up 4.2% year on year, surpassing analysts' expectations by 1.3%. It was a good quarter for the company, with a decent beat of analysts' revenue and earnings estimates.

The stock is down 4.2% since the results and currently trades at $44.15.

Read our full, actionable report on Travel + Leisure here, it's free.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL)

Boasting outrageous amenities like a planetarium on board its ships, Carnival (NYSE:CCL) is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies and a prominent player in the cruise industry.

Carnival reported revenues of $5.41 billion, up 22% year on year, in line with analysts' expectations. It was a decent quarter for the company, with a solid beat of analysts' earnings estimates.

The stock is down 11% since the results and currently trades at $15.17.

Read our full, actionable report on Carnival here, it's free.

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What is the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

The two holidays are closely related, but also distinct in their own ways., by brendan brightman • published may 25, 2024.

For many, Memorial Day is the weekend that signifies the start of summer, and Veterans Day is an extra Monday off before the holiday season gets into full swing.

But both days have a significant and distinct meaning to many veterans, members of the U.S. armed services and their families.

Here is everything you need to know about the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day:

What is Memorial Day?

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Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors those who died in U.S. military service.

When is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is mandated by Congress to occur on the last Monday of May.

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How did memorial day get started.

Memorial Day has its origins from the time of the Civil War, when people began laying flowers on the graves of soldiers in the spring. At the time, the day was known as Decoration Day.

Memorial Day has since become a holiday to include all those who died during U.S. military service.

How is Memorial Day celebrated?

For many across the country, Memorial Day is a time to go to the beach, pool and have a barbecue.

However, there are many ceremonies across the country to honor U.S. service members who have died. Flags are typically flown at half-staff to commemorate the holiday and you may see people wearing a red poppy flower on their chest.

The red poppy became a symbol to honor veterans who have died after World War I veteran Colonel John McCrae, a surgeon with Canada's First Brigade Artillery, wrote a poem about the red poppies that blow onto the graves of dead soldiers.

Red poppies are the official memorial flower for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and artificial red poppies are sold around the time of Memorial Day to raise money to assist veterans.

What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is a federal holiday that celebrates all those who served in the U.S. military.

When is Veterans Day celebrated?

Veterans Day is still celebrated on November 11 of every year, no matter what day of the week it falls on. However, many local communities will hold their celebrations over the weekend if the holiday falls on a weekday.

How did Veterans Day get started?

Veterans Day has been celebrated since the end of World War I, which ended on Nov. 11, 1918.

Veterans Day was initially known as Armistice Day, and only celebrated those who served in what was known at the time as the Great War.

However, in 1954, Congress and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served as a general during World War II, changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day and made the holiday a day to commemorate all veterans of the U.S. military.

How is Veterans Day celebrated?

The U.S. military has its national ceremony for Veterans Day at the memorial amphitheater near the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs .

The president typically attends the ceremony and participates in the laying of a presidential wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Across the country, state and local governments hold their own celebrations for Veterans Day with parades and ceremonies.

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Madison Keys eases past Danielle Collins for Strasbourg title

Madison Keys strolled to a 6-1, 6-2 win over fellow American Danielle Collins to win the Strasbourg International on Saturday, continuing her good form on clay going into the French Open.

Keys, the fourth seed who won her first title this year, had little trouble seeing off the third seed in what is Collins' final season on the tour.

"Danielle, you've had the most incredible few weeks," Keys said. "I've absolutely loved cheering you on and watching you beat basically everyone who stood in your way. It's been amazing to see that."

Keys broke serve three times and won five games in a row in taking the opening set and began the second in much the same vein to hold a 3-1 lead before Collins made her first break of serve.

Her chance of a comeback was short-lived, however, as Keys immediately broke back to lead 4-2 and wrapped up the title win with a third break.

"What a special week to play one of my longtime friends, Madi. We've known each other since we were 10 years old," Collins said. "I never like losing in the finals, but if I'm going to lose to someone, I don't mind losing to you, cause you know, we're American buddies."

Keys, the 14th seed at Roland Garros, will play Mexican Renata Zarazua in the first round of the French Open, which begins Sunday. Collins, seeded 11th, will face compatriot Caroline Dolehide in her opening match.

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Carnival vs. MSC: 11 Major Differences Between the Two Cruise Lines

When it comes to value, anyone searching for cruises is likely to run across two lines that offer some of the least expensive trips: Carnival and MSC.

And while Carnival is arguably the most well-known cruise line anywhere, MSC isn’t exactly a household name here in the United States. As a result, many people see the two lines offering some similar trips and wonder how they compare.

Having sailed both multiple times, we have insight into what you can expect onboard the cruise lines, including some of the major differences that you should know before you choose one over the other.

Cruise Fleet in the U.S.

If you live in the United States, you might be surprised to learn that MSC actually has a fleet that’s comparable in size to Carnival. Both lines offer more than 20 ships, with Carnival’s fleet being slightly larger overall than MSC.

The difference is that MSC isn’t near as focused on the North American market — although it continues to make a strong push. As a result, the number of ships you can sail from U.S. cruise ports on MSC is far fewer than Carnival.

For example, in 2025 we found seven ships from MSC sailing from U.S. ports. Carnival offers trips aboard 27 vessels according to its schedule.

Bottom line, if the ship you sail is important to you, then you’ll have a lot more options on Carnival than MSC.

Departure Ports

Similar to the number of ships sailing in the United States, there are major differences between MSC and Carnival when it comes to departure ports. Make no doubt, Carnival is a U.S.-focused line. MSC is much more global in nature.

In fact, MSC sails from only three U.S. ports — Miami, Port Canaveral, and New York. Galveston will be added in 2025 . Carnival sails from countless ports, including the same ones as MSC plus spots like Seattle, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Tampa, Baltimore, and more.

If you don’t live in Florida and New York and want to be able to drive to a port instead of fly, then Carnival will be your best bet.

Types of Passengers Onboard

While both lines aim to appeal to families and vacationers hunting for value, there is a lot of difference in passenger base.

Specifically, while the difference seems to be narrowing in our opinion, Carnival’s passenger base seems much more American than MSC. Being a line with a major presence in other parts of the world, we’ve found that the passengers on MSC seem to have more people from Europe and South America sailing on the trips we’ve taken. In fact, announcements were in five different languages on our first cruise with the line to make sure everyone understood.

We will say that a more recent cruise saw less of a difference as the cruise line establishes an identity in the United States and gradually appeals to more Americans. But we wouldn’t say that the passenger groups on Carnival and MSC are the same.

Evening Entertainment

The entertainment on a cruise is a major part of the experience. Here, there is a big difference between Carnival and MSC.

On Carnival, you have a lot of classic-style shows and game shows. For instance, a recent cruise included live Family Feud with passengers as contestants. There’s the “Love & Marriage” game show (a take on The Newlywed Game), and large scale production shows with lots of singing and dancing.

We’ve loved MSC programming, but it certainly has a different feel to us. At least on the ships we’ve been on, the shows have a more “acrobatic” feel that focus less on Broadway-style performances and more on amazing performers similar to Cirque du Soleil. We also have to especially mention a Michael Jackson tribute show that featured the songs of the King of Pop and an impersonator that was a dead ringer for the late singer.

Ocean Cay (MSC’s Private Island)

Both cruise lines offer private destinations. Carnival in particular has quite a few, including private areas in The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and Roatan. To be sure, any visit to these spots will be a good time as they are tailor-made for cruise passengers.

We do have to give special mention, however, to MSC’s Ocean Cay . The cruise line spent hundreds of millions developing this island in The Bahamas. It’s an enormous spot with tons of space for everyone, beautiful beaches, and gorgeous water. While many cruise line islands are essentially theme parks, Ocean Cay is a much more relaxing and subdued. If you’re wanting a chilled-out beach day, this is it.

One other perk? MSC often has extended stays at Ocean Cay, including some that stay overnight. The ability to enjoy the island at night is something unique to the cruise line.

We will say that Carnival’s upcoming Celebration Key will be a game-changer for the cruise line, but that’s not until 2025.

Food & Included Restaurants

What’s a cruise without food? It’s a major part of the overall experience and also a difference between the two lines.

To us, Carnival is one of the most generous cruise lines around when it comes to food. Yes, there are paid options like the steakhouse and high-end dining, but there are plentiful free options included. Of course, there is the buffet and main dining room. Carnival also offers Guy’s Burger Joint, a pizza spot, a deli, BlueIguana (Mexican) and on some ships Chibang! (Asian/Mexican) and Big Chicken.

MSC (at least on the ships we have sailed) has far fewer options. There is the buffet and dining room, and then everything else offered was a specialty restaurant. As well, we noticed that in general there were just fewer restaurants overall.

Venues on the Ship

One difference we’ve noticed sailing both MSC and Carnival is one that’s actually a little hard to explain but it has an impact on the feel of your cruise.

Every cruise line has their own venues. For instance, Carnival has areas like Guy’s Burger Joint, or the RedFrog Bar. Royal Caribbean has Lime & Coconut, Sorrento’s, and Playmakers. These areas have their own theme, style, and menus.

We’ve noticed that MSC feels more “generic” in their venues. Yes, the bars and restaurants have different names, but the vibe and theme isn’t as unique from spot to spot on the ship.

For instance, on a recent trip aboard MSC Seaside, we stopped and enjoyed some time in the ship’s sports bar, which is aptly named… Sports Bar.

Gratuity Charges

If traveling with children, then a little-known way that you can save money on MSC versus Carnival is when it comes to gratuities.

First off, both cruise lines charge the same rate currently — $16 per person, per day for most rooms. And if you’re traveling with infants or toddlers, then both have no gratuities for passengers under two years old.

But if taking a family vacation, MSC may offer a nice value. Carnival charges the same gratuity rate for all passengers over two years old. MSC, however, charges $8 per day for kids from 2-12 years.

A family of four with two kids under 12 years old would end up paying $336 for gratuities on a 7-day MSC cruise, but $448 on Carnival. That’s a decent chunk of change that you can save with MSC.

Drink Package Options

Drink packages are a popular item for some passengers. For one set daily price, you don’t have to worry about a bar tab and just get what you want.

Carnival, however, has a much simpler offering. They offer only one package for alcoholic drinks . The price varies depending on the length of the cruise, with one price for cruises under six days and another price for trips six days or longer. There is also a limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day.

MSC offers three different packages — Easy, Easy Plus, and Premium Extra. These three packages provide drinks at different price points. That can make things more complicated for cruise passengers as they need to do some analysis to compare the differently-priced packages with what’s included.

Fans of the Cruise Line

If you’ve ever sailed Carnival, then you know that there are people that treat the cruise line like a religion. They have high status (with cards that show it off), pins showing off their past cruises, Carnival clothing, and they love to talk about what ship they’ve been on and which ship they are headed on next.

In fact, we’d argue that no other cruise line quite has the loyalty that Carnival seems to endear. These superfans eat, sleep, and breathe Carnival.

MSC, however, is much more low key. You’ll see far fewer people flashing their loyalty status or wearing clothing emblazoned with MSC. Part of this is the fact that the cruise line is relatively small compared to Carnival here and doesn’t have the history in the United States. There hasn’t been the ability to build as deep a fanbase as Carnival. But more than that, there’s just something about Carnival that makes its passengers love the line.

Global Sailings for MSC

We mentioned how MSC is making inroads into the United States, but is still a relatively small player compared to Carnival. Well, one difference between the lines is that you can flip that status in other parts of the world.

MSC is truly a global cruise line with major operations in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere. If you’re wanting to sail somewhere other than the Caribbean or The Bahamas, then it would offer way more options.

Carnival is focused on the U.S., some cruises in Australia, and a few dotted in Europe. There are sister brands elsewhere around the world (such as Costa), but not Carnival.

More on MSC & Carnival:

• 11 Important Differences Between MSC Cruises and Other Major Lines
• Worth It? 15+ Questions & Answers About the Carnival CHEERS! Drink Package
• Ocean Cay: Complete Guide, Tips, & Things to Know

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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Facing the mighty Celtics, the Pacers lost their star, and their swagger

An Eastern Conference finals stage that was supposed to introduce the Indiana Pacers at their best might be taking a turn for the worse.

BOSTON — When they’re at their best, the Indiana Pacers are a hoops confectionary. They’re a tasty alternative in a professional game that offers too much staleness in iso ball, which often relies on the brightest star with the biggest contract taking the shots. Though the Pacers now have their own resident all-NBA player in Tyrese Haliburton, do not confuse them for a solo operation. Instead, they’re a balm for basketball.

When they’re on, they’re a delight to behold. The ball zips around, finding shooters and drivers, whoever’s open, no matter the size of his contract. They pile up the assists because sharing means winning, and they’ve won so much while playing their relentless, chaotic pace that they’ve made it this deep into the calendar for the first time in a decade. As fun and egalitarian as they make basketball look by trusting the pass and believing in one another, they largely spent the regular season as a poor man’s Golden State Warriors. Nobody — not even the most die-hard Pacers fan — could have predicted this team would evolve into an Eastern Conference finalist.

But two games into their big showcase against the Boston Celtics, these Pacers are missing what makes them so dangerous. Their joy.

On Thursday night, Indiana exuded so little of that key ingredient during a 126-110 loss. Witness T.J. McConnell growling and Myles Turner searching, pleading and still not finding anyone to take his side. But much worse than the flashes of frustration was the sight of Haliburton retreating to the Pacers’ sideline in the third quarter and not returning to the floor.

Only later did the reason for his absence became known: a sore left hamstring. The same left hamstring that caused him to miss 10 games during the regular season. The same left hamstring that nearly stole the Pacers’ joy when the team went 6-4 in the games he missed, then lost five of eight upon his hobbled return.

Following Thursday’s defeat, Indiana Coach Rick Carlisle tolerated a litany of questions on the injury — how Haliburton might have hurt his leg, whether he had aggravated the same injury from late January, his status for Game 3 on Saturday night in Indianapolis. Finally, Carlisle grew tired in his role as a pseudo-orthopedic specialist.

“I think we need to move on to another topic here,” Carlisle said, redirecting reporters in the postgame news conference.

Unfortunately for the Pacers, if Haliburton remains hurt or limited, there will be no other topics to discuss. Nothing else will matter. Maybe they’ll get to play a few more games before Boston, the East’s top team, takes its predictive place in the NBA Finals. But certainly if the conductor of the Pacers’ symphony of randomness can no longer be himself, there will be no more joy.

“Losing Ty for the game, obviously, was a big blow,” Carlisle said, a quote that could define the rest of the series for Indiana.

Still, besides Haliburton’s exit, other maladies factored into the Pacers falling into this 2-0 hole. The team in gold looked a step or two slow on defense and got cooked 54-34 in the paint. The Pacers were sloppy at the start, committing 10 turnovers in the first half. Mostly, they looked discontented.

The spiral began in the second quarter. The Pacers led 27-25, but immediately after forward Pascal Siakam couldn’t finish at the rim, Boston’s Al Horford got a breakaway dunk. The next time down, the Celtics secured three straight offensive rebounds to extend a possession before Jaylen Brown closed it with a layup, one of his forceful buckets in a 40-point night.

When Carlisle burned a quick timeout, McConnell, the backup point guard, spread his arms and slapped down at his sides, then huddled up his teammates near the sideline, red-faced and screaming. In his defense, watching Old Man Horford beat the entire Indiana team down court could make anyone lose his temper.

Later, when Turner picked up his third foul — light contact but contact for sure — he argued with officials. Then, as NBA players love to do, Turner turned to the Pacers’ sideline and demonstratively motioned for Carlisle to call for a review by twirling a finger in the air. Carlisle didn’t look toward his assistants behind the bench, the ones tasked with monitoring potential blown calls; he just looked for a replacement to play the five spot. Turner could only walk to his seat, still angrily twirling his finger.

Then, near the end of the half, after Aaron Nesmith coughed up turnover No. 10 by overdribbling around Boston’s hawk on defense, Derrick White, Haliburton headed back to the sideline with his head bowed. Though the score wasn’t out of hand and the high-scoring Pacers needed just one good run to get back into the game, their beaten-down body language told another story.

“We bounced back decently, got it to six at halftime, but the third [quarter] was tough,” Carlisle said.

During that quarter, the Pacers lost any realistic shot at coming back. And that was before they lost Haliburton.

The play before his departure seemed normal enough, with Haliburton trying to defend Brown on a drive. Though Brown passed on the layup, as Haliburton gave up on defense and backed entirely out of the play, the lane opened for reserve forward Oshae Brissett’s dunk that gave the Celtics an 11-point advantage. Haliburton then backed all the way to the sideline, to the locker room, to the trainer’s table and straight into the next morning’s talking points.

The Pacers are better when they play with their secret sauce of swagger. Some might see it as front-running; when the game’s flowing, Haliburton tilts his head to the heavens and screams or searches out stares on enemy turf and talks junk. But that’s just human nature. Joy comes easier when things are going well. For the Pacers, joy happens when Turner’s attacking the rim for his springboard dunks, McConnell’s harassing opponents for all 94 feet and Siakam’s displaying his interior moves, then his counter moves, looking like he’s losing balance on a sheet of ice but converting anyhow. Joy comes when everyone’s scoring in bunches, because the ball never stays still when Haliburton’s in control.

Now, a sore left hamstring threatens Indiana’s postseason. An Eastern Conference finals stage that was supposed to introduce these Pacers at their best might be taking a turn for the worse.

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2024 NBA playoffs bracket, schedule, scores, results: Timberwolves avoid sweep vs. Mavericks in West finals

The celtics await either the mavs or the wolves in the 2024 nba finals.

The Boston Celtics are back in the NBA Finals for the second time in three years. But they'll have to wait a little while longer to learn their opponent. The Minnesota Timberwolves are still alive against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals after keeping their season alive and avoiding a sweep with a Game 4 win Tuesday night. The Mavs still lead the series, 3-1, entering Thursday's Game 5.

There is no Game 5 in the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics eliminated the Indiana Pacers in a four-game sweep to win the Eastern Conference. The Celtics, who also made the NBA Finals in 2022, are looking for their first title since 2008. Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals is set for Thursday, June 6, so the Celtics will have more than a week off before playing again.

Regardless of which of the three remaining teams wins the 2024 title, the NBA will have its sixth different champion in six years -- something that has not happened since 1975-1980 .

The postseason field started with 20 teams, and now we're down to three. The Warriors , Kings , Hawks and Bulls were ousted in the Play-In Tournament before the Pelicans , Suns , Clippers , Lakers, Heat , 76ers , Bucks and Magic were eliminated in the first round. The Cavs, Thunder , Knicks and Nuggets were sent home in the second round.

Here's a look at the upcoming schedule, as well as all the playoff scores. All games airing on ABC, ESPN and NBA TV are streaming on  fubo  (try for free).

Tuesday's playoff scores

• Game 4: Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 100 -- Dallas leads 3-1

Below is a look at the complete playoff bracket:

2024 NBA playoff bracket

Upcoming NBA playoffs schedule

(All times Eastern)

Thursday, May 30 Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, 8:30 p.m., TNT

Saturday, June 1 Game 6*: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, 8:30 p.m., TNT

Monday, June 3 Game 7*: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, 8:30 p.m., TNT

Thursday, June 6 NBA Finals Game 1, 8:30 p.m., ABC/ fubo

Sunday, June 9 NBA Finals Game 2: 8 p.m., ABC/ fubo

Wednesday, June 12 NBA Finals Game 3: 8:30 p.m., ABC/ fubo

Friday, June 14 NBA Finals Game 4: 8:30 p.m., ABC/ fubo

Monday, June 17 NBA Finals Game 5*: 8:30 p.m., ABC/ fubo

Thursday, June 20 NBA Finals Game 6*: 8:30 p.m., ABC/ fubo

Sunday, June 23 NBA Finals Game 7*: 8 p.m., ABC/ fubo * if necessary

Conference finals scores

Celtics vs. Pacers Game 1: Celtics 133, Pacers 128 (OT) Game 2: Celtics 126, Pacers 110 Game 3: Celtics 114, Pacers 111 Game 4: Celtics 105, Pacers 102 (Boston wins series 4-0)

Timberwolves vs. Mavericks Game 1: Mavericks 108, Timberwolves 105  Game 2: Mavericks 109, Timberwolves 108 Game 3: Mavericks 116, Timberwolves 107 Game 4: Timberwolves 105, Mavericks 100

Second-round scores

Celtics vs. Cavaliers Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95 Game 2: Cavaliers 118, Celtics 94 Game 3: Celtics 106, Cavaliers 93 Game 4: Celtics 109, Cavaliers 102 Game 5: Celtics 113, Cavaliers 98 (Boston wins series 4-1)

Knicks vs. Pacers Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117 Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121 Game 3: Pacers 111, Knicks 106 Game 4: Pacers 121, Knicks 89 Game 5: Knicks 121, Pacers 91 Game 6: Pacers 116, Knicks 103 Game 7: Pacers 130, Knicks 109 (Indiana wins series 4-3)

Thunder vs. Mavericks Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95 Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110 Game 3: Mavericks 105, Thunder 101 Game 4: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96 Game 5: Mavericks 104, Thunder 92 Game 6: Mavericks 117, Thunder 116 (Dallas wins series 4-2)

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99 Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80 Game 3: Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 90 Game 4: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107 Game 5: Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97 Game 6: Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70 Game 7: Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90 (Minnesota wins series 4-3)

First-round scores

Celtics vs. Heat Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94 Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101 Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84 Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88 Game 5: Celtics 118, Heat 84 (Boston wins series 4-1)

Knicks vs. 76ers Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104 Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101 Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114 Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92 Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT) Game 6: Knicks 118, 76ers 115 (Knicks win series 4-2)

Bucks vs. Pacers Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94 Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108 Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT) Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113 Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92 Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98 (Indiana wins series 4-2)

Cavaliers vs. Magic Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83 Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86 Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83 Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89  Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103 Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96 Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94 (Cleveland wins series 4-3)

Thunder vs. Pelicans Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92 Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92 Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85 Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89 (Oklahoma City wins series 4-0) 

Nuggets vs. Lakers Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103 Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99 Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105 Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108 Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106 (Denver wins series 4-1)

Timberwolves vs. Suns Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95 Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93 Game 3: Timberwolves 126, Suns 109 Game 4: Timberwolves 122, Suns 116 (Minnesota wins series 4-0)

Clippers vs. Mavericks Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97 Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93 Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90 Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111 Game 5: Mavericks 123, Clippers 93 Game 6: Mavericks 114, Clippers 101 (Dallas wins series 4-2)

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