Cruise ship guide: 20 popular lines explained

Table Of Content

• Best for Adults-Only Cruise: Virgin Voyages
• Marina — Oceania CruisesArrow
• Princess Cruises
• Best cruise ships and cruise lines of 2023, according to readers
• amazing programs for neurodivergent individuals that aim to make traveling easier
• Royal Caribbean Announces Cancellation of All Cruise Stops to Private Island

Avalon Waterways carefully considers each element of every cabin, and it shows. The Panorama Suites are its flagship, offering queen-sized beds that enjoy serene views through the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and open-air balconies. Small touches like soundproof walls, adjustable in-cabin tables and an abundance of USB ports make every cabin feel almost like home. Themed cruises are cruises where a part of the trip is based on a theme or special interest such as Broadway shows, music, media or even crafts like knitting. Some themes are cruise-wide, while others are group itineraries with exclusive activities. It doesn’t matter if you want adventure, relaxation or a combination of both, the best cruises offer a convenient and all-inclusive way to explore multiple destinations without the hassle of planning individual itineraries.

Best for Adults-Only Cruise: Virgin Voyages

This relatively new cruise line, backed by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is reinventing mainstream cruising with a hipper, more inclusive, younger vibe (though not too young; its ships are adults-only). Think tattoo shops, karoake booths and no upcharges for tips or eateries. Its growing fleet of small expedition ships will take you everywhere from the Arctic to Papua New Guinea in style. Celebrity's four newest ships, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, feature "infinite veranda" cabins that are open to the sea in a way we haven't seen with other ocean ships. They boast a glass wall that opens from the top to create a balcony-like effect. Designed to be a cut above mainstream options such as Carnival while remaining relatively affordable, this Miami-based "premium" line is known for some of the most stylish big ships at sea.

Marina — Oceania CruisesArrow

We used customer satisfaction data from several sources, including Cruiseline.com, to inform our decision. We also considered ship inspection data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, look at your cruise line's policy terms, as these may detail requirements for unvaccinated people.

Princess Cruises

Cruising is a popular vacation option for millions of travelers around the world in large part because of its convenience. Travelers stay in one room for the entire trip while the boat travels from port to port. Cruisers enjoy lots of world-class amenities like restaurants, shows and water activities on board, and they also have the option to disembark and sightsee or participate in excursions when the ship docks. By definition, small ships hold fewer than 1200 passengers, usually making the cruise experience more intimate with more individualized service.

Further, Silversea's new culinary program, nicknamed S.A.L.T. (for Sea and Land Taste), brings the taste of destinations on board through cooking classes. Of course, there's no need to cook for yourself aboard a Silversea ship, as each one features several restaurants with multi-course menus to whet your appetite every night. When this luxury cruise line says it's all-inclusive, it's not overstating. Everything from shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and laundry to gratuities, top-shelf liquor, and business-class international flights are included with Regent Seven Seas Cruises' fares.

Best cruise ships and cruise lines of 2023, according to readers

Royal Caribbean ships sail everywhere in the world, but the line's heaviest presence is in the Caribbean and Europe. Princess Cruises' customers also like its wide range of itineraries, including voyages in Asia and Australia, as well as closer-to-home places like the Caribbean. This France-based line is a specialist in expedition cruising, a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on small, hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft. Some of the brands — Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, in particular — operate massive vessels that are like giant floating resorts with deck-top water parks and other over-the-top amusements. A favorite feature among kids aboard the Regal Princess is the SeaWalk, a glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet over the ship’s edge. There are also three excellent dedicated kids' spaces for three different age ranges.

"T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year. Viking came in at No. 1 in T+L's best mid-size ship category and river cruise category. Golden said the WBA Hall of Fame honoree's 50 river "longships" are "light-filled floating boutique hotels."

Each ship sails with a wellness director, who leads multiple fitness class daily, somehow making them accessible to all skill levels. Active excursions are offered, and ships have fleets of bikes available for borrowing. Luxury cruises tend to be smaller, with more staff per guest and more deluxe amenities. Among the amenities, passengers can enjoy upscale accommodations, spas and sauna facilities, water sports equipment and fine dining. It goes without saying that they are significantly more expensive than a mainstream cruise.

MSC Cruises

Staterooms are also family friendly, with storage that’s designed to accommodate multiple guests. Windstar Cruises' luxury small ships call on 150 ports throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, and there's no way you'll go hungry on the journey. Exquisite onboard menus have been designed by acclaimed chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. The 2023 rankings highlight 17 cruise lines to help every type of traveler find the best cruise that’s right for them.

The self-described "fun ship" line is the king of short, affordable, fun-focused cruises from U.S. ports to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and beyond. Below, you'll find our quick guide to some of the most popular cruise brands. It's just a short overview — enough to give you a sense of which particular cruise operator might best appeal to you. For the world’s biggest river line, the consistency and quality of service never wavers – whether you’re in Europe, Asia or on the Nile. In its first year sailing, Riverside Luxury Cruises proved that it’s a powerhouse with its food and wine on Europe’s rivers.

River cruises aren’t known to be inexpensive, but that doesn’t mean they can’t provide good value. What’s more, Emerald often offers deals like 2-for-1 fares on river itineraries. AmaWaterways has been leading the way for wellness on river cruises for years, but it never rests on its laurels. Instead, it innovates and creates new options for active guests that are fun and challenging.

What are the best cruise lines of 2024 for every traveler? - Cruise Blog

What are the best cruise lines of 2024 for every traveler?.

Posted: Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Meals are locally inspired, with luxury ingredients and techniques, and beautiful execution. Oenophiles will want to try the extra-fee Vintage Room, where you’ll drink your fill of exceptional wines, specifically matched to the menu. However, you should purchase your insurance immediately after booking your trip. First, this ensures coverage if your trip is canceled or you can’t travel. Second, purchasing early may qualify you for add-on coverage like “cancel for any reason,” which is typically available only within a specific period (about 15 days) after you book your trip. Cruise Critic is an online cruise community with more than 650,000 ship reviews of 700 ships from experts and cruise aficionados.

Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style. On board, you'll find fine dining, expansive spas and fitness facilities, and butler service. Viking Cruises is a river and ocean cruise line that recently added expedition sailings and the Great Lakes trips to its repertoire.

Excursions are one of a kind, which can be hard to find in river cruising. Uniworld’s crew do their best to ensure an atmosphere that is still fun, never stuffy. The Adventures by Disney experience is 100% dedicated to making sure families have fun together – on and off the ship. That might include a trip to a stately home with magical, hidden water jets, or family-centric fun in Salzburg's hidden salt mines.

The onboard team are exemplary, making sure kids and adults are always entertained – from scavenger hunts to family karaoke, and, when necessary, giving parents an opportunity for a well-earned break, too. Norwegian’s solo staterooms make it possible for single travelers, or those who prefer not to share cabins with friends or family, to book their own room without paying twice the fare (since most cruise rates are calculated for double occupancy cabins). These cabins are generally located in the interior of the ship, so be aware that they might not have windows or balconies.

This comprehensive editorial compilation serves as a valuable resource for planning, featuring advice and tips ranging from essential packing lists to appropriate cruise attire. Chantelle Kincy, a cruise enthusiast and travel blogger at Flannels or Flip Flops, observes the rising popularity of prominent cruise lines. The other perks included in your cruise fare will depend on how much you pay; many larger cruise lines offer multiple tiers of fares. The lowest tier will be the cheapest, but you should expect to pay out of pocket for extras like drinks, certain restaurant meals and activities and excursions once you’re on board. Higher fare tiers include more amenities but are significantly more expensive. French luxury cruise line Ponant aims to make passengers feel as if they're traveling on their own private yachts.