The best cruise lines in the world: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

what is the best cruise line

These shorter sailings cater heavily to first-time cruisers and Florida locals who can book on short notice and drive into the port for a quick escape. Notably, the entire back of each of these ships is dedicated to an upscale luxury zone for the fancy set called The Haven. Extra suite categories are just the start of what makes Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva the best Norwegian cruise ships for luxury lovers. Like the ocean ships, they feature Scandinavian design, a glass-walled Explorers' Lounge and signature Viking restaurants Manfredi's and Mamsen's (offering Norwegian specialties). Viking's fares are inclusive but not all-inclusive, and its ships sport clean Scandinavian design rather than opulent decor.

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what is the best cruise line

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." The line also maintains a year-round presence in the Galapagos and has expedition ships sailing both the Arctic and Antarctic -- in fact, we’d place it a close second on the list of best cruise lines for expeditions.

Best cruise lines for luxury travelers: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

For thrill-seekers, Norwegian Prima has the world’s first free-fall dry slide at sea. Each ship offers multiple restaurants, many of them included in the fare, and the family entertainment is unrivalled. Carnival’s low fares and fun amenities make it a popular choice for those looking for a quick, affordable cruise (although it also offers longer trips to Europe, Australia and more).

Best Cruise Line for Couples Cruising for the First Time: Celebrity Cruises

what is the best cruise line

Help the crew hoist the sails, climb up to the crow’s nest for dizzying views or simply lounge in the bowsprit nets, watching for dolphins. The ships sail in the Mediterranean, Asia, the Caribbean and — for the first time in almost ten years — Central America, with emphasis on small, out-of-the-way ports and peaceful anchorages. Single cruisers on Norwegian have access to a dedicated lounge and meetups where they can mingle with other travelers, too. That’s not to mention all the regular activities and excursions Norwegian offers, from rock climbing and bowling to spa treatments to boxing classes. In June, Quasar Expeditions is offering a Galápagos cruise on the 32-passenger Evolution for children with autism spectrum disorder, hosted by an expert in supporting families with special needs.

The 30 best cruise lines for every kind of traveller

This environmentally-friendly ship, which began its inaugural cruise in August, 2023 is the industry’s first hybrid luxury cruise ship. Add in the line’s musical productions shows, comedy clubs, bowling and live game shows, like Deal or No Deal, and cruisers can find enough entertainment onboard Norwegian ships to keep things lively during almost any sailing. Premium alcoholic beverages are included, as is Wi-Fi (premium speeds are only available in the upper suites).

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Its expedition ships, Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis, explore Antarctica, as well as the Great Lakes and Canada. Viking ships have a large presence in Europe, sailing the Mediterranean and in northern Europe, but also explore the world from Alaska and the Caribbean to Asia and Australia. Guests can enjoy dining in multiple onboard venues, plus room service, for no extra cost. Don't miss the Italian Manfredi's or a gorgeous afternoon tea spread in the glass-enclosed Wintergarden.

These are the best cruise lines in the world, according to the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. Cabins on middle floors offer the best combination of access to facilities and less movement in the event of rough seas. The ship's captain has the flexibility to seek out the best remote islands and bays for beachcombing, tide pooling, hiking and kayaking adventures.

The sailings in and out of Buenos Aires and Melbourne, all on the longer side, will offer in-depth explorations of the southern half of South America (Argentina, Uruguay and Chile) and New Zealand, respectively. Norwegian Sun's top deck mostly comprises sunning areas, with a single pool and whirlpools, as is typical for ships built more than two decades ago. For older travelers looking for a Norwegian ship that isn't filled to the gills with children, Norwegian Sun is the perfect option. Norwegian Epic was the first Norwegian ship with an exclusive solos zone, and it was such a hit the line later added them to eight more vessels. In short, these are the Norwegian ships to book when you want to take things up a notch.

Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of April 2024 – Forbes Advisor - Forbes

Best Cruise Insurance Plans Of April 2024 – Forbes Advisor.

Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 22:36:00 GMT [source]

Saga is ideal for solo travellers, too, with many events created to make singles feel welcome and — unusually — spacious suites for those who want to have plenty of space to themselves. Best for multigenerational groupsIn early 2022, Princess Cruises took delivery of its newest ship, Discovery Princess — the fifth and final Royal-class ship — to enhance an already young and modern fleet. Princess is known for its glitzy entertainment, glamorous (but not overly formal) dress-up nights and its impressive dining choices, not least Sabatini’s, an Italian restaurant on each ship.

Bargain seekers should either book early for these accommodations or choose inside, outside or guarantee cabins (where you don't pick your room location) to save more. Booking with the cruise company guarantees your return to the ship, even if your excursion runs late. But I only book with third-party operators if the ship docks right at the city I want to explore because I never want to miss the all-aboard time.

Some look for romance, while others want to introduce the kids or grandkids to glaciers and eagles, gold panning and sled dogs. It can be hard to figure out which cruise ship will deliver your idea of a "bucket list" experience in The Last Frontier. As someone who's taken over 50 cruises all over the world, I know firsthand how popular cruising is this year.

Cunard’s ships, Queen Mary 2 in particular, returns passengers to traditional ocean liners with her elegant Art Deco design and white-gloved service on a ship where afternoon tea is a grand affair. None of that means children aren’t welcome; they simply aren’t the line’s primary market. You won’t find massive water slides and zip lines on Celebrity ships, but Celebrity’s Camp at Sea is designed as a flexible way for children on board to have as much fun as their parents. The atmosphere on board is similar to that at an all-inclusive couples’ resort. The ships are intimate with the largest one carrying barely over 3,000 passengers.

However, you should purchase your insurance immediately after booking your trip. 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. Premium cruises are generally mid-size (1,500-2,000 passengers) to large (over 2,000 passengers). If you’re ready to hop aboard, here are Money’s picks for the five best cruise lines of 2023. SeaDream Yacht Club has two Wine Voyages in 2023, which include vineyard visits in Greece, Italy, and Spain and a winemaker-hosted dinner on the 112-guest Seadream II.

Its six vessels carry just 148 to 342 passengers — fewer than fit on a single big-ship lifeboat — and are wonderfully intimate. If the idea of sailing on a big ship makes you cringe, small-ship specialist Windstar could be the answer. Dubbed Evrima, the line's only operating ship is a 298-passenger vessel designed to appeal to Ritz-Carlton regulars with an elegant, residential look.

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