Thursday, April 11, 2024

The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

rank cruise lines

They typically boast more sophisticated amenities, too, like art collections and educational classes on sea days. Unfortunately, Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer an alcoholic drinks package like other cruise lines. However, to offset this drawback, drink prices are reasonable ($5-6 for a beer and $9 for basic cocktails), including the tip. After more than two years of sailing restrictions and limited voyage options due to the coronavirus pandemic, cruisers and cruise lines are excited to be on the seas again,” said Nicola Wood, senior travel editor at U.S.

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Cruises are booming right now, buoyed partly by the popularity of domestic seacations that hauled in first-time sailors. So much so that Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 34,000-mile world trip for 2024 sold out in just over two hours, while the adults-only Virgin Voyages, which aims to throw cruise stereotypes overboard, rose to first place in Large Ships. And we’ve brought back last year's new category showcasing the expedition cruises – small, often sustainable vessels with a shoal of scientific experts onboard – that follow in the wake of adventurers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton. These are some of the most popular itineraries because of their accessibility, affordability and wide variety of activities.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

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). 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. This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

The Top 10 Large-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2021

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The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. Named the best small-ship ocean cruise line in T+L's 2022 World's Best Awards, Golden said the line is known for Tahitian-inspired massage techniques in the onboard spa and noted that cruisers particularly love the wonderful staff. Whether it's a river or an ocean you want to cruise, Scenic can take you there in style.

rank cruise lines

Royal Caribbean did not come out as the winner in any one category, but did rank near the top in a few. News & World Report has released their opinion of the best lines across various categories.

Silversea

Higher fare tiers include more amenities but are significantly more expensive. Oceania Cruises has just seven ships, but the debut of the brand-new Oceania Vista catapults this cruise line into the luxury division. The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens."

There are six categories of categories for ranking 17 different cruise lines. The 2022 Best Cruises rankings were announced on Tuesday, which is an annual look at which cruise lines rank among the top picks. Emerald Yacht Cruises, a line best known for its river ships, launched its first ocean-going vessel, Emerald Azzura, in 2022 followed by an identical sister ship, Emerald Sakara, in 2023. Both ships are intimate with a capacity of 100 passengers in 50 staterooms. However, you should purchase your insurance immediately after booking your trip.

Small Ship Cruise Line Announces Expansion With New Class of Ships

"They're the best," said one traveler, who recalled a trip on the Seabourn Encore. "We never take a cruise on any other line. The accommodations are beautiful and comfortable, the service superb, and the food delicious and varied." Other voters had similarly high praise for what Seabourn offered. "Excellent service, attractive ship with plenty of open space, and cabins are nicely appointed," said one voter about the Seabourn Encore. "Undoubtedly the best cruise line ever," said another, who traveled aboard the Seabourn Ovation. 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.

Rankings

U.S. News & World Report used a combination of factors for the 2023 rankings with three main components. Their editor’s opinions factored in 30%, traveler ratings on CruiseLine.com factored in 50%, and the ship’s health rating from the CDC comprised the remaining 20%. The 2023 rankings highlight 17 cruise lines to help every type of traveler find the best cruise that’s right for them.

Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Matt started Royal Caribbean Blog in 2010 as a place to share his passion for all things Royal Caribbean with readers. He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis.

Solo travelers have the option to book a regular stateroom, but they’ll generally have to pay the two-person fare. Disney is famous for its attention to detail and focus on the guest experience in its theme parks, and those attributes extend to its cruises, too. Families will enjoy meet-and-greets with Disney characters, themed restaurants, and a slew of onboard activities and entertainment. Staterooms are also family friendly, with storage that’s designed to accommodate multiple guests. Extras like shore excursions and souvenirs can add up quickly, as can certain on-board activities. Carnival also offers all-inclusive rates that will help avoid any surprise expenses, but travelers should of course be prepared to spend more up front.

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. Azamara, Windstar and Viking Ocean cruises are three examples of luxury cruises.

If you’re ready to hop aboard, here are Money’s picks for the five best cruise lines of 2023. Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Departures, TripSavvy, and other publications. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean.

Other cruise lines surged ahead as travelers looked back at their vacation memories. No. 3 Regent Seven Seas moved up the list one spot, with a strong score above 92 points (out of 100). No. 6 Oceania Cruises also got a better score this year, rising two places, as numerous voters mentioned the high quality of the line's onboard cuisine. "In our experience with eight different cruise lines," said one well-traveled voter, "Oceania consistently has the best food." We considered prices; the number of ships in each fleet; the flexibility to serve specific traveler types, such as families and singles; and the types of itineraries offered by each company.

While travel credit cards offer some trip protection, we suggest you check out our list of best cruise travel insurance, as these plans are geared specifically for cruise trips. 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. Yacht Club guests get 24-hour butler service and their own dedicated concierge, plus a premium drink and internet package. They also enjoy complimentary access to the ship’s spa as well as other perks like a luggage packing and unpacking service and priority check-in and check-out. MSC is a European cruise line that offers itineraries in the Caribbean as well as to popular destinations in Europe like the Mediterranean and Norway.

For the first time, Virgin Voyages takes the No. 1 spot in the Best Cruise Lines for the Money ranking, offering the best value among cruise lines. If you've ever dreamed of having your own butler, Silversea is the luxury cruise line for you. 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.

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