Best Cruise Lines In The Mediterranean
With another win, Viking tops three of U.S. News six categories, this time for its presence in the Mediterranean. In every instance, it is followed by Seattle-based Seabourn Cruise Line, Carnival Corporations ultra-luxury brand.
Seabourn has five ships, which hold between 450-600 passengers and cruise to more than 400 destinations. As part of a multi-year agreement, the cruise line has contributed more than $1.5 million to support UNESCO, which grants its guests unique access to more than 170 World Heritage Sites, according to its website.
Also on the list: Oceania Cruises , Crystal Cruises , Costa Cruises , MSC Cruises , Silversea Cruises , Holland America Line , Norwegian Cruise Line , Princess Cruises , Royal Caribbean International and Cunard Line .
Small Ship Line #1: Sea Cloud Cruises
Germany’s Sea Cloud Cruises has three elegant windjammers: Sea Cloud,Sea Cloud II, and Sea Cloud Spirit, which accommodate 64, 94, and 136 passengers, respectively. These sailing yachts primarily split their time between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, though they’ll occasionally explore the Panama Canal and Northern Europe, too. The oldest ship in the fleet is Sea Cloud, built in 1931 for an American heiressat the time, it was the largest private yacht in the world. It later served the United States in World War II before ultimately returning to pleasure sailings.
Medium Ship Line #: Cunard
While Cunards Queen Mary 2 fits more than 2,600 passengersand a number of cats and dogson board, her sister ships, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria only have a capacity of about 2,000 passengers. Though theyre quite similar in layout, the QE and the QV differ in design. Both nod to the historic ocean liners of the early 20th century, but the QE takes on a bolder Art Deco vibe, while the QV features more subdued yet equally elegant decor. Guests on board both ships are likely to partake in afternoon tea before donning a glamorous gown for dinner.
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Large Ship Line #: Cunard
For those longing for the romantic nostalgia of bygone transatlantic sailings, Cunard is your go-to. The legendary cruise line was established in 1840 and has had dozens of ships in its fleet, though today, there are just three active vessels: the Queen Mary 2, the worlds only true transatlantic ocean liner, designed specifically for ocean crossings, as well as the worlds only pet-friendly ship the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Victoria. Activities havent changed all that much in the last 180 yearstheres still a proper afternoon tea, black-tie dinners, and galas in the ballrooms. Its quite like a step back in time, with all the modern safety measures, of course. Cunards next ship is scheduled to set sail in 2022 or 2023.
P& o Cruises Sydney To Southampton
Best for Adult-only sailingsNumber of days 50The ship P& O Cruises mid-size Aurora is exclusively for adults when it heads on world voyages. Food and entertainment suited to UK tastebuds are included along with gratuities. Popular onboard spots include the Champions pub with its thirst-quenching range of craft beers, Olly Smiths wine bar and Sindhu, serving Indian dishes with a British twist.The itinerary Depart Sydney for Southampton with ports of call including Tokyo, Hong Kong and Dubai.Departs February 2022
The Crown Grill on Princess Cruise Lines Crown Princess
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Best Modern Cruise: U River Cruises
Courtesy of U by Uniworld
- Ship Name: The A
- Itinerary: Haarlem, Netherlands Düsseldorf, Germany Cologne, Germany Koblenz, Germany Rüdesheim Germany Frankfurt Germany
Geared towards millennials, U River Cruises takes a hip approach to river cruising, with modern, stylish ships featuring chic rooftop lounges with ice bars and fabulous, trend-setting dining venues. Theres also yoga, paint and wine classes, and themed cruises that bring special guests onboard, ranging from celebrity drag queens to famous tattoo artists. On the 120-pasenger A ship, cabins include adjustable mood lighting, USB ports, built-in Bluetooth speakers, and luxurious baths with heated mirrors and plush bathrobes. Plus, theres dedicated rooms for solo travelers or groups of three. On the Rolling on the Rhine cruise, the ship stays late in port, with night excursions in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and others included in the fare.
Cruising On The Comeback
Though mass Covid-19 outbreaks early in the pandemic exposed health concerns surrounding cruising, a new survey indicates travelers may not abandon ship travel after all.
Before the pandemic, 2% of prior cruisers said they wouldn’t cruise again, while as of August 2021, 4% said the same, according to an ongoing survey conducted by U.S. News & Report.
The pandemic hasn’t scared off non-cruisers either. Pre-pandemic, 62% of people who had never cruised indicated they wanted to try it. Now, 61% of people say the same.
Sentiments may be softening with time too. Before the pandemic, about 10% of people that had never cruised said they “never” would. According to the survey, this number rose to 17% in June 2021, but fell to 14% by August.
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Medium Ship Line #: Msc Cruises
Showing up for the third time on our list, MSC Cruises is clearly beloved by many! The Swiss cruise line has just four medium-size shipsthe Lirica classwhich accommodate between 2,000 and 2,600 passengers. Theyre also the oldest ships in the fleet, though they each underwent refurbishment as part of MSCs Renaissance program to modernize interiors and expand their size. The line is known for its Mediterranean inspirationthough its fleet sails far beyond the region, calling at ports all over the worldso youll find delicious Italian food on board no matter where your ship is taking you. MSC sailings are quite lively, especially at night, with many guests partying at nightclubs into the late hours.
Best Cruise Lines For The Money
The 2022 rankings for best valued cruises are:
Here, average daily rates accounted for 60% of scores, while expert, traveler and health ratings accounted for the other 40%. Cruise lines with average daily rates of $300 or more did not qualify for this category.
Celebrity Cruises was named the best cruise for the money. Its part of the Royal Caribbean Group, which also operates Royal Caribbean International, which took home a Silver Award in this category.
Wi-Fi, tips and drinks like cocktails, wine and specialty coffees are included in most Celebrity cruise bookings, however the cheapest rates can be purchased without them. Right now, a four-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas is around $440 per person, including taxes, for an inside state room.
Also on the list: Princess Cruises , Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises .
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Largest Cruise Industry Organizations
CLIA – since December 17, 2012, this is a Global Trade Association for 9 of the largest cruise industry associations:
ICOMIA – ICOMIA is a global trade association with the majority of its members being national marine industries and manufacturers. The biggest are:
Now the list of all the rest large organizations:
Medium Ship Line #1: Holland America Line
Of Holland Americas 11 ships, eight of them fall into the medium-size category, carrying between 1,400 and 2,500 passengers. The refined ships sail to destinations across the world, but one of the most popular destinations for the cruise line is Alaska. When cruising resumes, check out the Noordam, which was refurbished in 2019, as it sails itineraries around the Japanese archipelago, China, and Southeast Asia.
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River Ship Line #: Amawaterways
AMAWaterways cruises the waters of Europe, Africa, Vietnam, and Cambodia, with a handful of new ships debuting in the past few years. In 2019, the line launched AMAMagna, a double-wide river cruise on the Danube that features massive 710-square-foot suitesa size unheard of on a river-going vessel. Despite the ship being so much larger than its sisters, the passenger count only increased by 20 percent to 196 guests, ensuring an intimate experience. The cruise line sails 22 ships in Europe, one in Vietnam and Cambodia, and two in Africa . In 2023, AMAWaterways will expand to Latin America, sailing the AMAMagdalena in Colombia.
The 10 Worst Cruise Lines In The World In 2019
If you havent been on a cruise ship, you probably want to try it out at some point. From all-inclusive packages that take the stress of choosing activities out of your hands to more open-ended options that allow you to decide your itinerary, cruises are a lot of fun. Sadly, not all cruises are the same. More importantly, cruise lines vary wildly. There are some you should probably avoid altogether. Which cruise line is the worst possible choice? Thats really up to you. We looked into things like customer ratings, food quality, and scam accusations to determine which lines are least likely to provide you a positive vacation experience. One line topped the list with below-average everything. Youll never guess who it was.
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Royal Caribbean International Round
Best for Epic world firstNumber of days 274The ship Open a window on the whole world aboard Serenade of the Seas. RoyalCaribbeans mid-size vessel will sail on this mammoth maritime trip described by the line as the longest and most comprehensive world cruise ever. The ship has nearly three acres of exterior glass, including glass lifts, to make the most of the ever-changing views.The itinerary Round-trip from Miami crossing all seven continents with visits to more than 150 destinations in 65 countries.Departs December 2023
Large Ship Line #: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises currently sails around the world with a fleet of 14 ships, ranging in size from its petite Xpedition-class vessels, which carry 16 to 100 passengers, to its large 2,800- to 3,100-passenger Solstice class and 2,900-passenger Edge class, which debuted in late 2018 with Celebrity Edge. This edgy ship was designed to appeal to a non-cruising clientele with innovations like Eden, a three-story hybrid experiential restaurant, craft cocktail lounge, and performance venue and Le Petit Chef at Le Grand Bistro, a dinner restaurant that features a 4D animation projected on your plate throughout your meal. Celebrity Edge was later joined by its sister ship Celebrity Apex in 2020, with Celebrity Beyond to follow in 2022 .
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Best Luxury Cruise Ships
The moment you step aboard a luxury cruise ship, a hostess is at your arm proffering a glass of bubbly while a capable room steward offers to heft your carry-on as he escorts you to what will be your home-away-from-home for the next few days. You stow your things and then emerge from your suite to get the lay of the ship. As you walk the decks, friendly crew members greet you … by name. How can that be? You just set foot onboard!
First-class, personalized service is just one of the hallmarks of luxury cruise lines. You can also expect exotic itineraries, varying degrees of inclusivity in pricing, fine wines and gourmet cuisine as well as universally high crew-to-passenger ratios.
That being the case, you might think any old luxury cruise ship will do, but that’s not quite true. Like people, cruise ships have their own unique personalities — and some will be more suited to your vacation style than others. Lines like SeaDream might not offer the most spacious suites, but their intimate yachts can stealthily visit ports that large ships can’t manage. Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises are owned by the same parent company but Regent offers a completely inclusive vacation experience, while Oceania draws travelers with a more independent streak.
Take a look at Cruise Critic’s list of best luxury cruise lines and ships to see which one resonates with you.
Medium Ship Line #: Oceania Cruises
Its all about the food on Oceania Cruises. Its 1,250-passenger MS Marina and MS Riviera offer restaurants by Jaques Pepin, a six-course Dom Perignon dinner with a pairing of three vintages, a cooking center where passengers of all cooking skill levels can take classes, and culinary-themed excursions, like a visit to the market in Nice with a chef. Its four smaller Regatta-class ships, each accommodating 684 passengers, also have excellent dining options, like the Polo Grill and the Italian eatery Toscana. Two new 1,200-passenger ships are on the way for Oceania, set for delivery in 2023 and 2025.
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Large Ship Line #: Disney Cruise Line
If theres one thing Disney Cruise Linedoes well, its hospitality. The company has taken every lesson its learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its four cruise ships, the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The ships are designed for families through and throughthere are numerous themed activities every day, from meet-and-greets to full-blown parties with Disney charactersbut there are plenty of adults-only areas that provide a respite from little ones. That said, the ships are not over-the-top when it comes to Disney decor. In fact, theyre quite elegant, taking design inspiration from early-20th-century ocean liners and sporting Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetics. The four ships currently sail the Caribbean , Alaska, Europe, the Pacific Coast, and the Panama Canal. Three more ships, including Disney Wish, are scheduled to be added to the fleet between 2022 and 2025.
Small Ship Line #: Windstar Cruises
The lines six shipsthree sailing yachts and three all-suite motor yachtsspecialize in visiting ports that ban larger ships, like the Byzantine hilltop town of Monemvasia in the Greek Islands, and the sleepy, palm-fringed Caribbean island of Bequia. Those smaller ports can give a sense of intimacy that isn’t always present in the most common cruise destinations, allowing for wholly different experiences. In 2017, Windstar also became the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, introducing further special itineraries with culinary themes and guest chefs.
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Cunard Southampton To Sydney
Best for Glamour and traditionNumber of days 53The ship Queen Mary 2 is the only authentic ocean liner plying the seven seas. Upgrade to a Grills Suite for a one-of-a-kind Cunard experience and dine at leisure in the exclusive namesake restaurant or tuck into room service on your private stateroom balcony.The itinerary Sail from Southampton to Sydney and enjoy a Katherine Jenkins concert on Cunards former flagship QE2 which is now a floating hotel in Dubai.Departs January 2022
Grand Celebration/bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Were going to start with a company that were really torn about. Grand Celebration Cruise Line. The ship Grand Celebration just went on a humanitarian mission to help people stranded in the US after last weeks hurricane. We completely admire that and wont denigrate that effort in any way. As for the other passengers, those not in horrific circumstances, there appear to be a lot of complaints. While Bahamas Paradise seems to exist and have decent cruises. However, the Grand Celebration Cruise Line which books trips on their ships, appears not to tell people the truth about things like their costs and other vital information. As confusing as that is, it landed this company in the final slot on this list.
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River Ship Line #: Delfin Amazon Cruises
Sailing the Amazon River in Peru isnt quite like other river journeysits a blissful escape into the wilderness, where you might be surrounded by pink dolphins or piranhas at any given moment. Delfin, the first Relais & Chateaux cruise line, makes the journey incredibly comfortable, offering boutique hotellike accommodations aboard its three rustic-luxe ships. And, as part of the Relais & Chateaux family, the cuisine is spectacular, incorporating regional dishes made with local ingredients.
Large Ship #: Msc Cruises
Nearly half of MSCs fleetnamely those ships in the Musica and Fantasia classesfalls into the large cruise category, with most of its newer builds firmly taking a bigger is better stance. The eight large vessels primarily sail in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, though they do offer itineraries in North and South America, Asia, and Northern Europe, too. The family-friendly ships skew toward the upscale side, and theyre known for their incredibly international crowds.
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Us News & World Report Releases The 2022 Best Cruises With Disney Cruise Line Earning Top Billing For Families And Caribbean Sailings
U.S. News & World Report released their 2022 Best Cruise Lines Rankings. The global authority in rankings and consumer advice evaluated 162 ships from 17 top cruise lines across a variety of categories. The rankings help travelers select the best cruise by brand, region, traveler type and budget.
Disney Cruise Line remains at the top of the list for Best Cruise Line for Families, a spot held since U.S. News began ranking cruise lines. Additionally, for the eight consecutive year, Disney is also the top Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean.
Were honored that U.S. News & World Report has recognized us with these two awards for eight consecutive years, and are so proud of our amazing cast and crew members who make awards like this possible.
U.S. News surveyed travelers to understand the effects of COVID-19 on cruiser sentiments and found that cruisers both first-time and longtime are booked at higher levels than before the pandemic. U.S. News survey data also revealed that of the frequent travelers who indicated that they would cruise again, 20% are already signed up for their next sailing.
Though most avenues of travel have been impacted throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the cruise industry has seen the most challenges
Nicola Wood, travel editor at U.S. News
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2022 U.S. News Best Disney Cruise Line Ship Rankings
Below is a summary of the categories each of the Disney Cruise ships ranked.
Disney Magic
Disney Wonder
Disney Dream