Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Cruise ship guide: 20 popular lines explained

ranking cruise lines

Viking's seven-night New Orleans & Southern Charms itinerary focuses solely on ports in Louisiana and Mississippi, with an emphasis on historic architecture, Cajun culture and Civil War landmarks. For those staying in certain room tiers, a concierge team is available to help travelers with special requests and booking excursions. And while Disney cruises primarily cater to families, they aren’t just for kids.

Small Ship Cruise Line Announces Expansion With New Class of Ships

No matter where you are, Uniworld will deliver an outstanding luxury experience. While the ships are exceptional, with each decorated uniquely to match its location, it’s the service and surroundings that make Uniworld stand out. Dining relies on local inspiration, and enrichment onboard highlights the destination.

ranking cruise lines

Marina — Oceania CruisesArrow

The ships offer nightclubs, bars and adult-only pools and dining, too, as well as special activities and clubs for teens. 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." Viking wins Cruise Critic's top choice for a first-time river cruise experience simply because of all the things the line does right. Its Longship fleet of ships is beautifully designed, and its crews are attentive and friendly.

Best for Adults-Only Cruise: Virgin Voyages

ranking cruise lines

A naturalist, historian and geologist will be on hand to guide you on excursions by foot, kayak, Zodiac and jet boat. In its first year sailing, Riverside Luxury Cruises proved that it’s a powerhouse with its food and wine on Europe’s rivers. 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. This Miami-based luxury line operates some of the most opulent vessels at sea, including three recently unveiled Explorer-class ships billed as the most expensive luxury vessels ever built on a cost-per-berth basis.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Avalon Waterways makes solo cruising not only simple and enjoyable but also highly affordable. Avalon waives the single supplement fee so solo cruisers can enjoy river cruising like anybody else. Plus, they can enjoy the roomy staterooms and suites on their own, without the need to stay in a cramped single cabin, which is customary on other lines. With several communal locations, ease of mingling and exciting excursions, solo cruisers thrive while when sailing with Avalon – without having to break the bank.

Seabourn

This is the 15th iteration of the list compiled by the online cruise community’s international team of cruise experts. These are the best cruise lines in the world, according to the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. Sailings are available from late September to early November 2024, 2025 and 2026. Cruise the Hudson round-trip from New York City on American Cruise Lines' seven-night Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise. You'll visit Catskill, home to the Hudson River School Art Trail and the Olana Historic Site, or explore more actively at the Hudson River Skywalk and Kaaterskill Falls. In Albany, founded in 1609, you can tour the newly renovated New York State Capitol building, built in the late 1800s; you can also visit the New York State Museum, which dates to 1836.

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.

Lindblad Expeditions' 7-night Columbia & Snake Rivers: Food, Wine and History Cruise

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. Finally, check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site to see a detailed list of suggested vaccines per destination.

We only evaluated major lines with trips that depart from the United States – hence, we excluded such companies as Virgin Voyages, Cunard, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. We used an online cruise insurance marketplace to get a quote for a family of four (two adults and two kids) for a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas. If the family spends $3,200 for the trip, the insurance options range from $158 for basic insurance to $344 for a premium plan.

Three of the ships — American Melody, American Symphony and American Serenade — are 180-passenger modern river ships launched in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. The fourth, American Splendor, is a 180-passenger paddlewheeler that debuted in 2016. 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.

Rest up from your portside adventures during five days of scenic river cruising. If exploring the central U.S. — Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri — without driving is appealing, consider the 15-night Grand Ohio River Cruise offered by American Cruise Lines. You'll enjoy regionally inspired dining and eclectic landmarks along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as you sail.

By definition, small ships hold fewer than 1200 passengers, usually making the cruise experience more intimate with more individualized service. They range from seven to 15 nights and visit destinations in 16 states; itineraries take you through the colonial-heritage-rich Northeast, America's agricultural heartland and the pioneer routes of the Pacific Northwest. American Cruise Line sails all the waterways mentioned above, while Viking offers itineraries solely on the Mississippi. Additionally, Lindblad Expeditions has introduced a food-and-wine-centric river cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Whether you're fascinated by American history, culture and cuisine, or you've enjoyed river cruising in Europe but are now looking to explore closer to home, U.S. river cruises are an easy and enjoyable vacation option. American Cruise Lines’ American Serenade takes top prize this year in the river cruise category – the first time we’ve awarded Best New River Ship to an American vessel.

U.S. News considered the overall cruise line quality and average base fare per night, as well as extra benefits such as free gratuities, Wi-Fi access and all-inclusive package options. The cruise, which is available in November and December 2024 and January, November and December 2025, ends with a full day of exploration back in New Orleans before one last night aboard the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi. From Memphis blues and Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes" to Kentucky bluegrass and New Orleans jazz, American Cruise Lines' eight-night Music Cities Cruise sails you through a chronology of the U.S. music scene. You'll traverse three rivers (the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland) en route from Memphis to Nashville, or vice versa.

Viking has earned its reputation as the leader on Europe’s rivers, where it sails with an enormous fleet designed in serene Scandinavian style. Ships are consistent and instantly feel like home, whether you’re sailing for the first or 100th time. Ships' staterooms are thoughtfully designed, and cruises are inclusive of things like excursions and drinks at mealtimes.

A storied line with roots that go back to the 1800s, this three-ship brand is perhaps best known for its 2,695-passenger flagship, Queen Mary 2. The ship lives up to its billing as a true ocean liner with semiregular, transatlantic service between Southampton, England, and New York. 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. However, you should purchase your insurance immediately after booking your trip.

Cruise Lines Have Been Ranked With Surprising Results - Cruise Hive

Cruise Lines Have Been Ranked With Surprising Results.

Posted: Mon, 07 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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. AmaWaterways has been leading the way for wellness on river cruises for years, but it never rests on its laurels.

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