2023 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards: Best New Ship ocean

Table Of Content

• of the best solo cruise lines for single passengers
• The Galápagos Islands on Celebrity Flora
• The adult-only suspended infinity pool
• Avoid hidden fees and higher prices with this range of cruise operators that cater to solo travellers
• amazing programs for neurodivergent individuals that aim to make traveling easier
• Best Family Cruise: Regal Princess - Princess Cruises
• The 11 Best Luxury Cruise Lines, According to T+L's Experts

This private enclave boasts all the requisite perks you might expect, from lavish suites to grand lounges and private dining areas. MSC sets itself apart by making that complex more accessible than ever before, thanks to the line’s value-priced MSC Yacht Club Inside Staterooms that provide a lot of luxe for a little dough. The modern spa is more than a place to relax; it’s a true escape, where the atmosphere and thermal suite complement state-of-the-art treatments. Norwegian Cruise Line has always recognized this in its Mandara Spa, which keeps getting better.

of the best solo cruise lines for single passengers

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. Travel + Leisure hand-selected 16 different types of on-the-water adventures to consider in the year ahead. Silversea Cruises topped the list as Best Luxury Cruise Line for the second year in a row. Cruise Critic just announced its annual list of the Best Cruise Lines of The Year.

The Galápagos Islands on Celebrity Flora

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. "We love everything about this ship," wrote one fan who sailed on the Queen Mary 2. "We have both crossed the Atlantic and cruised in the Caribbean on the QM, and the experience is always outstanding." Cruises are a well-trodden holiday option, offering the opportunity to explore various parts of the world while enjoying the comfort of a hotel on the seas. After departing from San Juan, the Sakara reached the Puerto Rican island of Culebra in a few hours, just 20 miles off the coast. We hopped in a taxi van at the port to reach the pristine waters of Flamenco Beach, which consistently makes the world’s top 10 lists.

2024 Member Choice Awards: Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Onboard Experience - Cruiseline.com

2024 Member Choice Awards: Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Onboard Experience.

Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 02:13:08 GMT [source]

The adult-only suspended infinity pool

The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima. It's the first show-at-sea I've seen with a waterfall and nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and so far, it's one of my favorites. If you're a frequent cruiser — especially with Royal Caribbean — amenities like the mini-golf course and water playground may not seem exciting. This will likely result in you being allocated a cabin at the front or back of the ship, but it will save you money.

But the amusement-park-level attractions, carefully orchestrated kids' programming, entertainment, and family dining on Disney ships are also big wows. Perhaps most noteworthy, though, is that these ships manage to cater to both families with kids and adults sans kids. Grown-ups get separate hangout spots such as an adults-only nightlife area, pool, and specialty dining venues. The line's four ships are back in service, but that's not all fans have to look forward to as the line's much-anticipated fifth ship, Disney Wish, debuted in early July.

She is president of Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade organization. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and remember that while the cabin is important, you’ll also want to budget for on-board activities, excursions, beverages, and other expenses. For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L. Speaking of vibes, if you're looking for a secluded place to drink (as in, not the swim-up pool bar), few will top the Overlook Pods, perched just behind the AquaDome.

For scenic cruises, such as those in Alaska or the Norwegian fjords, a balcony might be worth the splurge to enjoy the magnificent views in relative peace. A balcony breakfast while sailing along a fjord will be an experience to remember. Before booking, read reviews of the ship and specific cabins on websites such as Cruise Critic or watching YouTube reviews.

These Are the 8 Best Cruises Departing From New York City in 2024 - Condé Nast Traveler

These Are the 8 Best Cruises Departing From New York City in 2024.

Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Best Family Cruise: Regal Princess - Princess Cruises

If you’ve got the itch to book, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best cruise liners for single passengers below. At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop. But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected. But compared to the rest of my mediocre meals on Icon of the Seas — including dinner at a specialty restaurant — my complimentary pork pita wrap from the food hall's Mediterranean-inspired stall was admittedly pretty decent. The ship's riff on Broadway-approved "Wizard of Oz" — 16-piece live orchestra and flying bed included — delighted me, a hater of most musicals. While I would've preferred a quieter atmosphere (the DJ did not, in fact, play smooth jazz), the pool's views, day beds, and lack of screaming children were hard to beat.

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

"Food is excellent, crew is friendly and attentive; and cabins are large compared to other cruise lines," one voter wrote. Royal Caribbean International, with its smaller 1990s ships such as Enchantment of the Seas and Vision of the Seas, comes in at No. 5. The best large-ship cruise lines, according to Travel + Leisure readers, prove that, when it comes to entertainment on the high seas, bigger is definitely better. Back on board, the creature comforts of the Sakara included plenty of outdoor space to connect with the ocean, a small infinity pool, a full-service spa and a large, elegant dining room and terrace. Cabins located at the very front and very back of the ship will experience significantly more movement in the event of rough seas, so choose a cabin towards the middle of the ship if you’re facing multiple sea days or sailing off-season.

With 2023 poised to be a big year for both new and frequent cruisers — thanks in part to an abundance of new ships and itineraries — Travel + Leisure has hand-selected 16 different types of adventures to consider in the year ahead. McDaniel notes other ways in which ship size affects the cruising experience. “There’s also a greater space ratio onboard, allowing for less crowding and more space for guests to spread out and enjoy,” she says. Impressively, all the top lines that readers chose as the best cruise lines for large ships are WBA Hall of Fame honorees.

It will sail nine-, 10-, 11-, and 12-night round-trips from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica through March 2023 before heading to the Mediterranean to hit Spain, France, and Portugal. Riviera Travel operates river cruises around the world, with destinations as far as Egypt and Vietnam. Nevertheless, the focus is on European river cruises, with plenty of packages to the Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Douro and Danube on offer. Packages include return flights, airport transfers and all meals onboard, with an extensive range of excursions and activities including guided tours and on-board folk music shows. Daily activities will keep you entertained while onboard, while organised excursions or solo trips let you see a magnificent range of towns and cities at your leisure.

If you plan to spend a lot of time in your cabin, you might value a balcony or a spacious room more. Cabins on middle floors offer the best combination of access to facilities and less movement in the event of rough seas. The 3,000-passenger Carnival Sunshine has many of the same bells and whistles that Carnival is known for but at a manageable size. Active passengers have a spread of outdoor games and activities at SportSquare.