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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. The self-described "fun ship" line is the king of short, affordable, fun-focused cruises from U.S. ports to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico and beyond. 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.
Oceania Cruises
Higher fare tiers include more amenities but are significantly more expensive. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha ranks 8th on our list of the largest cruise companies in the world, with a market cap of $4.84 billion. The company owns a fleet of 615 vessels making it the largest marine transporter in Japan. NYK Cruises was one of the Asian cruise companies that were allowed to operate in the middle of the pandemic in November 2020.
The best cruise lines in the world: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards
The company provides global tourism services from cruises to airlines, hotels, and resorts. In July 2020, the company's TUIS Mein Schiff 2 sailed back to the sea carrying 1,200 passengers to have a Norwegian cruise. Best for luxurySilversea’s 13 ultra-luxurious, all-inclusive ships attract affluent, active travellers who enjoy the line’s Italian flair, fine dining and the attentive service on board. Four of the fleet are expedition ships, roaming the world, offering high-end adventure cruising in the company of expert guides; while Silver Origin, a recent addition, elevates Galapagos cruising to a new level. The line’s newest ships, including Silver Dawn, offer the SALT (Sea and Land Taste) programme, which features in-depth culinary tours and experiences. French luxury cruise line Ponant aims to make passengers feel as if they're traveling on their own private yachts.
Best for Budget Travelers: Carnival
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. Cruise Critic is an online cruise community with more than 650,000 ship reviews of 700 ships from experts and cruise aficionados. I always make a point to stop in at the various shops near the family beach to see the Castaway Cay merchandise. On a recent trip, the shops had everything from spirit jerseys and T-shirts to Christmas ornaments and swimsuits. Plus, just off Serenity Bay Beach is a fun beachside bar serving up drinks and snacks.
NYK Cruises and terminal and harbor transport services account for approximately 20% of the company. Ranking 14th on our list of the 15 largest cruise companies in the world is Finland-based Viking Line with a market cap of $203 million. Aside from recreational travel services, the company also provides cargo carrier services and sails through the Baltic Sea between Estonia, Sweden, and Finland.
Best for Adults-Only Cruise: Virgin Voyages
Genting owns world-famous fleets of cruise ships including Star Cruises, Dream Cruises, and the luxurious Crystal Cruises. In 2019, the company reported total revenue of $1.5 billion, a decrease of 2.4% from $1.6 billion in 2018. Genting's cruise revenue amounted to $1.3 billion making it the main driver for the growth of the company. The line’s six medium-sized ships sail all over the world, offering destination-intensive cruises that maximise time in port. Designed with input from officers and crew members, the all-balcony staterooms feature a new cabin category for solo travellers.
P&O Cruises
Expect port-intensive itineraries that can include two stops a day, so you can pack as many sights as possible into your trip. Best for hedonistsSeaDream’s two 112-passenger ships offer a cruise experience as close to a private yacht as you’ll find, with intuitive service, superb dining and an open bar. The twin yachts have both had a multi-million pound refurbishment with top-to-toe cabin upgrades and new public areas including indulgent hot tubs for couples. Life revolves around time on deck as the ships follow the sun to the Caribbean and Mediterranean, with champagne-fuelled pool and beach parties. Best for a traditional cruising experienceHolland America Line’s sleek, stylish ships embrace maritime traditions and appeal to a more mature traveller who enjoys fine food and imaginative itineraries.
From pools, waterslides and mini golf for kids to spas, shows and nightclubs for adults, there is something for everyone on a cruise ship. Ranking 9th on our list of the 15 largest cruise companies in the world is NY-based Lindblad Expeditions Holdings with a market cap of $1.04 billion. Lindblad Expeditions owns over 50 specialized cruise ships that sail to the most remote areas on Earth such as Antarctica, Galapagos, Alaska, and Egypt. Ranking 13th on our list of the 15 largest cruise companies is London-based Virgin Voyages, a subsidiary of the Virgin Group with $347.5 million worth of assets and $83.7 million net profit.
Guests enjoy Ladurée macarons, Veuve Clicquot Champagne, and luxurious Hermès bath products on board. Each of the company's ships features an onboard spa with massage cabins and either a Turkish bath or sauna. Ponant's luxurious small ships sail to remote destinations like Antarctica, incorporating once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as eclipse spotting from the edge of the earth. Best for activitiesAPT is an Australian-owned cruise company specialising in luxurious, all-inclusive voyages worldwide.
Otherwise, expect high energy entertainment aimed at British tastes and a friendly vibe. Best for glamour and traditionCunard’s three Queens offer the epitome of elegance at sea. The flagship Queen Anne launches in 2024; the first time since 1999 that Cunard has had a four-vessel fleet. This is the line to choose if you love dressing up, ballroom dancing and the sense of sailing on a ship that turns heads in every port.
But it has a loyal following of travelers who appreciate the upscale ambience of its vessels, the inclusive amenities it offers (including gratuities and alcoholic drinks) and its destination focus. Best for boutique cruisingUnder the same ownership as Scenic, Emerald Cruises offers a more affordable experience on contemporary Star Ships that would give smart boutique hotels a run for their money. Each of the nine in Europe has an on-board Activity Manager to facilitate yoga classes, cycling, kayaking and hiking trips. While most excursions are included, optional tours are offered, from cookery demonstrations to private music recitals. Best for wellnessAmaWaterways’ five-star fleet offers river cruises in Europe, Asia, southern Africa and Egypt aimed at a mainly North American market looking for a quality, comfortable product. There’s an increasing emphasis on wellness, with a qualified fitness trainer on almost every cruise and a fleet of bicycles on every ship.
Ships also have a living room where guests can gather to talk or relax while listening to classical music performed by resident musicians. Opinions are our own, but compensation and in-depth research may determine where and how companies appear. 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. This is the 15th iteration of the list compiled by the online cruise community’s international team of cruise experts.
More worrisome to me was that on one of my trips — to a Warriors game at the Chase Center arena — at a busy intersection, a Waymo in front of us wouldn't respond to a traffic cop trying to wave it through a red light. So now three Waymos were sitting there, blocking traffic and waiting for the light. The traffic cop stopped trying to move us and just held his hands over his head in disgust. Like using it for food delivery — which is happening in Phoenix, via Uber Eats. Maybe it's for people who believe a robot is more reliable than a human driver — at least we know a Waymo won't watch TikTok while driving on the highway like a Lyft driver did when I was in their back seat a couple of years ago.
Best for sheer romanceStar Clippers’ three traditional square-riggers offer swashbuckling adventure on some of the world’s most beautiful sailing ships, all gleaming wood, polished brass and teak decking. 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. Olsen has a loyal following of mature British cruise fans who come back regularly for the friendly service, imaginative itineraries and traditional feel of the line’s four ships, all of which have a sleek, classic profile. 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.
Best for cultural excursionsScenic’s smart, modern “Space Ships” sail the rivers of Europe and Asia in considerable style. Everything is included, from bar drinks to a choice of excursions themed around cultural enrichment, soft adventure, food and wine, varying from a private dinner in the Palais des Papes in Avignon to guided kayaking and cycling. Each ship has a wellness centre and a fleet of e-bikes for independent exploring.
11 Best Cruise Lines to Book in 2024 — Best Cruises for Every Traveler - Reader's Digest
11 Best Cruise Lines to Book in 2024 — Best Cruises for Every Traveler.
Posted: Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This peaceful chair-lined beach is a quiet spot away from the family beach, where I can sit back and enjoy the view or take a chair down to the water and let the waves crash over me. I enjoy seeing the Disney characters on the ship, but love seeing Mickey and his pals even more at Castaway Cay. Speaking of gear, at Castaway Cay, cruisegoers can borrow free towels as soon as they get off of the ship. There are plenty of towel-return stations around the island, so I also never have to carry wet, sandy towels back on the ship.
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