Crystal also offers a variety of activities to help guests socialize and get to know one another. From mixers to bridge tournaments and bars that are cozy and collegial, solo travelers will have plenty of opportunities to meet new friends. Norwegian Cruise Line has proved it’s the clear leader when it comes to solo travelers.
Best Luxury Cruise Line
“For the most part, luxury cruises appeal to a segment of travelers looking for similar experiences on land – more luxurious offerings, fewer crowds, and phenomenal activities. Luxury cruises tend to be longer than other cruises, so they appeal to guests who have ample time for vacation,” she adds. Royal Caribbean’s wide range of activities and amenities include a little something for everything, from waterslides and ziplines to dance classes to movie nights.
Best Spa
Even better, Norwegian's ships offer an exclusive studio for solo guests, where passengers can chat, grab snacks and get to know one another. The line's not stopping there -- it's expanding the number of solo cabins across its entire fleet. Sailing on an Emerald cruise ship feels a lot like seeing the world on your personal yacht. Emerald’s two identical ships hold only 100 guests each, and sailings are inclusive of things like drinks at lunch and dinner, some excursions and use of the ship’s wonderful water toys. Yet prices for Emerald cruises generally are less than what you’d pay on other luxury lines – plus the company regularly offers deals, like a 2-for-1 package. The LivNordic spa complex on Viking’s ships remains tops among luxury cruise lines.
Best Cruises Overall
By definition, small ships hold fewer than 1200 passengers, usually making the cruise experience more intimate with more individualized service. If you've never visited New Orleans, or it's been a while, take a Mississippi River cruise that sails round-trip from the Big Easy. They offer time before or after the cruise to enjoy the city's food, music and iconic architecture — plus the ease of a round-trip flight booking. 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. 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.
Adventures by Disney
Scenic’s latest expedition ship, Scenic Eclipse II, will head for New Zealand in late 2024, where it will do two-week itineraries that navigate the fjords and offer plenty of pulse-quickening adventures like jet-boat and helicopter tours along the way. In January, Ponant kicks off the first of 12 expeditions in partnership with the Explorers Club, the science-minded nonprofit. The series begins with a 30-day “half-circumnavigation” of Antarctica aboard the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot, starting in South America and wrapping in New Zealand. The cruise lines and itineraries to consider in the year ahead, as selected by T+L news director Paul Brady.
Viking came in at No. 1 in T+L's best mid-size ship category and river cruise category. Golden said the WBA Hall of Fame honoree's 50 river "longships" are "light-filled floating boutique hotels." If you've ever dreamed of having your own butler, Silversea is the luxury cruise line for you. In fact, Silversea's butlers take white-glove service to a whole new level — they'll handle your laundry with more care than you do, scour port towns to find your favorite tastes of home, and even help you pack and unpack your suitcase. 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. Of course, there's no need to cook for yourself aboard a Silversea ship, as each one features several restaurants with multi-course menus to whet your appetite every night.
"The cruise itself was absolutely perfect. Nice weather, great excursions, beautiful scenery, nice ship and excellent staff." 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.
Crystal relaunched in 2023 with the refurbished ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The first will spend next summer in the Mediterranean, while the second will transit the Panama Canal in June on a voyage from Miami to San Diego before spending the summer in Alaska. 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. Cruise Critic is an online cruise community with more than 650,000 ship reviews of 700 ships from experts and cruise aficionados. Not only is the autumnal landscape in New York's Hudson Valley visually captivating, but the small cities and towns that line the river's shores are filled with fascinating early American history dating back more than 400 years.
Best Boutique Cruise Line: SeaDream Yacht Club
These tend to be quieter and attract an older clientele compared to a mainstream ocean cruise. 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. 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.
Cruise lines have also imprinted their personalities on the port’s terminals, with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and Virgin Voyages serving as land-based extensions of the onboard experience. Plus, sailing in or out of PortMiami as the city unfolds or fades in the distance is one of the most magical moments in cruising. There aren’t many lines where, when the clubs and bars wind down, the party continues deep into the night. Whether it’s a 70s theme night with the entertainment team dressed like the Village People, live DJs in the main promenade or a White Night Party with live music on the main pool deck, there is always something happening on an MSC ship. Virgin perfected onboard entertainment in 2023, introducing fresh, eye-popping shows like Lola's Library and Persephone.
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. Suess at Sea keep kids and teens entertained, while the Punchliner Comedy Club offers up laughs.
Just make sure to check this cruise packing list so you bring all the right things with you. For added assurance, you might want to take these unexpected essentials with you as well. In addition to seeing penguins, polar bears and reindeer, travelers are surrounded by stunning landscapes on and off the ship. Explore the area’s natural beauty on Zodiac boat excursions, and back on board, you’ll get to relax while kids are treated to special activities including themed dinners, games and movie nights. A unique, fun and educational option for families with older kids who want to experience nature with a touch of Disney magic, these expedition cruises are the stuff of lifelong memories. Small, purpose-built ships are designed to access the remote landscapes of the Polar Regions and the Galápagos Islands—and to appeal to both kids and adults.
7 Best Luxury Cruises - Cruise Critic
7 Best Luxury Cruises.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
To view the full details of each category, visit the 2023 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards. 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.
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