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2019 Editors' Picks Awards

Cruise Critic's team of international editors award the top ships of 2019!

Oceania's Name Our Ship Sweepstakes

Enter for a chance to win a free 2022 cruise for two (2) on the naming voyage in a Veranda stateroom on Oceania's forthcoming ship!

Compare: 8 Most Popular Cruise Ships

Nearly everyone has a favorite cruise ship. In this chart, we outline the key distinctions among the 8 most popular cruise ships in the industry. Look for highlights of onboard accommodations, dining and entertainment, as well as ship itineraries. Don't have a favorite cruise ship just yet? Our picks just might inspire you to find the perfect vacation match. Want more info about these top 8 cruise ships? Click on the vessel name below to read about ship highlights and find links to itineraries, a photo tour of the ship, a comprehensive expert review and hundreds of reader-submitted critiques.

5 Ways to Get a Cruise Ship Cabin Upgrade

We wish there were a magic elixir you could whip up to get a free or low-cost cabin upgrade on a cruise ship. We'd be chugging it all the time. But sorry -- no can do. Before you sit by the phone, waiting for the upgrade fairy to call, there are a few basic things to know about cruise ship cabin

12 Best Cruises for First Timers

We recommend the best cruise lines for first timers in a variety of categories, as well as runners-up. So dry your cruise planning tears, and get ready to find your perfect cruise line.

Cruising 101

Featured Destinations

Alaska

The 49th State, the largest in the U.S., is perfect for cruisers, with numerous opportunities to appreciate its vast natural beauty. Sail along the Inside Passage to visit the immense ice formations of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, as well popular ports such as Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, the only U.S. state capital that's not accessible by car. Or travel further north to the Kenai Peninsula and nearby Anchorage, a perfect jumping-off point for cruise tours to Denali, Fairbanks and Canada's Yukon. Maybe you'll see a bear!

Caribbean

With an island for every taste, the Caribbean is the ultimate place for relaxation. You'll find white sands and turquoise water throughout the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Some islands are lush, with rainforests and mountain trails, while others have desert climates and coral beaches. Wherever you visit, taste regional specialties such as conch fritters and get out on the water with snorkeling and sailing excursions.

Mediterranean

From the pristine beaches and ancient ruins of the Eastern Mediterranean to the artsy and flavorful countries of the Western Mediterranean, this region is easily one of the most diverse in the world. Revel at Spanish and Italian architecture, soak up some sun in Greece, explore antiquities in Istanbul and Malta or get a taste of the French countryside on the outskirts of Nice, Monte Carlo or Cannes. Some Med itineraries dip down into northern Africa; the Canary Islands are also a popular stop for repositioning cruises.

Europe

Your biggest difficulty planning a European cruise is narrowing down where you want to go. A Western Mediterranean itinerary usually includes stops in Barcelona and Monaco, as well as ports in Italy. Eastern Mediterranean cruises encompass eastern Italy, Croatia and Greece, and sometimes even Turkey and Israel. A Baltic Sea voyage brings you to Scandinavia and Russia; the Norwegian Fjords carry their own beauty. Don't forget about British Isles cruises, which allow you to visit castles in England, Scotland and London. For sun lovers, it's hard to beat the Canary Islands.

Canada & New England

New England and Canada cruises offer sophisticated, eye-catching ports of call. Take in the sights of the Atlantic Ocean coast, enjoy whale watching, and see the beautiful fall foliage. Newport, Portland and Bar Harbor are quaint towns with lighthouses and crab shacks. Explore Canada's Maritime provinces, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Finally, immerse yourself in French Canada with stops in Quebec's cities and countryside.

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Featured Ships

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge is Celebrity's edgiest ships featuring the revolutionary Magic Carpet, a tennis-court sized moveable deck, and rooms that convert from inside to outside with the touch of a button.

Celebrity Reflection

Sophisticated vibe; attractions include the country club-style Lawn Club, the Martini Bar, suites only restaurants and multimillion dollar art collection.

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas

Mega-ship holding upwards of 6,400 passengers; features zip lining, surf simulators, rock climbing and an open-air Central Park with shops and restaurants.

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas

World's largest cruise ship featuring high-energy attractions including zip lining, water slides, surf simulators, rock climbing and 18 dining venues.

Carnival Vista

Holds a bit more than 4,000 passengers; offers a waterpark, suspended-in-midair recumbent bike thrill ride, ropes course and the first IMAX cinema at sea.

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Cruise News

Royal Caribbean to Build New $100 Million Galveston Cruise Terminal

(3:17 p.m. EST) -- Royal Caribbean plans to construct a new $100 million cruise terminal at the port of Galveston, which will welcome Allure of the Seas in November 2021. First announced last year, an agreement between the line and the port marks a new phase of growth for the Galveston, which

New Music Venue, Upgraded Suites Are Highlights of Refurbishment for Holland America's Noordam Cruise Ship

(11:40 a.m. EST) -- Holland America Line's Noordam returned to service earlier this month after a two-week dry dock in British Columbia. Highlights of the refurbishment include the addition of Billboard Onboard, the Microsoft Studio, Fujifilm Wonder Photo Shop and a pickleball court. Other areas

Carnival Cruise Line Unveils Heroes Tribute Bar on Newest Ship

(12:27 p.m. EST) -- Carnival Cruise Line unveiled its newest bar concept, the Heroes Tribute Bar, during the inaugural celebrations for Carnival Panorama. The bar continues the line's longstanding support of the military and offers a full array of beverages with a portion of the proceeds benefiting

Viking River Cruises to Deploy 4 New Ships on Seine

(12:40 p.m. EST) -- Following years of busing passengers to Paris because its longships were too large to dock there, Viking River Cruises will be able to call directly on the city with the introduction of four new vessels on the Seine next year. Although they're inspired by the line's popular

Atlas Ocean Voyages Releases Cabin Details for First Ship, World Navigator

(1:02 p.m. EST) -- When Atlas Ocean Voyages' first cruise ship, World Navigator, debuts in mid-2021, it will feature an array of cabins that range in size from 183 to 466 square feet, including 10 one-bedroom suites. Ninety percent of staterooms will have balconies. "When guests return to

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