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Azamara Explore the Night Sweepstakes

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2018 Cruisers’ Choice Destinations Awards

Cruise Critic members named the top cruise destinations in the third annual Cruisers’ Choice Destinations Awards.

Compare: 10 Most Popular Cruise Ships

We list the 10 most popular cruise ships based on user engagement and Cruise Critic member reviews.

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 the first of four new cruise ships that will debut under Celebrity's Edge Class moniker. Edge launches in 2018.

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

First-Ever Cruise Ship Godfamily Christens Symphony of the Seas in Miami

(8:45 p.m. EST) -- With the smash of a Champagne bottle, TV and movie stars Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, alongside their 23-month old son, today christened Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas as the industry's first-ever godfamily. The ceremony was held alongside the ship while it was docked

Princess Cruises' Next Royal Class Ship to Feature Redesigned Sanctuary and a Jazz Lounge

(9:10 a.m. EST) -- When Sky Princess, Princess Cruises' fourth Royal-class ship debuts in late October 2019 it will have a redesigned Sanctuary and an all new entertainment venue, the Take Five jazz lounge. "Sky Princess is home to our most exciting entertainment experiences and venues yet,"

Live From MSC Seaside: How It's Doing Almost a Year After Its Debut

(9:30 a.m. EST) -- When MSC Seaside -- MSC Cruises' first ship custom-built for warm weather cruising, and first dedicated to year-round cruising in North America -- debuted in December 2017, Cruise Critic was sufficiently wowed to name the 4,132-passenger vessel New Cruise Ship of the Year. The

Carnival Cuts Steel for Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship, Reveals New Hull Design

(9:31 a.m. EDT) -- Construction officially has begun on Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, which will be the largest in the fleet as well as in the world by passenger capacity, when it launches in 2020. To celebrate the first steel-cutting, the line held a ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard

Windstar to Stretch and Refurbish Its Star-Class Cruise Ships

(1:43 p.m. EST) -- Small-ship cruise line [Windstar](/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=101) has revealed its new Star Plus Initiative, a $250 million refurbishment program that will stretch, renovate and re-engine its three Star-class ships: Star Breeze, Star Legend and Star Pride.

More News

Just Back From Avalon Waterways: A River Cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia

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