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2019 Editors' Picks Awards

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

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.

22 Do's and Don'ts for Your First Day Onboard a Cruise Ship

If you're a first-timer or haven't settled into a familiar cruise routine, here's a list of embarkation day do's and don'ts, culled from our many years cruising, as well as input from Cruise Critic's Facebook fans.

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

Just Back From an Abercrombie & Kent Antarctica Cruise: First Impressions

(2 p.m. EST) -- For many, a trip to Antarctica is a dream -- a chance to place a checkmark next to the seventh continent. And cruising is virtually the only way to get to there. A growing number of cruise lines and tour companies are offering trips to the White Continent, so it's possible to

Cruise Critic Top Fan Spotlight - January 21, 2020

Diane Flores It's not about the destination. It's about the journey. Royal Caribbean, but we have recently tried MSC Cruises and liked it. A: There's something that draws me to the sea. Maybe it's the sound of the water lapping against the ship or the gentle motion of the waves. Sitting on the

Aranui Reveals First Non-Freighter Leisure Cruise Ship, AraMana, in South Pacific

Aranui Cruises has revealed details of a new 280-passenger cruise ship, its first dedicated leisure cruising vessel, that will join Aranui 5 in the South Pacific from mid-2022. The Tahitian cruise line will name the new vessel AraMana rather than Aranui 6 because it will not be a dual freight and

Celestyal Cruises Partners With Blue Zone Cuisine Expert for 'My Greek Table at Sea' Cruises

(6 p.m. EST) -- Cookbook author Diane Kochilas, the creator and co-host of PBS' "My Greek Table," and Celestyal Cruises are partnering to offer "My Greek Table at Sea With Celestyal" sailings inspired by the TV series. During these sailings, Kochilas will lead a series of

The Most Exciting Cruise Ships Coming to North America in 2020

(12 p.m. EST) -- Several new cruise ships are coming to North America in 2020, bringing with them a slew of standout attractions including a chicken restaurant from Shaquille O'Neal, vertical tube skydiving, a brand-new roller coaster and a hip tattoo parlor. Onboard fun options will be endless,

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