Best in Cruise Awards

When it comes to families, Disney Cruise Line pulls out all the stops. From its spectacular kids’ areas and Broadway-caliber production shows, to its highly trained crews and purpose-built staterooms and suites, Disney manages to delight young and old with a cruise vacation they won’t soon forget. Let’s not forget the fun dedicated adult-only spaces when parents need just a little break. With two new ships launched in the past two years, and more on the horizon, Disney Cruise Line continues to innovate in family cruising.

Explora Journeys takes its “Home at Sea” approach to heart, offering thoughtful amenities for multigenerational cruisers aboard its growing fleet. Ships Explora I and Explora II boast the Nautilus Club, a staffed venue for kids and teens aged 6 to 17, as well as 82 connecting suites ideal for families. The luxury cruise line also introduced a series of specially curated shore excursions designed to be enjoyed by multigenerational travelers, further enhancing its family-friendly credentials.

Adventures by Disney is not all about the Mouse (well maybe just a little): It’s about making sure families get quality time together, both on and off the ship. Take shore excursions for example: The adults might look around a museum while the kids have fun in a nearby maze, overseen by excellent ABD counselors. Onboard, meals are family-centered, entertainment is all about the kids and if you need a little down time, the ABD team will make sure your little ones are entertained.

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first to make solo travelers feel special when it launched its Studio Cabins back in 2010. Since then, NCL has added the wonderfully designed small-but-mighty accommodations across much of its fleet, complete with private lounges, corridors and perks for those traveling solo. It treats its solo travelers with reverence, offering mixers and activities just for them. It's because of these thoughtful offerings that Norwegian Cruise Line remains the undisputed leader in solo cruising.

The wonderfully social nature of a Regent Seven Seas cruise makes it ideal for the solo traveler. One of the most luxurious cruise lines, Regent Seven Seas offers nightly mixers for those traveling solo. The cruise line also holds “block parties” where guests get to know their new neighbors, and the ship’s staff visits, with canapes and plenty of wine. Regent Seven Seas routinely offers deals on its fares for solo cruisers, with some itineraries that fully waive the single supplement solos usually have to pay.

Solo travelers are often overlooked on river cruises around the globe, but not on American Cruise Lines' ships. ACL has dedicated solo cabins on its ships that are available with no single supplement, and the line excels at making solo travelers feel welcomed at dinners and onboard events. Plus, thanks to the small size of its fleet, travelers on American Cruise Lines will find it easy to make new friends thanks to the social nature and collegial onboard atmosphere.

Truly including the LGBTQ+ community is a 365-day-a-year commitment, and Virgin Voyages aces it. Queerness and diversity are visible everywhere, from crew members and performers to entertainment and nightlife. That ethos gives queer cruisers a space they can immediately recognize as safe, welcoming and celebratory of their identity. Or, as a Resilient Lady passenger remarked, in his home country, kissing his partner would draw stares or worse. On Virgin, he had no concern —and that's how you do inclusion right.

There’s no doubt that Princess leans heavily on its “Love Boat” roots (even its tagline is “We Heart Love”), but it’s a legacy that has continued all the way through to the line’s newest ship, Sun Princess. The line offers a large number of romance packages, including wedding at sea and honeymoon packages, which include a bottle of vintage Champagne, a gourmet breakfast on the balcony and access to the onboard thermal suite. On Sun Princess, you can also choose to dine in Love by Britto, where every dish is love-themed.

Intimate and stylish, Emerald Cruises’ ocean yachts effortlessly deliver an ambiance that couples seek. With a maximum capacity for 100 passengers, the cruise line’s oceangoing vessels bring you closer to a private yacht experience. Especially romantic: The quiet, beach-club-like pool areas. It also helps that these vessels spend their time in tried-and-true romantic destinations like the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, and they call on many secluded destinations that only a smaller vessel can access.

With sumptuous suites, many with two rooms, four-poster beds and ornate cascading drapes, Uniworld’s 17 individually decorated ships provide the perfect backdrop for romance. Part of the five-star Red Carnation Hotel brand, these beautiful vessels resemble floating boutique hotels, and newlyweds are guaranteed to be thoroughly spoiled by attentive staff. As an all-inclusive line, there are no extras whatsoever, meaning couples can raise a glass of Champagne whenever they want to toast their relationship.

With its polar expertise, Quark Expeditions delivers well-rounded and thorough adventures in the world’s most remote destinations. The expedition cruise line goes beyond the standard kayak and hiking options, delivering more action-packed ways to discover Antarctica and the Arctic, including paddleboarding, camping, heli-hiking and alpine trekking. Quark enriches the expedition experience by boasting a quality expedition crew that enhances each voyage with an authentic sense of adventure.

When it comes to staying active, AmaWaterways excels in providing a wide range of fitness and wellness programs onboard, including outdoor spin bikes, yoga and well-equipped fitness centers. The cruise line's tour options in each port cater to all activity levels, from biking through Austria's Wachau Valley along the Danube River and hiking through the Southern Médoc wine region in France to gentle walking tours through Amsterdam's flower-lined streets. AmaWaterways ensures you can hit your fitness goals, even on vacation.

Emerald Cruises’ emphasis on value makes its sailings an attractive option for first-time river cruisers. The cruise line’s fleet of Star Ships is robust and covers all the essential destinations and itineraries. The ships also offer first-time friendly features like an indoor swimming pool and movies with popcorn. The cruise line regularly offers enticing promotions – like 2-for-1 fares, free or reduced single supplements – that add to Emerald’s appeal for travelers looking to discover the world of river cruises.

Viking builds thoughtful programming that ensures guests have the option to enjoy expedition cruising without breaking a sweat. The cruise line focuses on delivering memorable experiences in comfort. With ships that visit the Poles and the Great Lakes, Viking puts its cruisers in the heart of the action on comfortable, high-speed Special Operations Boats. Loading and unloading is a breeze, thanks to a smart, indoor roller system that keeps guests dry and comfy. Indoor viewing spaces abound, and expedition guides lead onboard sessions that include weather balloon releases.

Uniworld continues to excel with extraordinary levels of luxury on ships decorated with antiques and original paintings, including works by world-famous artists such as Picasso. The suites are served by white-gloved butlers trained to the same standards of excellence required by Buckingham Palace, and the food and service in the dining venues rival anything you would find on dry land. Complementing this, crew members are never overly formal and strike exactly the right balance to make everyone feel welcome.

Silversea Cruises delivers unparalleled luxury with every expedition cruise it sails. Whether you’re visiting the Arctic, Galapagos or Antarctica, you’ll spend the day seeing incredible sights, then come back to your ship to be pampered. Service is intuitive and friendly, meals are sumptuous and staterooms are impeccable. A spa with an array of treatments, caviar on demand and an extensive wine list will spoil you as you explore the far reaches of the world. Silversea leaves no detail to chance, anticipating its guests’ every need.