Best in Cruise Awards

Royal Caribbean continues to consistently push the boundaries of onboard cruise ship entertainment, leaving guests thrilled by the variety and quality no matter the ship. Among its latest innovations, you’ll find a wild west-themed train ride at sea and gravity-defying aquashows enhanced with a 55-foot waterfall. All this on top of the cruise line’s already stellar lineup of ice shows, family-friendly parades, Broadway-caliber musicals and Cirque du Soleil-style performances.

The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down on Scenic's river ships. Though river lines tend to offer quieter evenings than others in the industry, Scenic's onboard Enrichment & Activities manager arranges fun things to do that make the ships more lively than most of their river counterparts. Expect music trivia and regular trivia, dance nights and deck games such as cornhole. Scenic also brings on local dance troupes and singers to give guests a bit of culture. With more opportunities to mingle, you’re also more likely to walk away with new friends.

Royal Caribbean is known for delivering top-notch family vacations, but we submit that the cruise line’s nightlife is equally stellar. There’s simply always something to do. From live music to all-out raves and every possible type of onboard revelry in between, you can “party your aft off” well into the wee small hours of the morning. And the arrival this year of Utopia of the Seas – the biggest party ship on the high seas -- takes Royal Caribbean’s nightlife cred up several decibels.

Self care and relaxation are an important part of a cruise, and Norwegian's spa offerings truly shine. The Mandara Spa’s range of 50 specialty massages will leave you feeling like putty, but it’s the adults-only Thermal Spa that keeps us coming back. With cascading waterfalls and expansive sea views, the complexes themselves are guaranteed to put you in a wellness state of mind. We also love that NCL has embraced a full spa circuit that includes steam rooms, saunas and salt rooms.

Viking easily sweeps this category not just because its LivNordic spa complex is stunning, but also because its spacious thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool are provided gratis to every guest onboard. From its chilly snow room to its soothing saunas and heated ceramic loungers that bookend a large hydrotherapy pool, this is one of the most relaxing spa areas at sea. The Nordic Bathing Ritual night, offered once per voyage, is a truly immersive experience that we could do again and again.

An expedition cruise can have you pushing your physical limits, but Viking has created the perfect way to relax and unwind: its incredible spas. Its two expedition ships offer a beautifully well-lit thermal spa that includes a thalassotherapy pool as well as spots for hot and cold treatments. Our favorite place is the gorgeous badestamp, a tiny pool with unimpeded views of the scenery. Best of all, it’s all included. Viking also offers a well-rounded menu of spa treatments as well as a relaxing Nordic Bathing Ritual night.

It's clear Viking is a thinking-person’s cruise line, and the cultural enrichment program, no matter the ship, is impressive. Daily schedules are packed with lectures on history, geography and culture, which help guests learn about the destinations in which they’re sailing. Lecturers are smart and entertaining, turning potentially dry topics into rich material guests will remember long after the cruise is over. Guests will adore demonstrations, as well, like a traditional tea ceremony in China.

You need only look at Viking’s roster of cultural partners -- which includes the BBC, the MET, TED, Classic FM, the Royal Academy and the British Museum -- to see why Viking wins for best onboard enrichment. It also offers top-notch onboard lecturers, deep dives into local history, wine and food tasting, plus extremely knowledgeable guides and cruise directors. Viking.TV continues to set the bar high for enrichment with original programming viewable online and onboard.

Royal Caribbean’s mobile app does exactly what you need it to do – and then some. More than merely an extension of the cruise line’s website, the app is an essential tool to navigate your voyage before and during your sailing. You can book shore excursions and dinner reservations well before your sail date, as well as peruse the daily planner and create your own schedule of activities. We love the chat feature that allows you to text fellow cruisers while on the ship’s Wi-Fi, without having to purchase a Wi-Fi package.

Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) places science and discovery at the heart of bucket-list adventures that reach the ends of the Earth. Whether in the Antarctic, Galapagos, Greenland, Iceland or beyond, HX provides top-tier expedition teams onboard to lead excursions, lectures and activities with the help of dedicated science areas, like the Science Center that's found on most ships in its fleet. State-of-the-art technology, gadgets, lab equipment, a library, lecture spaces and workshop areas are all found onboard and are available to guests.