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In their annual
readers' survey,
readers rate the
best experiences
cruising has to
offer—from
70-passenger
adventure ships to
Vegas-like liners.
Cruise ships are
going to extremes
like never before.
The geographic
extremes are
obvious: Cruises ply
waterways from the
Inside Passage to
Cape Town to
Tahiti.....
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...the other
extremes are about size: As
of now, there are around
309,000 berths—27 percent
more than just two years
ago, a sudden glut that has
resulted in price reductions
which, while they last, mean
more affordable cruising. It
also stiffens competition in
other ways. Most of the new
berths are, not
surprisingly, on the
megaships that are being
produced in record numbers.
True floating resorts, they
have enough bells and
whistles to keep thousands
amused: gyms and spas,
lectures and classes, sports
from golf to rock climbing,
restaurants galore. HOW TO CHOOSE
So how do you choose the
right cruise? By trusting
shared expertise. These
charts detail their readers'
ratings—category by
category, feature by
feature—of their favorite
ships. If fine dining is
what you're after, the
rating is there. Service is
the key for you? Design?
Ditto. And more. In this
vigorously competitive
era—which we may look back
on as the best in the
history of leisure
cruising—your opinion has
never been more important.
Click on a link below for
details for each ship.
For complete information,
read Conde'Nast Traveler
Magazine
•
The Best Large Ships
Top Ten Large Cruise
Ships
•
The Best Medium Ships
Top Ten Medium Cruise
Ships
•
The Best Small Ships
Top Ten Small Cruise
Ships
Small, Medium and Large
Cruise Ships
•
The Best
Crew/Service
•
The Best Itineraries
•
The Best Food/Dining
•
The Best
Cabins
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Small Ships
Polaris (Lindblad
Expeditions),
100
SeaDream II
(Sea Dream
Yacht Club),
100
Seabourn
Spirit (Seabourn),
98.5
Silver
Shadow (Silversea),
98.1
Silver Cloud
(Silversea),
98.0
|
Small Ships
Mozart
(Peter
Deilmann),
100
Polaris (Lindbald
Expeditions),
100
Silver Cloud
(Silversea),
97.0
River
Countess (Uniworld),
96.8
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Medium Ships
Crystal
Serenity
(Crystal),
98.3
Seven Seas
Mariner
(Radisson
Seven Seas),
97.4
Crystal
Symphony
(Crystal),
97.2
Seven Seas
Voyager
(Radisson
Seven Seas),
95.6
|
Medium Ships
Crystal
Serenity
(Crystal),
98.3
Tahitian
Princess
(Princess),
97.8
Regatta
(Oceania),
96.0
Marco Polo
(Orient),
95.8
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Large Ships
Constellation
(Celebrity),
93.4
Galaxy
(Celebrity),
93.3
Summit
(Celebrity),
91.7
Disney
Wonder
(Disney),
91.3
Radiance of
the Seas
(Royal
Caribbean),
91.3
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Large Ships
Island
Princess
(Princess),
92.0
Galaxy
(Celebrity),
91.8
Brilliance
of the Seas
(Royal
Caribbean),
91.6
Constellation
(Celebrity),
90.9
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Small Ships
SeaDream II
(SeaDream
Yacht Club),
100
Seabourn
Legend (Seabourn),
96.9
Seabourn
Spirit (Seabourn),
96.9
Seabourn
Pride (Seabourn),
96.4
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Small Ships
Silver
Whisper (Silversea),
98.0
Silver Wind
(Silversea),
97.4
Silver
Shadow (Silversea),
97.1
Seabourn
Spirit (Seabourn),
96.9
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Medium Ships
Crystal
Serenity
(Crystal),
97.4
Crystal
Symphony
(Crystal),
95.4
Seven Seas
Mariner
(Radisson
Seven Seas),
93.8
Seven Seas
Voyager
(Radisson
Seven Seas),
93.4
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Medium Ships
Seven Seas
Mariner
(Radisson
Seven Seas),
95.9
Seven Seas
Voyager
(Radisson
Seven Seas),
95.7
Crystal
Serenity
(Crystal),
93.0
Crystal
Symphony
(Crystal),
91.2
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Large Ships
Mercury
(Celebrity),
87.8
Millenium
(Celebrity),
87.8
Century
(Celebrity),
87.7
Galaxy
(Celebrity),
87.2
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Large Ships
Constellation
(Celebrity),
91.2
Serenade of
the Seas
(Royal
Caribbean),
89.2
Summit
(Celebrity),
88.7
Disney
Wonder
(Disney),
88
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Small Ships
500 passengers or less
They're the boutique hotels of the cruise industry. Carrying fewer than 500 passengers each, they are small enough to skim into tiny, shallow harbors—the kind you find in remote, exotic places. The Seabourn Spirit sets the standard.
Small Ships
Top 10 Rated Small Cruise Ships
20 More Honorable Mentions...
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1.
Seabourn Spirit
Seabourn, 97.7
COMMENTS
Ship is now a Wi-Fi hot spot; sails Africa, Asia, Mediterranean.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 208
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 97.7
Itineraries: 100
Crew/Service: 100
Cabins/Design: 97.1
Food/Dining: 97.1
Activities/Facilities: 94.3
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2.
Paul Gauguin
Radisson Seven Seas, 95.5
COMMENTS
Crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5; sails French Polynesia exclusively.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 320
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 95.5
Itineraries: 96.5
Crew/Service: 97.4
Cabins/Design: 95.7
Food/Dining: 94.8
Activities/Facilities: 93.0
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3.
Silver Cloud
Silversea, 95.5
COMMENTS
Refurbished in 2004; sails Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, South America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 296
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 95.5
Itineraries: 98.8
Crew/Service: 97.6
Cabins/Design: 96.4
Food/Dining: 95.3
Activities/Facilities: 89.4
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4.
Silver Wind
Silversea, 95.3
COMMENTS
Tripoli added to ports of call; sails Africa, Europe, Seychelles, South America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 296
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 95.3
Itineraries: 100
Crew/Service: 95.7
Cabins/Design: 95.7
Food/Dining: 93.6
Activities/Facilities: 91.5
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5.
Silver Shadow
Silversea, 94.9
COMMENTS
Its 100-day cruise travels from San Diego to Venice.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 382
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 94.9
Itineraries: 96.3
Crew/Service: 97.5
Cabins/Design: 98.7
Food/Dining: 94.9
Activities/Facilities: 87.3
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6.
Silver Whisper
Silversea, 94.1
COMMENTS
Golf clinics on board; sails eastern Canada, Caribbean, Europe.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 382
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 94.1
Itineraries: 93.7
Crew/Service: 96.2
Cabins/Design: 98.7
Food/Dining: 96.2
Activities/Facilities: 85.9
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7.
Seabourn Legend
Seabourn, 93.6
COMMENTS
Seabourn's youngest ship; sails Caribbean, Central America, Europe.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 208
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 93.6
Itineraries: 96.1
Crew/Service: 97.3
Cabins/Design: 91.9
Food/Dining: 97.3
Activities/Facilities: 85.3
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8.
Seven Seas Navigator
Radisson Seven Seas, 93.0
COMMENTS
More than 67 cubic feet per passenger; sails Central America, Europe, South Pacific.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 490
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 93.0
Itineraries: 88.4
Crew/Service: 97.1
Cabins/Design: 95.7
Food/Dining: 94.2
Activities/Facilities: 89.9
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9.
Yorktown Clipper
Clipper, 91.8
COMMENTS
Has an American crew; sails Alaska, Caribbean, Central America, North America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 138
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 91.8
Itineraries: 100
Crew/Service: 100
Cabins/Design: 74.1
Food/Dining: 96.3
Activities/Facilities: 88.5
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10.
Radisson Diamond
Radisson Seven Seas, 91.1
COMMENTS
No longer sails for Radisson
Twin hulls result in exceptional stability; sails caribbean, Central America, Europe.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 350
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 91.1
Itineraries: 90.9
Crew/Service: 95.8
Cabins/Design: 88.2
Food/Dining: 94.1
Activities/Facilities: 86.6
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For complete information, read Conde'Nast Traveler Magazine
12.
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13.
Explorer II
Abercrombie & Kent, 88.7
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14.
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15.
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16.
Mozart
Peter Deilmann, 87.1
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17.
Polaris
Lindblad Expeditions, 86.7
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18.
Royal Clipper
Star Clippers, 85.9
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19.
Endeavour
Lindblad Expeditions, 85.2
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20.
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21.
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22.
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23.
Spirit of Endeavour
Cruise West, 82.2
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24.
Spirit of '98
Cruise West, 80.6
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25.
Clipper Odyssey
Clipper, 80.4
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26.
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27.
Sea Lion
Lindblad Expeditions, 79.2
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28.
Star Clipper
Star Clippers, 77.7
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29.
Oberoi Philae
Oberoi Nile Cruises, 76.2
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30.
Yankee Clipper
Windjammer, 75.0
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Medium Ships
Between 500 to 1500 passengers
Like small luxury resorts, these ships are scaled for intimacy and carry from 500 to 1,500 passengers—but with enough space to allow grandeur in their design. The list is topped this year by Radisson Seven Seas.
Medium Ships
Top 10 Rated Medium Cruise Ships
9 More Honorable Mentions
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1.
Seven Seas Voyager
Radisson Seven Seas, 95.6
COMMENTS
Smallest cabin measures 356 square feet; sails Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the world.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 700
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 95.6
Itineraries: 95.2
Crew/Service: 97.6
Cabins/Design: 96.4
Food/Dining: 96.4
Activities/Facilities: 92.7
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2.
Crystal Harmony
Crystal, 95.3
COMMENTS
Onboard classes from calligraphy to pastry-making; sails Alaska, Asia, Caribbean, Hawaii.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 940
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 95.3
Itineraries: 96.2
Crew/Service: 97.5
Cabins/Design: 91.1
Food/Dining: 98.1
Activities/Facilities: 93.6
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3.
Crystal Serenity
Crystal, 95.1
COMMENTS
Newest and largest of the three Crystal ships; sails Asia, Caribbean, Europe, South Pacific.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,080
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 95.1
Itineraries: 95.7
Crew/Service: 97.8
Cabins/Design: 88.4
Food/Dining: 97.8
Activities/Facilities: 95.6
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4.
Crystal Symphony
Crystal, 93.2
COMMENTS
Crystal inaugurated its own wine label; sails the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, Panama Canal.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 940
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 93.2
Itineraries: 94.1
Crew/Service: 95.1
Cabins/Design: 91.3
Food/Dining: 95.1
Activities/Facilities: 90.3
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5.
Seven Seas Mariner
Radisson Seven Seas, 92.9
COMMENTS
Sister ship to the newer Seven Seas Voyager; sails Alaska, Asia, Caribbean, South America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 700
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 92.9
Itineraries: 91.5
Crew/Service: 95.8
Cabins/Design: 95.8
Food/Dining: 95.8
Activities/Facilities: 85.5
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6.
Tahitian Princess
Princess, 88.9
COMMENTS
Top-rated among Princess's ships for Itineraries; sails French Polynesia, Hawaii.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 670
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 88.9
Itineraries: 98.4
Crew/Service: 91.4
Cabins/Design: 89.8
Food/Dining: 79.7
Activities/Facilities: 84.7
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7.
Amsterdam
Holland America, 85.0
COMMENTS
Flagship of the 12-ship fleet; sails Alaska, Asia, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest, South America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,380
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 85.0
Itineraries: 91.6
Crew/Service: 90.8
Cabins/Design: 82.0
Food/Dining: 78.9
Activities/Facilities: 81.4
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8.
Rotterdam
Holland America, 84.9
COMMENTS
One of the four Holland America ships that sail Caribbean, Europe, South America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,316
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 84.9
Itineraries: 88.6
Crew/Service: 90.3
Cabins/Design: 82.4
Food/Dining: 82.3
Activities/Facilities: 80.6
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9.
Zaandam
Holland America, 84.9
COMMENTS
Like other Holland America ships, offers 24-hour room service; sails Alaska, Caribbean.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,440
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 84.9
Itineraries: 81.1
Crew/Service: 89.4
Cabins/Design: 88.5
Food/Dining: 83.6
Activities/Facilities: 81.8
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10.
Ryndam
Holland America, 81.7
COMMENTS
New Culinary Arts Program offers tastings and classes; sails Alaska, Mexico, Pacific Northwest.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,258
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 81.7
Itineraries: 84.7
Crew/Service: 89.2
Cabins/Design: 79.9
Food/Dining: 79.1
Activities/Facilities: 75.8
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For complete information, read Conde'Nast Traveler Magazine
12.
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13.
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14.
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15.
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16.
Royal Princess
Princess, 78.3
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17.
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18.
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19.
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Large Ships
1500 or more passengers
Truly great ships—and getting greater in every way. These vessels carry a minimum of 1,500 passengers; indeed, some carry 4,000. Celebrity's Infinity, and Constellation, achieves the highest scores yet for a large ship.
| Large Ships
Top 10 Rated Large Cruise Ships
20 More Honorable Mentions
1.
Infinity
Celebrity, 90.3
COMMENTS
Top-rated for Crew/Service and Food/Dining among large ships; sails Alaska, Hawaii, South America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,950
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 90.3
Itineraries: 92.3
Crew/Service: 95.8
Cabins/Design: 88.0
Food/Dining: 89.4
Activities/Facilities: 86.0
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Constellation
Celebrity, 90.0
COMMENTS
Has added 128 Concierge Class staterooms; sails Canada, Caribbean, Europe.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,950
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 90.0
Itineraries: 94.4
Crew/Service: 91.6
Cabins/Design: 87.7
Food/Dining: 89.4
Activities/Facilities: 86.6
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3.
Island Princess
Princess, 90.0
COMMENTS
The highest scoring Princess ship; sails Alaska, Hawaii, North America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,970
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 90.0
Itineraries: 93.4
Crew/Service: 93.5
Cabins/Design: 85.5
Food/Dining: 85.5
Activities/Facilities: 91.9
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4.
Mercury
Celebrity, 87.9
COMMENTS
Personal trainers available; sails Alaska, California, Mexico.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,870
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 87.9
Itineraries: 90.1
Crew/Service: 94.4
Cabins/Design: 83.8
Food/Dining: 88.2
Activities/Facilities: 82.8
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5.
Summit
Celebrity, 87.7
COMMENTS
Has an onboard botanical conservatory; sails Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,950
Value: E
RATINGS
Overall: 87.7
Itineraries: 91.7
Crew/Service: 94.2
Cabins/Design: 83.5
Food/Dining: 86.8
Activities/Facilities: 82.6
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6.
Galaxy
Celebrity, 87.1
COMMENTS
The only Celebrity ship with a cigar bar; sails Europe, Mediterranean, Panama Canal.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,870
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 87.1
Itineraries: 89.7
Crew/Service: 93.2
Cabins/Design: 84.8
Food/Dining: 88.3
Activities/Facilities: 79.5
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7.
Golden Princess
Princess, 86.8
COMMENTS
Now does seven-day New England sailings in fall; sails Caribbean, Europe, North America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 2,600
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 86.8
Itineraries: 86.6
Crew/Service: 91.9
Cabins/Design: 87.2
Food/Dining: 82.6
Activities/Facilities: 85.9
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8.
Coral Princess
Princess, 86.5
COMMENTS
Of its 879 outside cabins, 84 percent have balconies; sails Alaska, Caribbean, Central America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,970
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 86.5
Itineraries: 87.1
Crew/Service: 89.7
Cabins/Design: 85.3
Food/Dining: 85.3
Activities/Facilities: 85.3
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9.
Millennium
Celebrity, 86.4
COMMENTS
Instituting onboard acupuncture services; sails Caribbean, Europe.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,950
Value: G
RATINGS
Overall: 86.4
Itineraries: 90.5
Crew/Service: 89.1
Cabins/Design: 84.9
Food/Dining: 85.6
Activities/Facilities: 81.7
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10.
Oosterdam
Holland America, 85.7
COMMENTS
Top-rated among large ships for Cabins/Design; sails Alaska, Caribbean, North America.
AT A GLANCE
Passengers: 1,848
Value: VG
RATINGS
Overall: 85.7
Itineraries: 80.4
Crew/Service: 89.3
Cabins/Design: 92.9
Food/Dining: 82.1
Activities/Facilities: 83.9
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For complete information, read Conde'Nast Traveler Magazine
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Cruise Traveler
Magazine rated these
ships, comparing
them on a 10-point
scale. Not every
ship at sea was
compared, nor were
they given points to
compare. The list is
simply subjective
and readers may and
often do differ in
opinion. The Ships
are listed in order
of ranking. Each
ship was judged on
their.... |
- Onboard Activities, Amenities, Things To Do.
- Stateroom Accommodations
- Service Achievement
- Ambience, Design , Atmosphere
- Dining Experience, Food Quality, Presentation
- Destinations, Itineraries
- On Shore Experiences
|
Top 15 Best Small
Ships
Up to 500 guests,
include riverboats
and expedition
vessels.
1. Seabourn Legend -
Yachts of Seabourn
2. Paul Gauguin -
Paul Gauguin Cruises
3. Seabourn Spirit -
Yachts of Seabourn
4. Seabourn Pride -
Yachts of Seabourn
5. Silver Cloud -
Silversea
6. Silver Shadow -
Silversea
7. Amadagio -
AMAWaterways
8. Viking Century
Sun - Viking River
Cruises
9. Viking Century
Sky -Viking River
Cruises
10. Wind Surf
-Windstar
11. Avalon Artistry
- Avalon Waterways
12. Viking Pride -
Viking River Cruises
13. Silver Wind -
Silversea
14. Wind Star/Spirit
- Windstar
15. Endeavour -
Lindblad Expeditions |
Top 10 Best Medium
Ships
501 to almost 1,500
guests
1. Crystal Serenity
- Crystal Cruises
2. Crystal Symphony
- Crystal Cruises
3. Seven Seas
Voyager - Regent
Seven Seas Cruises
4. Seven Seas
Mariner - Regent
Seven Seas Cruises
5. Seven Seas
Navigator - Regent
Seven Seas Cruises
6. Prinsendam -
Holland America
7. Insignia -
Oceania Cruises
8. Nautica - Oceania
Cruises
9. Regatta - Oceania
Cruises
10. Tahitian/Ocean
Princess - Princess
|
Top 20 Best Large
Ships
Over 1,500 guests to
as many as 3500
Guests
1. Celebrity
Solstice - Celebrity
2. Celebrity Summit
- Celebrity
3. Coral/Island
Princess - Princess
4. Celebrity
Millennium -
Celebrity
5. Mariner of the
Seas - Royal
Caribbean
6. Serenade of the
Seas - Royal
Caribbean
7. Celebrity
Infinity- Celebrity
8. Noordam - Holland
America
9. Emerald Princess
- Princess
10. Sapphire/Diamond
Princess - Princess
11. Westerdam -
Holland America
12. Zuiderdam -
Holland America
13. Brilliance of
the Seas - Royal
Caribbean
14. Crown Princess -
Princess
15.
Navigator/Adventure
of the Seas - Royal
Caribbean
16. Celebrity Galaxy
-Celebrity
17. Jewel of the
Seas - Royal
Caribbean
18. Oosterdam -
Holland America
19. Queen Mary 2 -
Cunard Line
20. Star/Golden
Princess - Princess
|
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|
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Family
Cruise
Online
spotlights six
cruise lines
that cater
to family
values that
offer great
cruise deals.
Read
More About
It
Here.

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