TOP 5 cruise lines 2023 - Cruceroadicto Awards

The best cruise lines in 2023 as voted by cruisers from around the world

BEST CRUISE LINES - FAMILY

Under this denomination are grouped the most popular cruise companies that exist today, focused on a multigenerational traveler and where families are their main public. They usually have large fleets to which they add new ships every year. Their ships can accommodate a large number of passengers (betting on large or mega-size ships) and offer a large number of services, different restaurants, children's programs, and many leisure options.

MSC Cruises is the world's third largest cruise line. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it is part of the MSC Group, the world's leading privately owned shipping and logistics group with more than 300 years of maritime tradition. It currently operates a fleet of 22 ships.

Founded in 1968, Royal Caribbean International is the largest cruise line of the Royal Caribbean Group. It is currently the second largest passenger transportation company in the world and famous for having the largest cruise ships in the world. Its fleet consists of 26 ships.

Costa Cruises is one of the cruise companies part of the Carnival Corporation. In 2023 it celebrates its 75th anniversary since its first passenger ship, the SS Anna C , sailed from Genoa to Buenos Aires in 1948. Maintaining its Italian heritage, its modern fleet consists of 10 ships.

Norwegian Cruise Linealso known as Norwegian, is an American cruise line founded in 1966 and headquartered in Miami. It is the third largest cruise line in the world by passengers, and belongs to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. It currently has 18 ships in its fleet

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the 10 cruise lines part of Carnival Corporation, being the largest passenger transportation company in the world. In the years since it was founded in 1972, the company has carried more than 90 million passengers. Today it has a fleet of 25 ships of all sizes and styles.

These are the results of the vote for family cruise lines and the reasons for their selection.

- Data extracted from the Cruceroadicto Awards control panel segmented by family cruise lines.

BEST CRUISE LINES - PREMIUM

Halfway between luxury and generalist cruises, premium cruise lines have ships of medium and small size (no more than 2,500 passengers) that present an experience where the details on board and the design of the itinerary are taken care of. Although we can find many of the services on board of the generalist cruises, we will have a superior gastronomy, decoration with details of exclusivity and less number of passengers.

Celebrity Cruises is the second largest brand (by fleet) of the Royal Caribbean Group. Of Greek origin, its Celebrity brand was established in 1990, and joined RCCL in 1997. Celebrity is a premium cruise line, with the comforts of the best hotels, premium services, sophistication, style, elegance and technological innovations. It has 15 ships including those of the expedition division in the Galapagos.

Holland America LineThe Seattle-based Carnival Corporation was founded in 1873 as a shipping and passenger line, carrying millions of passengers since its inception. In 1989 it became a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. Combining the best of its nautical tradition with the most modern ships, it has 11 ships in its fleet.

Princess Cruises is one of the premium cruise lines within the Carnival Corporation. Founded in 1965 by Stanley McDonald, it was popularly famous when its ships participated in the television series "Vacation at Sea" (The Love Boat). It currently has 15 ships in its fleet.

Disney Cruise Line is a subsidiary company of Walt Disney World founded in 1996 and presents a unique experience for all members of the family aboard its popular ships. The fleet includes the: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish and Disney Treasure (debuting in 2024).

Havila Voyages began operating 130 years ago, when a Norwegian captain undertook the first voyage along Norway's extensive coastline. At that time he fulfilled the state-mandated mission; connecting the people of Norway with ship routes carrying mail, goods and passengers. What he did not know was that the same route, which now stretches from Bergen to Kirkenes, would become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norwegian history.

These are the results of the vote for premium cruise lines and the reasons for their selection.

- Data extracted from the Cruceroadicto Awards control panel segmented by premium cruise lines.

BEST CRUISE LINES - UPPER PREMIUM

With an even more detailed approach but without reaching the exclusivity and hyper-attention to detail of the luxury lines, this subdivision of the premium niche distinguishes lines that emphasize the travel experience, and high level gastronomy, on ships with relaxed atmospheres and with some of the fun elements of the family cruise lines.

Cunard Line is a premium British-American cruise company, part of the Carniva Corporation since 2005. Founded in 1839, it is one of the oldest passenger companies in the world. Mixing its classicism with the latest generation ships, it has 3 of them called "the queens of the ocean".

Oceania Cruises features a fleet of small, luxurious ships, offering a vacation experience renowned for its gourmet culinary program inspired by master chef Jacques Pépin and its variety of itineraries filled with destinations spanning the globe.

Azamara is an upper premium cruise line owned by Sycamore Partners that currently operates four ships. Defined by the spirit of travel and elegance, Azamara's cruises are distinguished by their designed itineraries, fine dining and high service.

Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of six small sailing ships and all-suite vessels. Its fleet is the market leader in small ship cruising with a total of 1,242 passenger berths calling at popular and out-of-the-ordinary ports in more than 60 countries. The boutique cruise line carries fewer than 350 passengers on its small ships and takes travelers on cruises that are 180 degrees out of the ordinary.

These are the results of the vote for upper premium cruise lines and the reasons for their selection.

- Data extracted from the Cruceroadicto Awards control panel segmented by upper premium cruise lines.

BEST CRUISE LINES - LUXURY

The exclusivity of the experience is what defines the boats considered to be luxury cruises. They are small ships of less than 500 passengers, with a high standard in cabins (usually suites with balcony) with details designed by large firms from the furniture to the most insignificant pillows.

Part of the Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea is a luxury cruise line based in Monaco. Founded in 1994 by the Vlasov group of Monaco and the Lefebvre family of Rome, it pioneered all-inclusive cruises with its first ship, the Silver Cloud.

Explore Journeys represents the long-held ambition and dream of the MSC Group and the Aponte family to create a transformative luxury ocean travel experience and brand that redefines the luxury cruise category. Its fleet is comprised of 1 ship with 5 more expected in the coming years.

Seadream Yacht Club is a family-owned cruise line. Established in 2001, SeaDream's sole founder, owner and president, Atle Brynestad, also founded Seabourn Cruise Line in 1987. Its fleet of 2 twin mega-yachts, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, provide a casual sailing experience that exceeds the traveler's expectations while exploring the world.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection was born to combine the luxury lifestyle of The Ritz-Carlton and the casual freedom of a yachting vacation. It will offer voyages on three tailor-made yachts. Most of the voyages, which call at unique destinations.

These are the results of the vote for luxury cruise lines and the reasons for their selection.

- Data extracted from the Cruceroadicto Awards control panel segmented by luxury cruise lines.

BEST CRUISE LINES - EXPEDITION

Expedition cruises take travelers to remote regions of the world to enjoy close encounters with local landscapes, wildlife, natural phenomena and sites of cultural/scientific importance. They are usually ships prepared for extreme climates where a small group of cruisers are accompanied by expedition guides. Arctic, Antarctica, Alaska, Galapagos Islands, or the Amazon are some of the places where they operate.

Hurtigruten has nearly 130 years of experience taking travelers and explorers to unspoiled and remote places. From trips along the west coast of Norway to expeditions all over the world. They offer unique experiences in a way that leaves the smallest possible environmental footprint.

Quark Expedition is a travel company that offers expeditions to the polar region aboard polar expedition ships and icebreakers. All expeditions include a large team of professionals in different subjects to take travelers to the most remote and unique places in the world.

Ponant is a French cruise line founded in 1988 by Philippe Videau, Jean-Emmanuel Sauvé and other officers of the French Merchant Navy. All of its ships are megayacht class. The company specializes in premium adventure travel, with all-inclusive experiences.

Together with National Geographic, Lindblad Expeditions The two companies work together to present innovative marine expedition programs and promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world.

These are the results of the vote for expedition cruise lines and the reasons for their selection.

- Data extracted from the Cruceroadicto Awards control panel segmented by expedition cruise lines.

ℹ️ To know all the data of each cruise line, ship or port, and the reasons for which it was voted, it is possible to request it by contacting us in our form at CONTACT.

THE BEST cruise lines 2023