Inspiration

The best cruise lines in the world: 2024 Readers' Choice Awards

These are the best cruise lines in the world – as voted for by you
Image may contain Nature Outdoors Scenery Sky Boat Transportation Vehicle Architecture Balcony Building and Sea
Chris Churchill

Explorer Fridtjof Nansen had a novel way of traversing the Arctic: he simply stranded his ship on the ice and let it drift for three years. The HX ship named after him is, thankfully, a little more nimble on its voyages – you gave the Norwegian cruise line top marks for crew and service. Other expedition high scorers include Ponant for its itineraries, Seabourn for its cabins and Silversea for its onboard experts. When it came to large ships, you rated Cunard for entertainment; and small ships, you applauded Regent’s food and excursions, and SeaDream Yacht Club’s all-hands-on-deck service. In the river category, the elegantly minimal cabins of Oberoi’s Nile-sailing fleet helped propel it into the top five.

These are the best cruise lines in the world, according to the 2024 Readers' Choice Awards.

  • Viking River Cruises

    The best cruise lines in the world 2024

    Mega ships (More than 4,000 passengers)

    4. Royal Caribbean. Score 78.80
    3. Carnival Cruise Line. Score 83.40
    2. Norwegian Cruise Line. Score 85.80
    1. MSC Cruises. Score 90.00

    Large ships (2,500 to 4,000 passengers)

    8. Royal Caribbean International. Score 83.68
    7. MSC Cruises. Score 85.80
    6. Princess Cruises. Score 85.94
    5. Celebrity Cruises. Score 87.23
    4. Holland America Line. Score 88.79
    3. Disney Cruise Line. Score 88.79
    2. Cunard. Score 90.14
    1. Virgin Voyages. Score 94.55

  • Ivan Sarfatti

    Medium ships (500 to 2,500 passengers)

    10. Holland America Line. Score 85.61
    9. Disney Cruise Line. Score 85.94
    8. Oceania Cruises. Score 86.00
    7. Viking. Score 86.49
    6. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Score 87.76
    5. Silversea. Score 88.08
    4. Explora Journeys. Score 91.53
    3. Hurtigruten. Score 92.21
    2. Seabourn. Score 92.95
    1. Crystal Cruises. Score 94.34

    Small ships (Fewer than 500 passengers)

    6. Windstar Cruises. Score 89.09
    5. SeaDream Yacht Club. Score 90.07
    4. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Score 90.18
    3. Silversea. Score 91.21
    2. Ponant. Score 94.55
    1. Seabourn. Score 95.15

  • We Fly Aerial Media

    Expedition ships

    5. Ponant. Score 92.66
    4. Viking. Score 95.98
    3. Silversea. 96.73
    2. HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions). 97.88
    1. Seabourn. 99.09

    River

    5. Viking. Score 92.99
    4. Pandaw. Score 93.75
    3. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Score 95.78
    2. Tauck. Score 97.21
    1. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Score 97.34

TopicsReaders' Choice AwardsCruisesAwardsRCA 2024