Top 10 Best Cruise Lines to Book This Year

Planning a cruise can be tough. There are so many options out there! How do you pick the best one for your trip?

Did you know that Royal Caribbean won Best Cruise Line in 2024? That’s just one of the top cruise lines we’ll talk about. This blog will help you find the perfect cruise for your next vacation.

Ready to set sail? Let’s go!

9

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line is a top pick for families looking for fun on the seas. It’s not just for kids, though! Adults can enjoy special areas, fancy meals, and cool infinity pools. The cruise line puts on big Broadway-style shows that wow guests of all ages.

Plus, you can sail to beautiful spots in the Caribbean.

Disney Cruise Line ranks #1 for family trips and Caribbean cruises. A four-night trip starts at $2,018 per person. That might seem pricey, but you get a lot for your money. Disney magic is everywhere on board, from themed dining to character meet-and-greets.

Disney Cruise Line brings the magic of Disney to the high seas!

Next up, let’s explore Celebrity Cruises and what makes them stand out.

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Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is a top pick for cruise lovers. They offer trips that last from two to 18 nights. You can sail to over 70 countries and visit more than 300 ports. That’s a lot of places to see! The ships leave from many U.S. cities and other countries too.

So, you can start your trip close to home or fly somewhere new.

Celebrity Cruises has 15 ships for you to choose from. Each one is full of fun things to do. The Magic Carpet platform is a cool spot that moves up and down the side of the ship. Many rooms have Infinite Verandas, which are big windows that open up.

These make your room feel bigger and give you great views. The best part? An 11-night trip starts at just $1,589 per person. That’s a good deal for all you get!

7

Virgin Voyages

Moving from Celebrity Cruises, let’s talk about a new star in the cruise world. Virgin Voyages is making waves in the industry. They’re not your average cruise line. Condé Nast Traveler named them the #1 cruise in the large ship group.

Travel + Leisure also gave them the top spot for Mega Cruise Ship in 2024. That’s a big deal!

Virgin Voyages has four ships. Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady are sailing now. Brilliant Lady will join them in 2025. They care about the planet too. Their ships use eco-friendly tech.

They don’t allow single-use plastics on board. It’s a fun and green way to travel the seas. If you want a fresh take on cruising, Virgin Voyages might be your perfect pick.

6

Norwegian Cruise Line

After exploring Virgin Voyages, let’s sail over to Norwegian Cruise Line. This cruise line is a big hit with families and budget travelers alike. They have 19 ships that can take you on amazing trips.

The Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are great for folks who want a fancy trip. If you’re bringing the kids, the Norwegian Encore is perfect for family fun. For those watching their wallet, the Norwegian Gem offers trips for less than $200 a day.

That’s a steal!

Norwegian Cruise Line has something for everyone. Their seven-day trips start at $1,043 per person. That’s not bad for a week of fun on the sea! You can enjoy lots of cool stuff on the ship.

There are pools, shows, and yummy food. Plus, you get to visit neat places when the ship stops at ports. It’s like having a floating hotel that takes you to new spots every day. Whether you want to relax or have adventures, Norwegian Cruise Line can make it happen.

5

Holland America Line

Holland America Line is a top pick for cruise lovers. They won big in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. They got three awards, including Best Ship for Dining and Best Mid-Sized Cruise Ship.

That’s pretty cool! People love their food and their just-right sized ships. If you want to eat well and not feel lost on a huge boat, Holland America might be perfect for you.

Want to see the world? Holland America has you covered. They offer over 500 trips to more than 400 ports. That’s a lot of places to explore! Their newest ship, Rotterdam, set sail in October 2021.

It’s fresh and fancy, giving guests a great new way to travel. With so many choices and a shiny new ship, Holland America keeps cruise fans happy. Next up, let’s check out Royal Caribbean International.

4

Royal Caribbean International

Moving from Holland America Line, let’s talk about Royal Caribbean International. This cruise line has been a big name in cruises for over 50 years. People love it! Travel Weekly readers have picked it as the Best Cruise Line Overall for 22 years in a row.

That’s a long time to be number one!

Royal Caribbean has some cool things to offer. Their private island, “Perfect Day at CocoCay,” won awards in 2023. It’s the best private island experience you can get on a cruise. They also have a new ship called “Icon of the Seas.” It’s so good that it was named the Best New Ship for 2024.

If you want to try a Royal Caribbean cruise, you can get a seven-day trip for $1,043 per person. That’s a good deal for a week of fun on the sea!

3

MSC Cruises

Moving from Royal Caribbean, let’s talk about MSC Cruises. This cruise line is a top pick for families and budget-smart travelers. MSC Cruises jumped to No. 3 in the Best Cruise Lines for the Money ranking for 2024.

That’s up from No. 6 last year! They got a solid 3.78 overall rating.

MSC Cruises offers cheap trips that won’t break the bank. Some cruises even let kids stay for free! They have fun clubs and cool stuff for young guests too. So, parents can relax while kids have a blast.

With MSC Cruises, you get a great mix of value and fun for the whole family. It’s no wonder they’re climbing up the cruise line charts!

2

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises offers top-notch trips for folks who love good food and fancy ships. Their new ship, Vista, hit the water in May 2023. It can hold 1,200 people and has cool stuff like a place to learn cooking, an art room, and a big library.

You can also swim, play at the casino, get spa care, or work out. The Vista is a great pick for those who want a bit of everything on their cruise.

If you’re looking for a week-long trip, Oceania Riviera has deals starting at $2,470 per person. That’s not bad for all you get! The Oceania Marina is another good choice. It’s the second-best ship they have, and it’s getting new food spots in May 2024.

For a smaller crowd, try the Oceania Regatta. It fits 670 people, so you won’t feel lost in a sea of faces. No matter which ship you pick, Oceania aims to give you a fun time at sea.

1

Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises is a top pick for luxury ocean trips. They won big at Cruise Critic’s 2024 Best in Cruise Awards, grabbing seven prizes. These include Best Enrichment and Best Spa in the Luxury Ocean group.

U.S. News & World Report also named them the Best Luxury Line and Best Line for Couples.

Viking’s ships offer great spa services and fun learning programs. They’re perfect for pairs looking for a fancy getaway. Their new ship, Viking Octantis, has 13-day trips starting at $12,995 per person.

That’s pricey, but you get a lot for your money. Viking also does expedition cruises, which earned them the top spot in Cruise Critic’s Expedition category.

Bottom Line

Picking a cruise can be fun and easy. These top 10 lines offer something for everyone. From family fun to grown-up getaways, there’s a perfect ship waiting. Your dream vacation is just a booking away.

So grab your sunscreen and get ready to sail off into the sunset!

For more breathtaking views and photo-op spots, don’t miss our guide on the Top 10 Most Instagram-Worthy Spots on Cruises in 2025.

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    Sophia Kane

    About Sophia Kane

    Sophia Kane is a travel and lifestyle writer who thrives on adventure and the finer things in life. From curating bucket-list travel guides to spotlighting the latest wellness trends, Sophia’s engaging content inspires readers to live their best lives. Her work has been featured in top-tier magazines and online publications.