2024 Best in Cruise Awards-Opulent World of Luxury Cruises

@Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

When it comes to luxury cruises, the horizon isn’t just a metaphor—it’s the promise of an entirely different world. While mainstream cruise lines pack their itineraries with waterslides, all-you-can-eat buffets, and Broadway-style shows, the crème de la crème of luxury cruises sails into uncharted waters—both literally and figuratively. These elite lines, crowned in the Cruise Critic 2024 Best in Cruise Awards, aren’t just about getting from port to port. They’re about reimagining what it means to journey.

Take Explora Journeys, awarded Best Luxury Cruise Line. Its ships aren’t floating resorts; they’re sanctuaries of understated elegance. Imagine waking up in a suite that feels like a chic city loft, stepping out onto a private terrace as the world’s most exotic coastlines pass by. Here, luxury isn’t loud—it’s in the details: bespoke service, Michelin-level dining, and thoughtfully curated experiences that elevate every moment.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, with its newest ship, Ilma, takes this ethos even further. Forget crowds—these yachts are designed for intimacy, where the staff-to-guest ratio rivals the best boutique hotels. Ilma epitomizes the evolution of luxury cruising, with accommodations that rival the finest penthouses and culinary offerings that wouldn’t be out of place in Paris or Tokyo. It’s a floating masterclass in refinement, where every detail, from the Steinway piano in the lounge to the handcrafted cocktails, is tailored for the discerning traveler.

Luxury cruises don’t compete with mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean; they exist in a parallel universe. While Icon of the Seas dazzles with its sheer size and theme park energy, the likes of Silversea and Crystal Cruises whisper sophistication. The entertainment isn’t a high-decibel concert—it’s a world-class pianist playing under a starlit sky or an expert-led discussion on Arctic biodiversity.

Then there’s the experiential side of luxury cruising. Mainstream cruises boast whirlwind stops at bucket-list destinations. Luxury lines, however, curate transformative journeys. Ponant, lauded for its itineraries, offers voyages like no other—imagine traversing the North Pole or discovering hidden coves in Indonesia aboard a vessel equipped with an icebreaker or sails. These aren’t just trips; they’re narratives you live and retell.

Critically, this level of exclusivity comes at a cost—not just in price but in ethos. While luxury cruises redefine indulgence, they also prompt the question: how sustainable is this brand of travel? From the carbon footprint of bespoke yachts to the ethics of accessing pristine ecosystems, the luxury cruise industry must navigate the thin line between unparalleled experiences and environmental stewardship.

Still, for those who can afford it, luxury cruising offers a way to transcend the ordinary. It’s a declaration that the journey matters as much as the destination. Whether you’re sipping rare vintages aboard an Explora ship or soaking in the surreal beauty of an Antarctic sunset with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, the essence of these voyages is clear: luxury is no longer about excess. It’s about intention.

So, the next time you consider a cruise, ask yourself—do you want to visit the world, or truly immerse yourself in it? For those who choose the latter, the luxury cruise world awaits, promising not just a vacation, but a voyage worthy of your dreams.

@Crystal Cruises CRYSTAL SERENITY CRYSTAL PENTHOUSE SUITE

2024 Award Highlights Selected by Cruise Critic’s international team of cruise experts

Mainstream Awards

Best Mainstream Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “To say 2024 has been a marquee year for Royal Caribbean would be an understatement. Welcoming both Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas – the world’s biggest- and second-biggest cruise ships – the cruise line continues to cement its status as a leader in the industry.”

Best New Cruise Ship: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “Icon of the Seas’ massive impact goes well beyond its size. Since debuting this year, Icon of the Seas has been the hottest ticket in the cruise world. The world’s largest cruise ship takes Royal Caribbean’s uber-popular, family-friendly vacations to dizzying new heights.”

Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Line

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “Carnival Cruise Line offers great, fun ships and service at an affordable price, making it the best value in the industry. Through its large staterooms, impressive service and plethora of activities, Carnival continues to offer more to cruisers than they might expect.”
River Awards

Best River Cruise Line: AmaWaterways

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “In a crowded river field, AmaWaterways comes out on top, thanks to its beautiful ships, interesting itineraries and top-notch programming. With two new ships set to sail on Colombia’s Magdalena River early next year, AmaWaterways is firmly established as a trendsetter.”

Best New River Ship: Viking Hathor & Viking Sobek

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “Viking Hathor & Viking Sobek offer a comfortable and stylish way to explore Egypt. For those who know Viking, they feel familiar with the line’s hallmark Nordic decor and quiet luxury. Yet they’re clearly designed for the Nile, both offering an immense top deck that provides shaded views of the scenery as the ships pass by.”

@Crystal Cruises

Luxury Awards

Best Luxury Cruise Line: Explora Journeys

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “Excellent dining, fabulous pools and posh suites with delightful extras make a luxury sailing out-of-this-world, and that’s what Explora Journeys has produced in just a few years on the water. Entering an Explora Journeys ship is like walking into a luxury hotel, from an eye-catching Lobby Bar to the Steinway piano and one-of-a-kind shopping.”

Best New Luxury Ship: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection set the luxury bar high with first ship Evrima and has taken it to the next level with second ship Ilma. Coming in at roughly twice the size of its older sister, Ilma retains the outstanding service levels, stunning accommodation and cuisine of Michelin-star quality which defines this brand. We especially love that in a second-in-class ship, Ritz-Carlton has refined the original blueprint, to perfection.”
Expedition Awards

Best Expedition Cruise Line: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “In an area with a lot of newcomers, veteran expedition cruise line Lindblad still stands out as the best. When you cruise with Lindblad, you know you will be learning from dawn to dusk – with nighttime stargazing thrown in. While newer ships have extras like an on-deck igloos, the older ships have veteran crew who aim to make you feel at home, even when you’re far away.”

Best Itineraries: Ponant

According to Cruise Critic’s Editors: “Ponant is always devising new routes that will make you grab a map. From cruises that traverse the North Pole to sailings that dive deep into Indonesia, Ponant keeps developing new routes, with a fleet that includes sailing ships, small expedition ships and one of the industry’s most powerful icebreakers.”

Cruisers’ Choice

Based on the reviews and ratings submitted by consumers over the past year.

Best Value Award @Seabourn Cruises

Top-Rated Mainstream Cruise Line: Margaritaville at Sea

According to Cruise Critic Member Ray and Andy: “The entire journey was filled with vibrant energy and impeccable organization. From the moment we boarded, the warm, welcoming atmosphere set the tone for a truly laid-back getaway”

Top-Rated River Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways

According to Cruise Critic Member jmarkp: “What an incredible experience: the crew, the itinerary, the stateroom, the food. Everything seemed geared to making sure I had an incredible voyage…and they succeeded.”

Top-Rated Luxury Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises

According to Cruise Critic Member docntx: “The best thus far. Crew embodies the perfect blend of efficiency with playfulness and a wonderful sense of humor. The food is as close to perfect as we have experienced. The excursions were efficiently executed, and the guides we had were all exceptional.”

Top-Rated Expedition Cruise Line: Viking Cruises

According to Cruise Critic Member SShadinger: “This was the best cruise I have ever been on, it is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The ship was beautiful, clean and comfortable. The expedition crew was friendly, knowledgeable and made the experiences ashore most interesting and exciting.”

@Ritz-Calrton Yacht Collection Ilma

2024 Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards.

Mainstream Category

Best Mainstream Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
Best New Ship: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas
Best Cabins: Celebrity Cruises
Best Dining: Virgin Voyages
Best Entertainment: Royal Caribbean International
Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line
Best for Romance: Princess Cruises
Best for LGBTQ+ Travelers: Virgin Voyages
Best Nightlife: Royal Caribbean International
Best Service: Holland America Line
Best for Solo Travelers: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Spa: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Specialty Dining: Celebrity Cruises
Best Suites: Royal Caribbean International
Best Suite Complex: MSC Cruises’ MSC Yacht Club
Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Line
Best App: Royal Caribbean International
Best North American Homeport: Long Beach, California

River Category:

Best River Cruise Line: AmaWaterways
Best New River Ship: Viking Hathor & Viking Sobek
Best for Active Cruisers: AmaWaterways
Best Cabins: Avalon Waterways
Best Dining: Riverside
Best for Entertainment: Scenic
Best Enrichment: Viking Cruises
Best for Families: Adventures by Disney
Best for First-Timers: Emerald Waterways
Best for Honeymooners: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Best for Luxury: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Best Service: Tauck
Best for Solo Travelers: American Cruise Lines
Best Value for Money: Gate 1 Travel

Luxury Category:

Best Luxury Cruise Line: Explora
Best New Luxury Ship: Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma
Best Cabins: Silversea Cruises
Best Dining: Explora
Best Enrichment: Viking Cruises
Best for Families: Explora
Best for Romance: Emerald
Best Itineraries: Windstar Cruises
Best Service: Crystal Cruises
Best Shore Excursions: Oceania Cruises
Best for Solo Travelers: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best Spa: Viking Cruises
Best Value for Money: Seabourn Cruise Line.

@Crystal Cruises CRYSTAL SYMPHONY PENTHOUSE SUITE 2024

Expedition Category:

Best Expedition Cruise Line: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Best for Adventure: Quark Expeditions
Best Cabins: Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Dining: Scenic
Best Itineraries: Ponant
Best for Light Expedition: Viking Cruises
Best for Luxury: Silversea Expeditions
Best Science Offerings: HX
Best Service: Silversea
Best Spa: Viking Cruises
Best Value for Money: Atlas
Best in Alaska: UnCruise Adventures
Best in Antarctica: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Best in the Arctic: Ponant Cruises
Best in the Galapagos: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions