Sunday, March 31, 2024

The 5 Best Mega-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2022

top five cruise lines

A day trip in Nassau, Bahamas, is the perfect penultimate stop before you reach your final destination, Miami. After departing Montego Bay, the ship sails the Caribbean and Panama Canal for two days before making its next stop at Colón, Panama, for an optional visit to Indigenous villages or a walk around the colorful city. The following stops — Puerto Limón, Costa Rica; Roatán, off the coast of Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico — showcase the Caribbean's lushest landscapes, ancient Mayan ruins, pristine beaches, and lively towns. The largest capacity vessel with MSC is the latest World-class ship MSC World Europa with a double capacity of 5,400.

Viking Ocean Cruises, Panama Canal and Central America; 15 Days

The diverse languages and cultures add to the fascination with the Caribbean, and cruises that visit a series of destinations highlight the distinctions among the islands. Single cruisers also have access to an exclusive shared social space called the Studio Complex and Lounge. In this lounge, you can enjoy complimentary refreshments throughout the day, order room service and meet fellow travelers.

River Awards

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW. We’re talking disease prediction, hyper-personalized marketing, and automated logistics that streamline everything. The line added Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The debut of the line's fourth ship in the fleet, Brilliant Lady, has been delayed but could take place in 2024. It's important to think that through before narrowing down your choices. For the best in-suite views, book a room at the back of the ship, Kelly Cochrane, executive chef of Regent Seven Seas Cruises tells T+L.

Best for River Cruises: Viking Cruise

top five cruise lines

Of course, relaxing by the pool and indulging in a restorative spa treatment are also options. Cabins sport a minimalist look with futuristic touches, and suites exude a rock 'n' roll vibe with in-room turntables and peekaboo showers. Known as Studio cabins, the tiny solo rooms in these complexes measure just 100 square feet.

Plus, they have plenty of opportunities for photo ops with their favorite Disney characters. Royal Caribbean offers seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings departing from Miami aboard Icon of the Seas through April 2026. When picking the best cruise in the Caribbean, as with choosing the best cruise anywhere, a lot comes down to tastes and preferences. Some people demand (and are willing to pay for) the highest levels of luxury.

Royal Caribbean International: 98,118

Between ports, travelers can enjoy the spa, fitness center, live performances, kids' activities, and a variety of restaurants aboard the Mariner of the Seas. Following the cruising day is a stop at Royal Caribbean's private CocoCay in the Bahamas. Fill your "Perfect Day" chasing adventure at Thrill Waterpark, where you can ride down North America's tallest waterslide, or relaxing in an overwater cabana at Coco Beach Club. The cay is also home to Chill Island, a beach "neighborhood" where you'll find quiet relaxation, cabana rentals, and restaurants.

The ship is small enough to access private ports at remote beaches and take travelers well off the beaten path. This cruise aboard the Carnival Sunrise departs from Miami for a day at sea before arriving in Grand Cayman. After leaving the Cayman Islands, the ship moves on to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where excursions include swimming with dolphins, river tubing, zip lining, and horseback riding along the shore. On the Southern Caribbean Seafarer cruise, couples can visit Curacao, Aruba and Half Moon Cay, the line's private island in the Bahamas. An overnight stay in Curacao allows cruisers to dive deeper into the island's history, culture and natural lures. Aruba offers diversions below and above the water, from submarine tours and snorkeling to hikes and four-wheeling adventures.

When you’re not out exploring a new port of call, you can take cooking classes, book a spa day or fitness class, enjoy evening entertainment or gamble at the casino, among other activities. Passengers can choose from fine dining, al fresco and poolside dining, regional cuisine and room service. Travelers can choose departure ports from the Americas, the Mediterranean, Asia, Scandinavia, Northern Europe and more. Viking operates smaller ships with a maximum of 930 passengers, which makes it easier to visit ports that larger cruise liners cannot navigate.

Best for Budget Travelers: Carnival

Here, average daily rates accounted for 60% of scores, while expert, traveler and health ratings accounted for the other 40%. Cruise lines with average daily rates of $300 or more did not qualify for this category. The driver had dropped off customers at Pier 2 when bystanders noticed the bus was moving forward, police said.

It features sun-kissed beaches, secret coves and gin-clear waters in idyllic ports of call like St. Barts, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica and St. Lucia. When it comes to catering to solo cruisers, the king of the hill in the Caribbean is Norwegian Cruise Line — at least among the big-ship lines. The Miami-based cruise operator in 2010 began adding entire zones for solo travelers to the center of every new ship it deployed to the region. The undisputed leader in the Caribbean cruise market when it comes to affordability is Carnival Cruise Line.

Wi-Fi, tips and drinks — like cocktails, wine and specialty coffees — are included in most Celebrity cruise bookings, however the cheapest rates can be purchased without them. Right now, a four-day cruise from Miami to the Bahamas is around $440 per person, including taxes, for an inside state room. One woman has died and 10 others were injured after a shuttle bus crashed into the transportation area outside a Honolulu cruise terminal Friday, according to police. With the coming inaugural voyage of Carnival Firenze, Carnival will match Royal Caribbean’s number of ships in service with 27, for at least a couple months. With a second Icon-class ship (Star of the Seas), a third unnamed Icon-class ship, and a seventh Oasis-class ship due in 2028, the total number of berths could be just over 120,000 in the next four years. Our research team has identified a hidden gem – an AI company with cutting-edge technology, massive potential, and a current stock price that screams opportunity.

If "more is better" is your mantra, skip the search and look up Icon of the Seas. At 250,800 gross tons, the new, 20-deck-high vessel is the biggest cruise ship in the world. On board, your family will enjoy live shows that rival Broadway performances, evening fireworks displays and visits from popular Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters. Which cruise line is best depends on what type of traveler you are and where you'd like to visit. Below are some things to consider when choosing which cruise to book for your next vacation.

The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards - Condé Nast Traveler

The Best Cruises in the World: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards.

Posted: Tue, 03 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The Norwegian Prima features a 10 story free fall dry slide, a 3 level Go-Kart track, a virtual gaming complex. Such revolutionary entertainment activities allow for an exhilarating experience of the high seas. Moreover, the cruise line owns a private island in the Bahamas by the name of Great Stirrup Cay, which is exclusive to guests aboard NCL’s cruises. Due to its one of a kind experience, we rank it as the second best cruise line in the US.

The good news is that in the Caribbean, at least, there really is something for everyone. The stateroom features a king-size bed, large closets and robes and slippers. Bathrooms include glass-enclosed showers, anti-fog mirrors and heated floors. You can expect to spend between 4% to 10% of your trip cost for cruise travel insurance. The final price will depend on your age, cruise cost, coverage type and trip length, among other factors.

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