The world’s best cruises of 2019 according to passengers are revealed 

The world’s best cruises have been revealed by those who love holidays on the water.

Cruise Critic, a leading cruise review site, has revealed the winners of its 2019 Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards – after looking at 350,000 user reviews from the UK, U.S. and Australia, covering 700 cruise ships.

Awards were handed out across four categories according to ship size with liners being recognised for their cabins, on-board entertainment, dining options and value for money. Scroll down to see the winners… 

Large-ship category

In the large ship category, the Celebrity Equinox, pictured, was named as being the best cruise among cruise lovers in the UK and U.S. 

In the UK, Celebrity Equinox, pictured, was named best overall, best cabins, best dining, best for fitness and recreation, best public rooms and best value for money

In the UK, Celebrity Equinox, pictured, was named best overall, best cabins, best dining, best for fitness and recreation, best public rooms and best value for money

Celebrity Equinox, pictured, boasts a real grass lawn on top of the ship and a Lawn Club Sunset Bar complete with deck furniture and a faux fire pit

Celebrity Equinox, pictured, boasts a real grass lawn on top of the ship and a Lawn Club Sunset Bar complete with deck furniture and a faux fire pit

In the large ship category, Celebrity Cruises and its Celebrity Equinox ship was the run away winner in most categories across.

Celebrity Equinox boasts a real grass lawn on top of the ship and a Lawn Club Sunset Bar complete with deck furniture and a faux fire pit. It also has a living tree suspended in the atrium, so the outside is never far away.

In the UK, it was named best overall, best cabins, best dining, best for fitness and recreation, best public rooms and best value for money.

The ship was also named best for first timers across all size categories.

The line’s Celebrity Eclipse scooped the top ranking for best service, and Celebrity Solstice secured the best for shore excursions award.

Royal Caribbean International won the highest ranking for best entertainment and best for families – across all size categories.

Cruise lovers in the US agreed, and also crowned Celebrity Equinox as the best overall, as well as best for dining, best public rooms and best for value.

Cruise lovers in the US rated the cabins on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, pictured, as being the best for 2019 

Cruise lovers in the US rated the cabins on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, pictured, as being the best for 2019 

In Australia, those who had been on a cruise rated the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises, pictured, as the best pick for cabins and best for first time cruisers

In Australia, those who had been on a cruise rated the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises, pictured, as the best pick for cabins and best for first time cruisers

However, cruisers in America voted Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas as having the best cabins and the firm’s Symphony of the Seas best for entertainment. The Carnival Valor, operated by Carnival Cruise Line was named as best for shore excursions.

In Australia, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas was named as the best overall cruise as well as being best value for money, best public rooms and best shore excursions while Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises was the voted the best pick for cabins and best for first time cruisers.

The best service award went to Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess while the Sun Princess was named as having the best entertainment.

Mid-size ship category

In the UK, Marella Discovery, pictured, secured three top awards, including: best entertainment, best shore excursions and best for fitness and recreation

In the UK, Marella Discovery, pictured, secured three top awards, including: best entertainment, best shore excursions and best for fitness and recreation

In the US, the Riviera by Oceania Cruises, pictured, was named as being best overall as well as best for dining

In the US, the Riviera by Oceania Cruises, pictured, was named as being best overall as well as best for dining

A big winner in the mid-size category in the UK was Marella Cruises, which won six top rankings.

Marella Discovery secured three top awards, including: best entertainment, best shore excursions and best for fitness and recreation; while Marella Celebration scooped top spots for best service and best value for money.

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship, Balmoral, also proved popular with Brits, securing the coveted best overall ship ranking, as well as the best dining accolade.

Refurbished every two years, and famed for its great food and wealth of activities and entertainment, Balmoral continues to make British travellers feel very much at home.

For the second year, Cunard Line’s, Queen Victoria, won the top best public rooms placement. The centrepiece of its Royal Arcade on Deck 3 is a custom-built, chiming pillar clock by English clockmaker Dent & Co. – clockmaker to Queen Victoria, whose most famous work is the clock in front of Big Ben in London.

For the second year, Cunard Line’s, Queen Victoria, won the top best public rooms placement in the UK, for a mid-size ship 

For the second year, Cunard Line’s, Queen Victoria, won the top best public rooms placement in the UK, for a mid-size ship 

One of the dining rooms on board Cunard's Queen Victoria. In Australia, it swept the board in the mid-size cruise category winning best cruise, best cabins, best dining, best entertainment, best for value and best public rooms

One of the dining rooms on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria. In Australia, it swept the board in the mid-size cruise category winning best cruise, best cabins, best dining, best entertainment, best for value and best public rooms

MSC Lirica was won the best cabins award as 64 per cent of the ship’s cabins offer outside views and all balcony cabins are mini-suites.

In the US, the Riviera by Oceania Cruises was named as being best overall as well as best for dining, while its sister ship Marina scooped the award for best cabins.

The MSC Sinfonia was named as best for entertainment while Cunard’s Queen Victoria was also named as having the best public rooms – same as in the UK.

For Australian cruisers, the Queen Victoria reigned supreme taking the top prize in categories including best cruise, best cabins, best dining, best entertainment, best for value and best public rooms.

The Maasdam run by Holland America Line took first prize for best service while the award for best shore excursions was presented to the Pacific Aria run by P&O Australia.

Small-mid size ship category

Cruisers in the U.S. rated the Viking Sky, pictured, as being the best cruise out of the operators in the small-mid size category 

Cruisers in the U.S. rated the Viking Sky, pictured, as being the best cruise out of the operators in the small-mid size category 

Cruisers in America also rated liners that are small to mid-size and taking the award for best cruise was Viking Sky, run by Viking Ocean Cruises.

It also won the prize for best cabins, best dining, best public rooms, best for service and best value while sister ships Viking Sun and Viking Orion were named best for entertainment and best for fitness and recreation.

Viking Star won the award for best shore excursions.

Small-ship category

Hurtigruten’s, Lofoten, stole the show in the small ship category with British cruisers, winning four top ranking awards for best overall, best dining, best public rooms and best shore excursions

Hurtigruten’s, Lofoten, stole the show in the small ship category with British cruisers, winning four top ranking awards for best overall, best dining, best public rooms and best shore excursions

WINNERS OF THE 2019 UK CRUISE CRITIC CRUISERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

 Best Cruises Overall

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Balmoral – Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines (Mid-Size)

Lofoten – Hurtigruten (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Cabins

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

MSC Lirica– MSC Cruises (Mid-Size)

Silver Muse – Silversea (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Dining

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Balmoral – Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines (Mid-Size)

Lofoten – Hurtigruten (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Embarkation

Sapphire Princess – Princess Cruises (Large)

Marella Explorer – Marella Cruises (Mid-Size)

Saga Sapphire – Saga Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Entertainment

Symphony of the Seas – Royal Caribbean (Large)

Marella Discovery– Marella Cruises (Mid-Size)

Saga Sapphire – Saga Cruises (Small) 

 Best Cruise Ships for Fitness and Recreation

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Marella Discovery– Marella Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Sea – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Public Rooms

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Lofoten – Hurtigruten (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Service

Celebrity Eclipse – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Marella Celebration – Marella Cruises (Mid-Size)

Saga Pearl II – Saga Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Shore Excursions

Celebrity Solstice– Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Marella Discovery – Marella Cruises (Mid-Size)

Lofoten – Hurtigruten (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Value

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Marella Celebration – Marella Cruises (Mid-Size)

Saga Pearl II – Saga Cruises (Small)

Best Cruises for Families

Jewel of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International

Best for First-Timers

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises

Source: Cruise Critic 

A historic ship with nods to maritime heritage of yesteryear, Hurtigruten’s, Lofoten, stole the show in the small ship category with British cruisers, winning four top ranking awards for best overall, best dining, best public rooms and best shore excursions.

What the ship lacks in modern-day bells and whistles, it makes up for in charm – offering a one-of-a-kind way to sail the Norwegian Fjords.

Saga Cruises also did well, securing best for entertainment and best for embarkation pole positions for Saga Sapphire; and best service and best value for money top spots for Saga Pearl II.

Saga has taken all-inclusive to the ultimate level, by including everything in the fare, including a complimentary chauffeur service for sailings from Southampton and Dover, and free flights and rail travel with transfers, for non-UK sailings.

For the third year in a row, the stunning Viking Sea, secured the best for fitness and recreation category; while Silversea’s flagship 2017 cruise vessel, Silver Muse, scooped the win for best cabins.

In the US, Silversea Cruises' Silver Galapagos ship, pictured, won best cruise overall as well as best for public spaces, best for service and best shore excursions

In the US, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Galapagos ship, pictured, won best cruise overall as well as best for public spaces, best for service and best shore excursions

Even the smallest of Silver Muse’s suites measure almost 400 square feet, and they all boast walk-in closets and ultra-luxury sheets and towels.

In the US, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Galapagos ship won best cruise overall as well as best for public spaces, best for service and best shore excursions.

The other two big winners in the US for small-ship cruises were both Paul Gauguin Cruises and Windstar Cruises.

The Paul Gauguin won best cabins, best embarkations, best for entertainment and best service.

Meanwhile Wind Spirit won best cruise for dining and Wind Surf scooped the award for best for fitness and recreation.

In Australia, Le Boreal, pictured, by cruise firm Ponant won best overall cruise as well as best value, best for service and best on shore excursions

In Australia, Le Boreal, pictured, by cruise firm Ponant won best overall cruise as well as best value, best for service and best on shore excursions

In Australia, Le Boreal by cruise firm Ponant won best overall cruise as well as best value, best for service and best on shore excursions.

While the best for cabins, as well as the best for dining, entertainment and public spaces was the Azmara Quest by Azamara Club Cruises. 

Adam Coulter, the UK managing editor of Cruise Critic said: ‘The UK Cruisers’ Choice Awards play an important part in showcasing the cruise ships that UK travellers rate most highly in a number of key categories, such as entertainment, service, dining experiences, cabins and shore excursions.

‘Our members play an invaluable role in helping to inform and guide other cruisers and first-time travellers to find and choose the best cruise ships for their ideal holiday, and we wouldn’t have this authoritative awards programme without them.’ 

WINNERS OF THE 2019 CRUISE CRITIC CRUISERS’ CHOICE AWARDS FOR THE U.S AND AUSTRALIA 

US CRUISERS’ CHOICE WINNERS 

Best Cruises Overall

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Riviera – Oceania Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Sky – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Silver Galapagos – Silversea Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Cabins

Harmony of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Marina – Oceania Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Sky – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Paul Gauguin – Paul Gauguin Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Dining 

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Riviera – Oceania Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Sky – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Wind Spirit – Windstar Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Embarkation

Regal Princess – Princess Cruises (Large)

Oosterdam – Holland America Line (Mid-Size)

Pacific Princess – Princess Cruises (Small-Mid)

Paul Gauguin – Paul Gauguin Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Entertainment

Symphony of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

MSC Sinfonia – MSC Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Sun – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Paul Gauguin – Paul Gauguin Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Fitness & Recreation

Allure of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Coral Princess – Princess Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Orion – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Wind Surf – Windstar Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Public Rooms

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Viking Sky – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Silver Galapagos – Silversea Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Service

Celebrity Eclipse – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

Grandeur of the Seas – Royal Caribbean (Mid-Size)

Viking Sky – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Paul Gauguin – Paul Gauguin Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions

Carnival Valor – Carnival Cruise Line (Large)

Coral Princess – Princess Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Star – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Silver Galapagos – Silversea Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Value

Celebrity Equinox – Celebrity Cruises (Large)

MSC Sinfonia – MSC Cruises (Mid-Size)

Viking Sky – Viking Ocean Cruises (Small-Mid)

Silver Galapagos – Silversea Cruises (Small)

Best Cruises for Families

Disney Magic – Disney Cruise Line 

 Best for First-Timers

Viking Sky – Viking Ocean Cruises 

Best for River Cruises

Viking Vidar – Viking River Cruises

AUSTRALIAN CRUISERS’ CHOICE WINNERS 

Best Cruises Overall

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Le Boreal – Ponant (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Cabins

Sapphire Princess– Princess Cruises (Large)

Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Azamara Quest – Azamara Club Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Dining

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Azamara Quest – Azamara Club Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Embarkation

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Masdaam – Holland America Cruise Lines (Mid-Size)

Azamara Quest – Azamara (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Cabins

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Maasdam – Holland America Line (Mid-Size)

Azamara Quest – Azamara Club Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Entertainment

Sun Princess –Princess Cruises (Large)

 Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Azamara Quest – Azamara Club Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Fitness and Recreation

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Pacific Aria – P&O Australia (Mid-Size)

Azamara Journey – Azamara Club Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Public Rooms

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Azamara Quest – Azamara Club Cruises (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Service

Diamond Princess – Princess Cruises (Large)

Maasdam – Holland America Line (Mid-Size)

Le Boreal – Ponant (Small)

Best Cruise Ship Shore Excursions

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean International (Large)

Pacific Aria – P&O Australia (Mid-Size)

Le Boreal – Ponant (Small)

Best Cruise Ships for Value

Explorer of the Seas – Royal Caribbean (Large)

Queen Victoria – Cunard Line (Mid-Size)

Le Boreal – Ponant (Small)

Best Cruise for Families

Pacific Aria– P&O Australia

Best Cruise for First-Timers

Sapphire Princess – Princess Cruises

Source: Cruise Critic  

 

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