The best cruise lines, according to Consumer Reports
If you're going to be stuck on a boat for a long period of time, you want to make sure you choose the ship for your vacation
Cruises have bounced back since the pandemic, with a record 21.7 million Americans set to hit the seas this year, according to AAA.
But not all cruises offer the experience travelers are hoping for, and with scores of cruise lines operating, it can be hard to figure out which ones to book. Consumer Reports ranked the best cruise lines, offering three luxury options and three more affordable ones. It used the results of a survey with almost 19,000 respondents to make the list. Continue reading to see which made the list of the best ones and why.
2 / 7
National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions
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National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions ranked first. It sails to destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos Islands, and Alaska, with a typical price of about $10,887 per adult. Consumer Reports said it was “the only cruise line out of 19 to receive top marks from CR members in all categories.” One drawback is the high price and that at least one ship does not sail with a health professional onboard.
3 / 7
Windstar Cruises
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Windstar Cruises sails to Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Central America, and Alaska, with a typical price of about $5,481 per adult. Consumer Reports said Windstar is “an excellent choice in luxury, small-ship cruising if you’re looking for an engaging, casual-yet-elegant cruise.” Some passengers cited the high cost of shore excursions as a downside.
4 / 7
Viking
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Viking sails basically everywhere with a typical price of a trip about $7,085 per adult. Consumer Reports said that “if you’re looking for education-focused cruises with plenty of creature comforts (including excellent food), no kids or casinos, and few, if any, surprise fees, Viking could be a good choice for you.” Some passengers reported limited time in ports and said flight itineraries had long layovers or too many connections.
5 / 7
Disney Cruise Line
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Disney $DIS sails to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, Mexico, and Australia, with a typical price of about $2,488 per adult. Consumer Reports said Disney earned the highest marks for “customer service and onboard activities and entertainment.” The main drawback noted by passengers was the high cost.
6 / 7
Celebrity Cruises
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Celebrity Cruises sails to destinations like Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Panama Canal, with a typical price of about $2,394 per adult. Consumer Reports said passengers gave Celebrity near top-level scores for “satisfaction with value for price paid.” Cons mentioned by survey respondents included middling excursions and the cruise’s app.
7 / 7
Holland America Line
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Holland America Line sails to destinations such as Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Panama Canal, with a typical price of about $2,947 per adult. Consumer Reports said passengers gave the line above-par scores for value and cleanliness. The cruise line’s only middling scores were for its app.