Best Cruise Lines in the World

Are you planning a holiday this Christmas? Or are you looking to get the best cruise deals to Rome in the world?

We have compiled a comprehensive list of ships, destinations, and best holiday deals you can choose from, so keep reading to learn more.

Ocean Cruise Lines

Oceania Regatta

Oceania Regatta is a smaller ship by today’s standards, and between the size and uncrowded spaces, it feels like you’re in someone’s lovely home, which happens to be a ship. But it still offers plenty of public spaces to enjoy the onboard entertainment or take in a nice view. There are several fantastic restaurants, but the ship’s not so large that you feel like you’re on a conventional cruise ship.

The Norway

The Norway (operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines) will always hold a special place in my heart because I sailed on it as a child many times. Formerly named France, it was a converted ocean liner and one of the largest ships of the time. It was the first ship to dock in deeper water and send tenders (smaller boats) to shore. This situation was unique then and lives on today, as at least one of those boats is still operational at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge represents a wonderful evolution of cruising in terms of design and entertainment. The staterooms are also incredible, with Infinite Verandasrooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, where you can roll down the top half, lean out, and turn part of your room into a balcony. I’ve been on this ship about five or six times, but I’m ready to check out the two new ships in this class, the Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond, when they’re launched. Here are some other cool hidden features on cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis Class Ships

These ships are the largest in the industry, and I like them, but not only for their high-energy activities like the FlowRider or rock-climbing walls. What I admire are the ship’s designs and the science behind them. It’s hard to wrap your head around how they conceptualize these mega-ships with thousands of people on board. These types of ships are also successful at attracting new cruisers in that they’re similar to resorts with amusement parks. My mother was used to cruising small ships with luxurious accommodations, but in September 2017 I persuaded her to try Symphony of the Seas (an Oasis-class ship).

Queen Elizabeth 2

This type of ship doesn’t exist anymore. The QE2 was part of the time when ocean liners were more about function to get to a destination, but it was the finest way to do that. Imagine all of the lavishness of the Titanic (if it hadn’t hit the iceberg, of course). A Cunard ad from the days when ocean liners reigned supreme coined the now-common phrase, “Getting there is half the fun.” I had the pleasure of sailing the Queen Elizabeth 2 multiple times. Its last voyage was in November 2008, but that wasn’t the end of its life. It’s now a floating hotel in Dubai.

Favorite destinations

Norwegian Fjords

Cruising through the Norwegian fjords is a different experience in several ways. If you looked at this part of the world on a map, it would appear a desolate tundra, but the scenery is gorgeous, and it’s impossible to know quite where to look. The cities in this region are simultaneously modern and yet feel like storybooks. They’re beautiful to walk through in the summer, with incredible culture and charming people.

Southern Caribbean

This is one of my favorite destinations because it’s extremely relaxed; there’s no pressure to see and do it all. I love the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, and each one is distinct. Curacao is very Dutch. The island has gorgeous beaches and canals, as well as unique bridges. It’s a slow-paced place, and the architecture looks like Amsterdam. Curacao reminds me of the Netherlands but with pastel-colored buildings. Bonaire is rustic and offers excellent diving without taking a boat out to a reef. Aruba is a resort town with beautiful beaches, a unique, desert-like landscape, and brands familiar to Americans.

Mediterranean

This is the best destination if you want to pack the most in a short period. You’ll spend most of your time off the ship in places like Rome, Monaco, and Venice. One of my favorites was Kotor, Montenegro. I knew nothing of the country, and it was not one of the A-list ports, but I wanted to explore as much as I could. When people ask what ship they should book for this itinerary, it’s one of the cruises where I tell them the choice of ship isn’t as crucial since you’re not on board much of the time.

Trans-Atlantic Crossing

Cunard offers such an incredible experience for this cruise, and it’s like no other crossing. I’m not formal, but I’m happy to put on a suit on Cunard because it’s such a unique way to cruise. I appreciate the serenity, enrichment activities, and just staring out at the water. In this way, it’s a cliche that the ships are the destination, but it’s true on a crossing from the East Coast to Europe. There’s always something new to do while on board with the shows, dining experiences, opportunities to hear experts lecturing, and just taking time to relax. While I hope so, I wonder if this type of experience will be around much longer.

Alaska

I especially enjoyed visiting Juneau. One highlight is Mount Roberts because you dock at the port, just steps away from the tramway. Most of the time you need to go far from the port to avoid the tourists, but not here. You walk 50 feet to the cable car and then have beautiful views of the port on the way to the top of the mountain. At the top, there’s a nature center, where you can grab information on the local flora and fauna. If you like to hike, there’s so much nature to enjoy along the many trails. Each one is prettier than the one before it, and our short walk ended up being four or five miles long. At the end of any hike on Mount Roberts, you can stop for a local beer at the bar and restaurant near the top of the tramway. If you don’t like to hike, there’s plenty to do in town, like visiting historic sites, the capital, or taking trips to see the glaciers.