From Cabins to Excursions, Best Cruise Ships for 2014
There may be no more passionate subset of travelers than cruisers.
Feb. 26, 2014 -- There may be no more passionate subset of travelers than cruisers.
That's why, despite the sometimes-negative stories that muddy the waters of the cruise industry, the cruise lines continue to build. And build bigger. They have to. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) the cruise lines will collectively carry 21.7 million guests in 2014.
But if you're a first-timer, how do you know which ship to pick? What's the difference between the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Dream? Between a Royal cruise line and a Celebrity or Princess one? That's where the members of CruiseCritic.com come in: Because if cruisers are the most passionate travelers, Cruise Critic members are the most passionate of cruisers. And the 2014 Cruisers’ Choice Awards are based entirely on their opinions -- no editor's picks, no surveys -- posted to the web site.
“The Cruisers’ Choice Awards are a fantastic honor for cruise lines to receive as they’re based on personal experiences shared by cruisers themselves,” said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. “This list of winners truly reflects excellence in the industry, and serves as a seal of approval from consumers who have sailed on these ships over the past year.”
Read: 70 Percent Off Cruises? New Tool Says Yes
The Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards are awarded in three ship classes, based on passenger capacity (Large: 2,000+ passengers; Mid-Size: 1,200 to 1,999 passengers; Small: 1,199 or fewer passengers) and are calculated using the ratings submitted with each Cruise Critic member review.
The Winners:
Destination Categories:
Best Cruises to Alaska: Rhapsody of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Best Cruises to the Bahamas: Disney Dream
Best Cruises to the Caribbean: Disney Fantasy
Best Cruises to the Mediterranean: Celebrity Silhouette
Best Cruises from Florida: Disney Fantasy
Best Cruises from the Northeast: Explorer of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Best Cruises from the West Coast: Sapphire Princess (Princess Cruises)
Best for Families:
Disney Fantasy
Large Ship Category
Best Overall Ship: Disney Fantasy
Best Cabins: Disney Fantasy
Best Dining: Disney Fantasy
Best Embarkation: Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Best Entertainment: Disney Fantasy
Best for Fitness: Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Best Public Rooms: Disney Fantasy
Best Service: Disney Fantasy
Best Shore Excursions: Carnival Freedom
Best Value-for-Money: Carnival Liberty
Mid-Size Category
Best Overall Ship: Disney Wonder
Best Cabins: Riviera (Oceania)
Best Dining: Riviera (Oceania)
Best Embarkation: Coral Princess (Princess Cruises)
Best Entertainment: Disney Wonder
Best for Fitness: Norwegian Sun
Best Public Rooms: Riviera (Oceania)
Best Service: Disney Wonder
Best Shore Excursions: Island Escape (Thomson)
Best Value-for-Money: Norwegian Sun
Small Ship Category
Best Overall Ship: Seabourn Quest
Best Cabins: Seven Seas Navigator (Regent Seven Seas)
Best Dining: Crystal Serenity
Best Embarkation: Pacific Princess (Princess Cruises)
Best Entertainment: Crystal Symphony
Best for Fitness: Crystal Serenity
Best Public Rooms: Seabourn Quest
Best Service: Crystal Symphony
Best Shore Excursions: Celebrity Xpedition
Best Value-for-Money: Seabourn Quest
(The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of both ABC News and Disney Cruise Line.)