Have you noticed that choosing a cruise ship has become more and more difficult?
Many cruise lines are launching new ships at an impressive pace (Royal Caribbean I’m talking about you), and it can be tricky to pick one through all these options.
For this reason, I decided to create a ranking of the 10 best ships of the moment. The rating takes into consideration my personal evaluation, passenger reviews, and the Vessel Sanitation Program score given by the CDC.
10. Odyssey of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Position number 10 for Odyssey of the Seas. This ship was launched in 2021 and can accommodate about 5500 passengers at her maximum capacity.
The ship is praised for its innovative features and ability to offer a wide range of activities for passengers of all ages.
Many reviews highlight that the ship has something to offer for every age like the skydiving simulator, bumper cars, the North Star observation capsule, and the SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea.
Many passengers also liked the ship’s modern design and attention to detail. As someone said, despite the ship’s size, public spaces rarely feel congested.
One negative thing that many agree on is the limited time available for port visits, especially for the Europe itinerary that would perhaps need longer stops.
9. Symphony of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Symphony of the Seas was launched in 2018, can accommodate about 6,600 passengers, and can therefore be considered a very large ship.
As we have learned over the years, large ships have so many attractions to offer. For example, Symphony has the Ultimate Abyss slide, the FlowRider surf simulators, the Central Park neighborhood (for those who relax and quiet), and an ice-skating rink.
Overall, Symphony of the Seas offers a comprehensive and engaging cruise experience, and that’s why people love her. Some guests have noted that the ship’s size can lead to congestion in popular areas, but that’s quite common on ships that can carry so many passengers.
I have been on her sister ship Harmony of the Seas and it didn’t seem that crowded. Keep in mind that it also depends on the time of year. Not all cruises are sold out.
8. Viking Venus (Viking Cruises)
It’s 8th place for Viking Venus, a completely different ship from the previous ones.
In this case, it’s a small ship that can accommodate about 1,000 passengers and is designed for a type of clientele that looks for a different kind of travel experience than usual.
It’s a ship designed for adult people who want to relax and don’t like to party. During the trip, you can join different cultural experiences and destination-focused entertainment.
Let me specify that there is no casino on board and obviously, it is not a ship I would recommend to a group of young guys who want to have fun.
7. Celebrity Edge (Celebrity Cruises)
Celebrity Edge was launched in 2018 and you probably recognize it because it was the first ship with the Magic Carpet, that tangerine glass-sheltered platform that acts like a moving deck.
A lot of passengers especially liked the food on Celebrity Edge, describing it as a culinary adventure, and commending the variety and quality of the restaurants (although some of them come at an extra cost).
Overall, it could be considered a sophisticated and modern cruise ship, although perhaps not the best choice for families with young children.
6. Wonder of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Let’s go back to Royal Caribbean with Wonder of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world.
This ship has so much to offer including many attractions, stores, fitness centers, kids and teens clubs, and so much more.
Entertainment options are usually among the favorite things, from Broadway-style shows to ice-skating performances.
Again, for large ships, it happens to read complaints about some crowded areas at peak times, such as swimming pools. It’s something you have to take into account, it’s difficult to have a big ship that’s fun and relaxing at the same time.
5. Mardi Gras (Carnival Cruise Line)
Finally, we see a Carnival ship in this ranking and it’s Mardi Gras. This ship is named after Carnival’s first ship and is meant to emphasize the importance of fun for the cruise line.
Mardi Gras has innovative amenities such as the BOLT roller coaster, themed zones like the French Quarter and Summer Landing, and, obviously, the Ultimate Playground (kids love it).
If you like Carnival’s entertainment this ship certainly doesn’t disappoint. I just read several complaints about the efficiency of the elevators. Quite a few people noted long wait times and crowded conditions.
4. Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Although Allure of the Seas is a fairly old ship ( its maiden voyage was in 2010), passengers still love her.
A lot of people frequently praise the ship’s innovative “neighborhood concept” (which was later adopted on several ships) and the variety of dining venues, ranging from the main dining rooms to specialty restaurants.
One very positive aspect that has brought this ship to such a high ranking is that, despite its size, it rarely feels crowded.
3. Regal Princess (Princess Cruises)
The maiden voyage of Regal Princess was in 2014 but the ship had regular refurbishments in 2017, 2020, and 2022.
The feedback from the passengers is mostly positive, with a lot of people praising the elegant design and amenities.
For example, everyone liked the “The Piazza“, which is a grand atrium spanning three decks that serves as a central hub for socializing and entertainment.
A special feature of this ship is also the SeaWalk, a glass-floored walkway extending beyond the edge of the ship, that provides a thrilling ocean view (I absolutely recommend that you go there).
One important thing to note is that the Medallion App continues to face criticism. A passenger said, “The Medallion rollout continues to be an epic fail.”
2. Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s latest flagship and also the world’s largest cruise ship.
As you can imagine from its size, this ship really has so much to offer. So many attractions, so many spaces for both adults and children to play and have fun, and so many entertainment options.
There’s a huge waterpark with six record-breaking slides and over 40 dining venues with a review saying “food was very good along with a good variety of choices, particularly in the standard restaurants.”
From another point of view, remember to take into consideration the size of the ship if you don’t like excessively large ones. I discussed the pros and cons in the article on why small ships can sometimes be the best choice.
1. Celebrity Beyond (Celebrity Cruises)
Here we are at the top spot with Celebrity Beyond, the stunning Celebrity Cruises ship that made its debut in 2022.
Almost all passengers loved the design of this ship which perfectly blends innovation and elegance.
For example, Celebrity Beyond features enhanced outdoor spaces, including a larger Resort Deck with expanded pool areas and the two-story Sunset Bar designed by Nate Berkus.
Even when it comes to cabins, there is a wide selection, ranging from basic interior ones to the two-story Edge Villas and the Iconic Suites, which provide panoramic views and luxurious amenities.
Did you know that this ship is captained by Kate McCue? As I said in this article, she was the first woman to command a large cruise ship.
In terms of entertainment options, some passengers feel that the offerings could be more diverse, but if we consider the overall experience, we can say that this ship can really offer one of the best vacations at sea.
Also Read:
- The Cleanest and Dirtiest Cruise Ships (2024 Ranking)
- 10 Best Cruise Ports in the Caribbean
- Passengers Reveal the 7 Worst Cruise Lines
