Taking a cruise vacation has never been more popular, based on recent financial data disclosed by the major lines. Royal Caribbean Group posted record profits in the fourth quarter earnings report based on the highest demand and increasing fare prices.
A survey by Cruiseline.com of its community members took into consideration which cruise lines, ships, and destinations were the most popular of the bunch to get a sense of which popular cruise lines are worth booking. The awards stem from reviews submitted by readers who sailed on cruises from January through December of 2023.
“Congratulations to the cruise line, cruise ship, and port winners of the 2024 Cruiseline.com Member Choice Awards. Our community members have spoken via their cruise reviews, and these awards celebrate the lines, ships, and destinations that stood out this past year for providing the most memorable experience to guests,” said Jamie Cash, General Manager of Cruiseline.com.
“Our goal in these awards is to help guide future cruisers as they make travel plans in the coming year and beyond. We salute the winners for not only capturing the highest member review feedback but for also creating an unforgettable cruise experience that travelers were excited to come back and share with others through their cruise reviews.”
Royal Caribbean is the top mainstream line, survey says
Royal Caribbean, one of the largest and most innovative cruise lines in the world, received eight best-in-category recognitions.
Not only did they rank as the Best Mainstream Cruise Line with a score of 4.339, but they also received the highest accolades in several other categories, including Best Cruise Line for Onboard Activities/Entertainment (4.245) and Service and Staff (4.651).
With a diverse fleet of 27 ships, it might be hard to narrow down which is the best. According to 2024 Cruiseline.com Member Choice Awards, Allure of the Seas was a favorite, ranking as the Best Overall Cruise Ship (4.317) and Best Cruise Ship for Onboard Activities/Entertainment (4.486).
From the rock climbing wall to two surfing simulators, zip line, mini-golf course, ice skating rink, AquaTheater high-diving shows, and Broadway-style musical Mamma Mia, there's no shortage of activities onboard Allure of the Seas.
Currently, Allure is sailing out of Port Canaveral on 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas. In July, she will be repositioned to Miami, where she'll conduct longer voyages to the Caribbean through early 2025 before undergoing her highly-anticipated Royal Amplification.
Upon completion of the renovation, she'll remain in Europe for the summer season before eventually returning to Florida in November 2025.
Two other ships received best-in-category recognitions, too, including Odyssey of the Seas (Best Cruise Ship for Food and Dining, 4.347, and Best Cruise Ship for Staterooms, 4.327) and Oasis of the Seas (Best Cruise Ship for Service and Staff, 3.747).
While Oasis' design is similar to that of Allure since they're both Oasis Class ships, Odyssey of the Seas stands out as the only Quantum Class ship to receive such high honors.
After finishing seasonal cruises from Fort Lauderdale and Rome, she'll move to Cape Liberty (New York) in November, offering cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean through April 2025.
Sister brand Celebrity Cruises received two best-in-category awards
Following Royal Caribbean's recognition as Best Mainstream Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises ranked second with a score of 4.295. They achieved the highest ranking in the Best Cruise Line for Food and Dining (4.211) and Best Cruise Line for Staterooms (4.446).
While Royal is known for providing family-family vacations that emphasize onboard thrills, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean Group's upscale mainstream line, focuses on modern ships that can sail to more unique destinations across the globe.
Celebrity has a smaller fleet that's comprised of only 16 ships, including the brand-new Celebrity Ascent. Three of their ships sail exclusively to the Galapagos on expedition voyages that range from 7 to 16 nights.
2024 Member Choice Awards - Best Mainstream Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean - 4.339
- Celebrity Cruises - 4.295
- Carnival Cruise Line - 4.245
- Holland America Line - 4.227
- Disney Cruise Line - 4.216
Following Royal Caribbean and Celebrity is Carnival Cruise Line. This cruise line is known for its fun and lively atmosphere, boasting the most "Fun Ships" at sea. Compared to other mainstream lines, Carnival tends to offer some of the most affordable fares.
The introduction of the Excel Class in 2021 finally put them in the market to compete against giants like Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class. Did you know that you can ride a rollercoaster at sea onboard Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee?
Plus, compared to the first two cruise lines on the list, Carnival offers far more complimentary restaurants onboard for those who prioritize fast-casual dining.
Holland America Line, like Celebrity, is a premium cruise line that has a reputation for traditional cruising; however, they still offer complimentary youth programming at Club HAL.
Holland America has been in operation for more than 145 years and focuses on providing a refined cruising experience, as its fleet is comprised entirely of mid-sized and small ships. Onboard, you'll find delicious culinary options, enrichment activities, plenty of live music and entertainment, and a range of wellness and relaxation services at the spa.
HAL cruises sail to far-flung destinations like Asia, as well as Australia, Europe, Alaska, and more. Usually, their sailings are a bit longer and may even include overnight stays to allow for more exploration.
From themed dining experiences to character meet & greets, immersive deck parties, Broadway-style musicals, and perhaps the best youth clubs at sea, Disney Cruise Line is the ultimate cruise line for families who cannot vacation without a touch of pixie dust.
Even though they're known as a family-friendly cruise line, they offer sophisticated venues for adults, effectively combining the infamous magic of Disney with upscale dining and relaxing outdoor spaces away from the excitement of the main pool area.
While they only have five ships at sea, you'll find a range of sailings to Europe, Alaska, Australia and the South Pacific, and, of course, The Bahamas and Caribbean! In fact, Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, was voted the Best Cruise Line Private Destination by Cruiseline.com members.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
