2024 was an exciting year for Cruise.Blog writers and editors! Between eight staff members, over 250 days were spent onboard cruise ships that sailed to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
We also tried different cruise lines, ranging from Princess Cruises to Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean—all in the name of research, of course.
Without our readers, we wouldn't be able to report on our experiences, sharing tips and tricks that we hope will help you maximize your time onboard your next cruise. With 2024 coming to an end, we're excited for all that's to come next year, including the launch of new cruise ships like Star of the Seas, Brilliant Lady, and Celebrity Xcel.
We asked everyone on the team to share their favorite cruise of the year. To no surprise, Icon of the Seas was a staff favorite; however, plenty of other standouts captured the attention of our team members. From smaller expedition ships sailing to the Arctic to port-intensive cruises to the Greek Isles, our writers experienced a wide range of cruise styles in 2024.
Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas' long-awaited debut finally happened in January 2024, and many of our writers sailed aboard the world's largest ship during her inaugural year. From epic water slides to unique specialty dining and jaw-dropping original shows, there's no shortage of exciting experiences on Icon of the Seas.
Sailing exclusively from Miami, Florida, to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, a vacation Icon means basking in the tropical sun on one of the beautiful beaches in St. Kitts or St. Maarten or opting for a more active itinerary, with exciting adrenaline-pumping tours in Mexico and Honduras.
"Icon of the Seas quickly became my favorite ship for many reasons," said Nicole Feist, "From the moment we stepped onboard, it was clear that this ship was designed to offer something for everyone."
Read more: I took my 6-month-old on a cruise. This is the best ship for a baby, and I want to go on one again
"The entertainment options stood out, with shows and activities that ranged from thrilling to relaxing. Whether catching a performance in the AquaDome or exploring the unique neighborhoods onboard, there was always something to keep us engaged."
She also talked about the dining onboard. There was always something new to try, from casual joints to upscale specialty restaurants. Plus, despite Icon's massive size, Feist noted the ship's design and layout made the 248,663 gross registered ton vessel easy to navigate.
"Icon of the Seas balanced excitement and relaxation, making it a great choice for families, couples, or anyone looking for a memorable vacation," she concluded.
The first-ever Icon Class ship was also Calista Kiper's favorite cruise of 2024. Like Feist, she loved Icon's design and was blown away by the ship's beauty.
"So many issues with previous ships were lovingly and carefully solved on Icon of the Seas. From destination elevators to two-story pool seating and wide public spaces, it was easy to get away from the hordes of people you’ll find on other mega-ships," she remarked.
"The bright pastel colors and expansive, ocean-facing areas like the Overlook made sailing on Icon a delightful experience."
She also thought Icon's dining was a standout feature, with the complimentary venues serving diverse, delicious, and healthy cuisine. "AquaDome Market was my favorite," she said, "Whether I was in the mood for mac n' cheese or Mediterranean bowls, I could stop by in the afternoon for a free snack."
Read more: I sailed on Royal Caribbean's two largest cruise ships. They were surprisingly different
Celebrity Ascent
With Celebrity Ascent welcoming guests onboard for the first time in late 2023, she's quickly become a sought-after gem. The upscale design and itineraries to destinations like the Greek Isles have made her a favorite for travelers who don't want to sacrifice the onboard experience for a trip to once-in-a-lifetime ports of call.
This year, Elizabeth Wright sailed on Celebrity Ascent twice, first embarking on a 7-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean in February. Though it wasn't her first time on a Celebrity ship, she knew Edge Class vessels differed from other products in Celebrity's fleet, such as Celebrity Reflection.
"There isn't one particular aspect that makes Ascent memorable," she said, "Everything from the three-story Grand Plaza to the resort-style pool deck, specialty restaurants, and cantilevered Magic Carpet make sailing on Ascent an elevated experience from start to finish."
She particularly enjoyed her second sailing on Celebrity Ascent to the Greek Isles. Wright embarked in Piraeus (Athens), Greece, calling at ports like Santorini and Mykonos, Greece; Kuşadası (Ephesus), Turkey; and Naples, Italy.
"After a day of sightseeing in bucket list destinations, it was amazing to return to such a chic ship with all the amenities I could want. The dining, in particular, was outstanding. I dined at numerous specialty restaurants, including Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, Fine Cut Steakhouse, the Rooftop Garden Grill, and Eden Restaurant, and each experience was nothing short of extraordinary," she remarked.
She even appreciated the controversial infinite veranda concept. While she missed not having a private verandah to step outside on, the floor-to-ceiling window provided a panoramic view that made up for it, fostering a greater sense of connection with the ocean.
Read more: I spent $5,000 for an infinite veranda cabin on Celebrity's newest ship, and I would do it again
Sea Spirit
Jenna DeLaurentis embarked on a cruise unlike any other in 2024, sailing on Poseidon Expeditions' Sea Spirit.
"Small and mighty, the ship can accommodate just over 100 passengers at maximum capacity, leading to a stellar passenger-to-crew ratio," she noted. However, DeLaurentis loved the immersive expedition atmosphere the most.
"I sailed on the ship to the Arctic, visiting the remote archipelago of Svalbard. During my 11 nights onboard I saw polar bears, jumped into the Arctic Ocean during the Polar Plunge, enjoyed the midnight sun from the ship’s jacuzzi, and made friends with other guests, as the ship had an intimate atmosphere," she said.
The cuisine onboard also left a lasting impression. The ship's restaurant had a new menu each night with options like ahi tuna steaks, nasi goreng, and vegetable curries.
However, DeLaurentis' favorite meal was the outdoor barbecue on the top deck. She enjoyed everything from roasted meats to grilled vegetables and even a tower of cream puffs as she sailed through the Magdalena Fjord.
Another memorable aspect was the expedition guides who provided in-depth lectures on the Arctic's environment, culture, and wildlife.
MSC Seaside
When many cruisers think about vacations to the Caribbean, Eastern and Western itineraries from Florida are often the first options that come to mind. This year, however, Chantal McPhee toured the southern Antilles on MSC Seaside, visiting ports like St. Vincent, Guadeloupe, and Martinique.
"We had five port days in total, and we cruised leisurely among these stunning mountainous islands with lush jungles and crystal blue waters. Often, we were the only ship in port, a stark contrast to previous cruise experiences with busy stops in Nassau and Cozumel. Local residents didn’t seem to fuss much about cruise passengers," she explained.
McPhee walked along the streets visiting local markets and shops without encountering aggressive salespersons or cheaply made souvenirs.
While the itinerary was a highlight, she also enjoyed the ship itself: "MSC Seaside is a ship designed for the sun, and we loved all of the outdoor space—even the buffet had tons of room to eat outside. We splurged on a Yacht Club suite and had fabulous food and service while onboard."
"There was an enormous outdoor private deck, so there was no worry about finding a lounger on a sea day. We felt incredibly pampered—one of the most relaxing cruises ever!"
Read more: Why I left Royal Caribbean for MSC Cruises
Odyssey of the Seas
Another favorite cruise this year was a voyage to the Southern Caribbean on Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas. Angie Vognild thinks Odyssey is a forgotten ship in Royal's fleet, though she's one of the newest having launched in 2021.
"Odyssey of the Seas isn't huge like Icon and Utopia of the Seas, but she is the perfect size. There is something for everyone to enjoy onboard. I personally loved the Two70 venue with its unique entertainment, the skydiving simulator, and the North Star observation capsule," she shared.
Having previously sailed on Odyssey to Greece and Turkey, what made this voyage stand out was the itinerary, as she visited Aruba and Curaçao for the first time.
"I had never been to the Southern Caribbean, so being able to go there on a newer ship like Odyssey of the Seas was amazing. My mom and I had an absolute blast on our 8-night trip, and as a bonus, our cruise also visited Perfect Day at CocoCay," Vognild added.
"While our itinerary only had three stops, we truly enjoyed spending time onboard the ship because there is so much to do and experience!"
Norwegian Jewel
Sometimes, a cruise is more about the ports of call than the ship itself, especially when visiting a place like Alaska. Still, though Hayley Phillips cruised to The Last Frontier on Norwegian Jewel, a Jewel Class ship launched in 2005, she enjoyed sailing through the state's rugged beauty.
"Although the Jewel is one of the oldest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, its recent refurbishment has brought it into a modern era, with staterooms that are sleek, spacious, and very comfortable, offering a perfect cozy haven after a day of adventure," she said.
Phillips continued by mentioning the outdoor spaces perfect for soaking up the breathtaking Alaskan landscapes and the specialty restaurants: "The specialty dining was an experience in itself, with our two experiences feeling like a celebration. From the fresh seafood to the perfectly cooked steaks, the flavors felt as rich and wild as the landscapes we saw outside."
Overall, she thought Norwegian Jewel was the ideal ship to visit Alaska for the first time, and she'd happily sail onboard again.
Read more: Norwegian Cruise Line: Pros and Cons
Celebrity Apex
Allie Hubers sailed to South America, the Caribbean, and even Australia this year. However, her favorite cruise was a 7-night voyage on Celebrity Apex to Norway. Though she had cruised on Celebrity's Edge Class ships before, it was her husband's first time sailing with the line.
"We both loved the modern design of the ship with so many beautiful places to watch the scenery. There was plenty of outdoor space to take in the fjords, such as the top-deck Magic Carpet and aft-facing Eden venue," she explained.
One of her favorite memories from her vacation was sailing through the Norwegian fjords while sipping on a cocktail on the Magic Carpet.
She also thought the food was top-notch, from the buffet to the Rooftop Garden Grill, and enjoyed her deluxe porthole cabin with thoughtful amenities. Hubers particularly loved the marble accents in the living area and bathroom, as well as the purple accent colors that gave the cabin an upscale vibe.
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.
