Best Cruise Lines for Your Money, Families and Couples

Looking for the best cruise lines for your 2020 vacation?  U.S. News & World Report recently released their annual rankings of the world’s best cruises.

Find out which cruise lines offer the best value for your next cruise holiday.  The annual list also ranks the top cruise lines for families and couples.

The best cruise lines for luxury cruises as well as Caribbean and Mediterranean experience.  Here are the top five best cruise lines in six different categories.

Value for Money

Ranking is based on itinerary affordability, health ratings and reputations among experts and travellers.

1. Royal Caribbean International
2. Celebrity Cruises
3. Norwegian Cruise Line
4. Princess Cruises
5. Carnival Cruise Line

Families

Ranking is based on health ratings, reputation among experts and approval among families with both younger and older kids. 

1. Disney Cruise Line
2. Royal Caribbean International
3. Carnival Cruise Line
4. Norwegian Cruise Line
5. MSC Cruises

Couples

Ranking is based on health ratings, reputation among experts and approval among couples.  The most romantic cruise lines:

1. Viking Ocean Cruises
2. Seabourn Cruise Line
3. Crystal Cruises
4. Azamara Club Cruises
5. Oceania Cruises

Caribbean Experience

Ranking is based on each cruise line’s variety, number and percentage of Caribbean itineraries as well as approval ratings among experts and travellers.

1. Disney Cruise Line
2. Royal Caribbean International
3. Seabourn Cruise Line
4. Celebrity Cruises
5. Carnival Cruise Line

Mediterranean Experience

Ranking is based on number and variety of itineraries in the region and the line’s approval rating among experts and travellers.

1. Seabourn Cruise Line
2. Crystal Cruises
3. Viking Ocean Cruises
4. Azamara Club Cruises
5. Oceania Cruises

Luxury Cruise

Ranking is based on price class, health ratings and approval among experts and travellers.

1. Viking Ocean Cruises
2. Seabourn Cruise Line
3. Crystal Cruises
4. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
5. Azamara Club Cruises

Note that each ship’s health rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Traveller ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

The rankings serve as a useful guide, but there are a number of factors that are not considered.  Factors such as the length of the cruise, cruiser’s demographics and destinations (excluding Caribbean and Mediterranean).