The best cruise ships of 2025, according to Cruise Critic users and editors are in. Here are the results of the 2025 winners. Each year, Cruise Critic publishes its anticipated “ Best in Cruise Awards” as a result of Cruise Critic’s global team of editors reviewing the comments and ratings made by their members and based on their own appreciation of their travel experience.
Since last year, the awards are given according to the cruise categories: ocean, luxury, river and expedition.
Best Cruise Ships 2025
This year’s people’s choice awards are the same for the Ocean brands, but in the expedition category, smaller players make their way in the cruise critics users favourite brands.
The winners of the best dining category remains the same as last year which shows how constant those brands are regarding the culinary experience.
Virgin is doing well this year in the ocean category: Best Cruise Line 2025, Best Dining, Best Entertainment and Best LGBTQ.
One surprise is MSC cruise being nominated in the Family category often won by Disney. The launch of their new ships is a key factor behind this gain for MSC.
A new Best for Remote Workers category is introduced this year. The quality of wifi and the quiet space are the criteria for this new award.
Here’s the full list of the best cruise ships of 2025:
*Same winner as last year
Best New Ship
Ocean : Celebrity Xcel
Luxury : Oceania Allura
River : Ama Magdalena - AmaWaterways
Best Cruise Line
Ocean : Virgin Voyages
Luxury : Explora Journeys *
River : Avalon Waterways
Expedition : National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions *
Cruisers’ Choice from Cruise Critic members
Ocean:
- Margaritaville at Sea *
- Virgin Voyages *
- Celebrity Cruises *
Luxury :
- Viking
- Explora Journeys *
- Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
River :
- Avalon Waterways *
- Viking
- Emerald River Cruises
Expedition :
- Aqua Expeditions
- Quasar Expeditions
- Quark Expeditions
Best Cabins
Ocean : Disney Cruise Line
Luxury : Explora Journeys
River : Avalon Waterways *
Expedition : Seabourn *
Best Suites : Royal Caribbean *
Best Suites Complex : MSC Yacht Club *
Best Dining
Ocean : Virgin Voyages *
Luxury : Explora Journeys *
River : Riverside Luxury Cruises *
Expedition : Scenic *
Best Specialty Dining : Celebrity Cruises *
Best for Service
Ocean : Holland America Line *
Luxury : Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
River : Scenic
Expedition : Aqua Expeditions
Best Value for Money
Ocean : Carnival Cruise Line *
Luxury : Windstar
River : Gate 1 Travel *
Expedition : Swan Hellenic
Best for Families
Ocean : MSC Cruises
Luxury : Explora Journeys *
River : Adventures by Disney *
Best for Remote Workers
Ocean : Royal Caribbean
Luxury : Viking
River : Viking
Best for Solo Travelers
Ocean : Norwegian Cruise Line *
Luxury : Oceania Cruises
River : American Cruise Lines *
Best for LGBTQ+
Ocean : Virgin Voyages *
Luxury : Azamara
River : Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Expedition : Quasar Expeditions
Best for Couples
Ocean : Princess Cruises *
Luxury : SeaDream Yacht Club
River : Viva Cruises
Best for Adventure
Quark Expeditions *
Best for Active Cruisers
Avalon Waterways
Best for First Timers
Viking
Best Light Expedition
Viking *
Best for Luxury
River : Riverside Luxury Cruises
Expedition : Silversea *
Best Entertainment
Ocean : Virgin Voyages
River : Scenic *
Best Nightlife
Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Spa
Ocean : Norwegian Cruise Line *
Luxury : Viking *
Expedition : Viking *
Best Enrichment
Ocean : Cunard
Luxury : Viking
River : AmaWaterways
Best Digital Experience
Princess Cruises
Best for Entertainment and Enrichment
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
Best Itineraries
Ocean : Holland America
Luxury : Crystal Cruise
Expedition : Ponant *
Best Private Destination
Perfect Day at CocoCay *
Best Shore Excursions
Oceania Cruises *
Best North American Homeport
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Best Cruise lines for destinations
Alaska : UnCruise Adventures *
Antarctica : Quark Expeditions
Arctic : Ponant *
Galapagos : National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions *
