Set sail with the best: guests weigh in on their favourite cruise ships

Cruise liners around the world were honoured at the 10th Cruise News Awards, held in Melilla, Spain. 

The awards aim to recognise excellence in various categories, including cruise line performance, onboard experiences and specific ship features.

The winners are based on rankings submitted by Cruiseline.com community members who sailed and reviewed cruises from January through December 2024. 

This year cruise operator Royal Caribbean received nine awards including the best mainstream cruise line, best cruise ship and best new cruise ship of the year.

Other lines that received recognition included Celebrity Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Viking River Cruises.

Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises, which operates in Africa through Cruise Vacation, scooped two awards for Best Ultra-Luxury Cruise Line and Best Expedition Cruise Line.

According to a statement by the liner, Silversea's reputation is built on its commitment to providing all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruising experiences.

"Silversea is renowned for its all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruising, offering spacious ocean-view suites, personalised butler service and world-class dining. Its innovative S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program provides immersive culinary experiences inspired by the destinations visited."

Silversea’s fleet includes purpose-built expedition ships that take guests to the most remote corners of the world, including Antarctica, the Galápagos and the Arctic.

Guests onboard can indulge in spacious ocean-view suites, personalised butler service and culinary delights from world-class dining venues.

The top-rated port destination award winners included Willemstad in Curaçao and Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay in The Bahamas.

Jamie Cash, chief operating officer of Cruiseline.com said: "Congratulations to all the cruise lines, ships and ports recognised in our 2025 Cruiseline.com Member Choice Awards.

We appreciate all who took the time to share their vacation experiences and insights, enabling us to create these annual rankings.

"We extend our congratulations to Royal Caribbean for their outstanding performance in this year's rankings, as well as to the other leading cruise lines, ships and destinations, for earning exceptional ratings from reviewers."

Below is an abridged list of winners:

Best Mainstream Cruise Line (Top 5)

1. Royal Caribbean

2. Celebrity Cruises

3. Princess Cruises

4. Holland America Line

5. Carnival Cruise Line

Best Premium Cruise Line (Top 5)

1. Viking Ocean Cruises

2. Windstar Cruises

3. Azamara Cruises

4. Cunard

5. Oceania Cruises 

Best Luxury Cruise Line (Top 4)

1. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

2. Seabourn

3. Silversea Cruises

4. Crystal

Best Cruise Line - Food and Dining (Top 5)

1. Celebrity Cruises

2. Royal Caribbean

3. Virgin Voyages

4. Viking Ocean Cruises

5. Holland America Line

Best Cruise Ship - Service (Top 5)

1. Icon of the Seas

2. Vision of the Seas

3. Harmony of the Seas

4. Utopia of the Seas

5. Celebrity Silhouette