River cruises have never been so popular, but our readers still love ocean-bound excursions too.

1.SEABOURN

Readers’ Choice Award Score: 91.8

 The highest scoring cruise line “has no negatives” and sails to Central America, the Middle East, Europe, New Caledonia, the South Pacific, and other destinations. The six-yacht fleet “sails into ports not available to larger ships.” Cabins have honey-toned woods, and “every bit of space is intelligently used.” Prior to meals at The Restaurant (a Charlie Palmer eatery), diners can sign up for a trip to a local market with the ship’s chef and dine on dishes using the chosen ingredients.

2.SILVERSEA

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 88.5

These six ships stop in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Antarctica. Guests retire to cabins with brass, marble, etched glass, and soft leathers. Off-the-beaten-path excursions yield once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from penguin spotting in Antarctica to an evening in the desert, where “the Namibian choir gave a real feeling for the culture.” In The Restaurant, “superb waitstaff” serve signature dishes from Relais & Châteaux properties; “the no-tipping policy and free-flowing drinks make you feel like a guest on someone’s yacht.” Afternoon tea, with pastries, petit fours, and piano music, is served on all the ships in the Panorama Lounge, designed to replicate the curves of the nautilus shell. The newest ship, Silver Spirit, launched in December 2009 with a spa that offers acupuncture.

3.WINDSTAR

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 85.8

The “small, intimate schooners” promise attentive service: “Staff quickly remember your favorite beverage and how to serve it.” Itineraries take in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Mediterranean. “A wide range of food choices” includes seasonal  dishes such as Tuscan shrimp and crêpes with poached pears at Degrees, and “the wine lists have a large selection.” The poolside grill Candles supplies steaks and skewers, and the line also offers certain spa treatments by the pool. Sleek cabins are “impeccably designed,” with a white, crimson, and gold palette, as well as granite countertops, porcelain sinks, and teak floors. Excursions include a painting lesson in Dubrovník and custom fragrance making in a Monte Carlo perfumery.

4.SEADREAM YACHT CLUB

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 84.5

Sailing to the Caribbean and Europe on these 112-passenger yachts is “a unique experience—the ships are small, so you get to know other travelers.” Facilities on the six decks include a pool, a whirlpool, and a casino. Staterooms, with twin or queen beds and at least one window, are “decent but a little dated,” and highlight modern Scandinavian design, dominated by tans and beiges with blue accents. Side trips, such as the one to Vieques’s bioluminescent bay, “are great—but my best memory of the sailing is the food, the people, and the service.” The ships often overnight in port, allowing guests the opportunity to experience the local nightlife.

5.LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 78.0

This fleet of small ships—passenger capacity ranges from 28 to 148—sails to rugged destinations like Arctic Svalbard, Antarctica, and the Galápagos; “the itineraries are impressive.” Thanks to the vessels’ size, “you get to know everyone, though it can feel slightly claustrophobic.” While cabin design and decor vary, all are “small and basic,” since “going on a cruise with Lindblad is about the adventure, not about luxury.” Guest speakers aboard the National Geographic Explorer include Mikhail Gorbachev and Lech Walęsa. Meals, served in the dining room, on deck, or ashore on a remote beach, “are wonderful, especially the lunches, where there is lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, and salads.” Excursions added in 2011 include expedition photography with a National Geographic–certified photo instructor. “Though this is a cruise for active adults, staff also go out of their way to entertain any children on board.”

6.CRYSTAL CRUISES

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 93.0

Starting in 2011, its two ships’ itineraries will extend to Antarctica, Alaska, and West Africa. Excursions include local volunteer programs, zip-lining in the rain forests of New Zealand, and splurges like a drive through Monte Carlo in a Lamborghini. On board, expect “the best lecturers and personalities of any cruise line.” Rooms have “more than enough hanging and drawer space, and spectacular marble bathrooms”; Crystal Penthouses come with Murano glass lamps and Swarovski chandeliers. “The true standouts are the restaurants,” which include Silk Road and the Sushi Bar, a specialty dining room where the sushi is made from sustainable seafood and “is beyond compare.” Year to year, “staff remember your favorite cocktails.” The spas use Elemis skin products, while the gyms offer Nordic Walking fitness classes.

7.REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 91.6

These three all-suite vessels sail to the ends of the earth, from New Zealand and the South Pacific to the Panama Canal and Africa. “Very comfortable” wood-paneled cabins have a lounge space, big TVs, and down comforters, and most have balconies. Restaurants are “superb and offer plenty of choices,” including steak, French, and vegetarian; breakfast and lunch at La Veranda can be taken alfresco.  Exploring the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea and zip-lining over a Chilean volcano are only two of the shore excursions. “Staff are genuinely friendly and responsive to any request.” The onboard spas are run by Canyon Ranch and offer thalassotherapy, seaweed wraps, aromatherapy, and body scrubs.

8.DISNEY

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 89.8

“We sail with Disney year after year, even though we have no children.” On these three ships, family-friendly features in rooms with nautical themes include “bathrooms with toilet rooms separate from the showers—it’s brilliant.” Dining venues include Triton’s (seafood), Parrot Cay (Caribbean), and Lumiere’s (French); “to avoid small children, choose a late seating.” Grown-ups can seek refuge at Signals, an adults-only bar on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Snorkeling on Castaway Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas, yields “lots of sunken things to discover.” Onshore diversions include a ball in St. Petersburg (guests arrive in horse-drawn carriages) and a cooking class in Tuscany. The 4,000-passengerDisney Dream debuted in January 2011; its most unique feature is AquaDuck, a 765-foot outdoor covered waterslide with twists and turns, the first of its kind on a cruise ship.

9.OCEANIA CRUISES

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 86.0

All four of Oceania’s “un-glitzy ships are perfect in size” and make stops in Europe, South America, and beyond (new Alaska trips debuted in summer 2011). Cabins have French-milled soaps, big TVs, and verandas with “great, unobstructed views.” Excursions, including a private tour of the Vatican, are the “strong point, although they’re a little bit pricey.” The “uniformly excellent” dining venues include the antique-furnished Jacques, a classic Parisian bistro masterminded by Jacques Pépin and serving dishes such as coq au vin; try the roast duck salad with watermelon and cashews at Red Ginger, where interiors showcase ebony, bronze, and handblown glass light fixtures. “Friendly, efficient staff always have a smile and a good attitude.” The 1,258-passenger Marina, the largest ship in the fleet, made its maiden voyage in January 2011.

10.AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 84.7

“It feels like you’re with family” on this Royal Caribbean offshoot where “everyone knows you.” The two “intuitively designed, modern” ships sail to Asia, the Panama Canal, Europe, and more. “Our itinerary was perfect. We had very few sea days as most of our cruising was done at night.” Onboard activities are limited on port days—onshore trips take in a jazz festival in Norway or Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval, for example—as “few people stay on the ship, although the spa facilities were still available.” Cabins are designed in the style of a small European hotel, with Egyptian cotton linens and duvets, and have 24-hour room service. The five restaurants focus on varying cuisines, from steak to Mediterranean, and offer complimentary local wines. “Meals are creative and have many healthy options.” “It’s hard not to have a wonderful time.”

11.CUNARD

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 84.2

Anticipate “elegant public spaces” and “a wide variety of excursions” from Cunard’s two liners that make transatlantic crossings and around-the-world sailings. The Queens and Princess Grill restaurants serve specialties like lobster thermidor and chateaubriand; afternoon tea in the Grills Lounge “is a true delight.” Onboard activities range from trivia games in the Golden Lion Pub to “wonderfully entertaining” evening shows. “The impeccable service is evident throughout the ship—from the cabin to the dining room to the activities staff.” Queens Grill suites come with fresh flowers, personalized Cunard stationery, fruit baskets, Fili D’Oro linens, nautical-inspired artwork, and butler service. The 2,200-square-foot Grand Duplex Suites at the aft of the Queen Mary 2 have private exercise equipment, guest bathrooms, and walk-in closets. TheQueen Elizabeth debuted in October 2010.

12.HOLLAND AMERICA

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 81.5

Offering destinations in all hemispheres, this line has 15 “huge ships where you can easily get lost, but there are always wonderful people around to assist.” Cabin decor has contemporary flourishes, but leans toward the classic—European paintings and historic photographs of Amsterdam and Nieuw Amsterdam (now known as New York City). “The cabins are well-appointed” and “always close to an elevator.” Deluxe suites have walnut wood, brushed nickel finishes, and reproduction Picasso drawings. “A good choice of restaurants” is “cleverly spread out so that each one is in a specific and interesting location”; Pinnacle Grill, on all vessels, specializes in Pacific Northwest fare. The crew is “excellent, and everyone is friendly.” Excursions include riding a Harley-Davidson in St. Maarten and a Klondike rock climbing adventure in Alaska. “The only thing that these ships lack is a space for teens to hang out with newly made friends.”

13.CELEBRITY

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 79.9

“The crew keeps the ships spotless—rails glisten, the glass is clear of smudges, and the pools sparkle.” Celebrity’s fleet sails seasonally up the East and West coasts, around the Caribbean, Europe, and South America, with year-round itineraries in the Galápagos Islands aboard the Celebrity Xpedition. Cabins are “well laid out and exceptionally comfortable.” The varied onboard activities ensure “there is something for everyone, though they’re charging for classes that used to be included in the fare.” “The shows are great—and I’m a Broadway-loving New Yorker.” Multiple restaurants include Asian, French, and Italian, but some passengers object to “charging a corkage fee for bringing your own wine to dinner.” “Good excursions” include driving a Ferrari around Rome or taking a roof tour of Stockholm, “but they’re not great value.” Crew are “very friendly and seem eager to please.” The Celebrity Silhouette joined the fleet in July 2011.

14.PRINCESS

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 79.8

Encounter an “outstanding crew” at this 17-ship line that sails to the Caribbean, South Pacific, Europe, and South America, among other destinations. “Cabins are small, but adequate and comfortable. The staff are very attentive and pleasant.” Staterooms have soft tones, wood detailing, and big TVs. Passengers choose from dinners at any time at multifold restaurants, or a fixed seating in the main dining room. “After eating at the Italian restaurant Sabatini’s once, we ate there every night. It was the best food I’ve had on a cruise ship, worth the $20 per person premium charge!” Those with walking restrictions should avoid the food court; “its layout is not conducive to people in wheelchairs or walkers.” Shore excursions are “great and well designed, but a bit pricey.” On board, the ships have “lots of charming spots in which to read, nap, or just hang out and stare at the sea.”

15.ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 76.3

“Although our ship was huge, we enjoyed it immensely. The crew has mastered crowd control; we never waited in long lines.” The fleet’s 22 vessels include the world’s two largest cruise ships afloat—the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas—and the line’s stops include ports in Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America, among others. Connecting staterooms and a variety of accommodation options make traveling with large families easy. Excursions range from historical city tours to kayaking, ice climbing, and rappelling. On board, there are a ton of activities, from rock climbing to ice skating, “but pool area seating is at a premium,” though the “friendly, upbeat crew actively solve every problem.” Restaurant Portofino, on 12 of the line’s vessels, serves “outstanding Italian.”

16.CELEBRITY

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 87.7

“The crew keeps the ships spotless—rails glisten, the glass is clear of smudges, and the pools sparkle.” Celebrity’s fleet sails seasonally up the East and West coasts, around the Caribbean, Europe, and South America, with year-round itineraries in the Galápagos Islands aboard the Celebrity Xpedition. Cabins are “well laid out and exceptionally comfortable.” The varied onboard activities ensure “there is something for everyone, though they’re charging for classes that used to be included in the fare.” “The shows are great—and I’m a Broadway-loving New Yorker.” Multiple restaurants include Asian, French, and Italian, but some passengers object to “charging a corkage fee for bringing your own wine to dinner.” “Good excursions” include driving a Ferrari around Rome or taking a roof tour of Stockholm, “but they’re not great value.” Crew are “very friendly and seem eager to please.” The Celebrity Silhouette joined the fleet in July 2011.

17.CARNIVAL

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 70.9

Built to hold 2,000-plus passengers, “these ships are geared toward families and are full of children. This meant long lines, and the shows were not as ‘Broadway-ish’ as we like them.” Carnival’s destinations include the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and the South Pacific. “I would have enjoyed more cultural excursions, but overall you get a good combination of time at sea and time in ports.”Meals offer “an okay selection for breakfast and lunch, nothing very exciting, but not bad either. The dinner staff are incredibly friendly and helpful.” Decorated in muted colors and with original artwork, cabins are “totally standard, but a little larger than I was expecting.” Despite the size of the vessels, “it’s a cinch to get around, but like most cruise ships, the gaudy decor is a little overwhelming.” Carnival Dream has a 24,000-square-foot spa.

18.NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

Readers’ Choice Awards Score: 64.3

Plying the waters of the coastal United States, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Europe, these large vessels utilize a freestyle dining concept in which passengers can eat whenever and wherever they choose—there are no formal seating times. Each ship also has signature restaurants like Cagney’s (a steak house) and Le Bistro (French, naturally) that carry an extra fee. The crew receives plaudits for its honesty—“the cocktail waiter in Dazzles Lounge [on Norwegian Dawn] accidentally overcharged us and tracked us down to correct it”—and humor—“I wanted nothing for dessert, so they brought me a plate with ‘nothing’ written in chocolate.” Anticipate shore excursions such as days at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private Bahamian island, currently undergoing upgrades. Cabins are “clean and perfectly functional.” On board, guests can “rock climb, play basketball or tennis, and even tackle a two-story Wii video game wall.”


By CNtraveler