Ranking Cruise Lines from Worst to Best: Top Picks for 2025
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- The cruise industry is constantly changing, especially post-pandemic. With brand-new cruise ships launching each year and cruise fares increasing substantially, the cruising landscape has shifted in the last few years.
Cruises are also more popular than ever before with millions of passengers setting sail each year. With increasing demand comes an increase in pricing. Even with increased travel costs, you can still find great value in cruising.
Further, it’s very important to choose the right cruise line for you. Everyone has a different travel style, cruise budget, and needs with their vacation. Choosing the wrong cruise line - or even the wrong cruise ship - can lead to massive disappointment. No one wants to waste their hard-earned money on the wrong vacation.
We always emphasize how a little bit of research can go a long way. Determining the right cruise line is the first step towards a fantastic vacation. In this article, we will explore and review the most popular cruise lines. Our worst-to-best cruise line rankings are strictly based on opinion and personal experiences. Remember, there is a cruise line out there for everyone!
Learn more about cruising: cruise.blog/
Follow us on Facebook: / thecruiseblog
Follow us on Instagram: / mycruiseblog
Follow us on TikTok: / cruise.blog
Ah- we disagree with the NCL ranking! We had the best time on Norwegian Encore in 2024. We didn't feel like they tried to upcharge us at all, so it definitely depends on each individual experience. 😊
Sitting at the airport to go home from our Celebrity cruise which was on the Ascent. By far nicest ship I’ve been on and the service is unmatched on Celebrity. Got two more cruises booked so far for this year and we will only sail with Celebrity.
I just disembarked Celebrity Constellation for my 50th Celebrity sailing. I totally agree with your pick for #1 spot. They do EVERYTHING correctly. I'm back onboard CS on the 16th for my 18th sailing on the ship.
Thank you for your review. We have cruised on Carnival, DCL and RCCL and pretty much agree with everything you’ve said. Because I have been disappointed with the food on RCCL, I’ve been looking at Virgin or Celebrity. Your review is enlightening.
After almost 20 RCCL cruises, we decided to take the plunge on Celebrity. The ship was amazingly beautiful. The clientele was upscale as was expected. However, the complimentary food wasn't mind blowing as expected, and the "status match" was absolutely lacking. Free drinks only during Happy Hour, but a very limited menu. NO tequila available. NO Crown Royal available. They had several vodkas available, but wouldn't even make drinks that weren't on "the list", even though they had the vodka. Somewhat disappointed for just about double the RCCL price point.
We had a great time on Margaritaville at Sea Islander!!! Can’t wait to go again!
Disney is in my opinion #1. Their service quality and the way they handle hospitality is the best around the world and includes their cruises.
Carnival is definitely the fun ship.
The actual ship/cruise is more important than the cruise line
MSC is not the best. If you are working and get limited time off, likely best to go with a more luxury line. If you are retired, MSC allows you to take 2 cruises for about the cost of one celebrity or princess cruise. Plus the pizza on MSC is IMO the best free pizza. So yes MSC is not perfect, but you will have a great time and the price will allow you either get a nicer cabin or the drink package or a second cruise. We have taken 3 MSC cruises and have a 4th booked. The one we just booked was $900 for 2 people including taxes and fees, not gratuities. That is the kind of deal we love. We have sailed 21 cruises and have 6 booked between now and Feb 2026. Will we go on Celebrity the first time in April and have heard great things. We have sailed a lot on Princess and love the Medallion class ships and how laid back they are. The Discovery Princess was amazing and I think had some of the best shows we have seen on a cruise ship, along with Royal Harmony. Thanks for your videos, keep them coming.
As far as I have seen so far all their handicap cabins are inside cabins only.
We’ve only sailed with RC so far. Harmony in April will be our third cruise. We’ve looked at MSC but have been too scared to try them out!
Don't be scared of MSC. You will have a great time even if things are not perfect. If you get a day at Ocean Cay it will make it even better, plus you can save some money and get a nice cabin or the drink package or simply save that money. I have done enough cruises to tell you that a cruise it what you make of it. So if you find a great deal and a great itinerary that works for you, book it and go have a great time.
@ Thanks so much!
any chance that the clip of ncl joy on 0:11 is during or around thanksgiving 2024 in costa maya? I was on this cruise(ncl joy was beautiful!) and remember seeing freedom and a carnival ship in costa maya that day
Celebrity hands down
No Holland America? But yet you have Margaritaville At Sea?
Sailed Disney last year for the first time, and preferred NCL. Sailing Celebrity this year for the first time and have high expectations.
I loooove celebrity 🎉
I’ve cruised and had a great time on all of them, bit in my humble opinion which in reality that’s all we do here, my list is as such:
#1 Disney, #2 NCL, #3 Virgin, #4 Royal, #5 Princess, #6 Celebrity, and bringing up the rear is Carnival.
You hit the nail on the head with Royal Caribbean dining. I love their ships, and Coco Cay is amazing, but the "included" food will leave you disappointed if you have high expectations. The push to get guests to visit expensive specialty restaurants is unmistakable. Overall, a cruise on most RC ships is fantastic, but the included dining choices aren't great.
Celebrity is my new favorite, Virgin was my favorite prior to going on Edge. NCL was my first cruise, and I loved it but it has dropped to my least favorite (of the lines I've sailed) as their service has dropped while costs increased.
For me
So far…
1.Carnival
2. Royal C.
3. Princess
4. Disney
5. Norwegian
You are right the buffet on the silhouette was out of this world. The buffet on the constellation Was just the opposite
RCCL is planning on dry docking older ships: Vision Class in about two years. Capt on Enchantment said so this past Jan ‘25. They are paying attention to older ships. Once discovery starts rolling out.
MSC is rated way too low at #8 due to cost/value. Sure I would like to travel on Royal/NCL but MSC is a ridiculous value thus we don't travel on the other lines as much. There is always the MSC Yacht Club as well basically for the regular Royal price. BTW: Carnival Celebration Excel class is a nice upgrade for Carnival. MSC is cheaper than Carnival as well. Not taking price into the equation results in bad rankings.
Damn, we're booked on the Royal Princess for Alaska this September and it got straight up CALLED OUT.
I was the on Royal Princess for New Zealand/Australia, I really enjoyed myself. With that being said, I'm not sure how it would be for Alaska though. I will say that the entertainment was very poor.
Strongly disagree about MSC. We have sailed them several times and found the entertainment much better that RC that I just got off. he food is cruise food, none of them have the best food on earth. However the Butchers Cut on MSC was leaps and bounds ahead of RC steakhouse
We too had a great time on MSC Euribia although the thing we didn't enjoy was their parties in their main deck. It was chaos trying to get to a show or leaving one because of the parties in the high traffic areas.
Celebrity has lost many solo travelers, their solo fees are INSANE!!!!
HAL-CELEBRITY-PRINCESS are our best choices
We have done two 7 night sailings on Carnival last year and both times the cabins were comfortable and the food was excellent. However, Carnival's value has eroded over the last few months. Double Digit and frequent increases in prices of their Cheers! package, WiFi, bottled water, etc., have been crazy. Another cruise creator just did a video of the cheapest 7 night sailings among 20 different cruise brands and Carnival was 6th out of 20 where top rated Celebrity was 8th or 9th and per person/per day charges were not that much more expensive.
I don’t agree with all the choices from worst to best but i think the list is close to rankings. I would prefer NCL before Carnival, though. I do like the solo cabins on NCL with the solo lounge.
For this year I am booked with Margaritaville, Carnival, MSC, and Princess! I have Holland booked, but I think I am going to cancel that one.
I would swap your ratings for Princess and Carnival. We love Princess and can’t stand Carnival.
So only cruise lines that sail from North America in this video. Oceania and Viking are really good but they only don’t do Caribbean
Folks need to book on the Islander for MAS!
I just booked NCL Luna... Can't wait! NCL More at Sea is a good buy.
I watch a lot of cruise content on UA-cam and have talked to friends who have recently cruised and found a disturbing trend. If you purchase speciality dining on certain lines, you will get tremendous food quality, but if you dont, the food quality stinks. Had friends who went on RC and Princess and both couples stating that the buffet and standard food offerings were no better then a high school cafeteria. Anyone else care to elaborate?
Personally I think it depends totally on the ship.
It starts from the top. If you have a good captain and officers, then the crew and the ship are usually 👍🏻
We have our favourite ship to sail on, and judging from comments in other uploads so do many people.
MSC is probably going to beat royal here soon with the release of their new ship. Same vibes for half the price and they have an affordable drink package compare to others, very similar to ncl imo. Ive cruised 3 times in my life (carnival, royal and ncl) and i am cruising this year June on the new world america! i cant wait. I dunno what to pick next, Celebrity or virgin? any recommendations?
I agree with them beating RC soon. I'm booked on World America for September.
Po cruises are the best because not everyone wants kids on board ship and po have 2 ships which are just for adults
book the MSC America’s Yacht club. The personal service is so far above any cruise line,,, and 1/2 the price of RC,,,without all the high priced up charges from ship and coco cay
We cruise about half the year and I agree with most of these rankings. I would actually rank Holland America number 3 ahead of Royal.
I don't get the constant messaging that NCL "nickel and dimes" people. I sailed all the big 3 cruise lines and found no more "up charges" than other lines
I was disappointed that you didn't rate Holland america. Any reason why you left them out?
Our staff hasn’t sailed on the line yet! We hope to soon 🙂
Am I seeing things or was that Crème Brûlée being served in a red solo cup on Margaritaville at Sea?
Pay more for a Disney cruise? $300 p/p per night for an interior room? No thanks
Holland America finished behind Margaritaville?
which totally renders this ranking useless....
Just got off Holland Rotterdam last week. They are tops on service and food compared to Celebrity which I sailed on the Beyond last year. Infinity Balconies are noisy and the 4 main dining rooms are a mess. Pros and cons on each cruise line.
@@Boomer-d8dmy infinite balcony didn't make any noise!
Ive mostly sailed Princess but also Celebrity, Carnival and Oceania. Best, by far, is Oceania! I did their world cruise plus an additional 1 month, so was on the ship for 7 straight months in a suite...totally spoiled me!
Oceania is considered PREMIUM unlike these other lines.
Have to agree on the Celebrity rating esp the buffet
But, Celebrity Edge here in Australia was way more expensive than Solstice or Eclipse
But still enjoyed the Celebrity product suits us “ retirees “
🇦🇺❤️🚢
The fact that you rated DCL so high invalidated this review. They cost 3-6 times the price of RCL or other lines for the same itineraries. With no better service and the food was pathetic, except for Palo and Remy. It NEVER came out hot, had no flavor and the staff was pathetic. The servers were pushy and obnoxious. The cabin stewards couldn't make a proper bed to save their lives. Not one of the show executed without a problem. The ship we were on the dream, even had a flood and the buffet had such bad HVAC that the ceiling vibrated. One ONE drink station worked completely, there were bugs all over, and that's just a few of the low lights. Unless you absolutely HAVE to see corporate disney characters, save your money and go elsewhere, almost ANY where else would be better for the money spent!
Which ship was it? Was it Disney Magic?
@@LKA-si7ln No, it was the Dream. I would've given the Magic more of a pass as she was the first and the oldest. But actually, the crew of the Magic seems to care more about that ship than ANY other crew of any other DCL ship. Maybe because it was the first and set the standard, or maybe the pride of serving on the first ship, still means something, as it wasn't just another corporate thing for them. But when on that ship MANY years before she was MUCH better than the Dream is. I don't know about now though as corporate disney has their sights set on ruining everything that came BEFORE current management!
I have cruised on 3 RC ships and 2 MSC ships, (doing MSC America’s in Jan 26, and Star of the seas in Sept 26). RC has better shows and food offerings,,but for the yacht club experience on MSC,, Its half the price of Skyclass RC. There is NO way that MSC would be number 8 on anyones list!! I’m assuming you were funded heavy from Royal Carribean??
oooo both those ships i could dream of boarding, my family hates anything then disney lol (i love disney too) but i’d like to try an msc and rc cruise
NCL's biggest downfall is the absolute terrible reputation in customer service. All the horror stories online of their we don't care about you attitude they give off. I considered them until the horror stories you find to often.
If you don’t have kids virgin is #1 over all
Have you sailed on Viking? They are also adults only, out of my price range, but I've seen they routinely are rated number one in the industry.
Msc is wayyy too low.
Our travel agent won't book Carnival cruises as the quality is so poor and so many guests have been disappointed
so do I when I was a Travel A.
Honestly ranking cruise lines is actually a waste of space unless you clearly define the criteria, like ship age, ship size, demographic of the passenger that judges, (age, with kids or not and nationality) , season when cruised and even cruise destination as a cruise in Alaska or the Caribbean will automatically attracts difference customers. Price also is part of it. Expect the same experience in a cheap cruise versus an expensive one? Compare a Megaship RC cruise in Alaska with a smaller MSC Cruise in Europe. You even add in the Private islands as part of this, that is only applicable on Caribbean sailings. Ask kids to rank this. Sure Virgin Voyages comes on top😂 (stoaways?) furthermore you do not even have HAL on the list, although a mainline cruise line based in US with many ships? Obviously this is an US view as many European Cruiselines that provides English language cruises are missing. As such I would not take this with any level of seriousness.
Stowaways?????
I’m shocked to see Celebrity at the top. I’ve only heard that it’s too expensive for what you get, thus, not worth it.
just book a deal or repositioning cruise
Celebrity is COMPLETELY worth what you pay. I've been on all 3 classes and would recommend any of them to friends. Just fantastic cruises on beautiful ships with an awesome crew and staff!
Your ranking cruise lines are from worst to worst, not best in your list.
Carnival saying that they target kids as their demographic is diabolical. I’m not trying to make my kids fight their way through their vacation.😂😂
Carnival cruises have a lot of kids during the summer school vacation and sailings over Christmas. Fights happen on every cruise line, not just Carnival.
@ fights happen on every line, but with carnival they happen on every ship 😂
Watched too many videos lately on Celebrity with their joining in the nickel and dime club. Too many videos that show poor service, poor excursions and overpriced dining. The infinite veranda is a horrible concept and even worse in execution. No thanks. They can stay in the not ever category of NCL, Carnival and RCCL as far as my money goes. Will be staying with VV for the most part and looking forward to HAL and Explora.
Disney should be higher. And is hardly any more expensive than any other line after the others are done adding all the extras that are included with Disney.
Margarita; Personally I will not even look at a cruise shorter than 5 days so not for me.
Not sure how Disney is ranked above several other given there high prices.
It's Disney's quality of service. You can go to your butcher and get a pound of hamburger or a pound of filet mignon. They are both meat and both weigh a pound but you pay more for the filet. It's because of the quality.
disney just has that expensive *magic* (coming from a DCL fan)
Couldn't agree more on MSC. When I first started cruising, I booked a bunch of cheap MSC cruises simply because they were cheap. But of course, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. The food is mediocre at best, and surprisingly repetitive in choice as the days go by. At this point, I doubt I would ever try them again. They're just permanently subpar in my mind now.
MSC is better than Carnival, Royal and NCL!!