2018 Best Cruise Lines – U.S. News & World Report

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U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today announced the 2018 Best Cruise Lines rankings, evaluating 165 ships in 17 top cruise lines across six categories – up from 15 cruise lines last year. The rankings help travelers select the best cruise by brand, region, traveler type and budget. In response to the popularity of the small ship luxury cruising market and with the addition of CDC evaluations, U.S. News expanded the rankings to include two cruise lines that are upscale traveler favorites, Viking Ocean Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line.

New to the list this year, Viking Ocean Cruises snags the No. 1 spot as the Best Cruise Line in the Mediterranean by offering a high percentage of itineraries in the region and including one complimentary excursion in each cruise port. Royal Caribbean is named the No. 1 Best Cruise Line for the Money, with Disney Cruise Line topping the list again for both the Best Cruise Line for Families and the Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean for the fifth consecutive year. Crystal Cruises continues its reign as the Best Luxury Cruise Line, but Seabourn, also new to the rankings this year, takes the No 1. spot for the Best Cruise Line for Couples by offering intimate ships and an abundance of fine dining options on board.

The methodology for the Best Cruise Lines rankings factors in expert evaluations of cruise ship quality, reputation among travelers, results from health assessments conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other factors such as price class and itinerary offerings.

2018 U.S. News Best Cruise Lines Rankings

For the Money                                                                                                 

  1. Royal Caribbean International
  2. Celebrity Cruises
  3. Norwegian Cruise Line

For Luxury

  1. Crystal Cruises
  2. Seabourn Cruise Line
  3. Viking Ocean Cruises

For Families    

  1. Disney Cruise Line
  2. Royal Caribbean International
  3. Carnival Cruise Lines

For Couples

  1. Seabourn Cruise Line
  2. Viking Ocean Cruises
  3. Crystal Cruises

In the Mediterranean

  1. Viking Ocean Cruises
  2. Seabourn Cruise Line
  3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

In the Caribbean

  1. Disney Cruise Line
  2. Royal Caribbean International
  3. Celebrity Cruises

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