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CRUISE Part 5: The Best Lines

If you have cruised, you'd probably be surprised to learn which cruise lines have risen to near the top in a wide variety of ship sizes.  It was seven years ago when I was on a Tauck European River Cruise, which was then rated #1.  In fifth place was Viking.  I'll later let you know where they now rank in this category.  The other surprise is Norwegian Cruise Line, for they ply the islands of Hawaii, and are okay...but really good?  We'll see.

So, anyway, here is how Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked cruise lines:

  • Mega Ships (more than 4000 passengers).
    • #3 is Norwegian Cruise Line.
      • Their first was the Norwegian Epic in 2010, which could carry just over 5000 passengers.
      • They now have five others.  For those seeking a more mature environment, sail on the Norwegian Bliss (right).  Generally sails out of Seattle, Los Angeles and sometimes Miami.  
        • Cheapest cabin listed from $60-$120/day, although I noticed that there is a 15-day cruise from Miami to Los Angeles, departing on 25February2023 for only $43/day, although I checked further and saw that an inside cabin was at $63/day, balcony $128/day, and suite $160/day, with free beverage and internet packages.
    • #2 is MSC Cruises, which has five of the 15 largest ships in the world, capable of holding between 5300 and 6300, with four more in the pipeline.
      • Newest is MSC Seashore
    • #1 is Royal Caribbean International.
      • Operates five of the largest cruise ships in the world:  Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.
    • Their newest is Wonder of the Seas, six times larger than the Titanic, and can carry 9300 passengers.
      • 14 night Barcelona to Cape Canaveral, departing 30October2022, $132/night.  No free anything.
  • Large Ship (2500 to 4000 passengers)
    • #10  Royal Caribbean International
    • #9    Carnival
    • #8    MSC
    • #7    Princess
    • #6    Cunard
    • #5    Holland America
    • #4    Disney
    • #3    Celebrity
    • #2   Virgin
    • #1    Norwegian
      • There will be six Prima-class ships.
      • In August of this year came the first, Norwegian Prima (above right), their luxury liner.  Sticks to Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean, with October/November in the Mediterranean.  
        • Departing on 20November2023 from Barcelona to New York, a balcony cabin with free beverage, internet and dining packages for $267/day.
      • Coming will be the Norwegian Viva next year.
  • Medium ships (500 to 2500 passengers)
    • #10   P&O
    • #9    Azamara
    • #8    Holland America
    • #7    Cunard
    • #6    Disney
    • #5    Silversea
    • #4  Regent Seven Seas:  noted to be the real deal, for everything is covered, even intercontinental business class travel.  The ships carry 750 passengers on a ship that is not small, so cabins are large.  Next year will come Regent Seven Seas Grandeur.
    • #3  Seabourn:  said to be akin to mega yachts with fine dining.  Ships only carry 600 passengers, so can go almost anywhere.
    • #2    Oceania:  two new 1200-passenger ships coming in 2023 and 2025.
    • #1   Viking Ocean Cruises
      • Yes, that same Viking that was average seven years ago.
      • At one time they only cruised rivers.  Since 2015, with the newest being the Viking Mars, they launched seven ocean-going vessels.
      • All 900 passengers in balcony staterooms.
      • Free beer and wind with lunch and dinner, plus unlimited WiFi.  Coming this year will be the Viking Neptune and Viking Saturn in 2023.
    • Note that Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean did NOT make the top ten.
  • Small Ships (fewer than 500 passengers).
    • #5    Seabourn
    • #4    American Cruise Lines
    • #3    Silversea
    • #2    Paul Gauguin
    • #1    Ponant
      • Fine French cuisine and personalized service.
  • River ships
    • #3    Tauck
    • #2 American Cruise Lines:  paddlewheelers in America.
    • #1    Viking River Cruises
      • Viking now has 60 river ships, not only in Europe, but the Volga, Nile and Mekong rivers.
  • Expedition ships
    • #3    Lindblad-National Geographic:  15 vessels holding from 28-148.
    • #2    Viking:  only launched in 2020.
    • #1    Ponant
      • Or more completely, Compagnie du Ponant, a French cruise ship operator founded in 1988.
      • Has eleven ships.
      • One of their ships was in 2008 seized by Somali pirates.
      • Has an icebreaking expedition cruise ship.
        • Their Le Commandant Charcot is the first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas.
        • 14 nights from next year will start at $24,140 ($1725/night).
      • Purchased Paul Gauguin Cruises in 2019, and had a serious COVID-19 problem in 2020 on the MS Paul Gauguin in Tahiti.
      • Can be very expensive.
I'll close with a summary of Viking Cruises:
  • Three divisions, river (76 ships), ocean (6 ships) and expedition (1).
  • First established in 1997 out of St. Petersburg, Russia by Torstein Hagen through Russian oligarchs.
  • Bought KD River Cruises of Europe, bringing Viking's fleet to 26 ships.
  • In 2013 christened 10 ships on the same day, and the following year added 16 ships christened over two days.
  • Ocean division formed in 2013.
  • Hopes to have six vessels operating on the Mississippi River by 2027.
    • Departs Fort Lauderdale on December 22.
    • Comes to Honolulu on January 15, 2023.
    • Transits Suez Canal on April 14.
    • Docks in London on May 9, so this is not a full global journey.
    • Prices started at around $50,000/person, double occupancy, which included everything, including business class air travel.
    • Sold out.
  • Their next 138-day world cruise departs Fort Lauderdale on 20December2023 for $60.000/person, goes up to $200,000/person, and includes everything you'll want.   All have veranda, and cabins are mostly sold out
  • Is developing cruise ship to be powered by liquid hydrogen.
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