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At first glance, I had snubbed the dining and lounge area as a rip-off of a generic airport coffee shop. But during my three days on Icon, I returned to the centrally located space more often than expected. But compared to the rest of my mediocre meals on Icon of the Seas — including dinner at a specialty restaurant — my complimentary pork pita wrap from the food hall's Mediterranean-inspired stall was admittedly pretty decent. The mega-ship's food hall wasn't nearly as diverse or exciting as the one on Norwegian Prima. I spent my time there perched at one of its in-water loungers, contently splashing my legs around the water, wondering if I actually hated cruises.
Princess® Rewards Visa® Card
The smallest of the big ships in this category, with its 1,523 cabins and suites, is the Celebrity Reflection of the Celebrity Cruises fleet, which claims the No. 1 mega-ship position. (You'll find the rest of the Celebrity Cruises fleet recognized in the new large-ship category.) Of the Reflection, one voter wrote, "Always world-class service and amenities." A new category for Travel + Leisure's World’s Best Awards — the best intimate-ship ocean cruise lines — recognizes the smallest ships sailing the great blue sea. Coming in close behind Celebrity Cruises in this category is first-time World's Best Awards winner Virgin Voyages, the new adults-only, all-inclusive cruise line.
Quiet Season Mediterranean
Consider bringing your own snorkeling equipment and reef boots to save on rental fees, if you're planning on snorkeling at multiple destinations. From Sydney to either Honolulu or Seattle, be prepared to cross hemispheres and visit the best (and most beautiful) South Pacific islands. Navigate beyond the familiar and into the extraordinary with our newest collection of Tropics and Exotics voyages. Experience the crossroads of ancient traditions and futuristic trends in Asia.
Princess Cruises – Find The Best Cruise For You
Meanwhile, transpacific cruises go from Sydney to the U.S., with plenty of white-sand-beach-filled South Pacific ports in between. Take in sweeping views of the Pacific while stopping in exotic ports to see the secluded beaches of Vanuatu or the volcanic vistas of Hawaii. "They're the best," said one traveler, who recalled a trip on the Seabourn Encore. "We never take a cruise on any other line. The accommodations are beautiful and comfortable, the service superb, and the food delicious and varied." Other voters had similarly high praise for what Seabourn offered. "Excellent service, attractive ship with plenty of open space, and cabins are nicely appointed," said one voter about the Seabourn Encore.
SeaDream Yacht Club
I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms, which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony, and two steps below a suite. Icon of the Seas has plenty of live music venues — including rowdy karaoke and dueling pianos bars, if that counts. But if you're a jazz fan or looking for a peaceful nightcap, none of these options will top the live music at Lou's Jazz 'n Blues. It's the first show-at-sea I've seen with a waterfall and nine-foot-tall robotic arms, and so far, it's one of my favorites.
Enjoy several different eateries with diverse menus, indulge in a yoga or meditation class, enjoy evenings with never-before-seen-at-sea immersive and modern entertainment, or try your luck at the casino. Stay connected with Wi-Fi wherever you are on the ship and whenever you want, and relax on your journey – because all food, tips, group workouts and basic beverages are included in a one-cabin price. The best large-ship cruise lines, according to Travel + Leisure readers, prove that, when it comes to entertainment on the high seas, bigger is definitely better.
The customizable Mediterranean-style wrap at the five-stall food hall
Adults-only deck areas and poolside movie screens were largely Princess innovations, and the fleet's atriums (called Piazzas) drove the idea of an atrium gathering place, filled with dining and drinking options. Enjoy the discovery experience of a lifetime as we reveal the many wonders of the world’s magnificent oceans and waterways from the elegant surroundings of Scenic Eclipse. Those who've never been on a Disney cruise might be tempted to think they're only for families, and while they certainly excel in that arena, they deliver for adults as well. Strong yet subtle theming caters to Disney lovers of all ages, and the live stage productions rank among the best at sea. While grown-ups enjoy the fleet's adults-only areas, little ones participate in children's program unmatched by other cruise lines.
Cruise week report: Cruise tourist traps to avoid, NCL's best-kept secret, what you need to know about sharing ... - Cruise Blog
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Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world. The best cruise lines for small ships, according to Travel + Leisure readers, are the ones that develop a sense of camaraderie onboard. Bring your inner child along for the cruise, but leave the kids at home for adult-by-design voyages on Virgin.
The 5 Best Large-ship Ocean Cruise Lines in 2022
Some offer long days at sea, while others provide ample time in diverse ports of call. Some offer megaships packed with entertainment, while others set sail on intimate yachts. To find the top ocean cruise lines, a panel of experts and 10Best editors made their nominations, then readers voted for their favorites. Royal Caribbean also offers deals based on departure ports and destinations, so if you’re a flexible traveler looking for great savings, you can plan your next vacation around which itineraries are on sale. Just check your email or visit RoyalCaribbean.com/cruise-deals to stay up to date on promotions, sales and special offers. You can even browse sailings and deals by homeport, destination and season, so you can rest assured you’re getting the best possible deal no matter when or where in the world you choose to set sai.
During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world, but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. There's a reason Royal Caribbean's new mega-cruise ship is only operating seven-night sailings. Yes, please keep me updated with the latest special offers, travel inspiration, product updates, and event invites. Discover awe-inspiring destinations to plan your ultra-luxury journey of a lifetime.
Carnival Cruise Line caters to families and casual cruisers with its fleet of ships. Royal Caribbean International designed its fleet with the active cruiser in mind. Sure, you can laze away sea days on a deck lounger or in the ship library, but you can also go rock climbing, skydiving, zip-lining, surfing, ice skating or bowling – all at sea.
Every ship in the fleet offers a range of delicious complimentary dining options, but you can dig into even more crave-worthy flavor by purchasing a Specialty Dining Package for less ahead of your cruise. Add a Specialty Beverage Package — which includes unlimited alcoholic beverages, soda, and more — and your experience is as close to all-inclusive as it gets. And with so many complimentary shows and attractions onboard, you can easily fill every sea day without spending a single dollar extra.
Transpacific and transatlantic cruises offer plenty of relaxing days at sea, plus exciting stops at idyllic, beach-filled islands and cities bustling with life and culture. On the Paul Gauguin, a sense of place permeates everything from the Polynesian-influenced décor and color palette to the local cuisine travelers sample onboard. Resident performers, known as Les Gauguines, share Polynesian culture through dance, music, and storytelling. Passengers explore island history and enjoy watersports such as snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding, including from the beaches of two private motu. There are plenty of ways to get more bang for your buck when you sail on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising. Princess Cruises' line of large and mega-sized ships sail nearly everywhere big ships can go, and they do so with traditional style and innovative touches.
For the 2022 World's Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure adjusted the cruise categories to reflect changes in the industry and travelers' experiences. Ship categories are now based on the number of cabins, and the large-ship category now covers ships with 800 to 1,499 cabins. Several previous large-ship awardees, including Viking Ocean Cruises and Seabourn, have moved to the midsize-ship category. The World's Best Awards cruise categories are now based on the number of cabins, rather than passenger capacity.
Lounge in the white sand and turquoise waters of Mystery Island in Vanuatu. See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021. You can sail to the far corners of the globe on our small, luxurious ships, but you’ll always feel like you’re coming home to family.
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