Cruise Lines reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 558 Reddit reviews across 9 subreddits and 66 posts to rank the best Cruise Lines brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Cruise, r/Cruises, r/AskReddit, r/travel, r/childfree. Top-rated brands include Virgin Voyages (4.5/5), Royal Caribbean (4.0/5), Norwegian Cruise Line (4.2/5).

Stats

Reviews558

Subreddits9

Posts66

Brands62

Products38

Top communities

r/Cruise486 r/Cruises41 r/AskReddit8 r/travel7 r/childfree5

558 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

Virgin Voyages

4.5

(75)

"Virgin Voyages is your best bet. They are great at all those things."

"Best food would be on Virgin, but their entertainment sucks. Best cocktails are on Carnival. Best entertainment would be on Royal or NCL."

"Out of Royal, Carnival and Virgin Voyages, VV was leaps and bounds ahead of the others"

"Based on what you described, I’d recommend checking out Virgin Voyages or Norwegian Cruise Line. Virgin is adults-only, has a younger, social vibe."

"Virgin 100%."

"It’s virgin for sure. Could do others but Virgin likely to be the best fit."

"#1 for us is Virgin, but they aren't exactly family friendly."

"Virgin voyage hands down"

"Virgin for sure!!"

"Virgin Voyages!"

Royal Caribbean

4.0

(55)

"Royal Caribbean as they are really the best company out there for all around cruise ship experience."

"I thought the food on RC's Wonder was better in pretty much every single regard."

"Try Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Great Food and family friendly."

"Royal Caribbean is an awesome option. Quantum or Ovation of the Seas are fantastic choices."

"Royal Caribbean cruise, specially one of their Oasis or Icon class ships."

"Royal Caribbean any Oasis class."

"Personally I love Royal Caribbean for all of those things lol"

"Check out the Royal Caribbean ships."

"ROYAL CARIBBEAN! I went to Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, and Barbados... it was the shit."

"Two best options are Royal's Harmony of the Sea and Celebrity Beyond. Of the two I'd prefer Celebrity because I'm a foodie, but there would be more to do on the Harmony."

Norwegian Cruise Line

4.2

(50)

"NCL has excellent food in the dining rooms and double excellent at Cagneys"

"I’ve only been on Norwegian, but I love it! Freestyle dining is the only way I’d ever want to cruise."

"Honestly I did a 9 night Mediterranean on NCL last May it was amazing."

"NCL is wonderful for food, cruising, excursions, people and prices are reasonable but above average."

"NCL is the best bang for your buck. Their studio rooms are surprisingly roomy and very affordable!"

"NCL all day long"

"NCL and Virgin are your best bets."

"Norwegian. Flexible dining times, and very few specialty dining rooms have a minimal dress code."

"We sail in the Haven because we like the complete casualness of NCL."

"I’m mid-late twenties and I love NCL."

Celebrity Cruises

4.5

(43)

"When you say food, cocktails, and entertainment are your priority, it naturally leads me to think Celebrity - especially on their newer Edge class ships."

"The best food we've found is on Viking and Celebrity Cruise Lines."

"Celebrity Cruises. In my 20s too and do these often, a wonderful cruise line."

"Celebrity and NCL specialties rank highly."

"I very much enjoyed Celebrity Ascent."

"We loved Celebrity!! I’ve been on 3 different lines and Celebrity is still my favorite"

"I’ve taken two Celebrity Alaskan cruises with my daughter."

"Celebrity gets my vote."

"Celebrity Cruise Lines is best especially their edge class of ships."

"Celebrity is great for multi-generational families!"

Carnival

3.6

(39)

"Carnival's theme bars are excellent. Alchemy bar, Fortune Teller bar & the other theme bars are entertaining."

"Carnival pizza is top notch."

"For partying and having fun, I’d definitely go with Carnival."

"Check out Carnival."

"Carnival has the best food options"

"Cold soups: carnival"

"Carnival. Just avoid the 3 day booze cruises if you can."

"Stick to Carnival."

"We cruised Carnival in December. Food was rememberable, especially the Steak house."

"I’ve sailed Carnival, NCL, MSC, Celebrity."

Princess Cruises

4.1

(30)

"We were recently on the Enchanted Princess and the food was very good."

"Princess has the best value packages, imo, especially the new Premiere that includes unlimited specialty dining."

"Princess has amazing food, just got off a 7 day and it’s all good."

"After 26 cruises…overall Princess, and for sure Princess has the best Pizza!"

"I absolutely love Princess for Alaska."

"For a honeymoon, Princess. Not only is it a great cruise line for honeymooners, but they are one of two cruise lines with the most ships in Alaska."

"My husband and I absolutely love Princess for their calm relaxing (romantic) vibes."

"Princess!! Their cruise tours our top tier."

"Princess 499"

"Princess, and they were absolutely wonderful. Very accessible, with accessible cabins."

Holland America Line

3.8

(29)

"For the lines I’ve been on I would rank them as follows(high to low): HAL, Celebrity, NCL, Carnival, RC"

"HAL food has always been good. Much better than NCL, RC, and Carnival."

"Between the food and the wonderful crew, we have a hard time going elsewhere!"

"There are two cruise lines that come to mind. Holland America and Celebrity. Both are more adult oriented premium cruise lines."

"HAL comes out on top for us. Our last two cruises, HAL was better in the MDR and dining venues"

"HAL has good food"

"Celebrity = HAL"

"Holland America"

"HAL has been very LGBT friendly for years."

"HAL has good shows, and we like the music and dancing."

Holland America

3.7

(23)

"We loved the Koningsdam for Alaska."

"HAL has some great itineraries."

"My wife and I had a great time on a South America cruise aboard Holland America."

"For me, it's HAL."

"I’d say holland America."

"Holland refurbishes their older ships quite nicely."

"Go with Konignsdam."

"Another vote for Holland Koningsdam - with a balcony going to Glacier Bay."

"HAL Koningsdam is by no means a mega ship."

"Just did HAL Eurodam in Alaska. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but we loved the cruise."

Norwegian

4.2

(18)

"Norwegian has actual Broadway shows on them."

"We’ve done multiple NCL cruises for Alaska. The NCL Bliss was built specifically for Alaska."

"We used Norwegian for our cruise to Alaska! It was wonderful."

"Alright guys, we have decided to go with the Norwegian Epic."

"I enjoyed doing the Bliss last October."

"Me and my wife were on NCL Jewel in Alaska this past May for our honeymoon."

"I had a blast solo on NCL."

"In my opinion... Norwegian is by far the most solo-friendly."

"Take a look at Norwegian."

"Norwegian has actual Broadway shows on them."

#10

Disney Cruise Line

4.3

(15)

"I went on the Wish and loved everything I ate!"

"It was absolute magic for me and my brother."

"Disney is an awesome one for kids. Like probably the best geared towards kids."

"DCL (Disney) was very friendly. The cruise I went on the Wish had a vow renewal ceremony for two men that was taking place in the Grand Hall and was very lovely."

"Disney and Royal Caribbean are your best bets for kids."

"I’ve sailed solo with DCL and Virgin Voyages...there’s a quality standard you always get with them."

"I’ve sailed DCL solo a number of times and they’re great."

"Honestly it is Disney. By far."

"Disney. Parents and kids are separated into different areas of the ship and all are kept entertained."

"Our kids first cruise was Disney (6 & 8). The rest were on Princess."

#11

Celebrity

4.4

(14)

"I LOVED the celebrity 11 day cruise through Greece, Spain, Rome, and Turkey."

"I just returned from a Celebrity Apex cruise and loved it."

"Celebrity was very relaxing for us."

"Celebrity!!! Awesome food and great ships."

"Celebrity cruises, their service level is outstanding and I find that they have the best COVID procedures."

"Adding another Celebrity recommendation into the mix."

"We've been on RCL and Celebrity. We just don't go to the parties."

"It sounds like Celebrity might be a good fit?"

"For food, I'd suggest either Celebrity or Virgin."

"I’ve only cruised Alaska on Celebrity, and it would be my preferred line for the style of cruising you do for Alaska."

#12

Princess

4.2

(12)

"Decided on Princess because I definitely wanted access into Glacier Bay."

"I suggest Princess. They’ve been doing Alaskan cruises for over 50 years."

"We went on a Princess cruise up to Alaska, and loved it."

"Princess"

"I did a 10-day round-trip on the Grand Princess to Alaska about seven years ago."

"Pick one of the cruise lines that can get you the experience you expect. Princess and HA."

"Princess has the best value drink package of any line imo."

"Princess."

"I would recommend Princess—they aren’t big on partying but still know how to have fun."

"We went Princess to Alaska and it was quiet and had delicious food."

#13

Viking

3.5

(12)

"The best food we've found is on Viking and Celebrity Cruise Lines."

"I highly recommend Viking Cruises."

"We cruise with Viking. Upscale everything but everyone in business casual even at dinner."

"Viking, no one under 18 allowed, specialty restauarnts no jeans but jackets are not required."

"Viking - Good"

"Viking"

"Higher end lines like Viking will also likely be more relaxed and reserved."

"I just went on a Viking cruise this summer. It was very posh - great customer service and good food. But honestly pretty boring on the ship."

"Viking Cruises (not ultra luxurious, but very nice)"

"No mention of Viking??"

#14

Oceania Cruises

4.6

(9)

"The best food we’ve had was on Oceania."

"Oceania all the way!"

"Oceania has best food…hands down."

"Oceania by far, (and corroborated by old people we met who have been on 40 cruises)"

"Oceania. Grown-up and comfortable. Great food."

"Oceania is casual. Specialty restaurants are mostly shared tables though."

"The food on Oceania is good."

"Oceania is another suggestion, although they are pricier and typically longer."

"We did princess and Oceania. Oceania got 9, Princess a 7 to 8."

#15

Cunard

4.0

(10)

"Cunard has fantastic food, IMO. The QM2 Atlantic crossing is nice."

"If I was going to go on a honeymoon cruise, I'd probably pick Cunard or another high-end line."

"Cunard is a fine choice for your scenario."

"A lot of people sleep on Cunard."

"Cunard. Regent."

"Yup, Cunard."

"Cunard is generally known to be not child-free, but not catered to families."

"I am going to recommend Cunard ships for you. Here is why I choose Cunard based on your statement."

"Maybe Cunard?"

"Cunard does some Alaska trips."

#16

MSC Cruises

3.6

(11)

"The level of service, food, etc was the best of any mass market line."

"MSC. This the only answer."

"MSC has the best quality food."

"I did one last year with msc, a 7 day one it was pretty good"

"I do usually MSC or Costa (both solo and none solo). I like their Italian spirit on boats."

"Check out MSC. Super cheap. Sailed with them in May."

"MSC"

"Have you considered sailing on MSC in Yacht Club or Norwegian Cruisline in the Haven?"

"MSC Yacht Club dining is fine."

"Msc Yacht Club. Buffet food, I would say Norwegian and then Royal."

#17

Virgin

4.3

(7)

"Virgin! No dress code and lots of entertainment options."

"The only one that I would consider these days to be 'well above average' is Virgin."

"Virgin is definitely the most casual."

"Virgin or Carnival."

"Virgin basically doesn’t have any dress code as long as you don’t wear swimwear into a restaurant."

"As you say Virgin basically doesn’t have any dress code."

"If I were your age and unencumbered with children I would try Virgin."

#18

Silversea

4.3

(7)

"Silver Seas hands down"

"Silversea is nice, very nice. We did Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm years ago."

"Silversea"

"I'd suggest Silversea. Their dress code is more business casual and the formal nights are completely optional."

"Silversea and Regent also include one excursion per port but do note they also offer better excursions for an extra charge."

"Silversea"

"Silversea, Regent, Seabourne"

#19

Azamara

4.1

(7)

"We love Azamara."

"Azamara is more affordable, with tips and a drinks package, small ships."

"I second Azamara."

"My mom is a 70 year old avid solo cruiser and loves Azamara. They seem to have some great itineraries."

"If you're looking for upscale but still informal, Azamara sounds like it could be a great fit for you."

"Azamara is my favorite line. The general crowd on board are incredibly friendly and fun people."

"Check out Azamara cruises. They are smaller ships, stay longer in port, usually an overnight or two."

#20

Royal Caribbean International

4.5

(6)

"Flight on Royal was pretty spectacular."

"I love RCI! I think there are a lot of fun things to do."

"I would put Royal Caribbean at the top for most cruisers."

"Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, Disney, Celebrity, MSC all go out of Florida to the Bahamas and Caribbean."

"Your best bet is to try Royal, preferably on one of their smaller ships."

"Royal Carribbean have a nice mix of party animals and chiller evening entertainment."

#21

MSC

3.7

(7)

"We did MSC Yacht Club. Truly a luxury experience."

"For your age group, look into MSC."

"I’ve been on MSC and I can say it’s better imo than a lot of the big cruise lines. Beautiful ships, good food, entertainment, and my biggest compliment is the service of the workers."

"I've been on MSC and they were very casual."

"MSC is very competitive on price right now so if you just want a cheap fare... then look into them."

"No one has mentioned MSC."

"I heard someone mention MSC. I just did one- had fun- met great people- but the food was awful."

#22

Carnival Cruise Line

4.2

(6)

"Absolutely the best service I’ve ever experienced."

"Carnival Cruise Line's ships are top-notch for pool shenanigans."

"They preferred royal or Carnival."

"We have been on over 100 cruises on 30+ different lines."

"We love carnival. It’s all in what you make it!"

"Carnival and Norwegian will have much the same style of activities onboard."

#23

Disney

4.6

(5)

"Disney. All of the dress up nights are 100% optional."

"Disney and Royal Carribean would have the best slides at sea."

"Disney Cruise Lines, and Disney in general, are very accommodating for… everything."

"We did Alaska on the small Disney ship and it was great."

"Disney."

#24

Regent

5.0

(4)

"I loved Regent. The demographic wasn’t too old and we had a blast."

"Regent is our favorite."

"Go with Regent or Silver Sea for Europe."

"Regent is the answer. Older demographic. But, it’s luxurious."

#25

Ponant

4.5

(4)

"Ponant's Antarctica cruise last November had no kids."

"Our favorite cruise lines in the Caribbean are Ponant, SeaDream and Windstar."

"Ponant"

"Upscale brands like Ponant."

#26

Seabourn

4.3

(4)

"We did the Montreal to NYC on Seabourn and loved the ship and service."

"Try Seaborne cruise line, best cruise line that I have ever cruised on."

"Seabourn for sure"

"Seabourne and Regents have more requirements for speciality restauarnts and generally more diners dressed up."

#27

Regent Cruise Line

3.8

3.5

2.0

1.0

(1)

"Hapag-Lloyd - Abysmal"

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