Viking Ocean Cruises Rule the Cruisers’ Choice Awards 2017
When the world’s leading river cruise line decides to venture into the world of ocean cruising, you can bet they’re going to make a splash.
In Cruise Critic’s annual reader survey, cruisers chose their favourite cruise ships of 2016. Kind of like the People’s Choice Awards of cruising. The 7th annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards were divided into ten categories and a winning ship was chosen in each size range: small (399 or fewer passengers), small-mid (400 to 1,100 passengers), mid-size (1,200 to 1,999 passengers), and large (2,000 or more passengers).
Cruisers’ Choice Awards Viking Ocean Cruise ship in port Venice, Italy
Each ship must have had a minimum number of ratings and reviews given by members of the Cruise Critic community to make it into the category’s top 10.
Viking Ocean Cruises blew the competition out of the water. Viking earned the number one spot in almost every award category in the small-mid size ship range. Viking was awarded in 10 out of 12 categories, including best overall, best dining, best cabins, and best public spaces.
Viking Ocean Cruises’ Nordic Spa. Enjoy a romantic snowfall in the snow grotto followed by a sauna.
High up on the list of Cruise Critics’ favourites is Celebrity Cruises, who earned accolades for the Celebrity Xpedition and the Celebrity Reflection. The Celebrity Xpedition won in five categories in the small-ship range, including best overall and best cruise ship for shore excursions.
Viking Ocean Cruises’ main pool onboard the Viking Star with the roof open.
Disney Cruise Line won in seven categories in the mid-size and large ship range for the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Magic. The Disney Dream and the Disney Magic each won best overall in the large and mid-size range, respectively. The Disney Dream was also awarded best cabins, best fitness and recreation facilities, best public spaces, best service, and best cruise ship for shore excursions.
Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards Winners 2017
Best Cruises Overall
- Disney Dream (large)
- Disney Magic (mid-size)
- Viking Sea (small-mid)
- Celebrity Xpedition (small)
Best Cruise Ship Cabins
- Disney Dream (large)
- Marina (mid-size)
- Viking Star (small-mid)
- Star Legend (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Dining
- Celebrity Reflection (large)
- Marina (mid-size)
- Viking Star (small-mid)
- Wind Surf (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Embarkation
- Celebrity Reflection (large)
- Celestyal Crystal (mid-size)
- Pacific Princess (small-mid)
- Celebrity Xpedition (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Entertainment
- Allure of the Seas (large)
- Celestyal Crystal (mid-size)
- Viking Sea (small-mid)
- Silver Shadow (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Fitness & Recreation
- Disney Fantasy (large)
- Marina (mid-size)
- Viking Sea (small-mid)
- Celebrity Xpedition (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Public Rooms
- Disney Dream (large)
- Marina (mid-size)
- Viking Sea (small-mid)
- Celebrity Xpedition (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Service
- Disney Dream (large)
- Marina (mid-size)
- Viking Sea (small-mid)
- Paul Gauguin (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions
- Disney Dream (large)
- Celestyal Crystal (mid-size)
- Viking Sea (small-mid)
- Celebrity Xpedition (small)
Best Cruise Ships for Value
- Norwegian Sky (large)
- Celestyal Crystal (mid-size)
- Viking Star (small-mid)
- Celebrity Xpedition (small)
Best Cruises for Families
Disney Magic
Best Cruise Ships for First Timers
Viking Star
Ready to experience Europe by sea? Cruise with big winners Viking, Celebrity and more! Contact a Flight Centre Travel Expert, call 1-877-967-5302, or visit your closest Flight Centre store.
About the Author
Crissandra Ayroso Crissandra Ayroso is a copywriter for Flight Centre. She loves road trips, beach weather, sampling local wine. She, like Helen Hunt in the 1996 disaster-rama (that’s short for drama) Twister, is a tornado chaser, in the travel sense. She chases moments, all revealing. Whether it’s ordering room service and eating in bed, finding the highest rooftop for the best views of the surroundings, feeling like a small dot in the middle of the ocean on a boat, or getting lost and stumbling upon hidden gems, no moment is too big or small to chase. Just like the category F5 that brought Helen Hunt back together with her estranged husband, respected TV weatherman, Bill Paxton.
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