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).

 

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.

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.

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.