25 Of The Best Cruise Ships To Go On

Some cruise ships are destinations in themselves—floating cities, sanctuaries, fine dining, entertainment powerhouses, and more rolled into one. When going on a cruise, you want an unforgettable experience, not just another cruise, right? Then, here are 25 of the very best vessels for you to board for that memorable escape.

Symphony Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean)

It begins with awe. A zipline dangles ten decks high, and robotic bartenders whip up mojitos faster than your GPS can find land. You’ll wander between seven themed neighborhoods, including a park—yes, with trees. This ship’s ambition stretches further than the horizon.

Celebrity Edge (Celebrity Cruises)

When you are here, it’s like you’re floating inside a modern art museum with sea views. Infinite verandas melt into the sky, and the Magic Carpet (an orange platform) glides over the ocean like a spaceship. It’s perfect for travelers who crave style with their sunsets.

Norwegian Prima (Norwegian Cruise Line)

What if you zoomed around a racetrack suspended over the ocean? Along with that race track, it also has infinity pools and art-lined halls. You’ll get that here, plus a glass bridge that hovers high above the waves and food halls that feel like upscale food trucks.

 Queen Mary 2 (Cunard Line)

If a tuxedoed pianist plays while afternoon tea clinks in porcelain cups sounds nice, this ship is for you. It glides with grace. You’ll find ballrooms and libraries. Instead of waterslides, you’ll find lectures, and that’s exactly the point. It’s the last true ocean liner.

Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)

It starts with a mouse and ends with magic. You’ll dine in Arendelle and explore Marvel universes. There’s also an animated water ride narrated by Mickey himself. Children will love it, and so will the grown-ups. It’s pure fantasy, polished to a family-friendly shine.

MSC World Europa (MSC Cruises)

For future-forward fun, meet the spaceship of the seas. With LNG fuel and curved glass architecture, this ship looks straight out of 2040. One moment, you’re spiraling down a slick 11-deck dry slide; the next, you’re sipping espresso in a quiet European piazza.

Enchanted Princess (Princess Cruises)

Moments at dusk when you’re standing on your balcony, wine in hand, watching the sky bleed orange happen here. Enchanted Princess lives up to its name—it crafts elegance through every sunset and spa session. Inside, world-class chefs plate perfection while a string quartet hums nearby.

Carnival Mardi Gras (Carnival Cruise Line)

This ship parties hard. It’s got Bolt—the first roller coaster at sea—and street eats that are not flavor-shy. Here, you can go from zipping through a loop to being in a comedy club within minutes. Even the name suggests that it is bright and unapologetically loud.

Viking Octantis (Viking Expeditions)

You’re watching penguins from a submarine at Viking Octantis, not sipping cocktails in a lounge. This ship trades waterslides for wet labs and fine dining for lectures on glaciology. If you dream of discovery instead of daiquiris, this ship is for you.

Seabourn Ovation (Seabourn Cruises)

Here’s a floating penthouse with tailored service and caviar delivered on demand. Luxury goes quiet here, and you know the bartender’s name before he knows your drink. With all-suite rooms and intimate settings, Seabourn Ovation merges privacy and indulgence in the most elegant way possible.

Oasis Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean)

It has a park with real trees and a dive show under open skies. You can thrill your inner kid with the carousel that’s aboard. It’s like you’re in a city that floats. There’s even a surf simulator waiting to knock you over.

Regal Princess (Princess Cruises)

Elegance shows up in small touches on this cruise. The chandelier-lit dining, SeaWalk—a glass pathway over the ocean, and more, show how Regal Princess delivers poise without being stuffy. A good way to think about it is that it is polished but approachable.

AIDAnova (AIDA Cruises)

Ever seen a cruise ship that feels like a Berlin nightclub crossed with a spa retreat? AIDAnova is the ship for curious souls who love an oddball vibe. It leans into its European roots with brewpubs on board and a real sauna with ocean views.

Silver Moon (Silversea Cruises)

Here, the pace slows. You’re handed champagne and led to your butler-serviced suite. The menus that greet you are designed by world-famous chefs. The vibe is understated but deeply indulgent. Silver Moon’s show-off surrounds you with things you didn’t realize you wanted.

Carnival Celebration (Carnival Cruise Line)

There’s this wild energy to this ship, where every night feels like Friday, and sequins are totally acceptable. Roller coasters and themed bars await. Food that never apologizes for being messy and delicious flows 24/7. Everything is cranked to eleven. It’s Carnival, unfiltered.

Seven Seas Explorer (Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

This ship flexes with stats. Suites stretch wider than city apartments, and crew numbers nearly match the guests. Your minibar? Always stocked. It’s all-inclusive in the truest sense—excursions, drinks, tips, Wi-Fi. You’ll come for the luxury, then you’ll stay for the service.

Resilient Lady (Virgin Voyages)

No kids or buffets or forced fun like you’re at your grandma’s. Instead, you’ll find tattoo studios and DJs spinning beats at sea. Resilient Lady is for the rebel who wants a floating nightclub with actual gourmet food and great Wi-Fi.

Anthem Of The Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Do giant robot arms serving drinks sound great? How about skydiving simulators and bumper cars indoors? That’s Anthem of the Seas. It’s a vacation wrapped in theme park thrills and sprinkled with tech. You’ll never be bored, even when you’re doing nothing.

Nieuw Statendam (Holland America Line)

This one’s for music lovers. Walk through the ship, and you’ll hear jazz and blues echoing from every venue. Food courts are out; live cooking shows are in. Nieuw Statendam brings rhythm to the seas without being loud about it. It sways and soothes.

Azamara Onward (Azamara Cruises)

Expect to dock in Croatia and enjoy some stillness ashore at midnight while you sip wine under string lights. Azamara Onward is about immersion, not about roller coasters. Fewer passengers and longer port stays. It’s for travelers who also enjoy being off the ship.

Costa Toscana (Costa Cruises)

Hop on, and you’ll be in Italy immediately. Sipping espresso under Tuscan-inspired architecture and hearing opera in the atrium is how it’s done over here. Also, enjoy food that tastes like Nonna made it herself. This ship is full of heart and is proudly Mediterranean.

Viking Neptune (Viking Ocean Cruises)

This ship skips glitz for Scandinavian design and peaceful elegance. There’s no casino, no kids. Instead, it’s just intelligent itineraries and infinity pools facing the sea. If you crave culture with your cruise, Viking Neptune delivers spectacularly. Minimalist luxury is done right here.

Koningsdam (Holland America Line)

Live music pulses from multiple venues, while World Stage performances dazzle with surround visuals. You’ll feast on wine-paired dinners and unwind in airy, art-filled spaces here. It is classic cruising with a melodic twist, and every corner has something new to experience.

P&O Iona (P&O Cruises)

You want to be in a top-deck hot tub, cocktail in hand, watching Scottish islands glide by, and you’ll get that on Iona. There’s a gin distillery onboard and domed Skydeck concerts, plus enough lounges to lose your nan and do it again.

Scarlet Lady (Virgin Voyages)

You’ll get cheeky vibes here. Red lighting, a tattoo studio, hammocks on terrace cabins, and food that tastes too gourmet to be included. Dining times and dress codes don’t rule over here. Scarlet Lady is where cruise rules don’t survive. Long live fun.