The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards
It isn’t possible for the Condé Nast Traveler team to see and do everything, everywhere, all at once—though we try our best! Fortunately, we also have you, our readers. This year you cast an astonishing 757,109 votes in the 38th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, sharing your opinions on the very best in travel. You told us you were enchanted by Italian hotels, went on safari in Botswana, took to semiprivate aviation, and advocated for newcomers to the top American cities. We loved poring over the results to find out what’s sticking with readers and editors and spinning the data into a snapshot of the current moment in travel. Ahead are the best cruises in the world, as voted by our readers.
View all the Readers' Choice Award winners for best cruise lines as a list with scores here.
Mega Ships (More than 4,000 passengers)
Carnival Cruise Line5. Mega Ship Line: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival made its debut into the mega-ship category in 2019 with the launch of Carnival Panorama, which has a double-occupancy passenger count of 4,008. Since then, the mega-ships have kept coming. Mardi Gras, named after the cruise line's first-ever ship, launched in 2021 and notably featured the first roller coaster at sea. Carnival Celebration, Carnival Venezia, and Carnival Jubilee launched in subsequent years, with more mega-ships on order.
Courtesy Royal Caribbean International4. Mega Ship Line: Royal Caribbean International
If you truly want to feel like you’re living in a floating city, Royal Caribbean is the cruise line for you, given that it has the seven largest cruise ships in the world. Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas top the list in terms of passenger count (up to 7,600 at full capacity), length (nearly 1,200 feet long), and gross tonnage (nearly 250,000 tonnes), and their sisters are just behind them with their stats. Given their size, these ships provide every amenity you can think of—and plenty you can’t even imagine—from waterparks to world-class musical productions to autonomous bars staffed by robots to double-decker suites with slides for the kids. You’ll find these behemoths sailing the Caribbean and Mediterranean throughout the year, but with so many activities on board, you might not even want to leave the ship.
- Norwegian Bliss</em></a>, has a decidedly more mature atmosphere.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":214,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_320,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_640,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_640,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"},{"height":854,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_1280,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":684,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_1024,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"},{"height":1367,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_2048,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":854,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_1280,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":854,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5babd65f8955df3d45551b83/master/w_1280,c_limit/Norwegian-Cruise-Line_Haven.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line3. Mega Ship Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Known for its colorful ships, Norwegian Cruise Line first broke into the mega-ship category in 2010 with the launch of Norwegian Epic, which can carry just over 5,000 passengers at full occupancy, and the company has since introduced five others in the Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus classes. The crowd aboard these vessels, which primarily sail in North America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean, often consists of families who take advantage of amenities like waterparks, virtual-reality gaming, and go-kart racing, though the cruise line’s ship, Norwegian Bliss, has a decidedly more mature atmosphere.
Port Miami for MSC Cruises2. Mega Ship Line: MSC Cruises
Though MSC Cruises is headquartered in landlocked Switzerland, this cruise line has mastered the art of mega-ships, building seven of the 25 largest in the world. Each can hold between 5,300 and 6,700 passengers. MSC Cruises has some plans for mega-growth, too: it debuted its first World-class mega-ship MSC World Europa in 2022, with its sister MSC World America following in 2025. There are two more World-class ships in the pipeline.
Princess Cruises1. Mega Ship Line: Princess Cruises
Welcome to the wonderful world of mega ships, Princess Cruises. The 2024-launched Sun Princess is the cruise line's largest ship to date, carrying up to 4,300 passengers. Princess Cruises has come a long way since its Love Boat days; the TV show was filmed on its former ship Pacific Princess, which only carried up to 626 passengers. Sun Princess is scheduled to receive a sister ship in the Sphere class, Star Princess, in late 2025.
Large Ships (2,500 to 4,000 passengers)
- Carnival Cruise Lines</a> is all about good family fun at a reasonable price point. It has 29 ships in its fleet, with about half of them falling in our large ship category with 2,500 to 3,900 guests. Carnival is known for its fun upper decks that are akin to an amusement park at sea, with water slides, ropes courses, mini-golf, and attractions like SkyRide, where guests pedal a hanging vehicle around a suspended track.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":240,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_320,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"},{"height":479,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_640,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":479,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_640,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"},{"height":958,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_1280,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":766,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_1024,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"},{"height":1533,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_2048,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":958,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_1280,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":958,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b1c934053d25ffdb1059/master/w_1280,c_limit/Carnival%20Freedom.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line10. Large Ship Line: Carnival
Carnival Cruise Lines is all about good family fun at a reasonable price point. It has 29 ships in its fleet, with about half of them falling in our large ship category with 2,500 to 3,900 guests. Carnival is known for its fun upper decks that are akin to an amusement park at sea, with water slides, ropes courses, mini-golf, and attractions like SkyRide, where guests pedal a hanging vehicle around a suspended track.
Courtesy Royal Caribbean International9. Large Ship Line: Royal Caribbean International
Though Royal Caribbean is perhaps best known for its mega-ships, it has quite a number of large ships, too—the 3,100-passenger Voyager-class ships, for instance, were once the world’s largest, until Royal Caribbean debuted the larger Freedom class. Both of these large classes had other firsts—Voyager of the Seas was the first ship to have an ice rink and a rock-climbing wall, while Freedom of the Seas introduced the first FlowRider surf simulator at sea.
Courtesy of MSC Cruises8. Large Ship Line: MSC Cruises
A number of ships in MSC’s fleet—namely those ships in the Musica and Fantasia classes—fall into the large cruise category, with most of its newer builds firmly taking a “bigger is better” stance. The eight vessels primarily sail in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, though they do offer itineraries in North and South America, Asia, and Northern Europe, too. These family-friendly ships skew toward the upscale side, and they’re known for their international crowds.
Princess Cruises7. Large Ship Line: Princess Cruises
Part of the Carnival family, Princess Cruises has a fun claim to fame—the TV show The Love Boat was set on its former Pacific Princess ship. If you’ve never seen an episode, you’re in luck, as one of the onboard TV channels airs reruns around the clock. But you won’t want to stay cooped up in your stateroom when you discover all the activities on board its 15 ships. Its special Seawitch craft beer program sees the cruise line partner with breweries around the world, while Discovery at SEA offers a series of activities based on TV shows from the Discovery, Inc. family of networks, including Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel.
Courtesy Norwegian Cruises6. Large Ship Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Things escalated quickly for Norwegian: The cruise line jumped from medium-sized ships to mega-ships practically overnight (okay, over eight years), with just a few ships in its current fleet sized somewhere in between. But that all changed with Norwegian Prima, the first of six 3,300-passenger Prima-class ships, launched in August 2022. Some of its highlights include the fastest slides at sea (including the world's first free-fall dry slide), a three-level go-kart racetrack, and a three-story theater that transforms into a nightclub after the evening's show. Twin sister Norwegian Viva launched in 2023, while Prima-Plus-class Norwegian Aqua launched in 2025.
Steve Dunlop5. Large Ship Line: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises currently sails around the world with a fleet of 15 ships, ranging in size from its small Xpedition-class vessels, which carry 16 to 100 passengers, to its large 2,800- to 3,100-passenger Solstice class and 2,900-passenger Edge class, which debuted in late 2018 with Celebrity Edge. This edgy ship (pun intended) was designed to appeal to a non-cruising clientele with innovations like Eden, a three-story hybrid “experiential” restaurant, craft cocktail lounge, and performance venue; and Le Petit Chef at Le Grand Bistro, a dinner restaurant that features a 4D animation projected on your plate throughout your meal. Celebrity Edge was later joined by its sister ships Celebrity Apex in 2020, Celebrity Beyond in 2022, and Celebrity Ascent in 2023. The final Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcel, is due to launch in late 2025.
Alamy4. Large Ship Line: Cunard
For those longing for the romantic nostalgia of bygone transatlantic sailings, Cunard is your go-to. The legendary cruise line was established in 1840 and has had dozens of ships in its fleet, though today, there are just four active vessels: the Queen Mary 2, the world’s only true transatlantic ocean liner, designed specifically for ocean crossings, as well as the world’s only pet-friendly ship (dogs and cats are required to stay in the kennel, a designated playroom, and a specific walking deck); the Queen Elizabeth; the Queen Victoria; and the newest ship Queen Anne. Activities haven’t changed all that much in the last 180 years—there’s still a proper afternoon tea, black-tie dinners, and galas in the ballrooms. It’s quite like a step back in time, with all the modern safety measures, of course.
Courtesy Virgin Voyages / Fiippo Vinardi3. Large Ship Line: Virgin Voyages
Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages made its long-awaited debut in October 2021 with the "Mermaiden" voyage of Scarlet Lady out of Miami. The 2,770-passenger ship is adults-only, and it promotes a sexy, party-hard atmosphere between its glitzy nightclub, risque live performances, and unusual amenities like a tattoo parlor. But it's also a standout for its unique dining options, such as Korean barbecue restaurant Gunbae, where meals begin with a drinking game for the whole table. The cruise line's second ship, Valiant Lady, made her debut in the Mediterranean in March 2022, and the third ship, Resilient Lady, launched in 2023. The fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, joined the fleet in 2025.
Courtesy Holland America2. Large Ship Line: Holland America Line
As its name indicates, Holland America is a cruise line that was established in 1873 to primarily ferry passengers, many of whom were emigrants, between the Netherlands and the United States. Of course, these days, the cruise line sails more broadly to more than 300 ports around the world on its 11 ships—and it’s highly regarded for its Alaska itineraries. While passengers can enjoy classic cruise activities like swimming, sports, and gambling, Holland America is particularly noted for its culinary and musical programs: it has a partnership with the TV show America’s Test Kitchen for cooking demonstrations and classes, a number of live music venues (including B.B. King's Blues Club), and stage productions dedicated to the history of music on many of its ships. The latest addition to Holland America’s fleet is the Rotterdam, which first set sail in July 2021, with a capacity of 2,650 passengers.
Alamy1. Large Ship Line: Disney Cruise Line
If there’s one thing Disney Cruise Line does well, it’s hospitality. The company has taken every lesson it’s learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its five cruise ships, including the 4,000-passenger ships Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish, which launched in 2022. The ships are designed for families through and through—there are numerous themed activities every day, from meet-and-greets to full-blown parties with Disney characters—but there are plenty of adults-only areas that provide a respite from little ones. The fleet currently sails the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Bahamas (where they make port at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay), as well as Alaska, Canada, Europe, the Pacific Coast, and the Panama Canal. The newest ship in the fleet is Disney Treasure, which first set sail in December 2024, soon to be followed by Disney Destiny, debuting with a unique “heroes and villains” theme in November 2025.
Medium Ships (500 to 2,499 passengers)
- Princess Cruises</a>’ 15-ship fleet, its two smallest are <em>Coral Princess and Island Princess,</em> which are also some of the cruise line's oldest. The ships carry around 2,000 passengers and are the perfect size to sail through the Panama Canal, though you can find them all over the world throughout the year.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Princess cruises","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_320,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_640,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_640,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_1280,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_1024,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_2048,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_1280,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/650237cc08dbd376bb4c9fac/master/w_1280,c_limit/princess-190715-PN-PRINCESS-AK-GLACIER_BAY-8559_CMYK-TB.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Princess cruises20. Medium Cruise Line: Princess
Of Princess Cruises’ 15-ship fleet, its two smallest are Coral Princess and Island Princess, which are also some of the cruise line's oldest. The ships carry around 2,000 passengers and are the perfect size to sail through the Panama Canal, though you can find them all over the world throughout the year.
Michel Verdure19. Medium Ship Line: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity’s Millennium-class ships—Celebrity Millennium, Infinity, Summit, and Constellation—are the smallest in the fleet, each with a capacity between 2,100 and 2,200 passengers. (That excludes Celebrity's three expedition ships.) The vessels just got a bevy of both new and upgraded staterooms as part of Celebrity's fleet-wide modernization, and when they launched in the early aughts, they were some of the first ships to use more eco-friendly engines that combined gas and steam power. The four ships sail from home ports around the world, from Europe to North America to Asia.
- Norwegian primarily focused on mid-sized ships that carry around 2,000 passengers—and they still make up a solid portion of the fleet. A colorful atmosphere pervades the ships, as guests enjoy everything from water slides to silly pool contests like synchronized swimming to everyone’s favorite: bingo night. Norwegian’s ships have itineraries all over the world, with many focusing on North America.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_320,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_640,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_640,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_1280,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_1024,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_2048,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_1280,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b344891a654112568d16/master/w_1280,c_limit/norwegiansky-aerialmiami-3.jpeg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line18. Medium Ship Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Until it launched Norwegian Epic in 2010, then the Breakaway and Breakaway-plus classes in 2013 and 2015, respectively, Norwegian primarily focused on mid-sized ships that carry around 2,000 passengers—and they still make up a solid portion of the fleet. A colorful atmosphere pervades the ships, as guests enjoy everything from water slides to silly pool contests like synchronized swimming to everyone’s favorite: bingo night. Norwegian’s ships have itineraries all over the world, with many focusing on North America.
Courtesy of MSC Cruises17. Medium Ship Line: MSC Cruises
Showing up for the third time on our list, MSC Cruises is clearly beloved by many. The Swiss cruise line has just four medium-size ships—the Lirica class—which accommodate between 2,000 and 2,600 passengers. They’re also the oldest ships in the fleet, though they each underwent refurbishment as part of MSC’s “Renaissance” program to modernize interiors and expand their size. The line is known for its Mediterranean inspiration—though its fleet sails far beyond the region, calling at ports all over the world—so you’ll find delicious Italian food on board no matter where your ship is taking you. MSC sailings are quite lively, especially at night, with many guests partying at nightclubs into the late hours.
Disney16. Medium Ship Line: Disney Cruise Line
Built at the end of the 20th century, Disney Cruise Line's first two ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have been delighting families for more than two decades. But despite being part of the Disney empire, the 2,400-passenger ships are not over-the-top when it comes to Disney decor. In fact, they’re quite elegant, taking design inspiration from early-20th-century ocean liners and sporting Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetics.
Courtesy Holland America15. Medium Ship Line: Holland America Line
Of Holland America’s 11 ships, eight of them fall into the medium category, carrying between 1,400 and 2,500 passengers. Though most were built in the early 2000s, quite a few have undergone major renovations over the past three years, updating their interiors with elegant new looks. The refined ships sail to destinations across the world, but one of the most popular destinations for the cruise line is Alaska.
Courtesy Marella Cruises14. Medium Ship Line: Marella Cruises
UK–based cruise line Marella, which is operated by TUI UK, has a fleet of five ships that hold between 1,100 and 2,000 passengers, sailing itineraries around Europe, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean, with some special journeys to Asia. The sailings are billed as all-inclusive, and they do include alcoholic beverages and tips, but some of the specialty restaurants cost an extra fee.
Felix Gaensicke/AIDA Cruises13. Medium Ship Line: AIDA Cruises
AIDA Cruises is a laid-back, family-friendly cruise line based in Germany—the primary onboard language is German, so be prepared to practice your Deutsch. Of its 11-ship fleet, seven are medium-sized, and you'll find them traveling all across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.
Jenna Lyn Pimentel/Courtesy Azamara Club Cruises12. Medium Ship Line: Azamara
Though Azamara’s four 700-passenger ships are a delight to spend time on, with top-quality dining and plenty of onboard activities to fill days at sea, passengers choose this cruise line for the experience at its destinations, which span all seven continents. Azamara not only offers personalized shore excursions (so no one has to be stuck in a slow-moving group with a flag-toting guide), they also do a number of overnights, allowing guests to explore more destinations farther inland. The overnights also allow passengers to experience an evening out on the town in port cities, if they so choose.
Courtesy Cunard11. Medium Ship Line: Cunard
While Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne fit more than 2,600 passengers and 2,900 passengers on board, respectively (plus a number of dogs and cats on QM2), their sister ships, Queen Elizabeth (QE) and Queen Victoria (QV) only have a capacity of about 2,000 passengers. Though they’re quite similar in layout, the QE and the QV differ in design. Both nod to the historic ocean liners of the early 20th century, but the QE takes on a bolder Art Deco vibe, while the QV features more subdued yet equally elegant decor. Guests on board both ships are likely to partake in afternoon tea before donning a glamorous gown for dinner.
Bjørn Eide/Hurtigruten10. Medium Ship Line: Hurtigruten
This Norwegian ferry company was founded in Norway in 1893, and since then, its ships and journeys have expanded to full-on adventures up the coast, including journeys to see the northern lights and Signature voyages inspired by the golden age of ocean liners. Despite being more than 130 years, old, the cruise line keeps innovating: In 2030, Hurtigruten plans to launch its first zero-emission ship. In the colder months, catch its astronomy-themed voyages, which are geared toward northern lights viewing. If the lights don't show, you'll be offered another sailing for free.
Courtesy Oceania Cruises9. Medium Ship Line: Oceania Cruises
It’s all about the food on Oceania Cruises. Its 1,250-passenger MS Marina and MS Riviera offer restaurants by Jacques Pépin, a six-course Dom Pérignon dinner with a pairing of three vintages, a cooking center where passengers of all cooking skill levels can take classes, and culinary-themed excursions, like a visit to the market in Nice with a chef. Its four smaller Regatta-class ships, each accommodating 684 passengers, also have excellent dining options, like the Polo Grill and the Italian eatery Toscana. The first of two new 1,200-passenger ships, Vista, was delivered in 2023, while Allura entered service in 2025.
Courtesy Hapag-Lloyd Cruises8. Medium Ship Line: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
German cruise line Hapag-Lloyd has a fleet of just five ships, all of which are quite small in terms of passenger count. In the medium-ship category, there's Europa 2, which carries a maximum of 500 passengers to destinations all over the world. Hapag-Lloyd formed in 1970 when the Hamburg-American Line (HAPAG) and Norddeutscher Lloyd (North German Lloyd) maritime companies merged; these two companies were established in 1847 and 1857, respectively.
Courtesy Seabourn7. Medium Ship Line: Seabourn
Don’t think of Seabourn as a typical cruise line—its ships are much more akin to megayachts, with ultra-luxurious decor, service, and dining. The fleet currently has seven vessels, the two largest of which carry 600 passengers each. Their small size allows the vessels to dock in small ports all around the world (in Indonesia, for instance, they've partnered with local tourism boards in developing ports like Celukan Bawang and Probolinggo). Many of the cruise line’s guests are lifelong learners, and they flock to the nightly Seabourn Conversation program, which brings all sorts of intriguing figures, from Steve Wozniak to Elaine Paige, on board for lectures and casual chats.
Courtesy Regent Seven Seas Cruises6. Medium Ship Line: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
As far as all-inclusive cruises go, Regent Seven Seas is the real deal. Everything from specialty excursions to meals and alcohol to airfare (in business class, if you’re flying intercontinental) is included in the rates. Even the mini-bar is free! The only things you’ll have to pay for are spa treatments, laundry, and the casino. The cruise line’s five ships each carry 750 passengers or fewer, but the ships are actually quite large, offering each guest plenty of personal space, especially in their cabins. Regent Seven Seas specializes in around-the-world itineraries.
Explora Journeys5. Medium Ship Line: Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is a new, all-inclusive luxury cruise line by the MSC Group, with a fleet of just two ships: Explora I, launched in 2023, and Explora II, launched in 2024, each of which carries fewer than 1,000 guests. But this young cruise line has major expansion plans, with four more ships on order. Explora Journeys travels the globe, visiting luxe destinations like St. Barts and Monaco.
Courtesy Havila Voyages4. Medium Ship Line: Havila Voyages
Family-owned Havila Voyages traverses the historic coastal Norway routes with a fleet of four new ships, the first of which, Havila Capella, launched in 2021. She and her identical sisters each carry a maximum of 640 passengers, split between day passengers and overnighters. From October 1 to March 31, Havila offers a Northern Lights Promise on its Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen trips, meaning that if the lights don't show, you'll be offered a free six- or seven-day sailing to try again.
Courtesy Silversea Cruises3. Medium Ship Line: Silversea Cruises
In Silversea’s fleet, four ships are medium-sized, with passenger counts around 600 people. The luxurious cruise line sails to more than 900 destinations across seven continents; visit many of them on one of Silversea's months-long world cruises.
Crystal Cruises2. Medium Ship Line: Crystal Cruises
The original Crystal Cruises luxury cruise line shuttered in 2022, but A&K Travel Group Ltd. (which famously owns travel operator Abercrombie & Kent), resurrected the company in 2023. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony have since resumed service after refurbishment, and the company has ordered three new ships for the fleet.
Courtesy Viking Ocean Cruises1. Medium Ship Line: Viking
Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched nine ocean-going vessels since 2015 (not including expedition ships), the most recent being the Viking Vesta, whose maiden voyage took place in July 2025. The ships are nearly identical, carrying 930 passengers each, housed in balcony staterooms. Though not all-inclusive, Viking Ocean offers guests one free excursion in each port (the ships primarily sail Northern Europe, though there are some Mediterranean itineraries, too), beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and an unlimited Wi-Fi connection.
Small Ships (Fewer than 500 passengers)
- Star Clippers</a> has a fleet of three ships, with its flagship <em>Royal Clipper</em> holding the record as the world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship. All three are sailing yachts, unfurl their sails for itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, with classic exteriors and interiors featuring several bars, a swimming pool, library, and formal dining room.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Courtesy of Star Clippers","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":214,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_320,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"},{"height":428,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_640,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":428,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_640,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"},{"height":857,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_1280,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":685,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_1024,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"},{"height":1371,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_2048,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":857,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_1280,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":857,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/68d6b07ff135cedbc41f392e/master/w_1280,c_limit/Royal%20Clipper%20Full%20Sails.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Courtesy of Star Clippers15. Small Ship Line: Star Clippers
Star Clippers has a fleet of three ships, with its flagship Royal Clipper holding the record as the world’s largest full-rigged sailing ship. All three are sailing yachts, unfurl their sails for itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, with classic exteriors and interiors featuring several bars, a swimming pool, library, and formal dining room.
Courtesy of Pearl Seas Cruises14. Small Ship Line: Pearl Sea Cruises
Pearl Sea Cruises is a boutique small-ship cruise line with just one ship: Pearl Mist. The vessel carries up to 210 passengers on voyages through the Great Lakes, the Canadian Maritimes, and New England. Perhaps unsurprisingly, its fall foliage cruises are a big hit.
Courtesy Seabourn13. Small Ship Line: Seabourn
Courtesy SeaDream12. Small Ship Line: SeaDream Yacht Club
Sailing through the Caribbean, around Europe, or across the Atlantic on either of SeaDream’s two 112-passenger yachts means quickly getting to know your fellow guests. Facilities on the six decks include a pool, whirlpool, and casino, but the real highlight is the watersports marina that can be lowered down to the waves for easy ocean swimming, kayaking, and more. The ships often overnight in port, allowing guests the opportunity to experience the local nightlife before taking off for their next destination.
Sail Croatia11. Small Ship Line: Sail Croatia
You can probably guess where Sail Croatia cruises sail (yes, it's Croatia). The cruise line has a fleet of 10 ships that carry between 32 and 40 passengers each, ranging from sleek yachts to sailboats. The sailings are sometimes, but not always, restricted by age range, while others focus on specific activities, like cycling and hiking.
Courtesy American Cruise Lines10. Small Ship Line: American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines is perhaps best known for its vintage paddlewheelers, but its 28-ship fleet includes oceangoing vessels that explore the coasts surrounding the entire country, from New England to Alaska to the Florida Keys. Its Independence-class ships hold just 90 passengers; its Constellation-class ships 170; and its Coastal Cats (hybrid catamarans) 100.
Holger Leue/Variety Cruises9. Small Ship Line: Variety Cruises
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection8. Small Ship Line: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
7. Small Ship Line: Cruise Croatia
Courtesy Heritage Line6. Small Ship Line: Heritage Line
Philip Plisson/Courtesy PONANT5. Small Ship Line: Ponant
Though Ponant's ships primarily fall into the expedition category, the luxurious French cruise line does operate the 32-passenger Le Ponant, a three-masted sailing vessel that bears the Relais & Châteaux label. The ship primarily sails in the Caribbean, but it has been known to make voyages to Cape Verde.
Courtesy Windstar Cruises4. Small Ship Line: Windstar Cruises
The line’s six ships—three sailing yachts and three all-suite motor yachts—specialize in visiting ports that ban larger ships, like the Byzantine hilltop town of Monemvasia in the Greek Islands, and the sleepy, palm-fringed Caribbean island of Bequia. Those smaller ports can give a sense of intimacy that isn't always present in the most common cruise destinations, allowing for wholly different experiences. In 2017, Windstar also became the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, introducing further special itineraries with culinary themes and guest chefs.
Rene Staud/Sea Cloud3. Small Ship Line: Sea Cloud Cruises
Sea Cloud Cruises has three elegant windjammers: Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II, and Sea Cloud Spirit, which accommodate 64, 94, and 136 passengers, respectively. These sailing yachts primarily split their time between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, though they'll occasionally explore the Panama Canal and Northern Europe, too. The oldest ship in the fleet is Sea Cloud, built in 1931 for an American heiress—at the time, it was the largest private yacht in the world. It later served the United States in World War II before ultimately returning to pleasure sailings.
Courtesy Paul Gauguin Cruises1. Small Ship Line: Paul Gauguin Cruises
The single ship Paul Gauguin focuses solely on the Pacific, treating its 332 guests to picture-perfect beaches and dramatic scenery in Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Fiji year-round. On Mota Mahana, the line’s private island in French Polynesia, passengers sip cocktails from the floating bar or paddle out over coral reefs on kayaks and paddleboards, straight from the ship’s water sports marina. For those wanting to get under the waves, an onboard PADI scuba program certifies divers in some of the clearest waters on the planet. Best of all? The ship’s rates are all-inclusive. In 2019, Ponant acquired the cruise line.
River Ships
Stevie Mann/Aqua Expeditions15. River Cruise Line: Aqua Expeditions
Aqua Expeditions has three river ships: Aria Amazon and Aqua Nera, which sail the Peruvian Amazon, and Aqua Mekong, which traverses the Mekong between Cambodia and Vietnam. Guests sailing aboard these modern, luxurious vessels will partake in daily excursions that introduce them to both the ecology and the culture of their destinations.
American Cruise Lines14. River Cruise Line: American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines has the unique distinction of operating not only old-school paddlewheelers in the United States, but also contemporary river ships. And they don’t just sail on the Mississippi—you can also explore the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest, too.
Courtesy Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection13. River Cruise Line: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld's 17 river ships cruise around the globe in Europe, Egypt, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Peru. Its excursions offer passengers the opportunity to get a little closer to their destinations of choice, with visits to local homes, farms, and artisans, and every excursion is rated by ability level. The cruise line's newest ships are the S.S. São Gabriel, which sails Portugal's Douro river; the S.S. Sphinx on the Nile; and the Mekong Jewel in Southeast Asia. It also completely renovated its former River Countess and rechristened it the S.S. La Venezia in 2020.
Courtesy Delfin Amazon Cruises12. River Cruise Line: Delfin Amazon Cruises
One of the most convenient ways to experience the Amazon River is by cruise, and Delfin Amazon Cruises is ready to take you on an adventure there. The line, which has three traditionally decorated ships that sail in the Peruvian Amazon, was the first Relais & Châteaux cruise, so you know the food is going to be superb.
Courtesy European Waterways11. River Cruise Line: European Waterways
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Scenic10. River Cruise Line: Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Scenic’s 13 luxurious river ships sail waters across Europe and Asia, from the Danube in Germany to the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Each voyage is completely all-inclusive—transfers, excursions, all food and beverage (including the mini-bar!), and gratuities are covered in the rate—making for a truly relaxing and stress-free experience. And did we mention there’s butler service for every cabin?
Avalon Waterways9. River Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways
With a fleet of 17 river ships, Avalon has quite a few itineraries throughout Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Egypt, and Peru, though it charters ships in those last two destinations. Avalon’s own purpose-built ships are incredibly spacious—suites are 30% larger than the industry standard and feature fully retractable floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Courtesy AMA Waterways8. River Cruise Line: AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways cruises the waters of Europe, Africa, Vietnam, and Cambodia, with a handful of new ships debuting in the past few years. In 2019, the line launched AmaMagna, a double-wide river cruise on the Danube that features massive 710-square-foot suites—a size unheard of on a river-going vessel. Despite the ship being so much larger than its sisters, the passenger count only increased by 20% to 196 guests, ensuring an intimate experience. The cruise line sails 22 ships in Europe; one on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia; one on the Chobe in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa; and one on the Nile in Egypt. In 2024, AMAWaterways expanded to Latin America, sailing the AmaMagdalena in Colombia, as well as debut its second Nile ship, the AmaLilia.
Pandaw7. River Cruise Line: Pandaw
Most river cruise lines specialize in European rivers or the Nile, but Pandaw is not most cruise lines. It focuses on the waterways of Asia, sailing 17 ships on the rivers of six countries, including India's Brahmaputra River and Ganges River. Though the ships are all traditional in their style, they offer guests a luxurious home base for adventurous excursions.
Grand Circle Corporation6. River Cruise Line: Grand Circle Cruise Line
Courtesy of Riviera Travel5. River Cruise Line: Riviera Travel
UK-based Riviera Travel operates upscale river cruises on the major European waterways, including the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine, and Moselle. In addition to traditional river cruises, the company also offers solo traveler river cruises and longer 11- to 29-day itineraries.
Courtesy of Tauck4. River Cruise Line: Tauck River Cruising
Tauck’s nine river ships specialize in navigating Northern Europe, with itineraries that highlight the castles of Germany’s Rhine River or explore Paris and Monet’s gardens at Giverny on a Seine cruise. Special departures throughout the year welcome multigenerational family groups, including young children—a unique offering among river cruise lines.
Courtesy Viking River Cruises1. River Cruise Line: Viking
Viking has expanded feverishly in recent years, with some 60-odd riverboats, ten ocean vessels, and two expedition ships in its fleet. The company's longships explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhône in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, the Nile in Egypt, and the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its “Culture Curriculum” offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally.
Expedition Ships
Stevie Mann/Aqua Expeditions20. Expedition Ship Line: Aqua Expeditions
Part river-cruise line, part expedition company, Aqua Expeditions has two oceangoing vessels: Aqua Blu, which sails through Indonesia, and Aqua Mare, which sails in the Galápagos. Both are essentially private yachts that you can book by the room—or you could book the entire ship for even more privacy.
Courtesy of Antarctica2119. Antarctica21
Antarctica21 is a Chilean expedition company known for its “fly-and-cruise” model for Antarctica travel, where guests fly over the Drake Passage rather than sail it. That said, it does offer traditional Drake crossings, too. All three ships in its fleet carry fewer than 100 guests on various itineraries across Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and Patagonia.
Courtesy Hapag-Lloyd Cruises18. Expedition Ship Line: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours16. Expedition Ship Line: Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Expanding from the rivers to the sea, Scenic launched its first ocean-going vessel, the expedition ship Scenic Eclipse, in 2019, and its second, Scenic Eclipse II, in 2023. Though each ship only carries 200 passengers in polar regions (and 228 elsewhere), they both have an extraordinary array of shipboard offerings, including 10 dining experiences, two helicopters, and a submersible each.
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Violette Vauchelle/PONANT15. Expedition Ship Line: Ponant
Fine French cuisine, Diptyque bath products, and personalized service come standard on Ponant's fleet of globe-circling ships. Ponant has leaned heavily into expedition cruising, launching seven custom-built ships in about five years. Six belong to the cruise line's explorer class, noted for its underwater lounges, where ambient sounds from the surrounding seas are pumped in via the ship's hydrophones. The seventh and newest ship is Le Commandant Charcot, a Polar Class 2–rated icebreaker that sails to the Geographic North Pole.
Fiippo Vinardi/Silversea Cruises14. Expedition Ship Line: Silversea
Silversea sails to more than 900 destinations across seven continents; visit many of them on one of Silversea's months-long world cruises.
Michel Verdure/Atlas Ocean Voyages13. Expedition Ship Line: Atlas Ocean Voyages
Atlas Ocean Voyages is the new kid on the expedition block. The company was established in 2019, with its first ship, World Navigator, launching in 2021. The fleet has since grown to include World Traveller and World Voyager, offering polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as cultural expeditions throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South America, and Northern Europe.
Seabourn12. Expedition Ship Line: Seabourn
Seabourn introduced expeditions into its repertoire in 2021 with Seabourn Venture, a 264-passenger luxury ship with all-veranda suites. Her sister ship, Seabourn Pursuit, debuted in 2023. The vessels are equipped with two custom-built submersibles, which are deployed on itineraries from the Arctic to West Africa.
Werner Kruse11. Expedition Ship Line: HX
HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), has a fleet comprising six ships that sail the seven seas—itineraries range from polar expeditions to voyages through the Caribbean and Central America. The newest ships in the fleet are the 528-passenger MS Roald Amundsen and her twin, the MS Fridtjof Nansen, both of which are powered by hybrid engines (and named after famed Norwegian explorers). The 250-passenger MS Fram was originally built in 2007, but she underwent a full refurbishment in 2022.
- Galapagos Explorer</a>.</em> The yacht-style ship carries just 12 guests across six cabins on <a href=https://www.cntraveler.com/"https://www.cntraveler.com/story/andbeyond-galapagos-explorer-cruise-is-a-safari-at-sea/" target=\"_blank\">immersive Galápagos itineraries</a>.","contentType":"photo","credit":"andBeyond Galapagos Explorer","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":225,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_320,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"},{"height":449,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_640,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":449,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_640,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"},{"height":898,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_1280,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":719,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_1024,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"},{"height":1437,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_2048,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":898,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_1280,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":898,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/67e5938182996c5178a6a5c4/master/w_1280,c_limit/South-America-Ecuador-Galapagos-Galapagos-Explorer-exterior-angle-view-no-branding.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
andBeyond Galapagos Explorer10. andBeyond
Hotel group andBeyond might be best known for its luxe safari lodges, but it's made its debut at sea with the Galapagos Explorer. The yacht-style ship carries just 12 guests across six cabins on immersive Galápagos itineraries.
Courtesy Lindblad Expeditions9. Expedition Ship Line: Lindblad - National Geographic Expeditions
This fleet of 19 vessels—with passenger capacities ranging from just 28 to 148—sails to rugged, far-flung destinations, including Arctic Svalbard, Antarctica, Indonesia, and the Galápagos. A Lindblad cruise typically prioritizes adventure over luxury. On most ships, expect small, simple cabins, but plenty of memorable excursions, like snorkeling in Borneo or hiking an ice field in Patagonia. But some of its recent fleet additions are truly luxe, from its two polar-sailing expedition ships, National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution, to the elegant National Geographic Islander II, which started sailing the Galápagos in 2022. Each sailing has an expedition team made up of experts in fields like marine biology and photography.
UnCruise Adventures8. Expedition Ship Line: UnCruise Adventures
It's all in the name. UnCruise Adventures is, well, unlike any other cruise line out there. While all expedition cruises have an element of adventure to them, UnCruise breathes adventure through every pore. Case in point: "yak-and-whack" excursions that combine miles of kayaking and backcountry hiking over a period of five, six, or seven hours. The cruise line operates a fleet of nine small ships that carry 22 to 86 passengers that sail all throughout North and Central America, from Alaska to Mexico's Sea of Cortez. Passengers quickly form bonds as they embark on their adventures.
Overseas Adventure Travel7. Overseas Adventure Travel
Part of Grand Circle Travel, Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) brings guests to Europe, West Africa, the polar regions, and beyond on its fleet of small expedition ships. Passenger counts from 50 to 98, ensuring an intimate experience.
Courtesy Quasar6. Expedition Ship Line: Quasar
The first luxury line to sail the Galápagos, Quasar Expeditions is best known for its in-depth trips aboard its two intimate ships that carry fewer than 32 passengers each. Yet note the street cred of said ships: One is the Grace, is the former yacht of Princess Grace of Monaco. One other, the Evolution, will allow you to retrace Darwin's footsteps in the Galápagos. Quasar also offers cruises through Patagonia.
Aurora Expeditions5. Expedition Ship Line: Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions is an Australian expedition company that offers adventure-filled, small-ship cruises to some of the world’s most remote destinations: primarily the Arctic and the Antarctic. A new ship, Douglas Mawson, is scheduled to join the existing two-ship fleet in 2025, with new destinations such as Australia and the Mediterranean being added to the roster in 2026.
Viking Cruises4. Expedition Ship Line: Viking
When Viking was founded in 1997, it focused solely on river cruising in Europe. It soon expanded its operations to other rivers around the world, followed by the oceans in 2013. The expedition branch of the company, however, was only launched in 2020—the first ship, Viking Octantis, is a 378-passenger vessel that made her debut in early 2022. Her sister, Viking Polaris, made her inaugural voyage later in the year.
Acacia Johnson/Courtesy Quark Expeditions3. Expedition Ship Line: Quark Expeditions
If you’re after white sand and turquoise waters, Quark Expeditions isn’t for you. The cruise line specializes in polar expeditions: each of its three ships is an ice-strengthened vessel capable of bringing guests to the farthest reaches of the northern and southern seas. The access they provide to the polar regions is unparalleled and well worth the expedition experience. Its flagship, Ultramarine, is particularly luxe, and it's outfitted with two helicopters for off-ship exploration.
Courtesy Ecoventura2. Expedition Ship Line: Ecoventura
As Ecoventura operates a fleet of three expedition yachts with a capacity of only 20 passengers, you know you’re getting a personalized experience on board. The ships sail two week-long itineraries in the Galápagos—you can combine them both if you want more time with the islands’ incredible wildlife. The luxurious ships each have 10 well-appointed cabins, a lounge where naturalists provide lectures and briefings before excursions, a dining room and bar, a library filled with scholarly tomes on the Galápagos, and a sundeck for relaxation.
Courtesy Metropolitan Touring1. Expedition Ship Line: Metropolitan Touring
Operating three expedition vessels in the Galápagos, Metropolitan Touring is the ideal cruise line for those seeking a casual experience in the wildlife hotspot. The tiny ships, which only accommodate between 40 and 90 passengers, have a laid-back atmosphere where the focus is very much on wildlife spotting. The company also offers land-based tours in mainland Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia that can be combined with a Galápagos expedition.
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