The awards are selected by a global panel of impartial cruise experts from Cruise Critic, to highlight the best ocean, river and luxury cruise lines across dozens of categories.
“With more Brits than ever before trying a cruise for the first time, it’s evident that a holiday at sea is becoming a more compelling proposition,” explained Cruise Critic’s UK Managing Editor, Adam Coulter. “These awards combine our editors’ impartial cruise expertise, based on first-hand experiences and industry knowledge, to ultimately help travellers select the best cruise choice for them, from the myriad of amazing options now available.”
The award for ‘Best New Ship’ on the ocean went to MSC Cruises’ 4,475-passenger MSC Meraviglia, which debuted in June. It was commended by editors for innovations such as introducing Cirque du Soleil at sea, and the exclusive suite-class Yacht Club. MSC Cruises also won the ‘Best for Families’ award for the first time ever.
Marella (formerly Thomson) Cruises, whose fares include all tips and service charges, as well as alcohol drinks on some of its ships, was awarded ‘Best Value for Money’. Celestyal Cruises won a new award for 2017 – the ‘Best for Service’ award.
Another new accolade for 2017, ‘Best for Solo Travellers’, went to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. It also won the coveted ‘Best Itineraries’ award.
Other ocean cruise line award winners included Celebrity Cruises, which kept its awards for ‘Best Cabins’ and ‘Best Shore Excursions’. While sister company, Royal Caribbean, also held onto two of its titles – for ‘Best Entertainment’ and ‘Best Suites’.
Retaining its 2016 titles for ‘Best River Cruise Line’ and ‘Best for Luxury’, the judges felt that Uniworld’s Boutique River Cruise Collection brought the atmosphere of opulent hotels to the rivers. Uniworld also took the new 2017 award for ‘Best for Service’.
Avalon secured the ‘Best Cabins’ accolade for installing window-facing beds with memory foam mattress toppers and a choice of pillows. It additionally took the “Best for Active Travellers” award.
In the luxury awards, Seabourn held onto the title for ‘Best Luxury Cruise Line’. Judges were especially bowled over by Seabourn Encore, with its sumptuous, yacht-like feel and finest boutique hotel ambience. Seabourn also, once again, secured the ‘Best Enrichment’ award.
The ‘Best Dining’ award went to Crystal for its imaginative menus and quality range of restaurant offerings. The line also secured the ‘Best for Service’ and ‘Best for Solo Travellers’ awards, as well as the ‘Best Ship Refurbishment’ accolade for Crystal Symphony.
Viking Ocean Cruises was once again handed awards for ‘Best Value for Money’ and ‘Best Spa’.
Southampton Port kept the ‘Best UK Departure Port’ title for the ninth year in a row. Guernsey took the award for ‘Best UK & British Isles Port of Call’.
