Top 10 Cruises in the World
Top 10 Cruises in the World
Direct Answer
The best cruise overall is a Norwegian fjords sailing on Hurtigruten's MS Trollfjord, a working coastal voyage whose 12-day Original Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes runs from roughly $1,500 per person and threads UNESCO fjords most ships can't reach. The best value is Royal Caribbean's 7-night Western Caribbean out of Florida, where interior cabins regularly start near $500–$700 per person including all meals.
This list spans ocean megaships, expedition vessels, and small luxury yachts for first-timers and veterans alike, from budget mass-market to $10,000+ expedition fares. Every line, ship, itinerary, and starting price below is real and currently bookable, ranked on destination quality, onboard experience, and value.
1. Norwegian Fjords — Hurtigruten Coastal Express 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Hurtigruten has plied the Norwegian coast since 1893, and its Original Coastal Express between Bergen and Kirkenes calls at 34 ports over 12 days round-trip (7 days one-way). Fares typically start around $1,500–$2,500 per person, with the newer MS Trollfjord and battery-hybrid ships offering upgraded cabins.
It ranks #1 because it's part cruise, part working ferry, sailing into Geirangerfjord and the Trollfjord that megaships skip, with chances of the Northern Lights (Sept–March) and midnight sun (May–July). This is destination-first cruising for travelers who want raw Arctic scenery over casinos and water slides.
Hurtigruten now splits its sailings between the traditional Coastal Express (which still carries cargo and local passengers) and more upscale Signature expedition voyages. Cabins are smaller and the onboard experience more low-key than a megaship, but optional excursions — dog-sledding, king-crab safaris, and RIB-boat fjord tours — let you tailor the adventure.
Crossing the Arctic Circle earns a ceremonial ladle of ice water on deck. For first-timers, the 7-day northbound leg is the sweet spot.
2. Antarctica Expedition — Quark or Hurtigruten Expeditions
A true bucket-list voyage. 10–14 day expeditions sail from Ushuaia, Argentina across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula, with operators like Quark Expeditions and Hurtigruten Expeditions running ice-strengthened ships carrying ~200 guests. Fares start around $8,000–$12,000 per person and climb past $25,000 for suites.
Season is November–March. You'll Zodiac-cruise among penguin colonies, leopard seals, and calving glaciers. It ranks just below the fjords only on price and accessibility — the experience itself is unrivaled.
Choose your ship by ambition: smaller vessels (under 200 guests) maximize landings, since IAATO rules cap shore parties at 100 people at a time. Add-ons like kayaking, camping on the ice, or a Drake Passage fly-cruise (flying over the notorious crossing to save two rough sea days) are worth considering.
Early-season trips (November) bring pristine snow and courting penguins; February–March offers whale-watching and penguin chicks.
3. Galápagos Islands — Celebrity / Silversea Expedition
Ecuador limits ship size to protect the archipelago, so Galápagos cruising means small vessels: Celebrity Flora (100 guests) or Silversea's Silver Origin (~100 guests) on 7-night loops from Baltra. Fares run roughly $5,000–$9,000 per person, including naturalist-guided daily landings.
You'll snorkel with sea lions and marine iguanas and walk among giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies. A $200 Galápagos park entry and transit fee (raised in 2024) applies. The wildlife density and Darwin history make it elite.
Itineraries are strictly regulated to spread visitors across the islands, so each cruise visits a fixed set of sites — research which islands a sailing covers, as eastern and western routes differ in wildlife. June–November brings cooler, nutrient-rich waters ideal for snorkeling, while December–May offers warmer seas and calmer crossings.
Pair the cruise with a few nights in Quito or on Ecuador's mainland to round out the trip.
4. Mediterranean — Royal Caribbean / MSC Megaship
The classic warm-water cruise. 7-night Western Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona or Civitavecchia (Rome) on MSC or Royal Caribbean hit Naples, Marseille, and the French/Italian Riviera, starting around $700–$1,200 per person for interior cabins.
Peak season is May–October. It ranks here for sheer convenience: multiple iconic cities in one trip without unpacking, plus large-ship amenities. Shore excursions to Pompeii or the Sagrada Família are the highlight.
Eastern Mediterranean itineraries swap in Greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos), Croatia's Dubrovnik, and Venice, while shoulder-season sailings avoid the worst summer heat and crowds. Book private or small-group shore tours rather than the ship's large bus excursions to see more in each port.
With a port nearly every day, this is a fast-paced sampler that's ideal for first-time cruisers wanting to scout future European destinations.
5. Alaska Inside Passage — Princess / Holland America
A summer staple. 7-night Inside Passage round-trips from Seattle or Vancouver on Princess or Holland America call at Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, with glacier viewing at Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. Fares start around $700–$1,300 per person.
Season runs May–September; June–July offers the longest days and best weather. Watch for humpback whales, bald eagles, and calving glaciers. Cruisetour add-ons extend the trip to Denali by rail.
For deeper scenery, choose a one-way sailing between Vancouver and Whittier/Seward rather than a Seattle round-trip — it adds College Fjord and Hubbard Glacier. Book a balcony cabin on the side facing land, and bring binoculars for wildlife. Shore excursions like the White Pass & Yukon Route railway in Skagway and whale-watching in Juneau are the standout splurges.
6. Western Caribbean — Royal Caribbean 💎 BEST VALUE
The best bang for your buck in cruising. 7-night Western Caribbean sailings from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral on ships like Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas call at Cozumel, Roatán, and Costa Maya, with interior cabins regularly from $500–$700 per person, all meals included.
Year-round departures (avoid Sept–Oct hurricane peak). For a family or first-timer wanting beaches, snorkeling, and onboard entertainment without breaking the bank, nothing beats it on price-per-day. The newest mega-ships add water slides, surf simulators, and Broadway-style shows, while private-island stops like Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay or Disney's Castaway Cay are highlights.
Watch for extras — drink packages, specialty dining, and shore excursions can double your fare — but interior cabins on shorter sailings remain the cheapest way to cruise.
7. Japan — Princess Cruises Diamond Princess
7- to 10-night round-trips from Tokyo (Yokohama) on the Diamond Princess circle Japan, calling at Kobe, Nagasaki, and Busan, South Korea, with cherry-blossom (late March–April) and autumn-foliage (October–November) sailings most prized. Fares start around $1,000–$2,000 per person.
The ship was built in Japan for Japanese tastes, with onboard *onsen*-style baths. Pair it with land days in Kyoto for a complete trip.
8. South Pacific — P&O / Princess from Sydney
7- to 12-night South Pacific sailings from Sydney or Auckland visit Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia (Nouméa) on P&O Australia and Princess ships, starting around $900–$1,800 per person. The dry season (May–October) offers the calmest seas.
It ranks for accessible tropical island-hopping — overwater scenery and reef snorkeling without the long-haul flights an Australian or Kiwi traveler would otherwise face.
9. Danube River — AmaWaterways / Viking
A different style entirely. 7-night Danube river cruises from Budapest to Vilshofen on Viking Longships or AmaWaterways glide through Vienna, Bratislava, and Austria's Wachau Valley, with fares from around $2,500–$4,000 per person (more inclusive than ocean lines).
Best April–October, with festive Christmas-market sailings in December. Small ships (~190 guests) dock in city centers, so you walk off into the heart of each town. Ideal for first-time river cruisers.
10. Transatlantic Crossing — Cunard Queen Mary 2
The last true ocean liner offers a 7-night transatlantic crossing between Southampton and New York, a genuine sea voyage rather than a port-hopping cruise. Fares start around $1,000–$1,800 per person, with formal nights, a planetarium, and the famous Grand Lobby.
It ranks for romance and tradition: seven days at sea with no ports, white-glove dining, and the only purpose-built liner still crossing the Atlantic on a scheduled service. Crossings run spring through fall. The QM2 is built for the open ocean, with a deep hull and high freeboard that handle Atlantic swells better than any cruise ship.
Onboard, you'll find ballroom dancing, enrichment lectures, a kennel for pets, and the famous afternoon tea. Many travelers book a crossing one-way and fly home, or pair it with a transatlantic repositioning to Europe. It's the antidote to frenetic port-hopping.
How to Choose
- Destination vs. Ship: If the scenery is the point (Antarctica, Galápagos, fjords), choose a small expedition vessel; if onboard amenities matter most, pick a Caribbean or Mediterranean megaship.
- Budget: Caribbean interiors start near $500/person; expedition cruises run $8,000+ — set the budget before the destination.
- Season: Alaska and the fjords are summer-only; the Caribbean is year-round but avoid the September–October hurricane peak.
- Ship size: Megaships (4,000+ guests) suit families and value-seekers; small ships (under 250) suit travelers who hate crowds and want deeper destinations.
- Inclusivity: River and luxury lines bundle excursions, drinks, and gratuities; mass-market ocean fares look cheaper but add up with extras.
FAQ
What is the best cruise in the world overall?
For destination quality and uniqueness, Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal Express is the best overall — a 12-day, 34-port working voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes from around $1,500 per person, reaching fjords megaships can't. It blends raw Arctic scenery with Northern Lights or midnight-sun timing.
Which cruise offers the best value?
A 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean from Florida is the best value, with interior cabins often from $500–$700 per person including all meals and entertainment. Year-round departures and short flights to the embarkation port keep total costs low.
How much does an Antarctica cruise cost?
Antarctic expedition cruises from Ushuaia typically start around $8,000–$12,000 per person for a 10–14 day voyage and exceed $25,000 for suites. The price reflects ice-strengthened ships, Zodiac landings, and naturalist guides during the November–March season.
Are river cruises better than ocean cruises?
It depends. River cruises (Danube, Rhine) dock in city centers, carry ~190 guests, and bundle excursions, making them ideal for sightseeing and first-timers. Ocean cruises offer more amenities, lower entry prices, and open-sea destinations. Choose by whether you prioritize culture or onboard activity.
Bottom Line
The best cruise overall is Hurtigruten's Norwegian Coastal Express for its unmatched fjord access from around $1,500 per person, while the best value is a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing from Florida starting near $500 per person. Match the ship size and season to whether you want destination depth or onboard amenities.
Sources
- Hurtigruten and Hurtigruten Expeditions official itineraries and fares
- Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America, and MSC Cruises official booking sites
- Quark Expeditions — Antarctic voyage pricing and seasons
- Celebrity Cruises and Silversea — Galápagos expedition details
- Galápagos National Park / Ecuador Ministry of Tourism — park entry fee
- AmaWaterways, Viking, and Cunard official river and ocean itineraries
- *Cruise Critic* and *Condé Nast Traveler* cruise rankings