With an ambience distinctively different from mega-ships, large ships, which we define as those with 800 to 1,399 cabins, are big enough to offer a good choice in accommodations, restaurants, activities, and entertainment. What they don’t have is mega-ship crowds or, for that matter, as many amusement park attractions as the larger ships. Itineraries include the tried-and-true but also destinations that mega-ships may not be able to visit given their larger size—a perk that delights our voters.
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How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories based on number of cabins.
Ships were specifically rated on the criteria below:
- Cabins/facilities
- Food
- Service
- Itineraries/destinations
- Excursions/activities
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
Matt Stroshane/Disney
What Readers Loved
Holland America Line (No. 3) is a T+L reader favorite, particularly in Alaska, where the brand has had a presence for more than 75 years. Another legacy brand is the venerable Cunard (No. 2), with its traditional White Star service, ballrooms where real dress-up balls take place, and regular roster of transatlantic voyages. Moving into the No. 1 spot this year is Disney Cruise Line, popular with families and nostalgic adults alike. Also making the top five are Celebrity Cruises (No. 4) and Geneva-based MSC Cruises (No. 5).
The Winner
Disney Cruise Line
Disney
Last year at No. 2 and this year in the winning spot, Disney Cruise Line was a reader favorite not only with families with kids but with an adult crowd, too. Readers praised the themed rotational dining setup, created so kids don’t get bored, and the frequent presence of Disney characters. They also praised the line’s crew and overall attention to detail. “Amenities and facilities were amazing, and everything felt like the Disney atmosphere of my childhood,” wrote one reader. “As an adult I am wowed; I can’t imagine what it must be like to see it through the eyes of a child,” said another fan.
T+L Reader
As an adult I am wowed; I can’t imagine what it must be like to see it through the eyes of a child.
— T+L Reader
The Full List
1. Disney Cruise Line
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 88.33
2. Cunard
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 85.04
3. Holland America Line
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 83.62
4. Celebrity Cruises
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 82.60
5. MSC Cruises
Reader Score: 80.71
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