US News Announces the 2020 Best Cruise Lines

Cruising offers the perfect vacation for many travelers - whether you want to have a relaxing trip in the Caribbean, see multiple cities in Europe or even explore the whole world. The advantages of choosing a cruise for your next trip are countless, but with so many cruise lines, choosing a cruise line may seem daunting. And making sure you choose the right cruise for you and your companions is essential in ensuring you have the best time. Thankfully, U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2020 rankings for the best cruise lines to help you narrow down your options.

U.S. News and World Report knows there are many types of travelers, so they decided to break up the rankings into six different categories based on specific expert evaluations of the quality of cruise ships, reputation among travelers, various results from health assessments conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other factors like price class as well as cruise line's itinerary offerings.

- Best Cruise Lines for the Money

- Best Luxury Cruise Lines

- Best Cruise Lines for Families

- Best Cruise Lines for Couples

- Best Cruise Line in the Mediterranean

- Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Here are the top three cruise lines for each of these classifications.

Royal Caribbean International has so much to offer on each of their ships, that it's no wonder passengers get so much bang for their buck. From the zip-line, to miniature golf, to the multi-story slide and world-class entertainment on Symphony of the Seas to constant renovations they make to their older ships like the Explorer of the Seas, you'll be treated to all the latest and greatest amenities cruise ships have to offer while sailing on one of their ships.

It's no surprise that Celebrity Cruises found itself among the top spots for Best Cruise Line for the money. With a brand new ship, the Celebrity Edge - and new motto - 'Wonder Awaits' - Celebrity Cruises is all about showing "how unexpected moments, impeccable service and stunning design create a trip that is truly wonderful and provides our guests with a break from reality, even just for an instant," Peter Giorgi, Chief Marketing Officer, Celebrity Cruises said in a statement.

With offers for things like drink packages, free Wi-Fi and excursion credits, it's no shocker that travelers feel like their dollar goes such a long way with Norwegian Cruise Line. Pair that with their unique itineraries - like sailing around the Hawaiian islands for a week - and you're in for a trip of a lifetime.

Disney Cruise Line consistently goes the extra mile to make sure everyone - kids and adults alike - has a magical time while onboard one of their ships. The staff's attention to detail to evident in everything they do, and it's no wonder that all of Disney Cruise Line's ships received a perfect 100 health score.

Royal Caribbean International's expanse fleet offers a plethora of amenities with every sailing. And although they have itineraries to over 200 destinations on six continents, don't be startled if you're family just wants to stay on the ship. Add in an adventure at the cruise line's private island, and you really will have The Perfect Day.

Carnival Cruise Line is all about having a fun and memorable time. And their popularity shows with its new expansion - recently being approved for its very own terminal at PortMiami.

Viking is one of the stand-out river cruise lines, known for their level of service and exceptional itineraries. A few years ago, Viking took their ideas to the open ocean - creating Viking Ocean Cruises. Their smaller ships allow passengers to not feel like they are on an overrun party barge, while also permitting them into ports that larger cruise ships can't fit into.

It's no surprise that Seabourn Cruise Line is considered one of the best cruise lines for couples. With their smaller ships - carrying only 450-600 passengers, and their all-suite room options, the intimacy is planned in the very design of the ship.

Crystal Cruises comes in at third place for couples, and it's not hard to see why either. The ships in their fleet are great for a more intimate vacation for couple travelers, and they also sail to some of the most romantic destinations in the world.

The Mouse once again rules the High Seas, topping the charts as the best cruise line in the Caribbean. With its ever-growing popularity, it's no wonder that Disney Cruise Line is adding not only to their fleet, but they are also in the process of creating a second private island in The Bahamas.

The name says it all. Royal Caribbean International thrives with sailings to the Caribbean. Plus, the new addition of their own island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, makes for an even better cruise experience for travelers seeking a tropical paradise in the Caribbean.

If you're looking for a more luxurious experience in the Caribbean than Seabourn Cruise Line should be near the top of your list. Seabourn offers itineraries that include ports many of the overly-large cruise ships just can't get into. And their growing popularity is evident with it's increasing fleet - adding two more ships in the coming years.

A cruise through the Mediterranean offers travelers the chance to see multiple destinations with only having to unpack their suitcase once. And with Seabourn Cruises guests are sure to get a rewarding experience, visiting multiple ports of call while still getting to relax onboard one of their luxury ships.

Crystal Cruises continues to knock it out of the park. Cruising around the Mediterranean is becoming more and more popular, and Crystal has a plethora of offerings meet traveler's needs and desires in exploring this beautiful part of the world.

Viking Cruises is a well-loved brand throughout the waterways of Europe as one of the top river cruise lines of the area, but with their recent expansion to ocean voyages, they're also gaining a name for themselves throughout the Mediterranean. Offering unique itineraries with in-depth shore excursions, passengers get the impressive service that Viking is known for while also getting to explore more of the Mediterranean on their small ocean vessels.

Viking knows how to please customers - giving them distinctive itineraries and pairing it with their quality service. It's no wonder that Viking keeps winning more awards and accolades.

Seabourn is consistently trying to outdo itself - offering unprecedented levels of services on its ultra-luxurious ships. Their "Extraordinary Worlds, 2020-2021 Cruise Collection" exemplify just how they plan to continue contributing to client satisfaction with even more unique sailings - including trips to Antarctica - and their exceptional shore excursions to create once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Crystal Cruises has passengers' interests at the forefront of all their journeys - from exploring the Christmas markets in Europe to sailing through New England and voyaging through Asia. Crystal Cruise ships hold fewer passengers, and their guest to staff ratio is less than 1:2 - allowing for everyone onboard to feel truly special.