These Are The Best Cruise Ships in the World, According to Top Travel Advisors

Cruise ships come in all shapes, sizes and configurations, each with its own distinct personality.

Whether your clients are seeking luxury, adventure, or family fun, these floating resorts redefine what it means to travel by sea. From world-class dining and entertainment to breathtaking destinations and innovative design, each ship offers a unique experience. 

For the 2025 Travvy Awards, travel advisors cast thousands of votes in more than 140 categories to select the Gold, Silver and Bronze Winners—including the best cruise ships in the world. The annual awards, produced by TravelPulse and AGENTatHOME, highlight the best suppliers in the travel industry, ranging from cruise companies and hotels to destinations and tour operators. 

This year, the Travvy’s recognize the world’s best cruise ships across seven different categories. Here’s the full breakdown of the results.

Best Cruise Ship - Overall

• Gold: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
• Silver: Celebrity Cruises’ Ascent
• Bronze: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua

Best Cruise Ship - Expedition/Adventure

The National Geographic Islander II. (photo via Marco Ricca) (Photo Credit: (photo via Marco Ricca))

• Gold: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions' National Geographic Islander II
• Silver: Scenic's Eclipse II
• Bronze: Viking’s Octantis

Best Cruise Ship - Large (Over 1,000 Cabins)

Royal Theater on Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Eric Bowman)

• Gold: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
• Silver: Celebrity Cruises' Ascent 
• Bronze: Norwegian Cruise Line's Aqua

Best Cruise Ship - Small (Under 500 Cabins)

• Gold: Windstar Cruises' Star Legend
• Silver: Seabourn's Pursuit
• Bronze: Azamara's Onward

Best Cruise Ship - Contemporary

Norwegian Aqua (Photo Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)

• Gold: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
• Silver: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua 
• Bronze: Carnival Cruise Line’s Jubilee

Best Cruise Ship - Premium

• Gold: Celebrity Cruises’ Ascent 
• Silver: Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess 
• Bronze: Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady

Best Cruise Ship - Luxury

Seven Seas Grandeur debuted in December 2023. (Photo Credit: Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

• Gold: Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur
• Silver: Silversea's Silver Ray
• Bronze: Seabourn’s Pursuit  
  
  Check out the complete list of 2025 Travvy Awards winners.

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