Cruise Critic Names the World's Most Popular Cruises for 2023 ⋆

Cruise Critic Names the World’s Most Popular Cruises for 2023

Cruise Critic, an online community and top reviews site for cruises, revealed the results of its 11th annual Cruisers’ Choice Awards, which identified the most well-liked cruises globally, based on feedback and ratings provided by consumers on the platform in the previous year. Cruise Critic boasts the largest online cruise community worldwide, featuring over 650,000 reviews of roughly 700 cruise ships operating around the world. World’s Most Popular Cruises for 2023

“While this is our eleventh year announcing our Cruisers’ Choice Awards, this year’s awards are some of the most meaningful to date,” shared Colleen McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic. “Our awards were paused for the past two years, due to the pandemic and the challenges it brought the industry. With the successful return of the cruise industry and global demand that continues to grow, this year’s awards are positioned to be more important and impactful than ever before. And as the cruise industry has returned to its new normal, it continues to prove its resiliency and dedication to delivering guests truly memorable vacations – as evident by this year’s list of winners.”

Highlights include: World’s Most Popular Cruises for 2023

Large Ship Category

Adults-only Virgin Voyages was the dominant winner in the Large Ship Category, winning every award in the size category. From Best Overall to Best Dining, Best Service and Best Value-for-Money, Virgin’s unique-to-the-industry offering has left its sailors praising every aspect of its cruise experience.

On Virgin Voyages’ Overall Cruise Experience:

“This was the most amazing cruise I have ever been on. It was super chill … met so many new people, and the staff were absolutely supurb. If you are looking for a true getaway, this is it!” — Cruise Critic Member Strubette

On Virgin Voyages’ Service:

“The crew was incredibly friendly, and it was amazing to see all of the crew members being happy, comfortable, and allowed to be themselves. This really adds to the overall guest/crew experience, because when you can tell that someone likes where they work, it changes everything.” – Cruise Critic Member rsibs94

Mid-Size Ship Category

Oceania Cruises was this year’s top winner in the Mid-Sized Category, also winning every award in its size category. The line’s service and dining were standouts among reviewers, and cruisers also found the cruise line to offer a strong value for money.

On Oceania’s Dining:

“Food was uniformly amazing! We prefer Waves in the AM and the Terrace Café in the PM, eating outdoors with the wind & view in the AM, and the stars in the PM.” – Cruise Critic Member MEFlowa

On Oceania’s Service:

“We were so impressed by the service. You can tell the staff are very well-trained and take pride in their work. Upon arrival, our stewardess came into our room to give us a tour of the stateroom and always warmly greeted us in the hallway. Bartenders remembered our favorite drinks and every crew member we passed stopped to greet us.” – Cruise Critic Member DC225

Small Ship Category

Viking (Ocean), another adults-only line, was the big winner in the Small Ship Category. With a nearly-identical fleet of ocean-going ships, cruisers were impressed with all aspects of the Viking experience – including a strong impression left on first-time cruisers, whose ratings led to the line being named Best for First-Timers. Viking’s brand new expedition ships were also awarded a number of top placements, including the Best Small Ship Line for Dining.

On Viking’s Overall Experience:

“We may be getting spoiled with Viking’s consistently outstanding ships, crews, food & accommodations, but that is why we keep going back to Viking.” – Cruise Critic Member RHunt8218

On Viking’s First-Time Cruiser Experience:

“This was my first cruise, and I had always wanted to go to Greece, so she thought this would be perfect. I was spoiled … It was one of my best traveling experiences and I look forward to going again!” – Cruise Critic Member Vmille

River Cruise Category

Viking (River) was named the Best River Cruise Line of the Year, with a fleet of river ships that offer a consistent experience in rivers all across the world.

On the Viking River Cruise Experience: “Everything about this cruise and all the ports were so unforgettable … The local food dishes were well represented in all meals prepared onboard. All details were very well planned. The service was impeccable, the crew absolutely lovely.” – Cruise Critic Member MuffinW

The winners of the 11^th annual Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards are awarded in three ship size classes, based on passenger capacity (Large: 2,000+ passengers; Mid-Size: 1,200 to 1,999 passengers; Small: Fewer than 1,200 passengers). The rankings are calculated using ratings published with user-submitted reviews on Cruise Critic.