U.S. News Announces The Best Cruise Lines For 2022

U.S. News & World Report has announced its 2022 Best Cruise Lines rankings.

The publication surveyed travelers to understand the effects of COVID-19 on cruiser sentiments. It unveiled the results at the Seatrade Global Conference in October which found that cruisers — both first-time and longtime — are currently booked at higher levels than before the pandemic.

Survey data also revealed that among the frequent travelers who indicated that they would cruise again, 20 percent are already booked on their next sailing.

“Though most avenues of travel have been impacted throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the cruise industry has seen the most challenges,” said Nicola Wood, travel editor at U.S. News. “U.S. News is excited to once again highlight the leading cruise lines and provide in-depth information on ships, onboard activities and itineraries to travelers looking to research and book a cruise vacation.”

The method used to collect these rankings factor in expert evaluations of cruise ship quality, reputation among travelers, results from health assessments conducted by the CDC, and other factors such as price class and itinerary offerings.

Celebrity Cruises took the top spot as the Best Cruise Line for the Money. Viking’s ocean cruises venture is number 1 for couples and luxury cruising, thanks to its adults-only environment and amenities such as fireplaces in common areas and balconies in every stateroom.

Disney Cruise Line has remained number 1 for Best Cruise Line for Families since U.S. News began ranking cruise lines, and for the eighth consecutive year, is also Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean.

Viking’s ocean ships also allowed the line to rank top for Best Cruise Line in the Mediterranean.

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Here are this year’s top four rankings in each category:

For the Money

1. Celebrity Cruises
2. Holland America Line
3. Royal Caribbean International
4. Norwegian Cruise Line

For Luxury

1. Viking (ocean)
2. Seabourn
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
4. Azamara

For Families

1. Disney Cruise Line
2. Royal Caribbean International
3. Carnival Cruise Line
4. Norwegian Cruise Line

For Couples

1. Viking (ocean)
2. Seabourn
3. Azamara
4. Crystal Cruises

In the Mediterranean

1. Viking (ocean)
2. Seabourn
3. Azamara
4. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

In the Caribbean

1. Disney Cruise Line
2. Celebrity Cruises
3. Seabourn
4. Royal Caribbean International

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