Using Cruise Awards to Choose Your Cruise
Turn award lists into a shortlist that fits how you like to travel.
Get Quotes on Award-Winning Cruise LinesCruise awards are a shortcut to lines other travelers loved. Used well, they cut a list of dozens of cruise lines to a handful worth pricing.
A Five-Step Way to Choose a Cruise by Its Awards
- Decide your style first: big-ship variety, mid-size balance, small-ship intimacy, luxury, expedition or river.
- Read the matching category in two or three programs — for example the mega-ship lists if you want waterslides and Broadway shows.
- Look for repeats. A line in the top spots across several programs and years is a strong signal.
- Check the specialty awards for what matters to you: families, solo travelers, food, service, value.
- Price the shortlist on your dates — awards say nothing about this month’s fares.
Matching Recent Winners to Travel Styles
| If you want… | Recent winners worth a look | Where the honor came from |
|---|---|---|
| Adults-only, modern big ships | Virgin Voyages | T+L 2026 mega-ship; CNT 2026 large ships; Cruise Critic 2025 best ocean line |
| Families | Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises | T+L 2026 large-ship (Disney); Cruise Critic 2025 best for families (MSC) |
| Big-ship variety | Princess Cruises | CNT 2026 No. 1 megaships |
| Small ships, culture and enrichment | Viking | T+L 2026 small-ship; USA TODAY 10Best 2026 best ocean line |
| Value | Carnival Cruise Line | Cruise Critic 2025 best value for money |
| Luxury | Explora Journeys, Crystal | Cruise Critic 2025 best luxury line; T+L 2026 midsize-ship (Crystal) |
| Expedition | National Geographic-Lindblad, Quasar Expeditions | Cruise Critic 2025 best expedition line; T+L 2026 intimate-ship |
Then Let Us Do the Pricing
Once you have a shortlist, send it to our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise. They will price each line on your dates, flag any promotion running during Wave Season or other sale events, and point out the cabin location that suits you. Browse cruise lines and services on the Official Cruise Directory, or river lines on the Official River Cruise Directory.
Questions to Ask Before You Book an Award Winner
- Does this line sail the region and month I want?
- Which of its ships won, and which ship sails my dates?
- Is the winning feature — dining, entertainment, service — included in my fare or extra?
- How does its fare compare with the runner-up on the same dates?
- Is a promotion running now, or is one expected soon?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise answer all five in one quote.
One more tip: awards reward lines for what they did in the year voters sailed. If a line has launched new ships or changed its fares and inclusions since, the newest results — on our cruise awards 2026 page — are the better guide. For a quick grounding in ship types and cruise vocabulary before you compare winners, First Time Cruise is a good start.
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