How we rate cruise lines
Our rating tries to answer one question: how good a time will the average cruiser have on board? It is a fixed formula over facts we can source and a written panel rubric. No cruise line pays for or reviews its score.
Method version 1
How the score works
We give each line a score between 1 and 10. To get to this score we look at lots of aspects and give them each a grade. Then using a simple formula we come to a final score.
| Cruise line | Rating | Panel score | Space and crew | Free water at the table | What the fare includes | Ship condition | Hygiene | Time ashore | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disney Cruise Line | 8.6 | 0.81 | 0.91 | 1.00 | 0.20 | 0.79 | 0.90 | 0.25 | 0.62 |
| Virgin Voyages | 8.6 | 0.81 | 0.57 | 1.00 | 0.60 | 0.89 | 0.85 | 0.40 | 0.78 |
| TUI Cruises | 8.5 | 0.75 | 0.53 | 1.00 | 0.70 | 0.84 | – | 0.80 | 0.75 |
| Celebrity Cruises | 8.1 | 0.69 | 0.65 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.67 | 0.84 | 0.60 | 0.63 |
| Royal Caribbean | 7.9 | 0.63 | 0.54 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.70 | 0.79 | 0.40 | 0.61 |
| Holland America Line | 7.9 | 0.69 | 0.57 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.63 | 0.79 | 0.40 | 0.57 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | 7.8 | 0.56 | 0.61 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.71 | 0.78 | 0.50 | 0.42 |
| Princess Cruises | 7.8 | 0.63 | 0.53 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.67 | 0.65 | 0.60 | 0.61 |
| Carnival Cruise Line | 7.5 | 0.56 | 0.43 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.64 | 0.72 | 0.20 | 0.33 |
| AIDA Cruises | 7.2 | 0.56 | 0.24 | 0.00 | 0.50 | 0.71 | – | 0.60 | 0.75 |
| MSC Cruises | 7.1 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 0.00 | 0.20 | 0.71 | – | 0.60 | 0.50 |
| Costa Cruises | 6.8 | 0.44 | 0.42 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.69 | – | 0.50 | 0.24 |
What the rating consists of
| Factor | Weight | How it is measured |
|---|---|---|
| Panel score | 30% | Food, service, cabins and entertainment, each graded 1 to 5 by our editors. |
| Space and crew | 20% | Gross tonnage per guest (25 scores 0, 55 scores 1) and guests per crew member (4 scores 0, 1.5 scores 1). |
| Free water at the table | 10% | 1 when tap or filtered water is free in the restaurants and bars, 0 when it is only free at the buffet. Source: the line's own fare terms. It's a good indicator for how "stingy" a line is. |
| What the fare includes | 10% | Tips, alcohol, soft drinks, wifi and speciality dining: 1 each when included, 0.5 when partly included, averaged. |
| Ship condition | 10% | Years since the ship was built, minus half the years a refurbishment won back. 25 years scores 0, a new ship scores 1. |
| Hygiene | 10% | Average of the last three US CDC Vessel Sanitation Program inspections. The pass mark of 86 scores 0, 100 scores 1. Only counted when ships carrying at least half the line's guests have been inspected. |
| Time ashore | 5% | Median hours in port per port day over the last year of sailings. 7 hours scores 0, 12 hours scores 1. |
| Awards | 5% | Placings in Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice, Travel + Leisure World's Best and Cruise Critic Best in Cruise over the last three years. AIDA and TUI Cruises are rated on the Kreuzfahrt Guide Awards instead, because the US lists do not cover them. |
Ship factors are averaged over the fleet weighted by guest capacity, so a ship carrying more guests counts for more.
How we calculate a score from these numbers
The weighted factors give a raw score from 0 to 1. The published rating is 5.2 + 4.47 × raw, rounded to one decimal.
What the panel looks at
Food
- 5
- Food is a reason to choose the line, and most of it is in the fare.
- 4
- Included food is regularly praised, with variety across included venues.
- 3
- Included food is reliably decent; a few venues stand out.
- 2
- Included food is filling but plain; good meals mostly cost extra.
- 1
- Included food is a common complaint: repetitive, often served at a wrong temperature.
Service
- 5
- Service is a reason to choose the line.
- 4
- Attentive and consistent; crew remember names and preferences.
- 3
- Friendly and efficient, with the occasional queue at peak times.
- 2
- Service is uneven between venues and sailings.
- 1
- Frequent reports of long waits, rushed or indifferent staff.
Cabins
- 5
- Cabins are a reason to choose the line.
- 4
- Above-average size or design; a high share of balconies.
- 3
- Comfortable, typical size, sensible storage.
- 2
- Cabins are functional but tight, with dated fittings on much of the fleet.
- 1
- Standard cabins are small, dated and short on storage.
Entertainment
- 5
- Entertainment is a reason to choose the line.
- 4
- Strong productions or standout activities on most ships.
- 3
- Varied shows and activities, enough to fill sea days.
- 2
- A standard theatre show and a few lounges.
- 1
- Little to do beyond the pool and the bar.
Panel grades per line
Disney Cruise LineFood 3 · Service 5 · Cabins 4 · Entertainment 5
- Food
- Rotational dining is solid; the adults-only venues are where it stands out.
- Service
- Dining team rotates with the family; service is the line's best-known strength.
- Cabins
- Family cabins are larger than the industry norm, with split bathrooms.
- Entertainment
- Broadway-scale shows and kids' clubs that set the standard.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Virgin VoyagesFood 5 · Service 4 · Cabins 4 · Entertainment 4
- Food
- Every restaurant is in the fare and food is the most praised part of the line.
- Service
- Consistently friendly crew; small fleet keeps standards even.
- Cabins
- Modern design, high share of balconies, compact standard cabins.
- Entertainment
- Original shows and adult-only programming instead of a classic theatre revue.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
TUI CruisesFood 4 · Service 4 · Cabins 4 · Entertainment 4
- Food
- Most restaurants are in the fare, with a good buffet and à la carte choice.
- Service
- German-language service praised for being consistent.
- Cabins
- Modern fleet with a high share of balcony cabins.
- Entertainment
- Strong theatre and live music; programme in German.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Celebrity CruisesFood 4 · Service 4 · Cabins 4 · Entertainment 3
- Food
- Main dining is a step above mass-market lines; specialty venues are strong.
- Service
- Polished, attentive service across the fleet.
- Cabins
- Edge-class cabins are well designed; older Millennium-class cabins are dated.
- Entertainment
- Good music and shows, less to do for families and thrill-seekers.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Royal CaribbeanFood 3 · Service 3 · Cabins 3 · Entertainment 5
- Food
- Included food is decent and plentiful; the best meals are in paid venues.
- Service
- Friendly but stretched on the largest ships at peak times.
- Cabins
- Typical sizes; interior 'virtual balcony' cabins help on newer ships.
- Entertainment
- Ice shows, aqua theatres, waterslides and Broadway musicals.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Holland America LineFood 4 · Service 4 · Cabins 4 · Entertainment 3
- Food
- Main dining is well regarded; Pinnacle Grill is a standout.
- Service
- Long-serving crew with a warm reputation.
- Cabins
- Generous standard cabin sizes on most of the fleet.
- Entertainment
- Live-music venues are the focus; little for younger guests.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Norwegian Cruise LineFood 3 · Service 3 · Cabins 3 · Entertainment 4
- Food
- Specialty venues are good but extra; included dining gets mixed reviews.
- Service
- Friendly, sometimes stretched; uneven between ships.
- Cabins
- Standard cabins are compact; The Haven is excellent but sold separately.
- Entertainment
- Broadway shows, go-karts and comedy on the newer ships.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Princess CruisesFood 4 · Service 4 · Cabins 3 · Entertainment 3
- Food
- Main dining is consistently praised for a mass-market line.
- Service
- Attentive and consistent; MedallionClass speeds up the basics.
- Cabins
- Comfortable but typical; older ships show their age.
- Entertainment
- Solid shows and Movies Under the Stars; little high-energy activity.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Carnival Cruise LineFood 3 · Service 3 · Cabins 3 · Entertainment 4
- Food
- Popular casual venues are included; main dining is average.
- Service
- Friendly and fun, but busy on full sailings.
- Cabins
- Standard cabins are a decent size; much of the fleet is older.
- Entertainment
- Comedy clubs, waterparks and the newest ships' roller coaster.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
AIDA CruisesFood 3 · Service 3 · Cabins 3 · Entertainment 4
- Food
- Buffet-led dining with drinks at meals; specialty restaurants cost extra.
- Service
- Casual and friendly; less personal than à la carte service.
- Cabins
- Functional cabins; the newer ships add more balconies.
- Entertainment
- Theatre productions and the Theatrium are a highlight; programme in German.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
MSC CruisesFood 3 · Service 2 · Cabins 3 · Entertainment 3
- Food
- Italian-leaning menus; included dining gets mixed reviews outside the Yacht Club.
- Service
- Uneven reports of queues and slow service on full sailings.
- Cabins
- Modern on the newer ships, small on the older classes.
- Entertainment
- Large theatres and family activities; multilingual programme spreads thin.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Costa CruisesFood 3 · Service 2 · Cabins 3 · Entertainment 3
- Food
- Italian menus; included dining is decent but not a highlight.
- Service
- Uneven reports, often stretched on full sailings.
- Cabins
- Functional; the newer LNG ships are noticeably better.
- Entertainment
- Lively evenings and themed parties; multilingual programme spreads thin.
Reviewed October 27, 2026
Corrections
If a fact behind a score is wrong, write to us with a source, and if we agree we will update the score!
Changes
- 27 October 2026: first version of the method.