EWING, N.J. - Cruise reviews site and online cruise community Cruise Critic announced the winners of the 2017 Cruisers' Choice Awards, based on ratings and reviews collected during a 12-month period.
"With these awards we consolidate the thousands of reviews submitted to Cruise Critic each year and honor those lines that received the best ratings from cruisers," explained Colleen McDaniel, Senior Executive Editor, Cruise Critic. "Reviews offer incredibly helpful insights for those planning a cruise but also highlight the remarkable experiences and levels of service that people encounter every day on a cruise. We're thankful to everyone who added their voice to these awards by taking the time to write a review."
Disney Cruise Line takes top awards in eight categories, including Best Overall Large Ship for Disney Dream for the third consecutive year. Disney Dream sails Bahamian itineraries year-round from Port Canaveral, Florida, and also won Best Cabins, Best Service, Best Public Rooms and Best Shore Excursions. In the Mid-Size ship category, Disney Magic took top honors for Best Overall as well as Best for Families.
Viking Ocean Cruises, which launched its first ocean cruise ship in 2015, ranks number one in 10 categories. Viking Sea, which sails European and Caribbean itineraries, won Best Overall in the Small-Mid size ship category, as well as Best Service, Best Entertainment, Best for Fitness, Best Public Rooms and Best Shore Excursion. Sister ship Viking Star won Best Value, Best Dining, Best Cabins and Best for First-Timers, in the same Small-Mid size category.
Celebrity Cruise Line's Galapagos-based ship, Celebrity Xpedition, won six top awards in the Small Ship class, including Best Overall, Best Value and Best Shore Excursions.
The winners of the 7th annual Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards are awarded in four ship size classes, based on passenger capacity (Large: 2,000+ passengers; Mid-Size: 1,200 to 1,999 passengers; Small-Mid Size: 400- 1,199 passengers; Small: Fewer than 400 passengers.) The rankings are calculated using ratings published with user-submitted reviews on Cruise Critic.
First-place winners include:
Best Cruise Overall
- Disney Dream (Large) – Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Magic (Mid-Size) – Disney Cruise Line
- Viking Sea (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Celebrity Xpedition (Small) – Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruise Ship Cabins
- Disney Dream (Large) – Disney Cruise Line
- Marina (Mid-Size) - Oceania Cruises
- Viking Star (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Star Legend (Small) – Windstar Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Dining
- Celebrity Reflection (Large) - Celebrity Cruises
- Marina (Mid-Size) - Oceania Cruises
- Viking Star (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Wind Surf (Small) – Windstar Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Embarkation
- Celebrity Reflection (Large) - Celebrity Cruises
- Celestyal Crystal (Mid-Size) – Celestyal Cruises
- Pacific Princess (Small-Mid) – Princess Cruises
- Celebrity Xpedition (Small) - Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Entertainment
- Allure of the Seas (Large) – Royal Caribbean International
- Celestyal Crystal (Mid-Size) – Celestyal Cruises
- Viking Sea (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Silver Shadow (Small) – Silversea Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Fitness & Recreation
- Disney Fantasy (Large) – Disney Cruise Line
- Marina (Mid-Size) - Oceania Cruises
- Viking Sea (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Celebrity Xpedition (Small) - Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Public Rooms
- Disney Dream (Large) – Disney Cruise Line
- Marina (Mid-Size) - Oceania Cruises
- Viking Sea (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Celebrity Xpedition (Small) - Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Service
- Disney Dream (Large) – Disney Cruise Line
- Marina (Mid-Size) - Oceania Cruises
- Viking Sea (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Paul Gauguin (Small) – Paul Gauguin Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions
- Disney Dream (Large) – Disney Cruise Line
- Celestyal Crystal (Mid-Size) – Celestyal Cruises
- Viking Sea (Small-Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Celebrity Xpedition (Small) - Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruise Ships for Value
- Norwegian Sky (Large) – Norwegian Cruise Line
- Celestyal Crystal (Mid-Size) – Celestyal Cruises
- Viking Star (Small Mid) – Viking Ocean Cruises
- Celebrity Xpedition (Small) - Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruises for Families
- Disney Magic – Disney Cruise Line
Best for First Timers
- Viking Star –Viking Ocean Cruises
