World's Best Cruise Ships

Celebrity Silhouette may carry up to 2,886 passengers, but it never feels crowded, thanks to its 10 restaurants—including a grill-with-the-chef restaurant on the top-deck lawn—more than a dozen lounges, and art-filled nooks with hideaway reading pods. Other top-of-class touches include an art studio, craft beers in Michael’s Bar (a Celebrity Solstice–class clubby staple), a cool hummingbird video in its molecular cocktail bar, and, of course, superb service on itineraries from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean. Rates: from $100 per day

No cruise line caters to family quite like Disney, with split baths and separate sinks, imaginative restaurants, and unparalleled children’s programs like an interactive Muppets mystery game—not to mention appearances by Mickey and friends. Designed for seven-night Port Canaveral–Caribbean itineraries for up to 2,500 passengers, the line’s newest ship ranks high thanks to luxe Art Nouveau styling (a sweeping grand staircase, stained-glass chandelier), plus expansive water-play area and adults-only sundeck. Rates: from $425 per day

Celebrity Reflection wins with smart, spacious cabins, an ice bar, a wine-tasting room, and inventive restaurants like Qsine, where iPad ordering and food presentations max out the fun scale. A slightly broader beam than its four Solstice-class siblings allows for 3,046 passengers and 42 suites with one-of-a-kind amenities, like an all-glass cantilevered shower that offers thrilling 360-degree views of the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Rates: from $100 per day; celebritycruises.com

Another of Celebrity Cruise Line’s five Solstice-class ships, the 2,850-passenger Celebrity Equinox features sun-themed artwork, a hot glassblowing show, and some of the best-designed cabins at sea. Standouts of its multiple dining venues include the Asian fusion Silk Harvest and, for AquaClass guests, the spa-inspired Blu. Unlike some sister ships, its broad top-deck lawn is free of alcoves, leaving plenty of space for picnics on sailings to the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Rates: from $100 per day

The 3,082-passenger Emerald Princess and its sister ships, Ruby Princess and Crown Princess, create an atmosphere that’s equally welcoming for families and those traveling without children. For instance, guests can dine at assigned times or at their leisure in the Italian and surf-and-turf specialty eateries or three main dining rooms. But the best evenings may be spent on cushioned loungers watching first-run movies under the stars of the Caribbean, Baltic, and Mediterranean, popcorn provided. Rates: from $100 per day

Fresh from a $17 million facelift, the luxurious Crystal Serenity takes top of class thanks to a smart new casual dining room, gracious staterooms with comfortable seating areas, and a rich program of instructors and guest lecturers. Itineraries for 2014 start at five days and sail New England, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa, where new active excursions might have you trekking after gorillas in Rwanda. Rates: from $400 per day

Regent Seven Seas may be the only oceangoing line with truly all-inclusive fares—liquor, gratuities, and even excursions like Masai Mara safaris and Estonian chocolate-making workshops are all covered—but that doesn’t mean a one-size-fits-all experience. Cruisers rave about personalized service and cuisine aboard the 700-passenger Voyager, where every cabin is a balcony suite, showers and baths are separate, and sailings run from 10 to 30-plus nights. Rates: from $650 per night

Like its sister ship, the Seven Seas Mariner sails 10 to 30-plus-day global itineraries and ranks high thanks to Regent’s signature all-inclusive pricing, gourmet cuisine in four restaurants, and a remarkable staff-to-guest ratio (1:1.6). The all-balcony staterooms may be slightly smaller than the Voyager’s, yet with a separate seating area, marbled bath, and walk-in closet, even the smallest still measures a spacious 300 square feet. Rates: from $550 per night

Oceania’s 1,250-passenger Riviera was created for foodies favoring a country-club style: cocktails in view of Picasso paintings, a hands-on culinary center, wine-pairing degustation dinners, and five gourmet restaurants plating everything from black Angus burgers to spicy duck-and-watermelon salads. Most sailings in the Caribbean and Mediterranean last one to two weeks, offering day trips to family-owned wineries and olive-oil presses. Rates: from $270 per night

The 694-passenger Azamara Quest and its twin ship, the Journey, focus on itineraries with late-night harbor departures and port overnights that allow more time for landside exploration. Each sailing includes a complimentary “AzAmazing Evening,” where guests are treated to exclusive cultural events such as an evening at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco or a private performance at the National Theater of Panama. Seven to 14-day itineraries to California, Central America, Europe, and Asia include gratuities, port shuttles, soft drinks, wine/spirits, and self-service laundry. Rates: from $340 per day

With four luxury liners among the top-rated in this category, one thing is clear: small-ship cruisers love Seabourn. And why? Tasting menus and great food from local ingredients, a refined yet friendly ambience, personalized service (1 to 1.4 crew-to-passenger ratio), and an all-suite ship for 450 guests where the smallest stateroom measures about 295 square feet. Cocktails and wines, gratuities, beach barbecues, and in-room bars stocked to request are included in the fare. Sailings start at seven days to Europe, North American Maritimes, Antarctica, South America, and the Amazon. Rates: from $450 per day

Twin to the Quest, the Seabourn Odyssey draws accolades for the same personalized service and amenities included in the fare: fine wines and spirits, gourmet cuisine, gratuities, all-suite accommodation, endless champagne and (sustainable) caviar, not to mention a sophisticated, breezy style. Warm-weather cruises take advantage of a water-sports marina and comfy sun beds. Onboard programming includes presentations by winemakers, chefs, scientists, and foreign affairs experts such as Tony Mendez of Argo fame. Rates: from $450 per day

One of a triplet of ships carrying 208 passengers that originated in the Royal Viking line, Seabourn Pride features the line’s signature style and inclusions, including its own marina sports platform, high staff-to-guest ratio, and gourmet restaurants that include French and Mediterranean cuisines. Through March 2014, Pride will sail on seven- and 14-day itineraries to yacht-set harbors in the Caribbean before it transits to Spain; in April, it will join the Windstar fleet in the Mediterranean. Rates: from $300 per day

The 208-passenger Legendfeatures the same amenities, features, and values as its top-rated sister ship, the Seabourn Pride. Its 2014 sailings begin in Asia before moving to the Middle East, Mediterranean, Baltic, and the Caribbean; a few sailings last but seven days, with most running 14 to 30-plus days. In April 2015, it, too, joins the Windstar fleet. Rates: from $380 per day; seabourn.com

With only 112 passengers and a crew of 95—decked out in preppy white shorts—SeaDream’s two identical ships come as close as possible to private yachting through small Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asian harbors. Seven-night sails include evening dinners in a single room (like a casual house party, though for a little romance, the maître d’ can set up a private table on deck), wine and gratuities, water sports from a retractable marina, and shoreside walks and bike trips. Although there’s no show lounge, on clear nights guests watch movies under the stars—or just the stars themselves. Rates: from $430 per day

With 13-day sailings on the River Po for excursions into Rome, Venice, Florence, and northern Italy, the recently renovated, 132-passenger River Countess evokes a boutique hotel with contemporary flourishes (vibrant colors, leopard-patterned lobby banquet), intuitive service, fitness center, spa, and marble baths. As on all Uniworld ships, excursions with English-speaking guide and audio headsets, wines, spirits, Internet access, and gratuities are all included. Rates: from $470 per day

Viking may have dozens of new ships on Europe’s waterways with commendable standards—panoramic windows, outdoor dining terrace, indoor restaurant, sundeck with shady spots—but the 188-passenger Viking Prestige wins out with one key amenity: in-cabin refrigerators. From strudel cooking to cuckoo clock–crafting lessons, focus on the eight-day Danube cruises is on local cuisine and culture, with standard daily excursions and all onboard enrichment included in the fare. Rates: from $250 per day, solo cabins available; vikingrivercruises.com

The Art Deco–styled, 130-passenger River Queen’s high rating is a testament to its amenities (Egyptian-cotton sheets, elevator, sauna, fireplace, spa, fitness center), seasonal cuisine, and superlative Uniworld service, even though, unlike on some other river ships, the stateroom windows don’t open. Eight-, 10-, and 13-day cruises variously ply the Rhine and Moselle, as well as waterways in the Netherlands (tulip and windmill tours), with excursions, bicycle rental, spirits, Internet access, and gratuities all included. Rates: from $400 per day

Great light, fresh contemporary décor, and a stellar white-on-white-on-white dining room highlight this older but well-refurbished 120-passenger ship. Along with other boutique-style signatures (high-thread-count sheets, duvets, marbled baths), the River Ambassador also features life-size chess and shuffleboard on the sundeck, plus a massage shower in the fitness center and spa. Choose eight-day tulip cruises in the Netherlands, 10 days on the Rhine or Danube, or a 15-day Grand European voyage from Basel to Vienna. Rates: from $400 per day

Viking’s patented Longship design offers panoramic views, elevator, terrace, indoor restaurants, and in-cabin refrigerators for 190 guests, not to mention a slicked-up, modernist styling that’s a marked departure from the more traditional lines of earlier riverboats. Each eight-day Danube sailing of the Viking Longship Freya also emphasizes cultural flourishes such as coffee and cheese tastings, folk dances, and presentations on the Dutch Masters and Impressionists. Rates: from $225 per day; vikingrivercruises.com