Cruise Critic names best cruise lines, ships of 2019
USA TODAY
![Cruise Critic, a cruise review site and online cruise community, has announced the winners of its 12th annual Cruise Critic Editors ’ Picks Awards (at www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks ), which recognize the best cruise lines of the year across dozens of categories for ocean, river and luxury cruises. Scroll through to see which lines were named the best of 2019.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/6a23af4c-f0f5-4d1b-8f5b-58822282f459-Luxury_Line_Crystal_-_Credit_Crystal_Cruises_2.jpg?width=660&height=407&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cruise Critic, a cruise review site and online cruise community, has announced the winners of its 12th annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards (at www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks), which recognize the best cruise lines of the year across dozens of categories for ocean, river and luxury cruises. Scroll through to see which lines were named the best of 2019.
Ian Schemper, Crystal Cruises![Best New Ship (Ocean): Norwegian Encore](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/7386b50d-54ee-4ca6-9cbd-cffd374dd6dd-New_Ship_Ocean_Norwegian_Encore_-_Credit_Norwegian_Cruise_Line_1.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best New Ship (Ocean): Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Cruise Line![Best Ship Refurbishment (Ocean): Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/bc9a0dc5-5e85-4731-a1a3-1bb592ce69f1-Oasis_Refurb_-_Credit_Royal_Caribbean_International.jpg?width=660&height=462&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Ship Refurbishment (Ocean): Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
Royal Caribbean International![Best for Adventure (Ocean): UnCruise Adventures](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/8f0ac402-98d8-4fb7-9933-9e490d76d248-Adventure_Ocean_UnCruise_Adventures_-_Credit_UnCruise_Adventures_4.jpg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Adventure (Ocean): UnCruise Adventures
Uncruise Adventures![Best Cabins (Ocean): Celebrity Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/747e28bf-97e4-4d85-8557-d0d899ac8733-Cabins_Ocean_Celebrity_-_Credit_Celebrity_Cruises_1.jpg?width=660&height=515&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Cabins (Ocean): Celebrity Cruises
Michel Verdure, Celebrity Cruises![Best Dining (Ocean): Holland America Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/7c00d08f-479a-47a9-881d-41770bcc71f3-Dining_Ocean_Holland_America_-_Credit_Holland_America_Line_3.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Dining (Ocean): Holland America Line
Michel Verdure, Holland America LineBest Entertainment (Ocean): Royal Caribbean International
Roy Riley, Royal Caribbean International![Best for Families (Ocean): Disney Cruise Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/4b24e7cd-a52d-4ec1-be1c-36515e567c88-Families_Ocean_Disney_Cruise_Line_-_Credit_Disney_Cruise_Line_3.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Families (Ocean): Disney Cruise Line
Matt Stroshane, Disney Cruise Line![Best Itineraries (Ocean): Holland America Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/dd4ea640-00eb-4f3b-9b0b-fb7fa39a187b-Itineraries_Ocean_Holland_America_Line_-_Credit_Holland_America_Line_3.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Itineraries (Ocean): Holland America Line
Holland America Line![Best Nightlife (Ocean): MSC Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/f847a66b-155f-481e-b5aa-a3fa8a9553c3-Nightlife_Ocean_MSC_-_Credit_MSC_Cruises_1.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Nightlife (Ocean): MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises![Best Service (Ocean): Carnival Cruise Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/94ac6616-0264-4f4a-aeef-d8710aca1357-Service_Ocean_Carnival_-_Credit_Carnival_Cruise_Line_4.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Service (Ocean): Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line![Best Shore Excursions (Ocean): Princess Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/4a8390bc-86da-4030-abe4-7b51322070eb-Shore_Excursions_Ocean_Princess_-_Credit_Princess_Cruises_5.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Shore Excursions (Ocean): Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises![Best for Solo Travelers (Ocean): Norwegian Cruise Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/073eda34-7dac-4566-bfc7-336972684f7e-Solo_Ocean_Norwegian_-_Credit_Norwegian_Cruise_Line_4.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Solo Travelers (Ocean): Norwegian Cruise Line
Steve Beaudet, Norwegian Cruise Line![Best Suites (Ocean): Royal Caribbean International](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/8a9b540e-4fe6-4460-83ba-58bb5883013f-Suites_Ocean_Royal_Caribbean_-_Credit_Royal_Caribbean_International_4.jpg?width=660&height=570&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Suites (Ocean): Royal Caribbean International
Michel Verdure, Royal Caribbean International![Best Value for Money (Ocean): Carnival Cruise Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/d0a8f194-07d0-4a9c-acaf-f673340b8575-Value_Ocean_Carnival_-_Credit_Carnival_Cruise_Line_3.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Value for Money (Ocean): Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line![Best North American Homeport (Ocean): Seattle](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/a95cd499-47f6-416d-b6cc-489833381d62-North_American_Port_Seattle_-_Credit_Cruise_Critic.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best North American Homeport (Ocean): Seattle
Cruise Critic![Best River Cruise Line (River): AmaWaterways](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/fed2f039-d712-4286-98bb-ca35ef35b942-River_Line_AmaWaterways_-_Credit_AmaWaterways_6.jpg?width=660&height=511&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best River Cruise Line (River): AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways![Best New River Cruise Ship (River): AmaMagna (AmaWaterways)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/7f15a112-4b07-405a-82c0-05b44e7b04d9-New_Ship_River_AmaMagna_-_Credit_AmaWaterways_2.jpg?width=660&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best New River Cruise Ship (River): AmaMagna (AmaWaterways)
AmaWaterways![Best Ship Refurbishment (River): S.S. Bon Voyage (Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/05be022c-1ecb-468a-bd8b-6761cae4ce34-Refurb_River_S.S._Bon_Voyage_-_Credit_Uniworld_Boutique_River_Cruise_Collection_1.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Ship Refurbishment (River): S.S. Bon Voyage (Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection)
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection![Best for Active Cruisers (River): AmaWaterways](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/bdd19200-c028-4794-98e7-a72f88e982b5-Active_River_AmaWaterways_-_Credit_AmaWaterways_1.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Active Cruisers (River): AmaWaterways
Michel Verdure, AmaWaterways![Best Cabins (River): Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/22db47b2-4003-433a-a289-5d6b837e4af6-Cabins_River_Uniworld_-_Credit_Uniworld_Boutique_River_Cruise_Collection_3.jpg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Cabins (River): Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection![Best Dining (River): Crystal River Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/263c00ac-8c19-45b0-8767-503a6a101d2a-Dining_River_Crystal_-_Credit_Crystal_River_Cruises_1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Dining (River): Crystal River Cruises
Crystal River Cruises![Best Enrichment (River): Scenic](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/ea9729bd-3d43-48cc-8b6f-14475eb9a5c9-Enrichment_River_Scenic_-_Credit_Scenic_2.jpg?width=660&height=622&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Enrichment (River): Scenic
Scenic![Best for Families (River): Adventures by Disney](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/427ca559-5648-4f06-9ae5-56bc841829b2-Families_River_Adventures_by_Disney_-_Credit_Adventures_by_Disney.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Families (River): Adventures by Disney
Adventures By Disney![Best for First-Timers (River): Viking River Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/ca36d69a-f5f2-4948-a011-8b242e8b3cd1-First-Timers_River_Viking_-_Credit_Viking_River_Cruises_1.jpg?width=660&height=371&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for First-Timers (River): Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises![Best Itineraries (River): Viking River Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/4c2570f9-c5b4-403e-a7b6-cfb691ce5347-Itineraries_River_Viking_-_Credit_Viking_River_Cruises_4.jpg?width=660&height=496&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Itineraries (River): Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises![Best for Luxury (River): Crystal River Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/ca3a2354-964f-45e0-873b-c14ab385c7aa-Luxury_River_Crystal_-_Credit_Crystal_River_Cruises_1.jpg?width=660&height=348&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Luxury (River): Crystal River Cruises
Crystal River Cruises![Best Service (River): Tauck River Cruising](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/52f5b952-8afd-4400-9e19-dd3f868406da-Service_River_Tauck_-_Credit_Cruise_Critic_2.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Service (River): Tauck River Cruising
Cruise Critic![Best Shore Excursions (River): Avalon Waterways](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/0a9bf5ba-d9f5-4a83-a468-a5c49b6430f2-Shore_Excursions_River_Avalon_-_Credit_Avalon_Waterways_1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Shore Excursions (River): Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways![Best for Solo Travelers (River): Vantage Deluxe World Travel](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/2baad11f-68ec-4e8c-a109-685ba9dfe61c-Vantage_Deluxe_World_Travel.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Solo Travelers (River): Vantage Deluxe World Travel
Vantage Deluxe World Travel![Best Value for Money (River): Emerald Waterways](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/a6156d47-88c5-46cb-9a12-5b816d1304bd-Value_River_Emerald_Waterways_-_Credit_Cruise_Critic_1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Value for Money (River): Emerald Waterways
Cruise Critic![Best Luxury Cruise Line (Luxury): Crystal Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/d0cafa31-367b-41a0-80c0-ad132859d320-Luxury_Line_Crystal_-_Credit_Crystal_Cruises_3.jpg?width=660&height=561&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Luxury Cruise Line (Luxury): Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises![Best New Luxury Ship (Luxury): Scenic Eclipse](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/2ab608ca-4fa5-4d99-afe3-5205c2fc2bdf-New_Ship_Luxury_Scenic_Eclipse_-_Credit_Scenic_1.png?width=660&height=330&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best New Luxury Ship (Luxury): Scenic Eclipse
Scenic![Best Ship Refurbishment (Luxury): Insignia (Oceania Cruises)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/7c12b5e7-67aa-4306-8120-48a7a2345e10-Refurb_Luxury_Insignia_-_Credit_Oceania_Cruises_6.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Ship Refurbishment (Luxury): Insignia (Oceania Cruises)
Michel Verdure, Oceania Cruises![Best for Adventure (Luxury): Ponant](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/5a762045-23f3-45eb-bfb4-c558e7807a10-Adventure_Luxury_Ponant_-_Credit_Ponant_3.jpg?width=660&height=407&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Adventure (Luxury): Ponant
Ponant![Best Cabins (Luxury): Seabourn Cruise Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/1af7ca88-8ddb-4d37-830f-891a8cf66123-Cabins_Luxury_Seabourn_-_Credit_Cruise_Critic_4.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Cabins (Luxury): Seabourn Cruise Line
Cruise Critic![Best Dining (Luxury): Oceania Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/dec53345-8f7b-485e-b641-601fc78a60ab-Dining_Luxury_Oceania_-_Credit_Oceania_Cruises_2.jpg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Dining (Luxury): Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises![Best Enrichment (Luxury): Viking Ocean Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/6ea7b1fa-1870-4937-b6df-d03ccf646837-Enrichment_Luxury_Viking_-_Credit_Cruise_Critic_3.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Enrichment (Luxury): Viking Ocean Cruises
Cruise Critic![Best Itineraries (Luxury): Azamara](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/3696185a-61ae-4834-819e-6eb1c01e9ac1-Itineraries_Luxury_Azamara_-_Credit_Azamara.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Itineraries (Luxury): Azamara
Jenna Lyn Pimentel, Azamara![Best for Romance (Luxury): SeaDream Yacht Club](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/601e46b5-9a98-4617-bf65-f3f4b3141e80-Romance_Luxury_SeaDream_-_Credit_SeaDream_Yacht_Club_1.jpg?width=660&height=439&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Romance (Luxury): SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club![Best Service (Luxury): Silversea Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/0ac3ee8c-a62e-4462-bcd0-104b9aba26de-Service_Luxury_Silversea_-_Credit_Silversea_Cruises_1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Service (Luxury): Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises![Best Shore Excursions (Luxury): Windstar Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/20bd8fde-b2ce-4107-9104-d39d4cd63acd-Shore_Excursions_Luxury_Windstar_-_Credit_Windstar_Cruises-p1drk8r0951g67mu415nnumu7q.png?width=660&height=437&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Shore Excursions (Luxury): Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises![Best for Solo Travelers (Luxury): Seabourn Cruise Line](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/08958078-e003-4dd2-8811-e43e149319e0-Solo_Luxury_Seabourn_-_Credit_Cruise_Critic_1.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best for Solo Travelers (Luxury): Seabourn Cruise Line
Cruise Critic![Best Spa (Luxury): Viking Ocean Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/b0a12959-4392-4562-a8e4-d3a474d83c5d-Spa_Luxury_Viking_-_Credit_Viking_Ocean_Cruises_1.jpg?width=660&height=427&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Spa (Luxury): Viking Ocean Cruises
Eric Laignel, Viking Ocean Cruises![Best Value for Money (Luxury): Viking Ocean Cruises](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/12/09/USAT/b4190137-acee-4d38-94f2-f8e594b3d688-Value_Luxury_Viking_-_Credit_Viking_Ocean_Cruises_3.jpg?width=660&height=461&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Best Value for Money (Luxury): Viking Ocean Cruises
Alastair Miller, Viking Ocean CruisesFeatured Weekly Ad