Cruise Critic – the world’s largest online cruise resource – has announced the winners of the 7(th) Annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards, naming the top cruise lines in 18 categories, including Best New Ship, Best for Families, Best Value for Money and Best River Cruise Line.
“We originally launched our Editors’ Picks Awards in 2008, to highlight lines that we felt were doing a great job,” says Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic. “Just six years later, the industry has grown tremendously; cruise lines continue to up the ante, and there are more options than ever before for travelers looking to hit the seas. With our team of editors covering hundreds of cruise ships each year, these awards allow us to both highlight lines that truly lead the way and also help guide consumers to a purchase that’s right for them.”
Named ‘Best New Ship,’ Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas – launched in November of this year – was praised by Cruise Critic’s editors for its overall innovation. In addition to eye-catching amenities like simulated skydiving and a glass-enclosed gondola rising above the sea, the ship’s new and improved WiFi technology offers speeds that are closer to those passengers are used to on land. The ship’s ‘virtual balconies,’ offered in select inside cabins, provide real-time ocean views (the line also won ‘Best Inside Cabins’).
Disney Cruise Line, named ‘Best for Families’ for the second year in a row, was lauded for its special experiences offered to kids and adults alike, and Oceania Cruises was named ‘Best for Dining’ for the third consecutive year, for its wide variety of onboard options and alternative restaurants, including celebrity chef Jacques Pepin’s restaurant Jacques.
Carnival Cruise Lines received a nod for ‘Best Value for Money,” with editors noting the line’s continuous addition of innovative programs and features — many times at no additional cost to the cruiser — like this year’s new Seuss at Sea family program, along with a variety of fee-free dining venues like Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Burger Joint. Norwegian Cruise Line was named ‘Best Entertainment,’ for its wide variety of shows – including popular Broadway shows, sing-alongs and comedy performances.
Viking Cruises was named ‘Best River Cruise Line’ for the second year in a row for its continued growth, immersive excursion offerings and overall value for money. Brand new river line Emerald Waterways was the winner in the ‘Best New River Ship’ category for its two new ships, Emerald Star and Emerald Sky, which both launched in the spring of 2014, bringing a fresh new offering to the river cruise market.
The full list of winners in the 2014 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards:
Best New Ship: Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas
Best Ship Refurbishment: Oceania Cruises (R-Class)
Best for Luxury: Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions
Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line
Best Itineraries: Princess Cruises
Best for Adventure: International Expeditions
Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Lines
Best Dining: Oceania Cruises
Best Entertainment: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Suites: Celebrity Cruises
Best Inside Cabins: Royal Caribbean International
Best Standard Cabins: Holland America Line
Best Shore Excursions: Azamara Club Cruises
Best for Romance: Windstar Cruises
Best Cruise Ship Bar: Celebrity Cruises’ Martini Bar
Best North American Homeport: New Orleans
Best New River Ships: Emerald Waterways’ Emerald Sky and Emerald Star
Best River Cruise Line: Viking Cruises
For the full details of this year’s winners, visit the 2014 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards listing.
SOURCE: Cruise Critic