Top Mega and Large Ship Cruise Lines: What Passengers Are Saying

The experience you have on a cruise can differ immensely based on the vessel’s size. This is evident when comparing a small luxury yacht with a conventional cruise ship, but the distinction becomes even clearer between ships that hold around 2,000-3,000 guests and those that can accommodate nearly 6,000.

Several cruise operators feature both mega-ships (with over 4,000 guests) and larger vessels (holding 2,500-4,000 guests). Notably, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line boast ships in both categories. However, many passengers seem to perceive these cruise lines as prioritizing their newer, more expansive ships.

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In its 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, Conde Nast Traveller gathered over 575,048 votes. The results for cruise lines were notably unexpected, particularly within the mega-ship category.

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The results of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards came from hundreds of thousands of respondents who provided their ratings between April 1 and June 30, 2024.

“The survey included lists of candidates across various categories (Cities, Hotels, etc.). To qualify for a Readers’ Choice Award, candidates must attain a specific minimum number of responses and achieve a requisite overall rating. The evaluation considers a set of criteria pertinent to each category, judged on a standardized five-point scale. The ratings are then converted into a percentage: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. The final score is determined by averaging these ratings to four decimal points, with the published score reflecting two decimal points,” the publication explained.

6. Norwegian Cruise Line 80.33

5. P&O Cruises 81

4. Carnival Cruise Line 82.46

3. MSC Cruises 85.88

2. Royal Caribbean International 87.21

1. Princess Cruises 92.22

Princess Cruises may have claimed the top spot as it emerges as a fresh contender in the mega-ship market.

The newly launched Sun Princess represents the cruise line’s most substantial vessel to date, accommodating up to 4,300 guests. Princess Cruises has evolved significantly since its iconic Love Boat television series, which featured the now-retired Pacific Princess that hosted just 626 passengers. Soon, the Sun Princess will be joined by its sister ship, the Star Princess, in the Sphere class, expected to debut next year, as noted by the magazine.

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13. MSC Cruises 75.2

12. Carnival Cruise Line 76.83

11. Margaritaville at Sea 78.8

10. Royal Caribbean International 83.88

9.Norwegian Cruise Line 84.23

8.P&O Cruises 84.67

7.Holland America Line 84.67

6.Cunard 84.92

5. Princess Cruises: 85.96

4. Celebrity Cruises: 85.72

3. Costa Cruises: 90.58

2. Disney Cruise Line: 91.99

1. Virgin Voyages 92.36

It’s no surprise that Virgin Voyages takes the number one position, as the cruise line was developed to address the issues its founders identified within the cruise industry.

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“Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages made a highly anticipated entrance in October 2021 with the inaugural ‘Mermaiden’ journey of Scarlet Lady from Miami. This ship accommodates 2,770 passengers, is exclusively for adults, and fosters a vibrant, party-centric ambiance with its dazzling nightclub, provocative live entertainment, and unique features like a tattoo parlor. Moreover, it stands out for its distinct dining experiences,” reported Conde Nast Traveller.

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