THE OFFICIAL CRUISETRUTH 2026 RANKINGS OF THE

WORLD’S TOP TEN CRUISE LINES

Summary

(Full Ratings Available on www.cruisetruth.com)

THE NATION’S MOST RESPECTED AD-FREE, HYPE-FREE PROFESSIONAL CRUISE LINE EVALUATIONS

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OUR EVALUATIONS ARE BASED ON THE LATEST PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND INSPECTIONS BY OUR CERTIFIED CORPS OF HIGHLY EXPERIENCED LUXURY TRAVELERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE PART OF OUR CSI (Certified Ship Inspector Program).

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We are pleased to announce the Cruisetruth Top Ten Rankings for 2026.  Given the attention our ad-free, hype-free, and research-intensive ratings receive, we take our work on this project quite seriously. Our analysis of online visitors shows a growing number of travel agents and travel media have begun visiting our site regularly. The cruise industry is well aware of our rankings and this report will, we imagine, generate a fair number of phone calls from corporate headquarters. Our site visitors obviously include our ETTC Members, but as our consumer sites feature open access, we get visitors from throughout the United States and a surprising number from abroad.

As you review our new TOP TEN CRUISE LINES rankings, you will discover one or two surprises. That reflects some decline in services as well as the entrance of several new lines vying for Top Ten status. These include the new Crystal, Explora Cruises, the Scenic Eclipse class of Exploration ships, and the Ritz-Carlton Yachts. Here is our current quick guide to the World’s Top Ten Cruise lines, followed by comprehensive reviews of each line, including reports from our trained and highly experienced CSI Inspection Team:

#  1  – RITZ CARLTON YACHTS

New, luxurious, with outstanding spa facilities, this is as close as one gets to a floating five-star hotel at sea. Full reviews are not yet completed but they will be entirely favorable. The major issue with Ritz Carlton’s venture on the high seas is its collection of “too short” sailings to fairly typical large-ship ports. The itineraries seem designed, in part, to support occupancy at the brand’s hotels at either end of many itineraries.  Ritz-Carlton Yachts justifies shorter itineraries by recognizing that its average age of 57 is far younger than average age on many TrueLux competitors. The assumption is that a majority of their guests are still working and cannot be away from work for much longer than a week to ten days. There is little doubt that RCY is, at this point, the very best cruise line in the world. The ships are gorgeous – but so are most of the vessels on this TrueLux Listing of The World’s Best. Where Ritz Carlton clearly shines is the level of personal service unmatched at sea. For examples you may want to read our published accounts of a recent inspection voyage that included our Senior Editor and 11 members of our Certified CSI (Cruise Ships Inspector) Program. 

# 2 – HAPAG-LLOYD EUROPA CLASS

Think crystal, glass chandeliers, and fine European service. But this is a German Line so speaking fluent German would be useful. Imagine Michelin-quality dining and absolutely top-tier professional services. Hapag-Lloyd announced late in 2025 that its vessels will now be bi-lingual – German and English. This indicates there will be some strong, new marketing directed toward American cruisers. The feedback so far has been truly excellent and the respected Insider’s Cruiose Guide affiliated with Berlitz claims that Hapag is the only true Five-star line in the industry. We concur that was true at one time, but it is no longer accurate.

# 3– SCENIC ECLIPSE YACHTS

This Australian company has leading-edge riverboats and a large escorted tour operation. Its new Exploration Yachts have very quickly become industry leaders in some of the world’s most exotic destinations. Think exquisite food and service, along with onboard helicopters and submarines. American guests will normally be in the minority. Ships feature a superbly trained crew that enjoys interacting with guests. This is the best five-star line that operates in relative obscurity. The Eclipse I & 2 do operate in North America but their primary cruising grounds are Antarctica and other exotics. Their beautiful design and extraordinary service are complimented by hardware that includes a submarine and helicopter on each vessel for in-depth touring.

#  4 – SILVERSEA CRUISES

Now owned by Royal Caribbean. Silversea is among the very best in terms of personal service and fine dining options. All staterooms come with butler service. Somewhat more formal than its competitors – but that is slowly changing. The specialty restaurants are intimate and worthy of their reputation. Staff is well-trained but can be distant. Itineraries shine with longer voyages that appeal to the line’s mostly retired demographics. Silversea scores well because the line has few internal weaknesses. It is reliably luxurious.

#  5 – CRYSTAL CRUISES

The new Crystal, using two refurbished Crystal ships, is now owned by Abercrombie & Kent. A&K has made a long-term commitment to the line and the results already show. We were anticipating that our inspection reports might reveal that Crystal has caught up with its former, impressive self. But with 80% of the crew returning, and A&K redesigning land program packages, we are, instead, seeing reports that now rank Crystal higher than it did under its previous ownership. This is the line that deserves watching as its place in the rankings can quickly escalate. Smallish cabins are less an issue as both ships went through massive refurbishments and several category staterooms were enlarged.  Cuisine ranks among the best at sea. We have detected a surprising number of shorter one-week sailings, which could indicate that management in London is concentrating more on the potential European market. With two new ships on order and the launch of new A&K shore programs, Crystal is the luxury line that has the potential to keep moving up in our rankings. There were previously-announced A&K designed Pre and Post multi-day programs on many exotic itineraries. But now, true to its word, A&K is introducing day tours by A&K. In a typical port guests should expect about 11-12 different tour options with two or three of them identified as “A&K Created”. We are expecting, based on trending CSI reporting, that Crystal will rise in our rankings to the detriment of one or two competitors. Crystal ships feature a full production show theater, a movie theater for first-run films, and an impressive casino,  an elegant venue created in partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. We anticipate that Crystal will be appealing to more European travelers via A&K’s London-based Marketing Group. Two new vessels are already on order. Crystal’s larger capacity compared to its top-tier competitors allows for more diversity in terms of shore excursions, entertainment, and dining. But their 900 Guest ships may be too large for some. 

# 6– REGENT SEVEN SEAS

Regent’s lux value proposition has slipped  because the previously included Free Business Air program has been discontinued. Shore excursions and all specialty restaurants are included. On cruises of less than 16 days, there are no formal nights. Owned by Norwegian Cruise Holdings. Regent’s onboard product is more inclusive than competitors because the vast majority of shore excursions are included in the fare, and there are no additional fees attached to dining in the top-tier onboard restaurants. Regent uses so-called “Dynamic” pricing models. This usually translates to those who book the first 25% of staterooms receiving the best pricing. Deals come later, but they are based on price increases and what AI and some human interaction determine the market can absorb. We expect the “Dynamic” pricing model to grow within a majority of the TrueLux Lines. Regent is extremely popular because guests love its new-design ships carrying a maximum of 750 guests and the fact that Regent owns the title of “Top Tier Luxury without a Single Formal Night”. It is the more casual of the luxury lines, witht he exception of Sea Dream and  the Ritz-Carlton Yachts. 

# 7 – SEABOURN CRUISES

The star of the Carnival family luxury division, Seabourn features some of the industry’s most creative itineraries. They tend to do more longer itineraries than competitors. Their itineraries in Europe and even Alaska are often longer than those offered by competitors. Guests are more international. Food and facilities receive high marks. Service can be a bit reserved and lacking warmth. Seabourn Loyalists love the centrally-located Lounge with Concierge services and a lovely coffee bar. Social media pretenders love to tell tales that Carnival is cutting costs and downgrading some facilities aboard the ship. A number of mass-produced Youtubers make the same claim. They are false. Carnival has strong financial interests in maintaining one of the world’s strongest luxury brands so they do not lose clients who graduate from the company’s less luxurious offerings. The rumors that the Saudi Royal Fund has expressed interest in Seabourn are true. We do see interest from the Middle East in terms of the possible purchase of an existing TrueLux line but Seabourn is not the only candidate.

# 8 – SEA DREAM YACHT CLUB

Owned by a Norwegian shipping family, these identical yachts are inclusive and carry just 100 guests when full. Given their size, they often visit ports the larger vessels can’t. Rooms are yacht-like – translate – smaller than normal in the five-star category. Food wins raves and dinner under the moonlight on an open deck is a real plus.  Bathrooms leave little room for dancing or much of anything else. Bedding features Frette linens and is quite comfortable. But don’t be surprised if you end up getting “engaged” to your shower curtain.  These are older vessels. But they truly deliver a yachting experience and itineraries that often feature destinations their larger competitors can only dream about. The Spa services are more than adequate and there are numerous opportunities to dine and even sleep on the upper deck. A high percentage of Sea Dream guests currently own their own yachts. If you can handle the lack of stateroom balconies and a bathroom that can only be described as “tight quarters”, Sea Dream Yacht Club should be carefully considered. The repeat factor is among the highest in the industry. Sea Dream does not normally provide air or pre/post hotel stays. The ships refurbishment schedule has been well-documented and the interior of the ships exceed the outside appearance of the vessels – which once sailed as The famed Sea Goddess Yachts, the ultimate cruising experience in their time.

# 9 – PONANT YACHTS

This is a line owned by the wealthiest family in France. It is best to book one of the full or partial charters for American guests operated by Tauck or Abercrombie & Kent. Regular Ponant sailings have a high concentration of European, primarily French-speaking, guests. Service aboard the ship is of a high caliber but guest recognition is rarely achieved. The staterooms and theyachts themselves are modern and beautiful but the entry-level staterooms come in at just over 200 square feet – unusually small for a TrueLux listing. Officers are normally French and the atmosphere can resemble an upscale French supper club. Some reviewers feel the food is “Americanized” although it generally gets high marks.

As of late 2025, Ponant operates a fleet of 22 ships. This includes:
• 13 core cruise ships, such as Le Boréal, L’Austral, Le Soléal, Le Lyrial, and Le Commandant Charcot, designed for luxury expeditions and small-port access.
• 3 luxury catamarans under the new Ponant Yachting brand: Spirit of Ponant, La Désirade, and Spirit of Ponant II, offering intimate sailing experiences. .
• Additional vessels like Le Ponant (the original three-masted sailing yacht) and Le Paul Gauguin, which specialize in unique itineraries such as French Polynesia.

# 10 – PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES (PONANT DIVISION)

Purchased by Ponant, owned by the French family that includes leading fashion icons like Louis Vitton, the Gauguin is based in Tahiti which translates to beach-oriented itineraries. Longer 10-12 day sailings to places like The Cook Islands provide a better experience than the standard seven-night itineraries out of Papeete. The ship is fine, the food more than fine, and the service staff can be warm and helpful. But this is a cruise line whose luxury DNA derives from the places it sails rather than the ship itself.

 

ALSO WORTHY OF SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND REPRESENTING SUPERIOR VALUE

OCEANIA CRUISES

The four-star plus line belongs to Norwegian Cruise Holdings. Itineraries are often excellent, but these tend to be higher-density vessels. Guests are normally not addressed by name and beverage packages and shore excursion costs quickly add up. Oceania has a large fan base that is convinced that the line represents better overall value than its upscale NCL sister brand Regent Seven Seas. Oceania advertises that it has “the finest cuisine at sea.” It doesn’t – but it is true that food is a standout in several of the onboard venues and you can, on any given night, enjoy a dining experience that is, at least, the match of those TrueLux lines higher up on “The Rankings”. The onboard cooking academy and the food-focused shore excursions are unique to Oceania and partially reflect the involvement of culinary superstars like Jacques Pepin. Oceania scores extremely well in the “Itinerary Design” department with serious attempts to include ports rarely visited by many competitors. But at 1200 passengers, Oceania guests in port experience some of the same operational challenges of less prestigious larger vessels.

WINDSTAR CRUISES

Sailing Yachts and a small fleet of former Seabourn yachts make Windstar a brand worth watching. They do itineraries that make the best use of their size and guests love the “perfect size” of these vessels. Bathrooms on the sailing yachts are tight and shore excursion options are, by necessity, limited. Outdoor dining is usually possible and the food, in recent years, has come to match the quality of the scenery. Windstar is not inclusive but the entry-level pricing is attractive. Windstar is a line that is not afraid to try new things to compete with older vessels. 

VIKING CRUISES

Technically, the largest upscale line, Viking, is not inclusive. The ships are beautiful if you love contemporary Scandinavian furnishings and can avoid walking into glass walls. They pledge more time in port, and the ships do not have casinos. They often have excellent onboard lecturers. Food and service are quite good, but they do not match the top-ranked five-star lines. Children are not permitted on Viking ships – a major draw to many consumers. While there is some nickel and diming, these Norwegian-owned vessels are beautiful, and they deliver true cultural experiences. Their onboard lecture programs are well-received. Their programs along the Norwegian Coast, as well as their new programs on the Mississippi with new boats, are highly recommended. Viking will soon be dominating the upper-end cruise market. They have 11 identical ships sailing at this time with 9 more on order by 2030. They also have two Expedition ships and they are the largest player in the Worldwide Riverboat Market. Food quality varies and some of our CSI Inspectors noted “portion control” issues. Viking has had issues coming up with creative shore excursions – but so have several of their competitors. Viking has the best advertising campaign in the industry and it is interesting to note that they intentionally avoid use of the word “luxury” in their print ads. For guests seeking beautiful ships, a four star food/service experience, with above average time in port and cultural port lectures, Viking could be a good choice while operating in most of the destinations cruisers have on their bucket lists. And did we say – “No Kids”? 

EMERALD YACHTS

These ultra-sleek 100-guest yachts, a division of Scenic Cruises, are among the best value in today’s upscale cruise market. Shore excursions are extra, air is not included, and drinks are included exclusively at meal times. But these minimalist-styled yachts are always the best-looking in port and the crew gets to know passenger’s preferences quickly. This is a vacation for guests who would like their neighbors to think they are spending more than they actually are. Aussie-owned and guests will normally rather international. Decor throughout the ship borders on minimalist – sort of similar to the Bezos Yacht. This is a nice way to experience a yacht while avoiding Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, and Scenic pricing levels. But have reasonable expectations in terms of inclusions and service levels. 

EXPLORA CRUISES

Our evaluations are, thus far, insufficient to assess Explora fairly. This new luxury line is well-funded by the Aponte family, owners of the huge Italian shipping and passenger line MSC. The new  brand is undertaking an ambitious building program, and the new ships are bright and beautiful, accommodating just under 1,000 guests. This is a line that will have to compete with Crystal, a line with similar-sized vessels. MSC tends to market worldwide, so the comfort of Americans aboard these ships remains to be seen. Initial reports are positive, and the Italian vibe of the cuisine appeals to most first-time guests. Be prepared for “Wow” on boarding. The decor is striking and reflective of some of the best work in modern Italian ship design. Night life is taken seriously – those seeking a stream of onboard “action” will likely enjoy this experience more than those seeking rest and relaxation. We are not seeing anything unique in terms of itineraries due to the ships large size. Pricing is, thus far, a plus. 

POTENTIAL CRUISE LINES TO BE ADDED TO OUR LIST ONCE SHIPS ARE LAUNCHED AND FAVORABLE REVIEWS ARE RECEIVED

FOUR SEASONS YACHTS

Launch Timeline & Fleet
• Four Seasons I: First ship completed its float-out in January 2025 and is scheduled for delivery in late 2025. Maiden voyage begins January 2026, sailing from Barbados to Aruba with stops in St. Lucia, Martinique, and Antigua.
• Four Seasons II: Financing secured; construction underway with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Expected delivery in 2027, with sailings starting in 2028.

Design & Experience
• All-suite, residential-style vessels with ultra-luxury amenities.
• Suites start around $24,000 per voyage, emphasizing exclusivity and personalized service.
• Voyages include Mediterranean gems like Porto Cervo, Saint-Tropez, and Croatia, as well as Caribbean itineraries.

Ownership & Operations
• Operated by Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Four Seasons Hotels Ltd.
• Ships accommodate around 180 guests, ensuring an intimate onboard experience.

ORIENT EXPRESS YACHTS

Launch Timeline & Fleet
• OE Corinthian: Launching summer 2026, this will be the world’s largest sailing yacht. It will begin in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean.
• OE Olympian: Second vessel planned for 2027, continuing the brand’s expansion into luxury maritime travel.

Design & Experience
• Created in partnership with Accor, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and LVMH.
• Combines wind-powered elegance with modern luxury—designed for serene, nature-guided voyages.
• Accommodates 108–130 guests in 54 suites, with a crew of 170.

OUR IN-DEPTH 2026 REVIEWS OF THE WORLD’S TOP TEN CRUISE LINES APPEAR ON OUR CONSUMER CRUISE SITE –  www.cruisetruth.com

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