U.S. News & World Report released their 12th annual Best Cruise Line Rankings recognizing top-performing cruise lines across several categories. Virgin Voyages, Viking Ocean Cruises and Disney Cruise Line took the #1 spot across 10 categories.
19 cruise lines were ranked in ten categories–Best for the Money, Best Luxury, Best for Families, Best for Couples, Best in the Caribbean, Best in the Mediterranean, and new this year, Best for Solo Travelers, Best for Wellness, Best in Mainstream Dining, and Best in Luxury Dining.
“U.S. News Travel’s offerings are continuously evolving to meet consumers where they are as they consider new destinations, adventures and experiences,” said Nicola Wood, senior travel editor at U.S. News. “The 2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings recognize the top cruise lines in a variety of categories, allowing travelers to compare features, amenities and itineraries across multiple lines. Now, four brand-new ranking lists give even more comprehensive choices for cruisers to create their ideal experiences at sea.”
Virgin Voyages took the top spot as the best cruise line for the money. Taking second and third were Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean respectively. Virgin Voyages also took the top spot in best in dining for a mainstream line followed by Celebrity Cruises and Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Cruise Line took the #1 spot in Best for Families with Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line taking second and third. Luxury cruise lines Viking Ocean Cruises, Explora Journeys, and Seabourn Cruise Line took the top three spots in Best for Couples. The top three awards for Best for Solo Travelers went to Crystal, Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises.
Not only did Viking Ocean Cruises take the top spot as the best cruise line for couples, but also best luxury dining, best line in the Mediterranean, and best luxury line. Relatively new to cruising is Explora Journeys but they still took spot #2 as the best luxury cruise line, best in the Mediterranean, and best in luxury dining. Regent Seven Seas rounded out the luxury cruise line category, Silversea Cruises took the third spot as best cruise line in the Mediterranean, and Oceania Cruises finished out the best in the luxury dining category.
The best cruise line in the Caribbean category went to Disney Cruise Line followed by Virgin Voyages and Explora Journeys. The wellness category went to Celebrity Cruises followed by Explora Journeys and Virgin Voyages.Â
The scoring system combined expert evaluations of ship quality, as well as traveler and health ratings.