Cruise Critic Names the Best Cruise Lines of 2016

Carnival Cruise Line wins Best New Ship and receives third consecutive Best Value for Money accolade;

Disney Cruise Line delivers for families and foodies; Seabourn named Best Luxury Cruise line in first-ever luxury category

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Cruise Critic

Oct 12, 2016, 05:00 ET

EWING, N.J., Oct. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Critic^®, the world's leading cruise reviews site and online cruise community, has named the winners of its 9^th annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards, naming the best cruise lines of the year across dozens of categories, as chosen by the site's international team of editors. This is the first year that Cruise Critic has named a full list of winners in a luxury category.

Carnival Vista - Best New Ship - Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards 2016. Photo Credit - Carnival Cruise Line

"Cruising has evolved an incredible amount over the past few years," explains Colleen McDaniel, Senior Executive Editor of Cruise Critic. "With so many innovations in technology, onboard offerings and the overall vacation experience, there are some great options out there for those looking to plan a cruise. This list – hand-selected by our cruise experts based on their own first-hand experiences and extensive coverage of the industry -- highlights those lines that stand out among an impressive line-up helping travelers narrow down their choices and feel confident when making a booking decision."

Carnival Vista – Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, launched in May 2016 – was named the year's Best New Ship, with editors stating it may be Carnival's best ship ever. The ship was praised for its wide-ranging amenities, including an onboard water park, brewery and 14 restaurants. The line also won Best Value for Money for the third consecutive year for its affordable fares and complimentary activities and dining venues.

Disney Cruise Line was named Best Dining and Best for Families, with editors highlighting the standout service and food in the line's dining venues, and the variety of onboard venues for family members of all ages – from kids clubs to adults-only venues.

In the river category, AmaWaterways was named the year's Best River Cruise Line for its attractive amenities for a wide range of travelers – including families and active cruisers – helping to expand river cruising's audience and offerings. The line was also named Best for Families for its new partnership with Adventures by Disney.

Viking River Cruises received Best Itineraries for the second year in a row, for providing river cruising's widest range of river options. Emerald Waterways received Best Value for Money – also for the second consecutive year – for its competitive pricing and number of base price inclusions.

In the inaugural luxury category, Seabourn was named the Best Luxury Cruise Line for its impeccable service, creative itineraries and sophisticated touches. Viking Ocean Cruises was named Best Value for Money for its extensive list of inclusions.

Seattle was named the Best U.S. Homeport in this year's Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards for its numerous attractions and new Central Link light rail system, making it easier than ever for cruisers to enjoy the port's charms.

2016 Cruise Critic Editor's Picks Awards

Best New Ship: Carnival Vista
Best Ship Refurbishment: Cunard's Queen Mary 2
Best Dining: Disney Cruise Line
Best Entertainment: Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Standard Cabins: Holland America Line
Best Inside Cabins: Royal Caribbean International
Best Suites: Royal Caribbean International
Best Itineraries: Celebrity Cruises
Best Shore Excursions: Princess Cruises
Best for Adventure: Lindblad Expeditions
Best for Romance: Princess Cruises
Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line
Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Line
Best Nightlife: MSC Cruises
Best North American Homeport: Seattle, WA

River Category

Best River Cruise Line: AmaWaterways
Best New River Cruise Ship: Crystal Mozart
Best Luxury River Cruise Line: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Best Dining: Tauck River Cruising
Best Cabins: Avalon Waterways
Best Itineraries: Viking River Cruises
Best Shore Excursions: Scenic
Best Enrichment: American Cruise Lines
Best for Active Cruisers: AmaWaterways
Best for Families: Adventures by Disney/AmaWaterways
Best Value for Money: Emerald Waterways

Luxury Category

Best Luxury Cruise Line: Seabourn Cruise Line
Best New Luxury Ship: Regent's Seven Seas Explorer
Best Refurbishment: Azamara Journey/Azamara Quest
Best Dining: Oceania Cruises
Best Cabins: Regent Seven Seas
Best Itineraries: Silversea Cruises
Best Shore Excursions: Azamara Club Cruises
Best Enrichment: Crystal Cruises
Best for Romance: Windstar Cruises
Best Value for Money: Viking Ocean Cruises
Best Spa: Viking Ocean Cruises

To view the full details on each category, visit the 2016 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards.

About Cruise Critic
Cruise Critic® is an online cruise guide, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 160,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world's largest online cruise community where travelers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers. Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet, launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP), through its subsidiaries, manages and operates websites under 24 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl, www.besttables.com and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, www.viator.com, and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 350 million average monthly unique visitors*, and reached 385 million reviews and opinions covering 6.6 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions.