U.S. News & World Report released their Best Cruises rankings for 2014 today, and Disney Cruise Line earned top ranks in the Best for Families and Best in the Caribbean categories. Disney Cruise Line scored an overall rating of 4.3 on the 5 point scale. U.S. News ranked 15 major cruise lines based on how their cruises were regarded by travel experts, how they were rated by cruise travelers via a collaboration with Cruiseline.com, and how they fared in health and safety evaluations by the CDC. The U.S. News team compiled this data for every ship within the 15 cruise lines and determined the best cruise lines in various categories.
Best Cruise Lines for Families
It is really no surprise that the cruise line that is designed around family entertainment ranked #1 in the Best Cruise Lines for Families category. Disney Cruise Line set the bar when it comes to family friendly cruising, but other lines are quickly gaining steam adding their own kids programs and entertainment. While Disney may be the industry leader in this category, the other lines are closing the gap.
- Disney Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean International
- Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
The Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean category ranks the cruise lines based on who provides the best overall Caribbean experience. The Caribbean experience is a factor a the variety of itineraries available, the frequency of the sailings, and overall passenger appeal. There is no doubt that Castaway Cay helped put Disney Cruise Line’s at the top of this category. While other cruise lines offer a private island experience, Disney takes that experience to the next level by having their very own dock eliminating the need to tender. The other aspect that helped Disney earn top marks in the Caribbean is the addition of San Juan, Puerto Rico as a home port for Southern Caribbean cruises in 2014.
- Disney Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean International
- Silversea Cruises
Best Cruise Lines for Romance
Well, I tried to only to keep the list to the top 3 in each category, but Disney Cruise Line did not score very well in the Romance category. Just as I was not surprised by the #1 ranking for families, this low ranking in romance was expected considering the competition. While Disney did not make the medal stand, they did make it onto the list. Each of the Disney cruise ships have dedicated adult only spaces such as After Hours on the Disney Magic, the adult only Quiet Cove pools and sun decks, and restaurants Remy & Palo. There are even adult only programs, and activities such as Mixology and music trivia. Finally, Disney Weddings will help you plan a romantic engagement, wedding, or vowel renewal at sea or on Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay. In fact, Disney Weddings handled our wedding at Walt Disney World coupled with a honeymoon on the Disney Wonder!
- Crystal Cruises
- Cunard Line
- Azamara Club Cruises
- Regents Seven Seas Cruises
- Oceania Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
Best Cruise Lines for the Money
US News Travel did not just rank cruise lines based on the prices paid for the cruise, but considered the overall quality experience that a passenger would receive. Disney, while often more expensive than other cruise lines, earned a #2 spot as a result of their spacious cabins, secured Youth Activities spaces, and the plentiful array of family friendly entertainment that is all included in the upfront price of the cruise!
- Royal Caribbean International
- Disney Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
Best Luxury Cruise Lines
The lone category where Disney Cruise Line did not rank was in the Luxury Cruise category. This again is not a surprise, as Disney is not trying to be a luxury cruise line.
- Crystal Cruises
- Silversea Cruises
- Tegen Seven Seas Cruises
US News Cruise Ship Rankings
The 2014 Best Cruise Rankings also included a ranking of each cruise line’s ships. The Dream took the top honors in the Disney Cruise fleet, but just by a tenth of a point ahead of the Fantasy, Magic, and Wonder!
| Dream | Fantasy | Magic | Wonder | Overall | |
| Overall | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Experts | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Travelers | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Couples | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Families (Young Children) | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Families (Older Children) | 4.1 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Singles/Friends | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| Groups | 4.9 | 3.3 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Health | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
For a complete rundown and to see how other cruise lines scored, click over to US News and World Report’s The Best Cruises for 2014.
Congratulation to Disney Cruise Line for Best Cruise Lines for Families and Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest and most innovative cruise line.
Where was the most innovative winners list, or are you just saying that.