Travel + Leisure readers ranked Disney Cruise Line as the top ocean cruise line among those ships carrying 2,200 passengers or more, as part of the magazine’s annual World’s Best Awards 2021. Readers were asked to rate cruise lines on their service, staterooms, food, destinations, excursions and value. This year’s World’s Best Awards survey survey was open for voting from January 11 through May 10, 2021. Although this was a time when destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions, the cruise industry was still, for the most part shuttered. According to Travel + Leisure, the survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period.
“I know just how much hard work goes into earning these accolades, and I couldn’t be prouder of our cast and crew members.”
Thomas Mazloum, President Disney Cruise Line
The Top 10 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines
- Disney Cruise Line
- Cunard
- Holland America Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
- Costa Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
Each year, thousands of Travel + Leisure readers vote on their favorite destinations, hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, rental-car agencies, and more as part of the publication’s annual reader’s survey.
The magic still shines for the world’s No. 1 mega-ship line. Disney remains a reader favorite this year, as it was in 2020, thanks to its enchanting trips that charm parents and kids alike. “I absolutely love them,” raved one reader, who traveled on the Disney Fantasy. “We love the live entertainment, the food is always excellent, and we’re fans of the cabin sizes and verandas. I wish they had more itineraries out of Port Canaveral, Florida.” Other commenters praised the way the line makes trips easy for families of all sizes. “Disney has it all figured out, and they make sure nothing goes wrong,” said one reader, who has taken many trips with the company. “We’ve traveled the Caribbean and Alaska several times with Disney, with a mix of our kids and grandkids. They have stuff to do for every age group. They can even keep teens happy!” Even those traveling without young ones were enthusiastic about Disney’s trips. “Our first sailing in the last 15 years without our kids and it was just as magical,” said one reader who took an eight-night Mediterranean trip aboard the Disney Magic.
Travel + Leisure – The Top 10 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines
Travel + Leisure‘s methodology for the annual awards for the cruise category begin by asking respondents to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories. The categories are: mega-ship ocean cruise lines (capacity of 2,200 passengers or more), large-ship ocean cruise lines (600 to 2,199 passengers), midsize-ship ocean cruise lines (250 to 599 passengers), small-ship ocean cruise lines (249 or fewer passengers), and river cruise lines. Some cruise lines may appear in multiple categories depending on the makeup of their fleet. Respondents were asked about the following characteristics Cabins/facilities, food, service, itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities, and value. A minimum number of responses was necessary for a candidate to be eligible for inclusion in the World’s Best Awards rankings.
The 2021 survey results will be published in the August issue of Travel + Leisure and are available online now.
DCL has earned every bit of this award. While you could say DCL is only for a niche audience who only sails on the ships because they love Disney. We have spoke to fellow passengers who sail because of the family or vacation add on. For us, yes, we do love Disney but we enjoy the service, food, destinations and most of all, the Crew/Cast members who make up DCL. Even when we are up early in the morning, walking on the deck at sun rise. We will pass deck hands who greet us and talk with us. My late father who served in the Navy in WW2 referred to these deck hands as “below decks” because you don’t see them normally. That being said, when you do see them, they have the same Disney attitude that is through out the Line at every level. Bravo-Zulu (well done) DCL and congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who works for DCL. We appreciate everyone and you all made Disney Cruise Line the World’s Best 2021!!!!