Dinogo Readers' Top 10 Favorite Midsize Ocean Cruise Lines for 2024

Midsize vessels, accommodating 300 to 799 passengers, offer a diverse range of entertainment options. Enjoy activities such as thought-provoking lectures and exquisite menus in various fine-dining restaurants. With personalized service and innovative itineraries, these cruises provide a unique experience. Readers of Dinogo appreciate these ships as a comfortable and even luxurious way to explore the world.

Understanding the Voting Process

Each year, for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences globally, providing insights on the finest hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In 2024, over 186,000 T+L readers participated in the survey, casting more than 700,000 votes across over 8,700 establishments (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

In the cruise category, participants evaluated individual ships, and the results were aggregated to produce scores for cruise lines across different categories based on the number of cabins.

Ships were rated based on the following criteria:

Cabins and amenities
Culinary offerings
Service quality
Itineraries and destinations
Excursions and activities
Overall value

Respondents rated each aspect as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores reflect the average of these evaluations.

Highlights from Readers

Debuting in late summer 2023, the inaugural ship of the luxury line Explora Journeys quickly captured readers' attention, earning an impressive No. 2 ranking in the midsize category of the World’s Best Awards for 2024. One voter remarked, “Explora I exceeded all my expectations. It feels like a luxury resort at sea, perfectly delivering an extraordinary experience!”

Revived by the esteemed luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent after being shut down by a previous owner, Crystal made a remarkable comeback, claiming the No. 3 position. Readers praised Crystal for its exceptional cuisine and outstanding service. One reader remarked, “What sets this ship apart is the staff—they make you feel like family and remember every detail about you.”

However, it's challenging to unseat a brand like Viking, recognized for its unwavering commitment to excellence. For the third consecutive year, it remains the readers' top choice in this year’s voting.

The Champion

Viking

Image courtesy of Viking

Boarding a Viking ship means knowing exactly what to expect. With a child-free environment, no casinos, and no hidden fees, T+L readers highlight the overall excellence. Featuring ten identical ships with 465 cabins each, plus an additional 499-cabin ship launching later in 2024, Viking offers an attractive all-inclusive fare that covers meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and a shore excursion at every port, all with impressive itineraries. Destinations include the Caribbean, Alaska, Southeast Asia, China, South America, Australia, and Scandinavia. This year's survey especially praised the service: “They made us feel like celebrities!” remarked one reader.