Dinogo Readers' Top 5 Large-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines for 2024

Imagine cruising on spacious ships in our large-ship category—those featuring 800 to 1,499 cabins—similar to enjoying a blockbuster concert in a Broadway theater rather than a large arena. Like the grand mega-ships, these vessels offer a diverse array of dining options, onboard activities, entertainment, and accommodations catering to various preferences and budgets. However, what they often lack, much to our voters' satisfaction, is the overwhelming crowds typical of mega-ships.

How the Voting Process Works

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

For the cruise category, participants rated individual ships; the results were compiled to create scores for cruise lines based on the number of cabins.

Ships were evaluated based on the following criteria:

Cabins and facilities
Cuisine
Service quality
Itineraries and destinations
Excursions and activities
Overall value

For each criterion, respondents rated their experience as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores reflect the average of these ratings.

What Readers Appreciated

Disney Cruise Line has climbed from No. 3 last year to the No. 2 position in this year’s survey, garnering enthusiastic feedback from both adults without children and families. One voter remarked, “Our grandchildren adored it, and we did too. It was first-class all the way, just like Disney World! The food was exceptional, and the entertainment exceeded our expectations.”

Holland America Line (No. 3), renowned for over 75 years of bringing travelers to Alaska, received accolades for its immersive exploration of the 49th state. One voter noted, “They offer high-quality trips to Alaska and excel at coordinating excursions and tours to the interior.” Joining the top five in the large-ship category are well-loved lines Celebrity Cruises (No. 4) and Princess Cruises (No. 5).

Maintaining its No. 1 position for the second consecutive year, Cunard is celebrated for its classic cruising style and regular transatlantic voyages.

The Champion

Cunard

Image courtesy of Cunard

As Cunard introduces the new Queen Anne in May 2024, expanding its fleet to four, the company remains rooted in tradition. Elegant dress-up balls and afternoon tea served by staff in white gloves are hallmarks of the Cunard experience. The Queen Mary 2, which operates regular seven-night transatlantic routes between Southampton, England, and New York City, received special accolades from Travel + Leisure readers. One voter exclaimed, “An incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience!” while another shared, “During my transatlantic journey, I genuinely unplugged from the digital world and found a more peaceful, joyful state of being.”