World is beautiful, and every one want to see it.We know it’s about the journey — not just the destination — on a cruise ship.But there are those spectacular destinations that make it worth spending thousands to disembark your floating playground/hotel to explore.
Avignon, France, won two Cruise Critic awards.Cruise CriticAvignon, in France’s Provence region, was named most popular cruise destination of the year, according to Cruise Critic’s fourth annual Cruisers’ Choice destination awards, which published Wednesday. (Avignon was also named best European river cruise destination.)Bora Bora came in second place; Glacier Bay, Alaska in third place; Vienna, Austria in fourth place; Singapore in fifth place; and Kirkwall, Scotland in sixth place.”For most travelers, the decision of where to cruise is made before they think about all the other pieces of the cruise planning process,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, in a statement.The Cruise Critic team bases its rankings on thousands of consumer ratings and reviews submitted on Cruise Critic.com, covering more than 500 ports of call worldwide.Related contentCocoCay: Cruise line’s $250 million private island opens
Norway dominated the rankings
Avignon, France, won two Cruise Critic awards.
Flam, Norway, is the top-rated port in the Baltic and Scandinavia region.Cruise CriticFour Norwegian cities took seventh through tenth places.”Norway cruises continue to grow in popularity, and the more people who want to go there, the more cruise lines are adding itineraries and sailings to meet traveler needs,” McDaniel told CNN. She credits Disney’s hit movie “Frozen” with increasing travel to Norway.”We’ve also seen growing interest in northern lights cruises in the region as well,” she said. “You’re able to sail far from land to get some pretty spectacular viewing opportunities.”
Flam, Norway, is the top-rated port in the Baltic and Scandinavia region.
Quebec City won best US/Canadian port.Cruise CriticCruise Critic also named the top cruise destinations in 18 regions around the world, as well as the best cruise lines to book to visit each region.Quebec City was named the top cruise destination in the United States/Canada region, while Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay was named the best cruise line private island.Related content15 biggest cruise ships in the world
The world’s 10 most popular ports
Glacier Bay is the top-rated destination in Alaska for the fourth year in a row.
Glacier Bay is the top-rated destination in Alaska for the fourth year in a row.Cruise Critic1. Avignon, France (also No. 1 European river cruise destination)2. Bora Bora (also No. 1 South Pacific cruise destination)3. Glacier Bay, Alaska (also No. 1 Alaska cruise destination)4. Vienna, Austria5. Singapore (also No. 1 Asia cruise destination)6. Kirkwall, Scotland (also No. 1 British Isles and Western Europe cruise destination)7. Flam, Norway (also No. 1 Baltic and Scandinavia cruise destination)8. Eidfjord, Norway9. Oslo, Norway10. Geiranger, Norway
The regional winners
Bonaire is the top-rated port in the Southern Caribbean region.
Bonaire is the top-rated port in the Southern Caribbean region.Cruise CriticTop-rated port in Alaska: Glacier BayBest large ship line in Alaska: Holland America LineBest small ship line in Alaska: Lindblad ExpeditionsTop-rated port in Asia: SingaporeBest large ship line in Asia: Celebrity CruisesBest small ship line in Asia: Star ClippersTop-rated port in Australia and New Zealand: Hobart, AustraliaBest large ship line in Australia and New Zealand: Princess CruisesBest small ship line in Australia and New Zealand: True North Adventure Cruises
Top-rated port in the Baltic and Scandinavia:
Flam, NorwayBest large ship line in the Baltic and Scandinavia: Princess CruisesBest small ship line in the Baltic and Scandinavia: Viking Ocean Cruises
Top-rated port in the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda:
King’s Wharf, BermudaBest Large ship line in the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda: Disney Cruise LineBest small ship line in the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda: Windstar Cruises
Top-rated port in the Southern Caribbean:
BonaireBest large ship line in the Southern Caribbean: Celebrity CruisesBest small ship line in the Southern Caribbean: Seabourn Cruise Line
Venice is the top-rated port in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Venice is the top-rated port in the Eastern Mediterranean.Cruise Critic
Top-rated port in the Western Caribbean and Riviera Maya:
Cozumel, MexicoBest large ship line in the Western Caribbean and Riviera Maya: Disney Cruise LineBest small ship line in the Western Caribbean and Riviera Maya: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Top-rated port in the British Isles and Western Europe:
Kirkwall, ScotlandBest large ship line in the British Isles and Western Europe: Cunard LineBest small ship line in the British Isles and Western Europe: Viking Ocean Cruises
Top-rated port in the Eastern Mediterranean:
Venice, ItalyBest large ship line in the Eastern Mediterranean: Celebrity CruisesBest small ship line in the Eastern Mediterranean: Star Clippers
Top-rated European river port:
Avignon, FranceBest European river line: Avalon Waterways
Top-rated port in the Western Mediterranean:
Villefranche-sur-Mer, FranceBest large ship line in the Western Mediterranean: Royal Caribbean InternationalBest small ship line in the Western Mediterranean: Azamara Club Cruises
Top-rated port in Hawaii:
HonoluluBest large ship line in Hawaii: Carnival Cruise Line
Bora Bora is the top-rated Port in the South Pacific.
-rated port in the Mexican Riviera:
HuatulcoBest large ship line in the Mexican Riviera: Holland America Line
Top-rated port in the Panama Canal and Central America:
Fuerte AmadorBest large ship line in the Panama Canal and Central America: Holland America Line
Top-rated port in South America and Antarctica:
Stanley, Falkland IslandsBest large ship line in South America and Antarctica: Norwegian Cruise LineBest small ship line in South America and Antarctica: Hurtigruten
Top-rated port in the South Pacific:
Bora Bora, French PolynesiaBest large ship line in the South Pacific: Royal Caribbean InternationalBest small ship line in the South Pacific: Ponant
Top-rated port in the US and Canada:
Quebec City, CanadaBest large ship line in the US and Canada: Princess CruisesBest small ship line in the US and Canada: Crystal CruisesBest river line in the US and Canada: American Queen Steamboat CompanyTop-rated cruise line private island:
Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, Bahamas