The best and worst cruise lines of 2023 revealed by Which? – and Noble Caledonia is number one

The best and worst cruise ships for 2023 have been named by Which? – and it’s Noble Caledonia number one.

The small ship cruise company, which has also been named the best luxury cruise line, is followed by Viking Cruises in second place.

Third place goes to the British company Saga, which has also been named the best mid-range cruise line.

Meanwhile, the bottom of the table is Princess Cruises, marked by Which? I study as ‘someone to avoid’.

The research looked at 23 ocean cruise lines and asked more than 1,700 passengers to rate their experiences out of five in 11 categories, including cabin quality, port excursions, entertainment, social atmosphere and onboard facilities.

Ranked No. 1, Noble Caledonia receives a 90% customer rating, with five stars in categories such as customer service, guest experience and itinerary, and is the only cruise line to receive the full five stars for excursions, that are included in the title. fee.

The line’s cruises, which take passengers everywhere from Antarctica to Japan, are priced at £675 a night, but which one? notes: ‘Noble Caledonia’s cruises are incredibly expensive, but they are worth every penny according to their loyal customers.’

Meanwhile, Viking, in second place, gets a customer score of 87 percent. With cruises costing £413 a night, she gets five stars for value for money and also scores five stars in categories like food and drink and cabin quality.

Bronze medal winner Saga, which gets a customer score of 85 percent, is described by Which? as ‘hard to fault’. He says the liner, with cruises priced at £351 a night, is “an (almost) high-end all-inclusive experience without the luxury price tag.”

The rest of the top five is made up of Seabourn Cruises in fourth with a score of 84 percent, and Oceania (83 percent) in fifth.

Moving down to the bottom end of the table, Costa Cruises and Azamara are next to bottom (14) with a customer score of 69 percent.

Second from the bottom is MSC Cruises (15th), which has a customer rating of 68 per cent. The Italian cruise line receives just two stars for customer service, though it achieves four-star ratings in categories including cabin quality and port excursions.

Finally, Princess Cruises, which ranks last (16th), earns an overall customer score of 67 percent, with three-star ratings in categories like entertainment and customer service.

That being said, the cruise brand gets no less than three stars in each of the categories and has received several four-star ratings.

Which? says: ‘This American cruise line’s huge ships have decent facilities, but most everything else is mediocre, according to our survey. The long list of add-ons also annoyed passengers, who had to pay more for everything from special guest performances to better food.

In general, the watchdog’s verdict is that “alternative options are better.”

Breaking down the results into separate awards, which ones? awards Marella Cruises (sixth, 81 percent) the award for best cruise line on offer.

With cruises priced at £212 a night, the cruise line’s “casual cruises score higher than many much more expensive lines, and offer excellent value for money,” according to Which?

It says, “Several guests praised the ‘knowledgeable and friendly’ staff,” a plethora of specialty restaurants (some at extra cost), and the “high-quality” entertainment, ranging from ballroom dancing classes to dazzling swanky-style shows. West End and an open air cinema.’

Which? she also took on the big cruise lines P & O Cruises, Cunard and Carnival. Carnival (eighth overall) took first place with a customer score of 79 percent, with the watchdog noting, “If you’re looking for great-value attractions and American-style entertainment, this beats its rivals.”

Of the three, Cunard (12th overall) is second with a score of 73 percent, while P&O Cruises (13th overall) trails behind at 72 percent.

Elsewhere, the survey looked at cruise lines that are designed specifically for adults or children. It found Richard Branson’s adults-only Virgin Voyages (set seventh, £296 a night) to be “highly rated by passengers” with a score of 80 per cent, with the line’s food and drink standing out. notably, earning a rating of five. star rating

Which? However, he notes that “traditionalists might want to stay away” from the cruise line, with one customer telling the watchdog: “It’s aimed at a younger crowd, but I still enjoyed the atmosphere and party atmosphere.”

Meanwhile, the kid-friendly Disney Cruise Line ranks ninth with a customer score of 78 percent.

Which? says that unless you have your heart set on meeting Elsa from Frozen on board one of these “floating theme parks”, which are priced at £478 a night, then “you can save a lot by booking with a cruise line with facilities and entertainment just as good, like Carnival’.

Four cruise lines have been awarded the coveted Which? Recommended Provider Status: Noble Caledonia, Viking, Saga and Marella Cruises.

Reflecting on the survey, a statement from Which? says, ‘It’s no coincidence that this year’s top-rated ocean cruise companies are all-inclusive. Some brands lure you in with a low price, but expensive extras can soon add up once you’re on board, from drinks and meals to excursions and service charges… brand that throws most things off.’

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, added: ‘This year, the top-rated cruises in our survey had one thing in common: excellent customer service and a sense of true value for money. Vacationers especially appreciated the value on offer with all-inclusive cruises, finding that even with a lower upfront cost, paying tips and extras on other cruises as you go can really add up.

“Whichever type of trip you choose, always make sure you take out comprehensive insurance at the time of booking and take note of the medical coverage included. This can help protect you from expensive bills should you need treatment for minor accidents or illnesses while on board.’

MailOnline Travel has reached out to Princess Cruises for comment.