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Cape Liberty Bayonne (New Jersey)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region East Coast USA and Canada New England

Local Time 2024-07-19 22:30

Port Cape Liberty Bayonne cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Cape Liberty Bayonne, New Jersey. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

The Port of New York and New Jersey occupies a large area in New York Harbor, encompassing the coastline within a 25-mi/40-km radius of the Liberty Statue. The Port (locode USNYC) has a total of three cruise ports - two in NYC (New York) and one in Bayonne (New Jersey). These ports have separate passenger terminals and docking infrastructure.

In New York City are the New York Passenger Ship Terminal (Manhattan Island's western coast, Hudson River) and Brooklyn Cruise Terminal (~6 mi / 10 km to the south, on eastern Upper New York Bay, Buttermilk Channel, Brooklyn's Red Hook waterline).

Cape Liberty Cruise Port (part of Port Jersey) is also in New York Harbor (Upper NY Bay, fka MOTBY/Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne) but is part of Bayonne NJ.

IMPORTANT : Bayonne New Jersey Port's cruise terminal serves Royal Caribbean Group/RCG-owned ships from the fleets of RCG's subsidiaries RCI-Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises . The ships of RCG's subsidiary Silversea dock at NYC's Manhattan Terminal.

The Port of NY and NJ is also a district of the New York-Newark NJ Metro (part of the Greater New York (ranked the world's largest Metro by population/~24 million). New York Metro is a Tri-State region grouping 23 counties (13 in NY, 9 in NJ, and 1 in Pennsylvania/Pike County PA).

By annual cruise ship passenger traffic, Port NY and NJ's terminals are currently ranked the USA's 6th and the world's 16th busiest.

Cape Liberty Cruise Port (Bayonne)

Cape Liberty is an exclusive cruise port in New Jersey (Bayonne Harbor) featuring a 2 mi/3,2 km long dock/pier and a passenger terminal. Port Cape Liberty was inaugurated in May 2004.

Form Bayonne, Royal Caribbean-owned ships operate mainly roundtrip itineraries visiting destinations in the Caribbean (including Florida and The Bahamas) and Bermuda.

In the autumn are operated one-way "Fall Foliage" themed voyages to ports in Canada and New England USA.

On seasonal relocation (RepositionCruises.com) are often offered Transatlantic crossings between NYC-NJ and Europe (Mediterranean) and the UK ( Southampton ).

Cape Liberty is a convenient homeport for sea voyages because most of the tourists arrive by flight, and the cruise port is in close proximity (approx 10 mi/16 km to the east-southeast) to Newark Airport (around 40 minutes drive distance via Highway I-78E).

The Port's main tenant is RCI-Royal Caribbean International , which homeporting/turnaround operations from New Jersey started in May 2006 with Freedom of the Seas . In 2015, RCI's second QUANTUM-class vessel Anthem of the Seas was also homeported in Cape Liberty, replacing Liberty of the Seas .

In 2016, Cape Liberty reported a record number of handled cruise passengers - 509,306, which was 2,4% increase over 2015's 497,780 passengers.

RCI's roundtrips from Bayonne NJ are operated the whole year round. Cruise itinerary lengths vary between 5-12 nights. During summer, Celebrity Cruises also homeports one vessel at Cape Liberty. In 2023, in Bayonne were homeported RCI's ships Oasis OTS , Anthem OTS, Liberty OTS, and Jewel OTS , as well as Celebrity Summit . The Port's schedule 2024 listed the liners Anthem OTS, Liberty OTS, Symphony OTS , Odyssey OTS , and Celebrity Eclipse .

In October 2018, Bayonne City officials selected the company SeaStreak Ferry (1986-founded as TNT Hydrolines) to provide regularly scheduled high-speed commuter ferries for the NY-NJ route. The deal included leasing 65000 ft2/6040 m2 of land at Port Jersey's Marine Terminal. As of 2023, SeaStreak Ferry has a fleet of 9 vessels (double-hulled diesel catamarans) and operates on 3 waterways (Hudson River, East River, New York Bay) linking 8 terminals. On Hudson River, SeaStreak operates the routes linking Belford NJ (Monmouth County) with NYC's Manhattan (Battery Park City Ferry Terminal), and Jersey City (Paulus Hook Ferry Terminal) with NYC's West Midtown Ferry Terminal.

On February 13, 2020, the NY-NJ Port Authority's commissioners approved a 10-year lease for the new commuter ferry service linking Jersey City (Cape Liberty's Military Ocean Terminal) with NYC's Lower Manhattan (Wall Street Pier 11, and East 34th Street Ferry Landing).

In 2018 was inaugurated the ferry route connecting Bayonne with Manhattan (across Hudson River). A US$650,000 federal grant was given to the city for building of a ferry terminal. The facility is on the southern part of Military Ocean Terminal, on an artificial peninsula east of Route 440. The 1,5-acre land site (former US Navy base) was purchased in 2010 and leased for ferry docking at US$200,000 per year.

In the previous year (2017) NYC Ferry inaugurated the commute ferry service linking Manhattan with Long Island (Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx). In 2016, NYC Ferry's fleet consisted of 19 newbuild boats.

• On May 1st were launched the East River route (North Brooklyn to Midtown and NYC's Financial District) and the Rockaway route (Lower Manhattan to Sunset Park and The Rockaways).
• On June 1st was launched the South Brooklyn route (8 terminals/between Corlears Hook and Bay Ridge) linking Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park.
• On August 29th was launched the Astoria route (between Western Queens and Roosevelt Island) linking Wall Street/Pier 11, East 34th Street, LIC/Long Island City Queens, Roosevelt Island Manhattan, and Astoria Queens.

In August 2018, NYC Ferry launched a link between Soundview (South Bronx) and Manhattan. The landing site in Bronx is at Clason Point Park (Sound View Ave's end). The nearest subway station (Morrison Ave-Sound View) is 2 mi (3 km) away. Ferry travel time Bronx-Manhattan is 45-min. In Manhattan, ferries stop at 90th St (Upper East Side), East 34th Str (Midtown), Pier 11 (Wall Str). Currently, NYC Ferry operates 6 routes.

Cape Liberty Bayonne cruise terminal

Port Cape Liberty is to the south of Hudson River, and approx 18 mi/29 km from Manhattan NY (via roads NY-9A S and I-78W, or around 45-min drive distance) and approx 11 mi/18 km from Newark NJ (via Highway I-78E, or around 40-min drive).

Cape Liberty can be accessed from Highway I-95 (exit 6, then NJ Turnpike's exit 14A). Drivers should follow the signs for New Jersey Route 440 South, then continue to "4 Port Terminal Blvd".

The following NY & NJ cruise port map shows the locations of all three cruise terminals (NYC's Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Bayonne NJ's Cape Liberty ).

The Port's address is "4 Port Terminal Boulevard Bayonne, NJ 07002".

Bayonne's cruise port is in close proximity to EWR-Newark Liberty Airport (10 mi / 16 km to the west, ~20-min travel time by car) and easy to access, skipping NYC's heavy traffic and bridges.

In October 2014, Royal Caribbean and NYC & NJ Port Authority dedicated a Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal for the RCI's ship Quantum OTS . The new terminal started operations on November 10, 2014.

The new facility is located at Port Terminal Blvd (Bayonne waterfront), adjacent to the Tear Drop Memorial (Russia-built, 10–story sculpture).

The US$55 million project included port expansion and also improvements to the existing docking pier. The new passenger terminal has a total covered area of 125000 ft2 (11600 m2) and has check-in, customs and immigration, luggage storage and processing areas, public restrooms, free WiFi (throughout), adjacent to the terminal parking area (capacity 950 cars, fitted with its own restroom).

Cruise parking costs US$25 per day (including taxes).

The new terminal building is adjacent to the 2004-inaugurated cruise terminal.

Directly in front of the Cape Liberty Cruise Port's terminal, there are designated luggage drop-off zones.

Fly-cruisers arrive in New Jersey via NYC's LaGuardia Airport and JFK Airport, and also via New Jersey's Newark Liberty Airport. Royal Caribbean provides bus shuttles for direct airport-cruise port transfer on the embarkation day. This is the fastest, cheapest and most secure/guaranteed transfer option.

The alternative is NYC's public transportation system (trains/buses to either Newark (Pennsylvania Station) or Bayonne (45th Street Light Rail Station), then you need to taxi to the cruise terminal. Newark' Penn Station serves regularly scheduled Amtrak trains interconnecting numerous destinations along the US East Coast.

Taxis (as well as Uber and Lyft) are available from all the three international airports but are costly.

MOTBY (Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne) was operational and used by the US Navy in the period 1967-1999 The terminal was an upgrade/expansion of the former Bayonne Naval Drydock (1942-1967).

RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 East Coast USA cruise homeports/ships

RCI-Royal Caribbean International has revealed its lineup of cruises departing from East Coast USA ports for the summer and winter seasons of 2025...

RCI-Royal Caribbean changes itineraries on Anthem OTS and Oasis OTS ships due to propulsion issues

Two RCI-Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Oasis of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, have both experienced propulsion system issues, resulting in reduced...

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Royal Caribbean Cruises from Cape Liberty NJ

Royal Caribbean offers cruises out of Cape Liberty (New Jersey) to the Caribbean , the Bahamas , Bermuda and New England & Canada . These are casual, affordable cruises on huge modern ships. Scroll down for the full schedule.

Watch a narrated tour of the Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas , which sails out of NJ. The Anthem of the Seas features the RipCord sky-diving simulator, North Star capsule ride, Seaplex fun park, FlowRider surf simulator, Two70 aerial shows, Vitality Spa, adults-only glass-canopied Solarium pool, Adventure Ocean youth program, H20 Zone kids water park, and family-friendly interconnecting staterooms. "Dynamic Dining" gives you more choices and control over where and when you eat.

Learn about more cruises from Cape Liberty (NJ) .

Bahamas & Florida

7-night cruise to the Bahamas on Anthem of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Port Canaveral (Florida), Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas) and Nassau (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: February 25, March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24, March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21.

7-night cruise to the Bahamas on Symphony of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Port Canaveral (Florida), Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas) and Nassau (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: May 24, May 31, June 7, June 14, June 21, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2, August 18, August 25, September 1, September 8, September 15, September 22, September 29, October 6, October 13, October 20, October 27.

7-night cruise to the Bahamas on Odyssey of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Port Canaveral (Florida), Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas) and Nassau (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: November 17, November 24, December 1, December 8, December 15, December 22, December 29. • 2025 departures: February 16, February 23, March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20.

8-night cruise to the Bahamas on Anthem of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Port Canaveral (Florida), Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas) and Nassau (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: February 9, February 17.

8-night cruise to the Bahamas on Odyssey of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Port Canaveral (Florida), Miami (Florida), Nassau (Bahamas) and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas). • 2025 departures: February 8.

4-night cruise to Bermuda on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Royal Naval Dockyard (Bermuda). • 2024 departure: August 6.

5-night cruise to Bermuda on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Royal Naval Dockyard (Bermuda). • 2024 departures: May 4, May 18, June 1, June 6, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 18, July 27, August 1, August 10, August 24, September 7, September 21, October 5.

6-night cruise to Bermuda on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Royal Naval Dockyard (Bermuda). • 2024 departure: October 19.

9-night cruise to Bermuda & the Caribbean on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Royal Naval Dockyard (Bermuda), Labadee (Haiti), La Romana (Dominican Republic) and Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic). • 2024 departures: July 4, August 15.

9-night cruise to Bermuda & the Caribbean on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Royal Naval Dockyard (Bermuda), Philipsburg (St Maarten), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Labadee (Haiti). • 2024 departures: May 9, May 23, June 20.

Canada & New England

4-night cruise to Canada on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Halifax (Nova Scotia). • 2024 departures: June 11, July 23.

9-night cruise to Canada & New England on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Boston (Massachusetts), Portland (Maine), St John (New Brunswick) and Halifax (Nova Scotia). • 2024 departure: August 29.

9-night cruises to Canada & New England on Liberty of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Boston (Massachusetts), Portland (Maine), Sydney (Nova Scotia), Halifax (Nova Scotia) and St John (New Brunswick). • 2024 departures: September 12, September 26, October 10.

11-night cruise to the Caribbean on Anthem of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St Thomas, St Maarten, Antigua and St Kitts. • 2024 departure: January 7.

11-night cruise to the Caribbean on Anthem of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), St Thomas, St Maarten, St Lucia and St Kitts. • 2024 departures: January 18, January 29.

11-night cruise to the Caribbean on Odyssey of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to St Maarten, Antigua, St Kitts and St Thomas. • 2025 departure: January 5.

11-night cruise to the Caribbean on Odyssey of the Seas. Round-trip from Cape Liberty (NJ) to St Maarten, St Lucia, Barbados and St Kitts. • 2025 departure: January 16.

Repositioning

12-night repositioning cruise on Anthem of the Seas. One-way from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Southampton (England). Visit Funchal (Madeira), La Coruna (Spain) and Le Havre (France). • 2024 departure: April 28.

14-night repositioning cruise on Odyssey of the Seas. One-way from Cape Liberty (NJ) to Rome (Italy). Visit Ponta Delgada (Azores), Malaga (Spain), Cartagena (Spain), Valencia (Spain) and Florence (Italy). • 2025 departure: April 27.

Cruises from New Jersey

7 Night Bahamas

Cape Liberty, Orlando (Port Canaveral), Perfect Day Cococay, Nassau, Cape Liberty    View map

Sailing Dates:

Dec 8, 2024 → Dec 15, 2024

Sun-Sun See other dates

Odyssey of the Seas

Priced per person, based on 2 guests. Includes tax/fees.

$746 $107 /night

$867 $124 /night

$879 $126 /night

Priced per person, based on 2 guests

Sep 22, 2024 → Sep 29, 2024

Symphony of the Seas

$814 $116 /night

$874 $125 /night

$897 $128 /night

7 Night Bermuda

Cape Liberty, Statue Of Liberty (Cruising), Royal Naval Dockyard, Cape Liberty    View map

May 18, 2025 → May 25, 2025

Celebrity Silhouette

$842 $120 /night

$1,029 $147 /night

$1,277 $182 /night

8 Night Bahamas

Cape Liberty, Orlando (Port Canaveral), Miami, Nassau, Perfect Day Cococay, Cape Liberty    View map

Feb 8, 2025 → Feb 16, 2025

$940 $118 /night

$1,190 $149 /night

$1,193 $149 /night

Jul 28, 2024 → Aug 4, 2024

Celebrity Eclipse

$1,169 $167 /night

9 Night Eastern Caribbean

Cape Liberty, Labadee, San Juan, Philipsburg, Cape Liberty    View map

Apr 30, 2025 → May 9, 2025

$1,208 $134 /night

$1,367 $152 /night

$1,430 $159 /night

11 Night Eastern Caribbean

Cape Liberty, Philipsburg, St. Johns, Basseterre, Charlotte Amalie, Cape Liberty    View map

Jan 5, 2025 → Jan 16, 2025

Sun-Thu See other dates

$1,182 $107 /night

$1,738 $158 /night

$1,565 $142 /night

11 Night Southern Caribbean

Cape Liberty, Philipsburg, Castries, Bridgetown, Basseterre, Cape Liberty    View map

Jan 16, 2025 → Jan 27, 2025

Thu-Mon See other dates

$1,209 $110 /night

$1,539 $140 /night

$1,582 $144 /night

Cape Liberty, Royal Naval Dockyard, Philipsburg, San Juan, Labadee, Cape Liberty    View map

May 1, 2025 → May 10, 2025

Thu-Sat See other dates

Liberty of the Seas

$973 $108 /night

$1,192 $132 /night

$1,565 $174 /night

6 Night Bermuda

Cape Liberty, Royal Naval Dockyard, Cape Liberty    View map

Oct 19, 2024 → Oct 25, 2024

$705 $118 /night

$955 $159 /night

$1,188 $198 /night

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Cruises from New York

Begin your cruise leaving from new york in an empire state of mind.

From the lights of Times Square to the shops of SoHo, experience the city that never sleeps when you cruise from New York with Princess®. Wave goodbye to the Statue of Liberty as you set sail to Canada & New England or the Caribbean. Our Transatlantic cruises can even take you to the Mediterranean, the British Isles and beyond. Let the allure of the Empire State set the tone for your cruise adventure.

Find the Best Cruises from New York

Canada & New England Cruises

Travel through time as you sail to Canada & New England on a cruise from New York. Walk in the footsteps of Paul Revere, hike through Acadia National Park and indulge in crab cakes and fresh-caught lobster along the way. Bask in the coastal beauty of Prince Edward Island, and spend two days exploring the French influences of Quebec City. With Princess, chronicles of the Northern seaboard await.

Transatlantic Cruises

Relive the golden age of ocean travel on a Transatlantic cruise from New York. Unwind at sea and jump into adventure at each destination. Choose from voyages that take you through the British Isles and the Mediterranean Sea to the Land of Fire and Ice. Or stop by Spain and France on a cruise from New York. Indulge in the best of land and sea with a Transatlantic cruise from Princess.

What to Know About Cruises from NYC

Between the iconic landmarks and the allure of city life, a trip to the Big Apple is a dream in and of itself. Here’s everything to know about cruises from New York.

New York at a glance

• Language:  English
• Currency:  U.S. Dollar (USD)
• Time Zone:  Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Docking:  Your cruise from NYC will depart from Brooklyn. Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Pier 12 (72 Bowne Street, Brooklyn).
• Attire:  We suggest dressing in layers as temperatures fluctuate throughout the year and even throughout the day. This includes a light shirt, sweater and jacket.
• Transportation:  While taxis are available throughout the city, you can also navigate the Big Apple by bus, subway, train, ferry or pedicab. Much of the city can also be seen on foot, or you can rent a Citi bike.

Things to do in NYC

Learn more about the nation’s history at the 9/11 Museum & Memorial or during a visit to Ellis Island. Indulge in international flavors as you travel from Little Italy to Chinatown in just a matter of minutes. Or spend the day shopping in South Street Seaport with the Brooklyn Bridge as your backdrop. Whether you arrive hungry for dinner or adventure, there’s no shortage of choices on a cruise from New York.

Ships that Cruise from New York

Our Princess fleet includes some of the best cruises from New York. Find the comforts of home along with the luxuries you deserve on board any of our ships. Discover what makes our fleet so unique.

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5 Night Bermuda Cruise

Your ship liberty of the seas.

GO BIG OR STAY HOME

Splashaway Bay℠

Sports Court

Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠

FlowRider ®

Flavor from every angle.

Chops Grille℠

Sorrento's Pizza

Café Promenade

Into the spotlight.

Saturday Night Fever

Ice Skating Shows

Day 1: Cape Liberty, New Jersey

GO SKY HIGH

OFF THE GRID

LOCAL CUISINE

Day 2: Cruising

Spa & Fitness Center

The Perfect Storm℠

Ice Skating

Day 3 - 4: royal naval dockyard, bermuda.

popular Shore Excursions

Amazing experiences coming soon..

ROYAL WELCOME

HISTORY IN HAMILTON

HISTORIC ST. GEORGE’S

Local Cuisine

Day 5: Cruising

Johnny Rockets®

Chef's Table

Giovanni's Table

Main Dining Room

Day 6: cape liberty, new jersey.

3 Day/3 Night Cruises out of Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey

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10 of the best day cruises you can take in New Jersey

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🚢 Explore New Jersey by way of boat this spring and summer

🚢 nj offers some great day and evening cruises, 🚢whale watching, fishing, sunset dinners, and historical voyages to name a few.

Aside from the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?”, another one we may ponder is “What do you want to do this weekend?”

With the warm months upon us in New Jersey, it’s a great time to be outside and plan some cool day trips.

What about taking a day cruise somewhere? From dolphin watching to fishing to dinner and sightseeing cruises, there’s plenty to choose from in New Jersey.

Here are 10 of the best day cruises in NJ

Cape may sunset buffet dinner cruise.

The Cape May Whale Watcher, 1218 Wilson Dr, Cape May

Departure Time: 5:30 p.m. Duration: 2 hours

Come aboard The Spirit of Cape May dinner cruise where guests will enjoy food, views of the bay including a Jersey sunset, and dolphin sightings all in one evening. Experienced, licensed captains and naturalists will be on board with a fully narrated history. Mammal sightings are guaranteed. Dinner options include things like red wine braised short ribs, balsamic chicken with caramelized onions and roasted red peppers, a vegetable medley, mashed potatoes, penne vodka, mixed green salad, and dessert. On Saturday nights, there is an Italian buffet. Parents can opt for free pizza and hot dogs for kids. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, too.

Cape May Whale and Dolphin Cruise

The Cape May Whale Watcher, 1213 Wilson Dr, Cape May

Departure Time: 1 p.m. Duration: 3 hours

Staying with The Cape May Whale Watcher, come aboard the Cetacean Spectacular for a three-hour whale and dolphin sighting cruise.

Captain Jeff and his crew will take you into the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The Delaware Bay is where you will find many species of marine life. Marine biologists, naturalists, and whale lovers enjoy whale and dolphin sightings in areas like Cape May because the ride time to sightings is less, allowing for an awesome offshore experience for the family. Captain Jeff will also point out local history along the way.

New Jersey Lunch or Dinner Cruise

401 Riverview Dr, Perth Amboy

The Cornucopia’s Princess departs from Perth Amboy-Raritan Bay for a lunch or dinner cruise where you’ll experience views of the Raritan Bay and the inland waterways of New Jersey, while dining on lunch or dinner and sipping craft cocktails. It’s a great way to spend 2 ½ to 3 hours.

The Hoboken Dinner Cruise departs from the 14th Street Pier in Hoboken. Boarding for this three-hour cruise begins at 6:30 p.m. Sail on the Hudson and East Rivers while taking in views of the New York City skyline and the Statue od Liberty. Enjoy a buffet dinner of assorted salads, chicken, fish, beef, pasta, and more. Drinks are available for purchase on board.

Gambler Fishing Cruise

59 Inlet Drive, Point Pleasant Beach

Located in Point beach, fishing cruises aboard The Gambler have been popular for years. There are a variety of fishing day trips that head out in the spring, winter, and summer. Fluke trips run half day from July to Labor Day and ¾ of a day from Labor Day through mid-September. Bait is included. Tackle can be purchased on board. If you don’t have your own rod and reel, they can be rented.

The Gambler’s 4 ½ hour Fluke and Sea Bass Trip is very popular. This is the only boat that features built-in underwater night lights that attract sea life from stem to stern.

Along with fluke, you’ll often catch sea bass, redhake, and small bluefish. Incidental catches can include sandsharks, sea robins, sundials, and skates. You may even see porpoises and sometimes whales on these summer trips! The mates on board are there with any questions, and they’ll offer instruction on how to fish fillet at the end of the trip.

Jersey Shore Pirates

281 Princeton Avenue, Brick

Arrghhh! Grab your favorite pirate for a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas. Well, actually the Metedeconk River in Brick.

This 75 minute long pirate ship cruise leaves from the marina next to Windward Beach in Brick. It’s geared towards pirates 3-10 years old, but is fun for the whole family. Mini-mates will first have the opportunity to dress up like pirates, get their face painted with pirate tattoos, and learn some pirate lingo before setting sail. Once on board, the little mates will participate in an interactive treasure hunt on the high seas, while learning the rules of the Sea Gypsy pirate ship, reading a treasure map, discovering a secret message in a bottle, and working as a team to defeat the enemy pirate who has stolen the keys to their treasure. Prepare to man the ship’s famous water cannons. Then it’s off to search for the sunken measure. Remember, X marks the spot. Each child will be allowed to take a handful of loot with them, too.

Not for you? Well, The Sea Gypsy II offers a relaxing sunset cruise on the water. Feel free to get into the pirate spririt by dressing up as one. The boat leaves the dock at 6:30 p.m. and travels down the Metedeconk River, sails past Brick, Point Pleasant, around Hering Island through Bay Head, Mantoloking, and back up the Metedeconk to return to port at 8 p.m. Along the way, you see osprey nests, and enjoy some music. It’s a BYO food and drink cruise. Don’t forget to try their new coconut water beverage. It’s water straight out of a coconut. Place orders in advance.

Atlantic City Quiet Bay Cruise with Happy Hour Options

800 N New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City

Sure, you can do happy hour at any bar. Why not do one on a boat?

End your day with a one-hour cruise enjoying the views of Atlantic City at dusk and by night. Enjoy a cocktail on the open-air deck while taking in the scenery along the coast. Meet at the Historic Gardner’s Basin and redeem your GetYourGuide voucher at the ticket booth for Atlantic City Cruises. After check-in, you’ll receive a boarding pass.

This quiet, calm cruise through the marinas and back bays of the Atlantic Ocean is a great way to relax as dusk turns into night.

Classic Boat Rides

8 Simon Lake Dr, Atlantic Highlands

With both public and private boat tours available, Classic Boat Rides offers a variety of options around Sandy Hook, the Navesink River and Shrewsbury River. Choose from the roomy paddlewheel boat, the Navesink Queen, or the Chesapeake Bay Dead Rise Wooden boat, Mariner.

Anchor Jam -a cruise of Atlantic Highlands. During this 2 ½ hour cruise, watch the sunset and listen to live music aboard the Navesink Queen. Bring your camera.

Steel Drums, BBQ and Rums Cruise - Escape to the islands with steel drummer Kenny in Atlantic Highlands. It’s “island time” aboard the Navesink Queen. Let your cares drift away on this 3-hour family friendly calm water river and bay cruise. Enjoy BBQ foods like pulled pork, chicken and all the fixings. Sip on their signature rum drink, “Mariner Mango Magic.”

Lunch and Lighthouse Tour - Experience this tour aboard Classic Boat Rides’ paddlewheel boat, the Navesink Queen. This is a private charter for large groups that includes sandwiches, salad, chips, plus dessert, iced tea or lemonade. Cruise for three hours past the Historic Twin Lights in Highlands and up the river, past the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest continually operated lighthouse in America. Captain Dan will offer a brief narration of light house history. Learn about local rum runners and more.

The River Queen Day Cruise

800 Ashley Ave, Brielle

The River Queen offers a variety of day cruises. The most popular is the 1 ½ hour sightseeing cruise. Sail along the inland waters of the Manasquan River. A cash bar is available on board.

The two-hour buffet lunch cruise offers an abundance of food options. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Manasquan River, and conditions permitting, the Point Pleasant Canal, and Barnegat Bay with time for sightseeing on the return trip.

The River Queen also offers Sunday brunch cruises, a pasta and fireworks cruise, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day brunch cruises, a murder mystery dinner cruise, and so much more for the 2024 sailing season. Private events are also available.

Miss Belmar Fishing Trips

905 NJ-35, Belmar

For those who love to fish, spend the day on the high seas aboard the Miss Belmar Princess.

A day of deep sea fishing is 7 hours sailing from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Meet at Belmar Marina. The Miss Belmar Princess will venture off the Jersey coast in search of Striped Bass and Blues. Captain Alan has spent his whole life fishing in New Jersey so he knows the waters and will ensure your family has a safe and enjoyable trip.

If seven hours is too much, there is a 4 ½ hour sailing trip that runs twice daily, one in the morning, and one in the evening. During the day and twilight deep sea fishing charters, the Royal Miss Belmar will venture off the NJ coast in search of Fluke and Seabass. Bait is included but you must bring your own rod and reel.

Atlantic City Booze Cruise

800 North New Hampshire Avenue, Atlantic City

Drink with family and friends and get toted around on the water with no cares in the world about the Atlantic City Tiki boat. Purchase alcohol directly on board instead of bringing your own. The Atlantic City Tiki Booze Cruise has room for up to 25 passengers. Individual tickets are $45 per person with a cash bar available. No BYOB is permitted. Drinks run between $2 and $10 depending on the type.

Whatever cruise you choose, enjoy a lovely afternoon or evening exploring New Jersey by sea.

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Cruise Itinerary

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Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Sun, Jun 15, 2025

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Mon, Jun 16, 2025

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Wed, Jun 18, 2025

Arrival: 8:30AM

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Celebrity Silhouette Ship

Celebrity Silhouette® is impressive, with chic upgrades to the iconic Lawn Club. We've created more space to relax, and socialize in the fresh sea air and provided an interactive outdoor grilling experience. 85% of the ship's staterooms are enhanced by sweeping veranda views. We've created an extraordinary vacation experience. Again.

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Grand Cuvée

The airy Main Restaurant offers exquisite menu selections, which change nightly to give you a variety of classic and contemporary choices. And the service? Legendary.

Blu Restaurant

Clean, crisp flavors and inventive cuisine meet an extensive list of sustainable and biodynamic wines. Exclusively for AquaClass guests.

The exclusive restaurant for guests of The Retreat. Select and cutting edge, the globally inspired menus at Luminae are not available in any other restaurant on board.

Ensemble Lounge

Ensemble Lounge is the ideal setting for an aperitif en route to an extraordinary dining experience, or a digestif afterward.

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Sit back and relax, listening to up-tempo tunes and enjoying a collection of rare vodkas and a portfolio of fine caviars.

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Welcome to our “fine drinking” experience, where the ritual of making cocktails is just as exciting as drinking them.

The Retreat is an unparalleled vacation experience that includes every stunning suite, a private restaurant, an exclusive lounge, and a sundeck that rivals any high-end resort.

Say "Ahh" in spa-inspired staterooms designed just for you. Savor clean eating at Blu and escape to the Relaxation Room.

Tailored services and amenities await you in these exceptionally appointed staterooms. We're here to help you make the most of your time on board and on shore.

Camp at Sea

For our Camp at Sea program, we’ve designed more than 500 activities that make every sailing a brand new experience and an unforgettable memory for our junior cruisers.

Relax, recharge, and play the hottest slots and table games at Casino. It offers a sophisticated ambiance and a captivating atmosphere that comes alive with plenty of action.

Shops on Silhouette

Celebrity's European-inspired piazza and elegant galleria hold riches of chic sophistication. Marble walkways lead you to modern boutiques and fine jewelry stores.

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Bring your workout routine along on your modern luxury vacation and enjoy a variety of new fitness classes and seminars along with world class cruise fitness amenities.

The Lawn Club

Who said grass can’t be on a ship? Enjoy a friendly pick-up game of leisure sports like Croquet, Bocce, golf putting, Blongo or Baggo.

Adults-only Solarium

A serenely beautiful adults-only pool and hot tub experience, The Solarium let’s you relax and daydream of the next destination you’ll be exploring.

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Price is per person and applies to selected sailing, lowest available fare stateroom category, based on double-occupancy, reflects any promotional savings, and is subject to change and availability until booked. Additional terms and conditions apply to offers. Full deposit must be paid by deposit payment required due date. Standard full deposit penalty is applied if booking is cancelled within final payment period; see Celebrity’s cancellation policy for details. Non-Refundable Deposit Bookings (“NRDB”): To qualify for the lowest available cruise fare, guest must choose a non-refundable deposit. All deposit payments for NRDB made after 03/02/23 are non-refundable from the time of booking. NRDB are applicable to groups at prevailing rates. Not applicable to incentive, contract, or charter groups. Nonrefundable deposit offers are applicable to sailings within final payment, however full deposit is due at time of booking. 

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All Included  pricing applies to sailings booked and departing on or after October 4, 2023, excluding Galapagos cruises, in an inside, ocean view, veranda, Concierge Class, or AquaClass stateroom (“Eligible Bookings”). All guests within an Eligible Booking who choose “All Included” pricing, will receive a Classic Drinks Package and an unlimited Basic Wi-Fi package. All guests in the same stateroom must choose the same rate.  Please visit www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/beverage-packages for further information on available beverages and full restrictions and www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/internet-and-phone-packages for further information on wi-fi.

All Included pricing applies to new individual bookings only. Changes to booking may result in removal of Offer. Prices and Offers are subject to availability and change without notice, may be withdrawn at any time, and not applicable to charters or contracted groups. All Included pricing is non-transferable and not combinable with certain rates including, Travel Agent, Interline, Net, Exciting Deals, or worker cabins.  Single occupancy guests paying 200% cruise fare are eligible for All Included pricing. Refer to celebritycruises.com and the Cruise Ticket Contract for additional terms and conditions. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to cancel offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, and change or update fares, fees, and surcharges at any time without prior notice.

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3-Day Cruises From NYC

Short itinerary cruises from New York City offer a mini-vacation at sea while introducing you to an inexpensive way to experience cruising. Sailings usually take place at the end of a week when ships are on a break between longer itineraries, consequently the cruises may occur on a sporadic schedule. Known as cruises to nowhere, these cruises operate without port stops, so the focus is on the ship’s amenities, including eateries, lounges and entertainment. The ships journey in a circular path to the high seas and back, far enough out to be able to open casinos and keep bars open longer. Only a handful of ships sail three-day cruises from New York Harbor.

Norwegian Gem Weekend Cruises

Usually sailing at the end of October or early November, Norwegian Cruise Lines offers three-day cruises on the 15-deck Norwegian Gem. You can dine in one of its complimentary dining spots or indulge in one of its specialty restaurants, including Cagney's Steakhouse; order pizza 24 hours a day; revel with a Las Vegas-type show in the 1,000-seat Stardust Theater; or party all night at one of the ship's 12 lounges and bars. You also can bowl, relax in the spa or tackle the climbing wall aboard this ship, which can carry about 2,400 passengers.

Norwegian Breakaway Weekend Cruises

Choose between selected weekend cruises in December, January and February on the Norwegian Breakaway, a newer NCL vessel capable of carrying 4,000 passengers. With dozens of dining options and a quarter-mile promenade lined with shops and eateries, you’ll wonder where to begin. With cruises during winter, the ship's deck activities are limited, but head indoors for the spa, workout room, and seemingly non-stop entertainment, including stage and comedy shows, dance clubs and lounges. The cruise line’s website touts that with 29 restaurant choices, the Breakaway offers you more unique dining experiences than any other cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean 2-Night Sampler Cruise

Across the New York Harbor with a direct view of the Statue of Liberty is Cape Liberty, New Jersey, where Royal Caribbean embarks the new Quantum of the Sea for its two-night sampler cruise in November. The cruise line is bent on enticing you on this sampler cruise to book a longer cruise with its innovative features aboard the Quantum. Some of these include simulated skydiving and bumper cars in a venue where you play basketball, table tennis or take part in trapeze lessons. At night the area transforms to a pulsing roller-skating rink. The ship also features a boom-operated observation capsule, which daringly swings you out from the ship, 300 feet above the water. With 16 decks, the ship can carry just under 5,000 passengers.

3-Night Carnival Cruise to Canada

If you’re able to add an extra day to your cruise, enhance your experience with a port stop in Canada. When you book a Carnival cruise from New York City to Saint John, New Brunswick, you sail in July so you’re able to enjoy the deck revelry in addition to the draw of the ship’s dining enticements for foodies, gala events and recreational possibilities. Saint John is on the Bay of Fundy, known has having the world’s highest tides, according to the Bay of Fundy Tourism website. Saint John’s Victorian architecture may coax you to return for the autumn sailing, extended more days with an additional stop at Halifax and sometimes New England. On either cruise, you may participate in shore excursions, which include hiking, kayaking, or a walking tour along charming streets bursting with history and quaint shops along the way. Sailing is aboard the Splendor, a 3,000-passenger ship.

• New York Cruise Guide: Cruise to Nowhere
• Norwegian: Norwegian Gem Overview
• Norwegian: Norwegian Breakaway Overview
• Royal Caribbean: 2 Night Quantum Sampler Cruise
• Carnival: 4 Day Canada/New England
• Bay of Fundy Tourism Partnership

About the Author

Edward Winkle got his start as a content writer and website manager for Guest Informant, a publisher of city guides. He continues to embrace topics on travel, real estate, health and nutrition. He graduated from Washington State University and lives in the Seattle area with his wife.

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6 Great 3-Day Cruises for a Quick Getaway at Sea

W hen it comes to extolling the benefits of booking a short cruise, the list is long. Whether you're short on time or vacation budget or looking to extend your trip abroad, an abbreviated sailing offers a neatly bundled getaway that can help you relax and recharge in a few days.

Three-night cruises offer a taste of life at sea for those new to cruising who don't want to commit to a week or more. They're also a convenient length to pair with a longer land journey. If you're already in Europe, why not sail to your next destination in comfort on a ship complete with colorful entertainment and great cuisine, rather than take the bus or train?

Just because these sailings are short doesn't mean they lack in quality experiences on and off the ship. Culinary excellence, jungle exploration, cultural immersion, and festive celebrations are only a few of the themes you'll find among the following short cruises worth considering.

The best three-day cruises

A coastal cruise from vancouver to san francisco on cunard's queen elizabeth.

To book: Cunard's "Pacific Coastal" cruise to San Francisco from Vancouver is priced from $379 per person

Cunard's classic British ocean liners exude elegance and sophistication. Board the 2,081-passenger Queen Elizabeth in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a jaunt along North America's West Coast to the San Francisco Bay. Admire the views of the Pacific from the relaxing spa, or while sipping afternoon tea with scones.

Cunard is known for its onboard enrichment as well as its over-the-top gala evenings. With two sea days, guests will be able to enjoy the ship's hospitality, from pints at the Golden Lion Pub to the comforts of a cozy nook in the library. To round out the trip, plan to spend a few additional days in Vancouver or San Francisco-or both.

A Mediterranean sailing from Rome to Barcelona with MSC Cruises

To book: MSC's three-night sailing from Rome to Barcelona is priced from $224 per person

For $75 per person, per night, it's hard to beat MSC Cruises' four-day sailing from Italy to Spain (let's face it, that's a lot more affordable than most hotels in Europe). A distance of approximately 900 miles-or 15 hours in a car-is crossed instead aboard a floating resort complete with a pool, Turkish-style baths, and an Italian wine bar.

Make your way to Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, via a 12-hour call in Naples. While in Naples, why not take a day trip to the ruins of Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast ? These outings are packaged as shore excursions available to purchase from the cruise line.

A round-trip weekend itinerary from Sydney to Eden and back on Celebrity Edge

To book: Celebrity's Taste of Luxury cruise sets sail on April 17, 2025, from $368 per person

If you find yourself traveling in Australia, consider Celebrity Cruises' three-night taster sailing from Sydney; this short cruise offers a scenic escape from the city for a long weekend (Thursday to Sunday).

On shore, explore Eden, a coastal town in New South Wales known for unspoiled scenery and oysters. Back aboard the 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge , you can head to a different version of Eden, which is the name of a lush, captivating bar, restaurant, and lounge space with floor-to-ceiling windows and evening entertainment that's constantly evolving, from acrobatics to burlesque. Don't miss a seriously inventive drink here, accompanied by views as you sail from Sydney's iconic harbor.

The Amazon River from Iquitos, Peru, on Delfin II

To book: Delfin II offers numerous departures of its Amazon sailings , from $3,500 per person

Iquitos, in Peru, is considered the gateway to the northern jungles of the Amazon. A stunning destination in its own right, Iquitos is the world's largest city not accessible by road, requiring either a plane or boat ride. This is part of what makes it an excellent departure point for a cruise along the Amazon River.

The Delfin II is an intimate and elegant 28-passenger vessel and part of the luxury Relais & Chateaux portfolio. Its three-night itineraries don't come at a discount, but inclusions span naturalist-guided nature walks to see monkeys, along with fresh fruit juice or a Pisco sour on board.

A food- and wine-focused river cruise to Germany's Black Forest with CroisiEurope

To book: CroisiEurope's gastronomy-focused Rhine itineraries are priced from $1,439 per person

Not only can you sail the rivers of Europe in half a week, but also you can be sure to pile on lots of delicious local food and wine to your proverbial vacation plate. This "Grand Gastronomic" sailing from France-based company CroisiEurope pairs a breezy, three-night cruise on the Rhine River with a Michelin-starred French chef and world-famous sommelier as your companions.

Cruise round-trip on the 107-passenger Symphonie from Strasbourg, France with chef Marc Haeberlin and Serge Dubs, formerly rated as one of the world's top sommeliers. With this dream team, explore the wine region of Breisach, Germany, which lies adjacent to the famed Black Forest.

A Halloween-themed Bahamas getaway on Disney Wish

To book: This " Halloween on the High Seas" cruise departs on September 27, 2024, from $1,795 per person

It's September and the kids are back in school, but you want to surprise the family with an early treat for Halloween. This Friday-to-Monday sailing on the 4,000-passenger Disney Wish -which, when it launched in 2022, was the first new Disney Cruise Line ship in a decade-is a long weekend of not-too-scary fun. Departing from Port Canaveral, the port of Orlando, guests will visit Nassau along with Disney's private island Castaway Cay.

"Halloween on the High Seas" programming includes costume parties, crafts, elaborate decor, and festive entertainment. In addition, Disney Wish boasts Frozen - and Marvel-themed dinner theater and a bar straight out of Star Wars called the Hyperspace Lounge. Disney cruises aren't cheap-even the short ones-but the quality of its shows and immaculate attention to detail are what bring families back for more.

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Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Large-ship Ocean Cruise Lines of 2023

Readers loved all the entertainment options, ports of call, and spacious rooms on these large-ship ocean cruise lines in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023.

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

When it comes to crowd-pleasing vacations, it’s hard to top the value and fun that a large-ship ocean cruise line delivers. These spacious ships, which have anywhere from 800 to 1,499 cabins, are big enough to give guests a wide choice of onboard activities, fine dining, and cutting-edge entertainment. They also deliver a huge variety of stateroom choices, whether you’re seeking an affordable cabin for a budget-minded getaway or plenty of space in a grand suite for a celebratory splurge.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

For the cruise category, respondents were asked to rate individual ships; the results were combined to generate scores for cruise lines in different categories based on number of cabins, with large-ship ocean cruise lines falling between 800 to 1,499 cabins. Some cruise lines may appear in multiple categories depending on the makeup of their fleet.

Ships were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Cabins/facilities
• Itineraries/destinations
• Excursions/activities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. 

Courtesy of Disney

This year’s rankings delivered a few surprises. No. 2 Holland America Line moved up two spots from its 2022 ranking. The brand is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023, but readers had other things in mind when giving “HAL” the nod: “The tone of our ship was just what we were looking for, calm and relaxing,” said one voter of a voyage aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam . Others praised the company’s rock-solid musical entertainment and rewarding itineraries that go to Alaska, yes, but also many ports in Europe and South America. “We really, really enjoyed our Alaskan cruise,” one fan said. “The ship was nice, the food was great, the service was excellent, and the surroundings were absolutely beautiful!”

Slotting in at No. 3 this year was Disney Cruise Line, which garnered plenty of praise for its family-friendly programs and onboard atmosphere, despite falling from No. 1 last year. With a fleet of five ships, the line is celebrating an anniversary of its own this year, its 25th, with specialty music and entertainment on board this summer. “The ship was absolutely beautiful and there was amazing detail to everything,” said one passenger who traveled with extended family on Disney Wish . “Our granddaughter absolutely loves anything Frozen, so she certainly enjoyed the dinner show!”

This year’s voting also crowned a new No. 1: Cunard, yet another brand with plenty of history. Read on to learn why it topped the list as the best large-ship ocean cruise line.

Courtesy of Cunard

First launched in 1840, Cunard is once again top of mind for travelers who named it the world’s best large-ship line. Some fans may be looking ahead to the 2024 launch of Queen Anne, but many others don’t want to wait: the quintessential Queen Mary 2, which does transatlantic crossings between New York City and Southampton, England, offers as decadent a trip as ever, readers say. “Expect nothing less than the utmost of comfort and service,” opined one. “Loved our time on board and dressing up for a couple of nights during our seven-night crossing,” said another. This summer’s Alaska itineraries, aboard Queen Elizabeth, will afford plenty of opportunities to explore the wilds in the company of experts from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a new partner for the classic brand. The line’s Queen Victoria is another solid choice: “A lovely, well-crafted ship with excellent, attentive service — and a fabulous tea service," one reader shared.

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 88.00

2. Holland America Line

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 86.44

3. Disney Cruise Line

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 86.31

4. Celebrity Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 84.56

5. Princess Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 82.13

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