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2018 Australia Editors' Picks Awards

Cruise Critic's editors name the best ships of 2018 in the annual Editors' Picks awards

Compare: 10 Most Popular Cruise Ships

We list the 10 most popular cruise ships based on user engagement and Cruise Critic member reviews.

12 Best Cruises for First Timers

We recommend the best cruise lines for first timers in a variety of categories, as well as runners-up. So dry your cruise planning tears, and get ready to find your perfect cruise line.

5 Ways to Get a Cruise Ship Cabin Upgrade

We wish there were a magic elixir you could whip up to get a free or low-cost cabin upgrade on a cruise ship. We'd be chugging it all the time. But sorry -- no can do. Before you sit by the phone, waiting for the upgrade fairy to call, there are a few basic things to know about cruise ship cabin

22 Do's and Don'ts for Your First Day Onboard a Cruise Ship

If you're a first-timer or haven't settled into a familiar cruise routine, here's a list of embarkation day do's and don'ts, culled from our many years cruising, as well as input from Cruise Critic's Facebook fans.

Cruising 101

Featured Destinations

Australia & New Zealand

Between the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, Australia is extraordinarily diverse in terms of its geography, wildlife and climate, with deserts, mountains and rainforests (not to mention those beloved Koala bears). Hardly limited to wilderness, Australia also boasts urban culture in Sydney and Melbourne. Famous as the set of the "Lord of the Rings" movies, New Zealand has unparalleled natural beauty (did we mention the Great Barrier Reef), as well as adventure sports and outstanding wine.

South Pacific

Imagine the ultimate paradise; you're likely to find it in the South Pacific. Reachable from Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific includes popular islands like Fiji, Bora Bora, Tahiti and Samoa as well as more remote stops that are diverse in culture, history, languages, geology and scenery. On a South Pacific cruise, you can enjoy relaxed beaches and some of the world's best water sports.

Europe

Your biggest difficulty planning a European cruise is narrowing down where you want to go. A Western Mediterranean itinerary usually includes stops in Barcelona and Monaco, as well as ports in Italy. Eastern Mediterranean cruises encompass eastern Italy, Croatia and Greece, and sometimes even Turkey and Israel. A Baltic Sea voyage brings you to Scandinavia and Russia; the Norwegian Fjords carry their own beauty. Don't forget about British Isles cruises, which allow you to visit castles in England, Scotland and London. For sun lovers, it's hard to beat the Canary Islands.

Mediterranean

From the pristine beaches and ancient ruins of the Eastern Mediterranean to the artsy and flavorful countries of the Western Mediterranean, this region is easily one of the most diverse in the world. Revel at Spanish and Italian architecture, soak up some sun in Greece, explore antiquities in Istanbul and Malta or get a taste of the French countryside on the outskirts of Nice, Monte Carlo or Cannes. Some Med itineraries dip down into northern Africa; the Canary Islands are also a popular stop for repositioning cruises.

Asia

On the Pacific Ocean, coastal Asia inspires a spectrum of adjectives: ancient, futuristic, sacred, industrial, peaceful, riotous and breathtaking. A trip through East Asia usually includes port stops in the busy urban centers of China, Japan and South Korea. Southeast Asia cruises, traditionally sailing between Singapore and Hong Kong, provide opportunities for ecotourism and beach time in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

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Featured Ships

Pacific Explorer

P&O Australia's Pacific Explorer carries 2,000 passengers and sports a contemporary design, a cabaret-style supper club and a water park with waterslides.

Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas

Part of Royal Caribbean's Quantum class, Ovation of the Seas boasts high-tech features such as the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, bumper cars and robot bartenders.

Celebrity Solstice

Sophisticated vibe with gourmet dining, the country club-style Lawn Club and two suites-only restaurants; partnership with Canyon Ranch is a highlight for spa-goers.

Majestic Princess

Princess Cruises' new ship, built specifically for the Chinese market, offers year-round cruises out of Shanghai. Its most distinct feature is Watercolor Fantasy, a dancing fountain of lights and music.

Carnival Spirit

One of Australians' favorite cruise ships -- ike a true Aussie, it's laid-back, fun and friendly -- from crew, to passengers and the atmosphere.

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Cruise News

Cruise Lines Slash Single Supplements and Release Solo-Only Cruises

The rising popularity of solo travel is making some serious waves, with a number of cruise lines removing single supplements and creating cruises exclusively for solo travellers. At the forefront of the movement are river cruise lines like Evergreen Cruises and Riviera Travel, a relative

Luxury Cruise Line Silversea Introduces New Accessible Shore Excursions

(3:23 p.m. EST) -- Cruisers with mobility issues now have more ways to explore the Caribbean and Central America, on Silversea. The luxury line has introduced new accessible shore excursions in nine destinations throughout the region; additional shore excursions will be developed for Mediterranean

Royal Caribbean To End Partnership with DreamWorks

(10 a.m. EST) -- Starting on all sailings departing on or after April 1, [Royal Caribbean](/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=32) will cease to offer the DreamWorks experience on any of its ships. The line announced the decision in a letter to travel agents and booked passengers that emphasizes

Water Relief! Aussie Farmers Enjoy P&O's Drought Relief Cruises

(11:50 a.m. AEST) – No drought about it, the 140 farmers invited on two P&O cruises are enjoying some ‘time out’ surrounded by water. The ‘drought relief’ cruises -- one on Pacific Dawn from Brisbane to the Whitsundays and another on Pacific Explorer from Sydney to Moreton Island – were

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Huna Totem to Construct New Alaska Cruise Pier

(12:25 p.m. EST) -- In partnership with Alaska native-owned Huna Totem Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. -- which owns Norwegian Cruise Line, [Regent Seven Seas Cruises](/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=29) and [Oceania Cruises](/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=75) -- will

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