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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

Nearly everyone has a favorite cruise ship. In this chart, we outline the key distinctions among the 10 most popular cruise ships in the industry. Look for highlights of onboard accommodations, dining and entertainment, as well as ship itineraries. Don't have a favorite cruise ship just yet? Our picks just might inspire you to find the perfect vacation match. Want more info about these top 10 cruise ships? Click on the vessel name below to read about ship highlights and find links to itineraries, a photo tour of the ship, a comprehensive expert review and hundreds of reader-submitted critiques.

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' newest and largest ship offers cruises out of Sydney and Shanghai. It has a dancing fountain of lights and music and a pool club.

Carnival Spirit

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

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Cruise News

Royal Caribbean Reveals Updates on New Private Islands, Including a Secret Australian Cruise Destination

(12 p.m. EST) -- Royal Caribbean is gearing up for the launch of Perfect Day at CocoCay -- part of the line's new Perfect Day Island Collection, which also will involve the development of destinations in Australia, Asia and elsewhere in the Caribbean, as Cruise Critic [reported in May

Cruise Line Offers Free Lunch to Federal Workers Affected by the Government Shutdown

(7:23 p.m. EST) -- Beginning on January 21, [Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line](/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=202) will provide a free buffet lunch to federal workers and their families affected by the government shutdown. The line's two ships -- Grand Celebration and Grand Classica, which

MSC Cruises Releases More Details on Private Island Ocean Cay; Expect Food Carts & Local Shopping

MSC Cruises has released more details about Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line's private island in the Bahamas, set to open in November. The island's features will include: • **Seven distinct beaches with lifeguards on each.** Sun beds will be available on every beach, and some will

MSC Cruises Releases More Details on Private Island Ocean Cay; Expect Food Carts & Local Shopping

MSC Cruises has released more details about Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line's private island in the Bahamas, set to open in November. The island's features will include: • **Seven distinct beaches with lifeguards on each.** Sun beds will be available on every beach, and some will

6 Reasons Why a Wind Star Cruise is the Ideal Romantic Vacation

(11:15 a.m. EST) -- Everyone has their own idea of what a romantic vacation entails. On Windstar Cruises' flagship, Wind Star, a romantic vacation means soaking up the sunset beneath wind-blown sails, dining under the stars and venturing into off-the-beaten-path ports. We've just returned from a

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