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2018 Australia Cruisers’ Choice Destinations Awards

Cruise Critic members named the top cruise destinations in the third annual Cruisers’ Choice Destinations 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

Carnival Splendor to Receive Bigger Waterslides and Two Kids' Water Parks Before Sydney Debut

(2:50 p.m. EDT) -- When [Carnival Cruise Line](/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=8) sends its 3,700-passenger Carnival Splendor to Australia in 2019, it plans to treat Aussie passengers to a number of significant new and improved features. The decade-old [Carnival

Princess Cruises' Next Royal Class Ship to Feature Redesigned Sanctuary and a Jazz Lounge

(9:10 a.m. EST) -- When Sky Princess, Princess Cruises' fourth Royal-class ship debuts in late October 2019 it will have a redesigned Sanctuary and an all new entertainment venue, the Take Five jazz lounge. "Sky Princess is home to our most exciting entertainment experiences and venues yet,"

Live From MSC Seaside: How It's Doing Almost a Year After Its Debut

(9:30 a.m. EST) -- When MSC Seaside -- MSC Cruises' first ship custom-built for warm weather cruising, and first dedicated to year-round cruising in North America -- debuted in December 2017, Cruise Critic was sufficiently wowed to name the 4,132-passenger vessel New Cruise Ship of the Year. The

First-Ever Cruise Ship Godfamily Christens Symphony of the Seas in Miami

(8:45 p.m. EST) -- With the smash of a Champagne bottle, TV and movie stars Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, alongside their 23-month old son, today christened Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas as the industry's first-ever godfamily. The ceremony was held alongside the ship while it was docked

Carnival Cuts Steel for Its Largest-Ever Cruise Ship, Reveals New Hull Design

(9:31 a.m. EDT) -- Construction officially has begun on Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, which will be the largest in the fleet as well as in the world by passenger capacity, when it launches in 2020. To celebrate the first steel-cutting, the line held a ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard

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