The cruise industry is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity this year, with a record 35.7 million people expected to embark on oceanic adventures by the end of 2024. This boom has been highlighted by a new study from Bounce , revealing the best cruise lines of 2024, based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors including itineraries, fleet size, and ship capacity.
An ocean cruise could be the perfect way to get away from the city and breathe in the fresh salty sea air rather than the polluted vapour in the Big Smoke. Topping the list is Royal Caribbean, achieving an impressive score of 9.32 out of 10.
The cruise line leads in six of the seven factors analyzed, making it the top choice for 2024. Royal Caribbean’s new ships, Star Of The Seas and Icon Of The Seas boast the highest passenger capacity, accommodating up to 7,600 guests. The line's significant social media presence, with 2 million Instagram followers and 5.
3 million Facebook likes, further cements its popularity. READ MORE: Best restaurants in London have been named and the winner is a Malaysian spot MSC Cruises secures second place with a score of 8.80.
The line excels in social media engagement, holding the second-highest number of Facebook likes at 5.2 million. It also ranks consistently well across other metrics with the third largest fleet size, the second biggest capacity of its biggest ship and the second highest number of itineraries to go for.
Carnival Cruise Line takes third place, noted for its extensive fleet of 26 ships (the second biggest of the top 10) and a substantial number of rooms, highlighted by the Carnival Celebration and Carnival Mardi Gras ships. Carnival also shines on YouTube, boasting 115,000 subscribers. Other notable entries in the top 10 include Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Costa Cruises, each offering unique advantages such as diverse itineraries, impressive fleet capacities and substantial social media followings.
Costa Cruises, for example, provides over 1,750 itineraries, allowing passengers to embark and disembark at different ports, making it a versatile choice for travellers. Here is the table of the top 10 cruise lines: Rank Cruise Line Itineraries Instagram Followers YouTube Subscribers Facebook Likes Number of Ships Capacity of Biggest Ship Number of Rooms on Biggest Ship Cruise Line Score 1 Royal Caribbean 644 2,000,000 133,000 5,300,000 28 7,600 2,805 9.32 2 MSC Cruises 966 1,600,000 76,900 5,200,000 23 6,782 2,614 8.
80 3 Carnival Cruise Line 507 939,000 115,000 5,000,000 26 6,338 2,641 8.04 4 Norwegian Cruise Line 545 991,000 90,600 3,000,000 20 5,218 2,174 7.29 5 Princess Cruises 668 496,000 95,500 2,300,000 15 5,189 2,162 6.
99 6 Costa Cruises 1,768 410,000 6,000 2,700,000 9 6,554 2,612 6.77 7 Disney Cruise Line 575 1,700,000 20,400 2,600,000 5 3,500 2,350 6.77 8 Celebrity Cruises 612 641,000 64,900 1,500,000 15 3,950 1,646 6.
24 9 P&O Cruises 882 110,000 17,700 448,000 7 6,264 2,614 5.94 10 Holland America Line 844 175,000 16,400 1,600,000 11 3,218 1,340 5.56 Top Cruise Destinations Santorini has been named the best cruise destination for 2024, scoring 8.
13 out of 10. Known for its stunning vistas and charming villages, Santorini remains a favorite among cruisers. For those seeking warmer climates, Abu Dhabi stands out with its scorching average temperature of 42oC in August, the hottest month of the year.
As the cruise industry continues to flourish, now is the perfect time to plan your next sea voyage. Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or a newcomer, the top-rated cruise lines of 2024 offer something for everyone. From the unparalleled luxury of Royal Caribbean to the diverse itineraries of Costa Cruises , the options are plentiful and enticing.
For a detailed look at the study and to explore the full list of rankings, visit Bounce's 2024 Cruise Index . Get the biggest stories from around London straight to your inbox. Sign up to MyLondon's The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.
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