USA TODAY 10Best
Best mid-sized cruise ship: Island Princess wins
Best Mid-Sized Cruise Ship (2021)
Some cruise ships are like floating horizontal skyscrapers with all the bells and whistles, others feel more like a private yacht. These 10 ships with a capacity between 1,000 and 3,000 passengers strike a balance between big ship amenities and small ship service.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Mid-Sized Cruise Ship are as follows:
No. 10: Queen Victoria - Cunard
After undergoing a multimillion dollar refurbishment in 2017, the 2,081-passenger Queen Victoria now features a larger aft pool deck, new dining room and cafe and upgraded Grand and Penthouse Suites. The elegant vessel offers a wealth of activities, especially on sea days, including bridge classes, lectures, dance workshops, golf-putting tournaments and live music. The ship houses a museum, two pools and plenty of space to relax in the sun.
Photo courtesy of Holland America Line
No. 9: Nieuw Statendam - Holland America Line
The 2,666-guest Nieuw Statendam takes design inspiration from a musical instrument. There’s plenty to see and do aboard this new ship, from entertainment options like B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Rock Room to immersive experiences, like a wine blending course with Chateau Ste. Michelle.
Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
No. 8: Celebrity Millennium - Celebrity Cruises
Known for its friendly and attentive service, the 2,158-passenger Celebrity Millennium packs a big punch for a mid-sized ship, with amenities like a Canyon Ranch Spa, rooftop terrace with an outdoor movie screen, a martini bar and a range of popular restaurants. The ship is set to undergo a big refurbishment in 2019, expanding Suite Class areas, redesigning the spa and adding eXhale bedding.
Photo courtesy of Holland America Line
No. 7: Koningsdam - Holland America Line
The 2,650-guest Koningsdam keeps passengers entertained with a two-story World Stage to Music Walk, as well as a handful of other live music venues. Guests can learn about destinations at Explorations Central, try a new recipe at America’s Test Kitchen, explore the wilds with BBC Earth Experiences or create unique cocktails at Blend. Other amenities include a glass-roofed Lido Deck for under-the-stars movies, family cabins and two pools.
No. 6: Queen Elizabeth - Cunard
The art deco Queen Elizabeth, the newest Queen in the Cunard fleet, clocks in at 2,081 guests and 1,005 crew for nearly a one to one ratio. Highlights onboard include a signature afternoon tea service, a gin and champagne bar and plenty of sports and enrichment programs.
Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
No. 5: Celebrity Apex - Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Apex, the newest ship in the Celebrity Edge series, carries 2,910 passengers. The vessel includes a three-story Grand Plaza filled with restaurants and bars, Rooftop Garden, terraced pool deck with ocean views and The Magic Carpet, a cantilevered floating platform with a full bar and live music 13 stories above the sea.
Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
No. 4: Celebrity Edge - Celebrity Cruises
Introduced in November of 2018, the brand new 2,900-passenger Celebrity Edge features one of the best spas at sea, a Magic Carpet venue that changes location and function throughout a cruise, rooftop garden, adults-only solarium and staterooms with Infinite Verandas that transform cabins into open-air spaces. The three-deck glass-encased Eden is a Celebrity first.
No. 3: Queen Mary 2 - Cunard
The 2,691-passenger Queen Mary 2 makes regular Trans-Atlantic crossings, which means loads of time at sea, and loads of things to do to fill the hours. A highlight is the Cunard Insights speaker program, with guest speakers ranging from scientists and politicians to novelists or film makers; past guests have included Wes Anderson, Bill Bryson and Roger McGuinn. The ship also boasts Illuminations, the only planetarium at sea, as well as venues for live stage productions and movie screenings.
Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line
No. 2: Carnival Sunshine - Carnival Cruise Line
Launched in 2013, the 3,000-passenger Carnival Sunshine has many of the same bells and whistles that Carnival is known for but at a manageable size. Active passengers have a spread of outdoor games and activities at SportSquare. Hasbro, The Game Show and Suess at Sea keep kids and teens entertained, while the Punchliner Comedy Club offers up laughs. What really sets Sunshine apart are its rotation of themed shows, each performed in front of a digital backdrop courtesy of the ship's ultra-HD graphics system.
Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises
No. 1: Island Princess - Princess Cruises
The 2,200-passenger Island Princess sails from the California coast. Refurbished in 2017, the ship features a range of classic and specialty dining venues, Discovery at SEA programs for kids, a Vegas-style casino, an art gallery with life auctions, sports courts, movies under the stars and original musical productions.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning cruise ships!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Danielle Fear
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized... Read More
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.
Danielle Fear
Danielle Fear is one of the UK’s most recognized and trusted cruise bloggers and is better known to her audience as CruiseMiss. As well as maintaining an award-winning cruise blog, she also works as a freelance writer, content manager and social media professional covering all aspects of sea travel. Having embarked on more than 75 sailings, including 2 world cruises, it’s fair to say that Danielle knows a thing or two about cruising.
Don and Heidi Bucolo
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team... Read More
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team behind EatSleepCruise.com. Their love for cruising began after taking their first cruise together back in 2007. Having spent over 180 days at sea on more than 30 cruises with various cruise brands, they have learned a thing or two about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation. The couple was voted as one of Porthole Cruise's Top 10 Cruise Influencers and is featured in the new book Cruising Interrupted. You can find them on the web and social media sharing detailed cruise ship reviews, port guides, packing tips and planning tips to help travelers "sea the world, one port at a time."
Don and Heidi Bucolo
Don and Heidi Bucolo are the husband and wife team behind EatSleepCruise.com. Their love for cruising began after taking their first cruise together back in 2007. Having spent over 180 days at sea on more than 30 cruises with various cruise brands, they have learned a thing or two about planning and executing the perfect cruise vacation. The couple was voted as one of Porthole Cruise's Top 10 Cruise Influencers and is featured in the new book Cruising Interrupted. You can find them on the web and social media sharing detailed cruise ship reviews, port guides, packing tips and planning tips to help travelers "sea the world, one port at a time."
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert... Read More
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 150 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents’ shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes “he said, she said” cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West. He also contributes to Cruise Travel, Porthole and Cruise Business Review magazines; USA Today 10Best; Oyster.com; MiceChat.com and the Cruise Radio podcast.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 150 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents’ shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes “he said, she said” cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West. He also contributes to Cruise Travel, Porthole and Cruise Business Review magazines; USA Today 10Best; Oyster.com; MiceChat.com and the Cruise Radio podcast.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been... Read More
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry for 27 years. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on nearly 60 cruises and has experienced over 20 ocean and river cruise lines.
Ming Tappin
Residing in New Brunswick, Canada, Ming has been in the cruise industry for 27 years. Ming spent over 20 years in the retail travel sector, working with travel agencies in marketing initiatives, cruise training, and promoting cruise vacations to their clients. In 2015, Ming created Your Cruise Coach and transitioned into travel writing, preaching the merits of cruising via her partnerships with Canadian travel trade publications as well as consumer media outlets. An avid cruiser since 1991, Ming has sailed on nearly 60 cruises and has experienced over 20 ocean and river cruise lines.
Sherry Laskin
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than... Read More
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than 25 years. Instead, she relies on cruise ships, river ships, trains and road trips to travel the world. In that time, she’s been on more cruises than she can count and includes her solo cruise and travel adventures on her website, CruiseMaven.com. Her articles have been published in major newspapers and magazines - in print and online. During a year and a half of living in Alaska, Sherry has cruised and spent time at every port in the Last Frontier except for Nome. She’s become an avid transatlantic cruiser since 2005, as that is the only way for her to get to Europe without flying. Sherry hopes to inspire and encourage her readers to travel slow and travel solo, experience new cuisines and cultures.
Sherry Laskin
Sherry hasn’t set foot on an airplane in more than 25 years. Instead, she relies on cruise ships, river ships, trains and road trips to travel the world. In that time, she’s been on more cruises than she can count and includes her solo cruise and travel adventures on her website, CruiseMaven.com. Her articles have been published in major newspapers and magazines - in print and online. During a year and a half of living in Alaska, Sherry has cruised and spent time at every port in the Last Frontier except for Nome. She’s become an avid transatlantic cruiser since 2005, as that is the only way for her to get to Europe without flying. Sherry hopes to inspire and encourage her readers to travel slow and travel solo, experience new cuisines and cultures.