In 2025 we sailed nine cruises, spending 95 nights at sea across six cruise lines—from large mainstream ships to small-ship luxury. Below is a clear, honest breakdown of what worked, what surprised us, and what we would (and would not) sail again. If you are choosing a cruise for 2026, these notes will help you match ship, itinerary, and expectations.
The nine cruises we sailed in 2025
- Oceania Vista — Panama Canal transit (LA to Florida). Contemporary design, excellent food, memorable service.
- Celebrity Apex — Transatlantic to Europe (Edge class). Great design, AquaClass recommended.
- Diamond Princess — Japan round trip (Golden Week). Older ship but updated tech, festive atmosphere.
- Ovation of the Seas — Trans-Pacific crossing. Quantum class; good deal but compared unfavorably to Odyssey of the Seas.
- Celebrity Beyond — Caribbean week. Newer Edge-class variant, specialty dining and CocoCay perfect day.
- Celebrity Reflection — Three-night status run. Solstice-class surprise: still holds up well.
- Azamara Journey — Small-ship Europe (island-focused). Under 700 guests; felt like river cruise on the ocean.
- Allure of the Seas — 13-night crossing Barcelona to Florida. Massive Oasis-class with a recent renovation.
- Viking Vela — Mediterranean winter sailing. Newer Viking Ocean design tweaks, cozy winter experience.
Winner: Best overall cruise of 2025
Oceania Vista earns top spot. It struck the best balance of food, onboard comfort, and relaxed pacing. The ship’s contemporary, timeless interiors felt fresh without being trendy. Highlights included a standout new dining venue called Aquamar and a hands-on cooking class that produced one of our favorite meals of the year.
Runner-ups
- Viking Vela — Incredible crew and consistently strong food; smart design updates elevated the experience.
- Celebrity Apex — Edge-class remains a gold standard for cabin design and public spaces; AquaClass is worth the upgrade if you can snag a deal.
- Diamond Princess — A surprising delight; modernized tech and local atmosphere made a Japan cruise feel special.
Lowest-ranked: The most disappointing
Ovation of the Seas landed at the bottom for us—not because it was bad, but because we kept comparing it to Odyssey of the Seas and felt Odyssey delivered a stronger execution. Missing favorite venues and menu choices made the difference. That said, a major redesign is planned, and we would absolutely try a reworked Ovation in the future.
Food and dining: what to expect
Dining is a major deciding factor for us, and consistency matters. Our ranking here is practical rather than hypercritical.
- Best dining consistency: Oceania Vista. Reliable main dining plus excellent specialty options and a lovely coffee shop and bakery.
- Strong contenders: Celebrity Apex/Beyond with broad buffets and high-quality specialty restaurants; Viking Vela for well-executed buffet concepts (sushi and an Asian station stood out).
- Surprise pick: Diamond Princess main dining exceeded expectations—clean execution and a memorable Brazilian-style restaurant and sushi spot.
- Biggest disappointment: Ovation of the Seas buffet did not match Celebrity’s Oceanview buffet in variety or execution.
Ship design and comfort
Best overall design: Celebrity Apex (Edge-class). Edge-class ships have earned their reputation: great layouts, striking public spaces, and a comfortable balance of luxury and practicality.
Other ships that impressed for design and comfort: Oceania Vista and Viking Vela. Each brings a different style—Vista with contemporary elegance and Viking with minimalist, warm Scandinavian touches.
Size matters: Allure of the Seas is brilliantly executed but enormous. If thousands of steps per day and a sprawling layout sound exhausting, a mega-ship may not be the right fit. On the flip side, if you love variety and big-production entertainment, mega-ships deliver.
Wi-Fi and working at sea
Best Wi-Fi: Azamara Journey — Starlink made the connection feel like home. Streaming, video calls, and bandwidth-heavy tasks were possible without constant worry.
Overall, 2025 showed major improvements across the industry. Even ships with slower packages were functional for everyday streaming and remote work. If internet matters for you, target ships using Starlink or check specific speed tests before you book.
Entertainment
Big production shows win every time. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity delivered the most visually compelling, Broadway-style productions. If nightly, full-length entertainment is a key part of your cruise, choose Oasis- or Edge-class ships.
Smaller luxury and boutique lines lean into enrichment, speakers, and lighter, sophisticated evening entertainment. That format is pleasant and relaxing, but do not expect blockbuster theater shows.
Biggest surprises of 2025
- Diamond Princess in Japan — Older shell, but modern tech and a festive Golden Week made this a memorable cultural cruise.
- Celebrity Reflection — The three-night status run reminded us that Solstice-class ships still deliver excellent value and comfort.
- Azamara Journey — Small-ship itineraries that visit unique ports can feel like a river cruise on the ocean; perfect for island-focused itineraries.
Best value tip
Transatlantic crossings often present great value. We booked Allure of the Seas onboard during a crossing and stacked perks by transferring the booking to our travel advisor later. Booking onboard can unlock promotional pricing and extras you might not find online.
Practical advice for choosing the right cruise
- Match ship size to your energy: Want nonstop activities and big productions? Choose a mega-ship. Want calm, ports-focused itineraries and fewer crowds? Choose a small ship.
- Consider dining needs: If dining consistency matters, look at lines known for food—Oceania, Celebrity, and Viking were reliable for us.
- Wi-Fi matters: If you need to work or stream, prioritize ships with Starlink or check recent passenger speed reports.
- Use specialty packages wisely: Specialty dining packages or beverage packages (for example, Princess Plus) can increase enjoyment and reduce friction on longer sailings.
- Be flexible with itineraries: Weather-related changes happen. Expect occasional port swaps on transatlantic or transpacific crossings and plan shore excursions with flexibility in mind.
- Watch crossing direction: For long east-west Pacific crossings, note that time zone changes can shift your afternoon into dinner time—this can feel like losing part of the day.
Is a mega-ship like Allure of the Seas right for someone who does not like crowds?
Mega-ships deliver unmatched variety and entertainment but can feel overwhelming. If you prefer quieter spaces, use Central Park or adults-only areas, or choose a smaller ship. Your daily steps and crowd tolerance are the best indicators.
Which cruise lines consistently offer the best food?
Oceania and Viking stood out for consistent, high-quality meals. Celebrity also delivered strong specialty restaurants and buffets. Princess surprised us with better-than-expected main dining on the Diamond Princess.
Can I reliably work from a cruise ship in 2026?
Yes—many ships now offer reliable internet that supports video calls and streaming. Prefer ships with Starlink if you must have home-like speeds. Always check the ship’s current Wi-Fi policy and recent speed tests before booking.
Is AquaClass worth the upgrade on Edge-class ships?
If you value a dedicated, elevated dining room and cabin perks like a thermal suite pass, AquaClass can be a great value—especially when you find a good fare.
Should I book onboard to get the best deal?
Booking onboard during a crossing can unlock promotional pricing and perks. You can usually transfer the reservation to a travel advisor later to consolidate benefits and support.
Are older ships like Diamond Princess still worth booking?
Yes—older ships with modernized tech and sensible upgrades can deliver excellent value, especially on unique itineraries like Japan’s Golden Week. Focus on recent refurbishments and onboard packages.
Final thoughts
2025 reminded us that no single ship is perfect for everyone. The best cruise is the one that matches your priorities—food, entertainment, pace, or off-the-beaten-path ports. Oceania Vista topped our list for 2025, but small-ship Azamara and the well-designed Celebrity Edge-class ships are close behind for different reasons.
If you want help matching itineraries and ships to your travel style, consider speaking with an advisor who can stack perks and find the best value for your dates.
