Feedback is critical to cruise lines as they develop new amenities, plan diverse itineraries, or design completely new ships with brand new experiences.
The Cruise Hive Awards is our reader-driven annual ranking of the best of the best – what you, as experienced cruisers, love best about cruising!
Voting is now open, but you can only cast one vote in each category. You do not, however, have to vote in every category if you just don’t have an opinion on a particular ranking.
Voting will close on December 24, 2025, and winners will be announced the following week. Stay tuned to see if your picks take the top honors!
2025 Cruise Hive Awards
Best Cruise Ship Feature of 2025
Cruise ships are filled with amazing features, from pools and waterslides to dry slides, unique spaces, thrill rides, and much more.
So much so that we’ve limited the voting to the newest and most popular option from each cruise line, such as MSC Cruises’ adrenaline-inducing Cliffhanger and Royal Caribbean’s daring Crown’s Edge.
In 2024, Carnival’s BOLT roller coaster took the top honors. Can it hang on to the top spot for 2025?
Best US Cruise Homeport of 2025
Embarkation and debarkation at a homeport can make or break a cruise vacation. Nothing sours what should be a fun sailing like problems at embarkation or damages cruise memories like a troublesome debarkation. So which US homeport does it best?
This does not have to be your personal homeport (the one you live closest to), nor does it matter if you fly or drive to the homeport, just so long as it offers the best experiences.
Port Canaveral has taken these honors five times already, every single time the US homeport category is offered. Will it be a six-peat for the central Florida homeport in 2025?
Best Cruise Line App
While some cruisers prefer paper menus and daily newsletters, there’s no denying that apps can be convenient and helpful, packed with even more information, such as deck plans, account statements, and photo previews. But which cruise line has the very best app?
This is the very first year Cruise Hive has offered this Award category, so vote wisely – whichever one you choose, this should be the cruise line app to beat!
Best Cruise Line Private Island/Destination
The exclusive vibes of a private island or destination can be a very special experience for all cruise travelers. Some destinations offer very relaxed, chill vibes, while others have more excitement with waterparks, swim-up bars, and plenty of energetic fun.
Different cruisers enjoy different types of destinations and experiences, but Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay was the undisputed winner in 2024. Will another private destination be a successful challenger this year?
Best Overall Cruise Ship
This category is the broadest and you can enter any ship at all. You might prefer a bigger ship or a smaller ship, a newer ship or an older ship, an expedition vessel or a classic cruise liner, they’re all eligible!
Be sure to enter the ship’s complete name, or there might be some confusion if different cruise lines have similarly named ships, such as Disney Magic and Carnival Magic, or Star of the Seas, Star Princess, and Norwegian Star.
Celebrity Beyond was voted the very best in 2024, but will a different ship take the award for 2025?
Best Overall Cruise Line
Consider the whole cruise line experience, from diverse itineraries to outstanding crew to amazing ships to fantastic dining to showstopping entertainment. Which cruise line truly delivers the whole package? If your favorite line isn’t represented, you can write in your own candidate for this category.
In 2024, Carnival Cruise Line was voted the best of the best, but will policy and loyalty changes in the past year impact if the line can take the honors in 2025? Your votes will decide!
Best New Cruise Ship
Some spectacular vessels have joined various fleets this year, but which is the very best? Choose carefully – these ships won’t be eligible for this award next year after even more new ships debut.
It’s no surprise that Icon of the Seas took this honor in 2024, but will Royal Caribbean keep the honors for 2025 or will a different cruise line be the best this year?
Most Anticipated New Cruise Ship
With new ships already on the horizon and the new year fast approaching, which cruise ship is the one you’re looking forward to most in 2026? Multiple cruise lines are launching new builds in the new year, so which one is most on guests’ minds?
Star of the Seas was the star last year, and Icon of the Seas took the honors as the most anticipated new ship for 2024. Will Royal Caribbean make it a three-peat for the Icon class, or will another ship sail to the top spot even before it has ever set sail?
Cast your votes now!
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
