It's a new year, with new horizons ahead—which can be explored quite literally, when you set sail on one of these noteworthy cruises. From innovative new ships to pioneering itineraries, we've sifted through the many cruises making headlines and narrowed them down to the 15 best boats of the bunch.
From sampling at-sea superlatives (try the world's largest or "most luxurious" ship) to wow-factor amenities (celebrity-chef eateries, onboard science labs) to far-flung ports of call (Aldabra, anyone?), get ready to book a sailing adventure to remember.
SEE ALSO: 6 mistakes people make when they pack for a cruise
Royal Caribbean
What's New: The industry's biggest innovator, Royal Caribbean, has upped the ante for 2016, when it's set to launch the world's largest cruise ship: the 5,497-passenger, 16-deck Harmony of the Seas. The behemoth vessel comes equipped with some repeat recent Royal innovations like the Bionic Bar (helmed by robot bartenders) and LCD-screen "virtual balconies" in inside cabins, but boasts some standout new features, too, like the tallest slide at sea (at 10 stories high), as well as some of the largest staterooms in the company's fleet. The ship debuts in May with an inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean; 7-night itineraries sail round-trip from Barcelona or Rome, calling on popular ports like Naples, Marseille, and more.
Set Sail: Sail the Mediterranean from May through November; rates from $1,017/person. The Harmony moves to Fort Lauderdale come November for weeklong Caribbean sailings.
Plan Your Trip: VisitFodor’s Royal Caribbean International Guide
Seabourn
What's New: The luxe small ships of Seabourn have always earned high marks, but 2016 elevates the brand to a new level with the December debut of the Seabourn Encore. The 600-passenger, all-suite ship radiates high design, as realized by preeminent hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany, while private verandas trim each stateroom. Gourmands, meanwhile, can indulge at a new French-American restaurant from Michelin-starred American chef Thomas Keller (The French Laundry, Per Se, and Bouchon); Chef Keller-branded restaurants will eventually be rolled out across the entire fleet (the first opens on Seabourn Quest in spring). Be among the first to see what the buzz is about on Encore's pre-inaugural 16-night voyage from Athens to Dubai, with stops in the Holy Land, Jordan, and Oman, including a pass through the Suez Canal. Encore’s first season features nine unique itineraries in all, in Indonesia, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, and more.
Set Sail: The pre-inaugural "Holy Land & Arabian Gems" itinerary embarks December 4, 2016; rates from $6,999/person include fine wines and spirits, and crew gratuities.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Seabourn Cruise Line Guide
Carnival
What's New:Carnival's first new ship in four years, the 3,954-passenger Carnival Vista (the largest in its fleet) will operate the line's first European itineraries since 2013. On board, look for a slate of notable new features, including SkyRide, a suspended, pedal-powered outdoor cycling experience; the first IMAX theater on a cruise ship; a raft-riding water tube slide; a dedicated zone for family staterooms; Carnival's first-ever brewery (the RedFrog Pub); and more. Bonus: The ship's "vista" namesake is reflected with ample ocean views at every turn. Its series of 10- to 13-night Mediterranean itineraries embark from Athens, Barcelona, or Trieste, Italy, and feature port calls to Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Turkey, and beyond.
Set Sail: Mediterranean sailings run from May through October; rates from $819/person. The ship re-positions to New York in November 2016, where it will sail 11-night itineraries to the Caribbean, before moving down to its new Miami home port for a year-round schedule of 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Carnival Cruise Lines Guide
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