Disney Cruise Line Wins Travel and Leisure Large Ship Award 2025

With an ambience distinctively different from mega-ships, large ships, which we define as those with 800 to 1,399 cabins, are big enough to offer a good choice in accommodations, restaurants, activities, and entertainment. What they don’t have is mega-ship crowds or, for that matter, as many amusement park attractions as the larger ships. Itineraries include the tried-and-true but also destinations that mega-ships may not be able to visit given their larger size—a perk that delights our voters.

What Readers Loved

Holland America Line (No. 3) is a T+L reader favorite, particularly in Alaska, where the brand has had a presence for more than 75 years. Another legacy brand is the venerable Cunard (No. 2), with its traditional White Star service, ballrooms where real dress-up balls take place, and regular roster of transatlantic voyages. Moving into the No. 1 spot this year is Disney Cruise Line, popular with families and nostalgic adults alike. Also making the top five are Celebrity Cruises (No. 4) and Geneva-based MSC Cruises (No. 5).

  • Last year at No. 2 and this year in the winning spot, Disney Cruise Line was a reader favorite not only with families with kids but with an adult crowd, too. Readers praised the themed rotational dining setup, created so kids don’t get bored, and the frequent presence of Disney characters. They also praised the line’s crew and overall attention to detail. “Amenities and facilities were amazing, and everything felt like the Disney atmosphere of my childhood,” wrote one reader. “As an adult I am wowed; I can’t imagine what it must be like to see it through the eyes of a child,” said another fan.

  • As an adult I am wowed; I can’t imagine what it must be like to see it through the eyes of a child. — T+L Reader

The Full List

1. Disney Cruise Line
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 88.33

2. Cunard
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 85.04

3. Holland America Line
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 83.62

4. Celebrity Cruises
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 82.60

5. MSC Cruises
Reader Score: 80.71

Thanks to Travel + Leisure for the original article and award. Photo Credit to Travel + Leisure and Disney Cruise line