cruises international reviews

Cruises International

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1721 Moon Lake Blvd

Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

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About the business.

Business owner information

Business Owner

Our business specializes in custom tailored cruises and vacations for everyone. Organizing trips for one or more than one hundred people, we make sure to find the perfect vacation everyone will enjoy. We have extensive experience with groups, such as destination weddings, incentive travel, family reunions, class reunions, clubs, and organizations. We have several travel advisors with a wide array of specialties from the beaches of the Caribbean to cruising the rivers in Europe to safaris in Africa. Hosting several events and expos throughout the year, there is always an opportunity to gather the information you need and ask the experts questions you might have about your next dream trip - all without the pressure. Call our office today to see what events are coming up that you may be interested in. Our goal is to be a one-stop shop providing you with advice, guidance, and giving you peace of mind throughout the entire process. …

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I had never been on a cruise so I don't know what to expect it was horrible I book a king size bed and came to propose to my fiancé let's just say I got two twin size beds pushed together we couldn't make love without the beds coming apart it was very uncomfortable then when I told management they came to fix it and still the same thing happened the split apart ! The people on the ship made me feel as if they were tired of working and wanted the guest to stop bothering them ! I felt the bartender on the main floor which was the 7 was very sarcastic and racist he would smile at the other gate skinned people but would be agitated with the darker guest I would never go back the rooms were old and everything was out of date i paid for this trip just like The others if not more but yet your tired of serving me ?

Mar 7, 2020

Hi Jamia, I am sorry your didn't have a good experience on your cruise. Since we are only a travel agency, we have no control over what happens onboard the ships. However, I would suggest removing this review from our Yelp and posting it on the cruise line you sailed with so you can your issues can be addressed. Best of luck!

This is the first time that we used this agency and I couldn't be happier. We booked a Carribean cruise on the Princess line. Our agent was Josie and she was extremely helpful. I had to email her a few times for guidance and or clarification from passports to excursions. We would not hesitate to book another cruise with this agency with Josie as our travel agent. We had a great time!

We booked a 10 day Norwegian Hawaiian cruise through Cruises International back in 2005. We bought the insurance. For medical reasons we had to cancel the week of the cruise. We were asked to turn in forms to claim the insurance. We did this. Finally after months of calling I got someone on the line, who said my agent was no longer with them. I left several messages and we stopped by the agency and were told they would look into and get back to us. Nothing, no reply. I finally got someone on the line and they could not locate the paperwork and we needed to re submit. We explained we brought it in to the agent. We never heard back. Skip ahead I tried leaving messages again. A year or more later I get a hold of someone who said our information was no longer in the system because we didn't sail. But they would look into it. Nothing again. Funny tho a few years later they robo call be with a promotion. "They have my info" in the system but they are just a call center of some sort. Can't help me. If I had the money I should have taken them to court. Shame on me for not. We are out approx. $6,000.00. I wish there was a way of getting help on this. This makes me sick to think about it.

We have been using this agency for yrs. now and have booked 4-5 cruises with them. I used to do all the legwork myself but now find it easier to go thru them and we had been very pleased. The serve and professionalism has been of a high standard and I never think about going anywhere else. Its no wonder they have an A+ rating by the BBB.

Used these guys for our first cruise and I had no issues. In fact, I'll be using Linda again for my next cruise.

Would never recommend this place at least for a wedding. I used them to book my wedding and it was awful. My guests complained that the agent was unresponsive. I had a couple not come because she did not get back to them. Dealing with her was awful on my behalf as well. She was slow to respond... if she did. This all added to the stress of planning my wedding.

There is a "not recommended" review that I agree with. This was not our first booking with this agency. Our trip of a lifetime almost didn't happen. I would highly recommend that if you book a cruise, go over the details very carefully. Free airfare is not free & you are likely to be booked on multiple airlines - a dangerous practice when you must be on the ship at a certain time. Imagine missing the ship or lost luggage due to multiple flights that could easily go wrong. DO NOT believe the agent who says you have a 99% chance of a upgrade once you board. Why an agent would tell a customer this is beyond my comprehension. We were told this story for two separate cruises. If the ship didn't have the suite we wanted, we would have been much happier knowing up front than to be given empty promises. Beware hotels. One hotel was down right dangerous. We were booked in another horrible hotel for another cruise that cost just shy of $1000 a night! I changed that mess along with many more messes on my own before the cruise. Won't be using them again.

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Find the best cruise for you

Featured cruise deals, cruising guide, why take a cruise vacation.

If you have a place on your bucket list, chances are, a cruise will get you there – provided the destination is along a coastline or inland waterway. Cruises cover the world, taking millions of passengers each year to regions such as the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and even Antarctica. Cruising offers a tremendous value, with trips that include your lodging, meals and entertainment – all rolled into one. Some luxury cruise lines even offer fully inclusive vacations, which cover drinks and tours ashore. And best of all, cruising means seeing the world conveniently after unpacking only once.

Cruises also provide a wonderful option for families, with many ships offering things like waterslides, mini-golf courses and fun clubs for kids, tweens and teens. While most are free, nursery programs can cost extra. Planning is easy: Pick your destination and the right ship (and line) for your travel style. The cruise line makes it simple, offering packages to help you save on extras like alcohol, shore tours or even airfare.

Travelers say they choose to cruise because cruising often costs less per night when compared with land vacations at a hotel, where they'll have to book -- and pay for -- every extra.

What are Tips for Finding Cheap Cruises?

If you're a flexible traveler, you'll have a better chance of finding cheap cruises. Take a cruise that doesn't sail over the summer or holidays, when prices are highest. Book an inside cabin, or take your chances with a "guarantee cabin," ideal for passengers who aren't picky about their stateroom location but really want the lowest price available. Book cabins on lower decks, which often come with lower prices than those rooms on higher floors – that is staterooms over suites.

Cruise brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International offer rates that might drop as low as $75 per person per night -- and sometimes even lower.

If you want a real bargain, consider a transatlantic or repositioning cruise. These cruises are one-way or open-jaw trips, that start in one port and finish at another. You can score a deal sailing from Florida to Europe, for example, or even from New York to Florida. Just be aware, you'll probably have to pay a bit more for airfare to return.

What are Tips to Finding Last-Minute Cruise Deals?

While being flexible date wise will always get you the best last-minute cruise deals, it's particularly helpful if you live near a cruise port and can quickly drive there. That way you'll probably be able to jump on those deals that might pop up just a week or two before the ship is scheduled to sail.

Or if you don't have flexibility with either departure dates or embarkation locations, be willing to compromise on exact destinations. This will allow you to find a wider range of last-minute deals traveling to locations in their off-season or so-called shoulder season.

Do plenty of research and know what your ideal cruise is and costs on average, so both are already on your radar. When you see it drop, pounce! (Many cruise lines update pricing several times per day, so preparation is crucial.)

Best cruises in 2024

There's truly a cruise style and ship for everyone, and that has never been more the case than in 2024, as vessels continue to come in an array of sizes – from riverboats and expedition vessels to the largest-ever mega ships. And it's not an exaggeration to say some are loaded with so many activities that you couldn't possibly enjoy them all in a single sailing.

Families will find plenty of options and activities onboard big ships, which have transformed cruising, making the vessels as exciting as the destinations themselves. The Caribbean is always a great option for families, offering lots of sunshine, great beaches and culture. Alaska, famous for its incredible vistas and abundant wildlife, is also a solid family cruise option. Consider cruise brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and even Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line for a great multi-generational voyage.

Or on the smaller side, by comparison, river cruising remains a hot ticket item this year, with exciting routes that send eager guests down the Danube or Rhine rivers in Europe or to lesser-frequented locations, like the Mekong River in Cambodia or Vietnam, or soon the Magdalena River in Colombia. Popular river cruises embark in timeless cities like Amsterdam, Budapest and Lisbon. River cruise lines to consider encompass Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Emerald Cruises, Tauck, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Riverside Luxury Cruises, as well as American Cruise Lines for a domestic alternative.

If you're an adventurer at heart, an expedition cruise might be best for you. These voyages, often onboard small ships (only a few hundred passengers tops), offer an intimate experience that brings passengers right up next to glaciers, whales, penguins and iguanas. Ships visit tiny spots all over the world – from pole to pole – including the Arctic, Alaska, Australia, Greenland, the Galapagos and, of course, Antarctica. Passengers will spend their time zodiacing, kayaking, hiking, biking and exploring with expert guides and knowledgeable naturalists. Expedition travelers love cruise lines such as Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, UnCruise Adventures, Silversea, HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), Ponant and Quark Expeditions, as well as an ever-expanding list that now even extends to Seabourn and Viking.

But for the most decadent form of travel, luxury cruises offer all-inclusive experiences onboard small to median-sized ships (usually under a thousand passengers) with perks like butlers, high-end amenities and personalized, intuitive service, not to mention the finest dining at sea. Ships often feature luxury touches like marble and crystal decor, intimate spaces and beautiful spas. Because luxury ships tend to be on the smaller size, they can often reach off-the-beaten-path destinations bigger ships simply cannot access -- ports like St. Tropez or Guadeloupe. If you're looking for a luxury cruise, consider Crystal, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Explora Journeys, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and upcoming Four Seasons Yachts.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises   Reviews

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Best Holiday We’ve ever had

My family and I recently travelled on the second voyage of the Icon of the Seas, and it was an unforgettable experience from the moment we stepped onboard. The ship is breathtaking, like stepping into a newly built city. Its vastness is indescribable; no video or photo can truly capture its magnificence. The food was exceptional, and the restaurants went out of their way to cater for gluten-free options. We even managed to grab a fresh gluten-free pizza at 10:30 PM on our way back from the comedy club. Our room was spacious with a sea view, which made a significant difference to our stay. The housekeeping team kept it immaculate throughout our trip. There was never a shortage of things to do. We enjoyed relaxing in the jacuzzi, watching West End quality shows, ice skating, comedy clubs, and breathtaking acts in the Aquadome. Although there were a few hiccups along the way, the team resolved them quickly and to our satisfaction every single time. We’ve already booked a second cruise on the same ship for April. My husband, our 9-year-old son, and I had the holiday of a lifetime, and I couldn’t recommend it more.

Date of experience : February 08, 2024

DO NOT USE. I booked a cruise package on Explorer of the seas departing 25th May 2024 from Venice going around the Mediterranean. Never been on a cruise before and as this was for my partners 50th birthday I thought it safest to book as a package through their Air2Sea programme flying from Heathrow with British Airways. Therefore I had no contact with British Airways, Royal Caribbean Air2Sea booked the flights and transfer. The flight was due to depart early in the morning on 25th to pick up the ship later in the afternoon. Got home from work on the 24th to find a message from Royal Caribbean to say our flight itinerary had changed, the BA flight had been cancelled and we were transferred onto a flight on the 26th May. This was obviously not going to work as the ship sailed on 25th. It was only a matter of hours before we needed to leave home for the airport so I waited until 6pm. Nobody got in touch to say what was happening so I rang the emergency travel team. After 3 hours on the phone to various people at Royal Caribbean it finally dawned on them that we would not make the sailing. They didn't seem too bothered and tried to find alternative flights but were unable to do so. The representative on the phone didn't know what to suggest so I asked what our options were, and the response was we can't find an alternative flight to get you to the ship. Obviously we ended up not making the sailing and have had numerous emails back and forth with the UK customer service team who are refusing to refund the £4994.52 it cost. As this was booked as a package and Royal Caribbean were unable to get us to the ship we missed the cruise. Royal Caribbean have really shown their true colours in the way this was handled, there has been total disinterest in trying to get us to the ship and subsequently resolving the problem.

Date of experience : May 25, 2024

Wow- such a positive experience, first time cruise and shocked to see other reviews

From start to finish we cannot fault Royal Caribbean They literally thought on everything We loved everything from the food options, itinerary, the modern shop, the staff were excellent and more than enough Embarkation and disembarking was a breeze both initially and at port days. Entertainment was good. The rooms were modern and clean and spacious We quite simply had an absolute ball and are already looking up our next cruise

Date of experience : May 17, 2024

Wont use Royal Caribbean ever again!

Had been on a lot of cruises- Seabourn, Norwegian, Holland America and Cunard- but I will never go on a Royal Caribbean cruise again. They present themselves as child friendly but most definitely are not! Dont have the capacity or staff to offer babysitting to very many children and the slots booked out within an hour. 3 hours before we were even allowed on the ship. Managers were asked for three times during the week but never once called or came when they were meant to. Babies are not allowed in any of the pools- couldn't swim with our 2 year old for the entire week. Potty trained children are not allowed in the baby play area so was unable to book after a 1 year old and 3 year old at the same time. When this was explain they still did not make an exception. Children are not allowed to wear hats on the little slides even though there is no shade and it was 30 degrees. Hidden charges were added for gratuity to our cards everyday. $18 per person (inc babies in the room) per day. Wifi was extremely expensive and not very good, $140 per person. Food quality was okay but buffet restaurants were always extremely busy. Overall, was very very disappointing

Date of experience : May 12, 2024

Wife and I did a royal caribbean …

Wife and I did a royal caribbean cruise last year to coco cay Bahamas and Hati chalking it up the timing going during Hurricane season we could not do alot of are excursions. We booked a new cruise for 2024 March 13 to 20 for alaska living on east coast going to West coast we needed a flight so contacted royal they said yeh we can help you with that they booked a flight of same day departure .we arrive at airport at 430 am are flight was supposed to take off at 515 am was delayed for 2 hrs causing us to miss connection flight .contacted royal explained what was going on they asked if I could drive lol .I got the protection plan to if I did not mention so I try filing a claim threw AON insurance waiting I was told I am not eligible for a refund because of flight delay worse cruise life ever will not ever use roa royal again

Date of experience : May 13, 2024

Worst customer service ever

Worst customer service ever. Obviously not provided with any training at all. Tried to make a simple change to our booking and hours of emails and phone calls later it still isn’t right. This is consistent with prior experiences for example last year, we were left waiting approximately 3 hours in the theatre for an excursion with no information or apology losing half of our day in port. Have been on a few cruises but will never use again as recent experience has been so dreadful it is the straw which broke my back!

First cruise in 25 yrs smokers need separation

First cruise in 25 yrs. Great staff for service. Entertainment a bit average. Food excellent. Very disappointed they allow smoking in casino , which 1 stops me gambling, but the smoke goes through to bars public areas with babies, asthmatics etc. So disappointing! Shame for such a small issue , I probably wouldn’t book again in a hurry .

Date of experience : May 19, 2024

Beware of Reservation

I had made a group reservation and placed a significant deposit ($1400). Unfortunately I needed to make a cancellation and cancelled within the 24 hour timeframe, the day I had placed the reservation. I was told that my refund would be issued within 14 business days. I called again a day or two later because I had not received confirmation of the refund by email. I received the email confirmation and waited. When I did not see the refund 25 days later, I called and was told that the original refund had not been issued and I would need to wait an additional 7-14 business days. Please be aware of this risk when making a reservation, that your money could be held hostage for over a month, or potentially longer if another error is made. I now have serious reservations of ever booking a cruise with this company (pun intended)

Date of experience : May 24, 2024

Beware of Royal Carribean Invoicing Policy

The cruise was good and the food was good along with the staff. In my opinion Royal Caribbean has some very questionable billing procedures. I received an incidental invoice for over $1,065.13 of which I agreed to be invoiced at only $331.53 for specific services. I received the folio at 10:00 p.m. prior to disembarkation. I went to the front desk prior to leaving the ship and they were completely unhelpful. Absolutely no luck in adjusting the folio even though there were $700 in frivolous charges. On the ship the front desk customer service folks refused to listen or adjust the balance. I got the feeling the staff was in cahoots with the over billing practices. After returning home I attempted to resolve it with customer service and the escalation department. I felt like the staff was very incompetent and ignorant and extremely unhelpful. My advice: Beware of Royal Caribbean questionable billing procedures. Very Disappointed.

Date of experience : February 23, 2024

Deceptive advertising by Royal Caribbean

I am a platinum member of RCI but they have lost my business. Their advertising and promotions are so deceptive. The pricing online says one thing and then the cost is vastly more expensive (not due to taxes and port charges) than advertised. Calling does not help since one is given multiple bs reasons for why the promotional price does not come even close to matching the actual cost.

Date of experience : May 07, 2024

Never Again

I am diamond level. While on my recent Navigator cruise the crew interaction was extremely good after that everything fell apart. Reduced cabin service, almost non existent cabin amenities, terrible windjammer cuisine, poor main dining food, repetitive breakfast menu, etc. This is probably my last RCL cruise. Customers deserve the old RCL service level which had been excellent.

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

screwed out a 1000 dollars for a name change.

paid a thousand dollar deposit and wanted to transfer the cruise to my brother and they kept the thousand dollars and want us to pay another thousand to book the same exact cruise. I talked to several customer service people and their supervisors and they said they would do nothing even though they are gaining a thousand dollars. They are rude and only want your money they made that very clear. I paid a thousand dollars to book a cruise and wanted to transfer to my brother but they want to keep the thousand and get another thousand to make the change. they wont as much as apologize.

Date of experience : May 08, 2024

My family vacation is ruined

Booked for 5 person family cruise and paid in full. I was owed a 500 dollar credit from a previous booking. When I did not receive it I called it in. I was told that they would adjust the booking so that I would get the credit issued back to me. The 500 was sent back but somehow my son was dropped from the reservation came to find out. The cruise is now 2 weeks away and the only option I am being given is to book yet another room for almost 4000 dollars. I understand that mistakes happen but I should not have to pay for them. I even offered to pay for the room at the rate I paid in December. My family vacation is basically ruined. Thanks Royal Caribbean.

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

Rcl beverage rip off

I've a Rcl cruise next year. Have been keeping an eye on beverage packages. Top price for US based customers for the deluxe is $90. In the UK top price is £85. A difference of over £12 per customer per day. 10 day cruise =£240 more expensive for UK customers. Recent promotion was buy one second one 50%.US customers got for $67/£53. UK customers £63.A difference of £100/ per person for 10 days.So £200 per couple. Contacted Rcl who stated "market forces" for differences but refused to match US customers prices.I'm crown and anchor member but makes no difference. Seriously thinking about cancelling, nevertheless last time I'll use Rcl. Seems like discrimination and they are giving preferential treatment for US customers.

Date of experience : April 23, 2024

Royal Caribbean claims they price match…

Royal Caribbean claims they price match but this is the second time I have tried to get them to price match my cruise with no success. Expedia Cruises offers very competitive pricing for cruises and they have allowed me to save at the very least $550 on a 4 day cruise. After waiting an unacceptable amount of time on the phone with a Royal Caribbean representative, she was ultimately unable to match the price that Expedia Cruises was able to offer.

2days after getting off the allure of…

2days after getting off the allure of the seas with a zero balance ,royal deducted a hold off almost three hundred dollars on my debit card leaving me in a negative balance. This set off a chain of events that left me broke,temporarily homeless and caused me to miss a costly chemotherapy session(liver and correctal cancer)which puts me in a a very precarious health and mental condition. Post cruise cust mer services were cold and oblivious to situation. No help what so ever was given!!

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

R.C. Will not hold up to their side of bargain …

Royal carribbean told me that payment was due 2 months after booking, it is policy to email you to remind you that even though they have your credit card info they need you to call and authorize payment. I didn’t call assuming they would email to remind me or that they would just charge my card. They cancelled on us and didn’t bother telling us either, right before we are about to go to California to get on the cruise I find out that they cancelled on us. They then refused to give me the deposit back, which I would agree if I called and cancelled but they canceled on us with no email or anything. They are not a professional company in the least bit. I’ve read many other stories of that happening on the BBB website and others. So basically the way they make money is making it so you have to call them to verify you can charge the card, if you don’t they silent hoping you forget then sell the room to others and keep your money. Please don’t use Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is really going down…

Royal Caribbean is really going down the drain with customer service and customer satisfaction !! I had planned a second cruise this time with my kids two so I reserved two rooms and chose guaranteed balcony because their prices are so crazy now to pick our own room so I notice they recently changed our destination and I called to see if they can at least make it up to us and at least assigned our rooms due to the changes :( they not only said no but told me it says in the contract they can change any time and told me if I wanted assigned room it be 700 more on top of our 3k trip and 900 more on top of our second reservation! They just want to suck all our hard working blood next time we will sail a different company that cares more about the satisfaction of their guest that is willing to go more above and beyond ! Second sailing with them in one year and last one for sure!! They are not vacation dream makers they are just a business that's that!!!

Date of experience : March 07, 2024

This was not the cruise we paid for

The staff was superior, The ship was well kept up, and clean, the food was great. However the schedule was NOT followed. We booked this trip based on Ports of call, yes, (we understand that some things are out of the Captains hand), such as a damage dock at a port. But honestly to change the entire schedule was totally unacceptable! We only went to one port that we were scheduled to go to. We had excursions booked, and while we were refunded our money it left us with nothing to do at the St Thomas five different cruise ships were there ant the same time and it was so packed in such a small place you could not get to anything and getting a taxi was over a two- three hour wait. St Maarten every single excursion was booked and there was nothing at the port to do at all. Two ports we never made it too were the main reason we chose this cruise. (Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic) I totally understand not going into Haiti/ for obvious reasons. Puerto Rico/Damaged dock. However the Dominican Republic should have not been bypassed!!! So to some it up, we actually went to ONE of the Four Destinations. NOT ACCEPTABLE!

Date of experience : April 28, 2024

Refused to refund or give future credits

Multiple flights canceled due to bad weather. Company refused to refund multiple tickets, and even refused to give a credit for future cruises because the flight was not booked through them. Lost multiple future clients, we were all looking foward to it.

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

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12 epic around-the-world cruises that will check off all your bucket list travel destinations

Imagine the joys of traveling seamlessly from one bucket list country to another without packing and unpacking, switching hotels, boarding countless flights or even doing laundry.

Think it's a fantasy? It's actually a world cruise, the nirvana of many ocean-going devotees. As a bonus, most of these around-the-world voyages include enviable perks, like pre-cruise hotel stays, alcohol, shipboard credit, exclusive-access shore excursions — and, yes, laundry service.

Retired, taking a job hiatus or working remotely? A world cruise is a safe, easy and exhilarating way to score a global adventure beyond compare. You might even make new lifelong friends sharing similar interests.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

So, pull out your travel wish list and find an itinerary for those coveted destinations.

Here, you can learn more about what's involved in an around-the-world cruise and drool over 12 terrific choices across a range of fares for an incredible monthslong voyage at sea.

What is a world cruise?

Never mind the moniker, a world cruise may visit several continents but not circumnavigate the globe. Cruise lines usually designate one ship (a few offer two) to sail about 100 days or longer — some even sail more than 200 days — without repeating ports.

World cruises traditionally start in January and end around April or May. They sail round-trip from one American city, such as San Francisco or Miami, or offer a choice of starting points on both coasts, making access easy.

What to know about world cruises

With so few world cruises available, book far in advance. Bookings open roughly two years in advance, and some small-ship cruises sell out within hours. You'll need the extra time to make arrangements to leave your home for months. For that reason, this story will focus on 2025 world cruises.

Related: Hot cruises you'll need to book at least 1 year in advance — maybe even 2!

Around-the-world cruise cost

Such lengthy sailings cost plenty. The bigger ship lines offer the lowest fares, although extra fees for what's not included (such as shore excursions and alcohol) can add up quickly. If contemplating a big-ship voyage, read the inclusions carefully, as they vary among lines.

Luxury vessels bundle many costly amenities into the fare, like business- or first-class plane tickets and luxury hotel stays, and charge the most. They also deliver fine dining, pampering service, glam surroundings and impressive special events. (Silversea Cruises has previously rented out an entire island to entertain its world cruise guests.)

Thus, expect considerable price differences. Count on spending about $20,000 per person minimum to score an entry-level accommodation on the bigger ships and approximately $80,000 to $90,000 per person for an ultraluxury vessel.

Note that for the poshest lines, "entry-level" may mean a spacious, elegant suite with a veranda. For other lines, the most basic cabin is a small, windowless room.

Read on to discover where you can sail to in 2025 on a world cruise.

World Voyage

Thanks to an overwhelming response to its 2024 world cruise (which is currently waitlisted), Azamara announced itineraries for both 2025 and 2026, both aboard the 684-passenger Azamara Onward.

Azamara Onward is the newest ship to join the Miami-based line's four-vessel fleet. The ship's size provides an intimate experience and allows it to call on small towns bigger ships can't access.

For 2025, the 155-night, 37-country voyage begins in San Diego and ends in Southampton, England, with visits to exciting locales in French Polynesia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Italy, France and others.

Along the way, world cruisers can sample authentic Hawaiian cuisine; explore the unspoiled beaches and the lush rainforest on Stewart Island, New Zealand; and visit the world's largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia.

The itinerary will include a pre-sailing welcome party, exclusive cultural events, concierge service and other upscale perks.

The 2026 world cruise sets sail from Miami and concludes in Barcelona. The itinerary for this 155-night expedition features some of the world's most iconic landmarks and sites.

Cruisers will have the opportunity to explore the great pyramid of Kukulcan and other ancient Mayan sites in Chichen Itza, Mexico; wander among Rio de Janeiro's architectural gems and experience the awe of Iguazu Falls in Brazil; sample Peruvian cuisine and soak in the landscape of Machu Picchu in Cusco; scale the Great Wall of China; and enjoy other bucket-list worthy adventures.

The 2025 world cruise departs Jan. 6, 2025. Prices start from $89,001 per person.

The 2026 world cruise departs Jan. 6, 2026. Prices start from $85,141 per person.

World Cruise

If luxury and unparalleled personal service are important to you, consider Crystal 's 2025 world cruise aboard Crystal Serenity .

The beloved upscale line went bankrupt and stopped sailing in 2022. However, luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent acquired it and brought it back to life with a $150 million glow-up, starting with 740-passenger Crystal Serenity.

With newly renovated expansive suites, an array of social areas and nearly one staff member per guest, Crystal Serenity offers ultimate comfort, quality and personalization. Every cabin comes with a butler ready to assist with reservations, laundry and any other needs you have during your global odyssey.

Beginning in Fort Lauderdale and concluding in Barcelona, the sailing spans 123 nights with visits to 31 countries. The cruise kicks off with a welcome celebration, and guests can enjoy themed onboard and shoreside events and gala dinners throughout the sailing.

Exciting destinations along the way include Belize, Honduras, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Jordan. Passengers can get a close-up look at Argentine tango through performances, enjoy street food in Sri Lanka's capital city and celebrate like a Greek god on Mount Olympus, among other events.

Custom excursions and pre- and post-cruise tours organized by Abercrombie & Kent are available along the way (for an additional cost).

Departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $66,200 per person.

Cunard Line

Be among the first to explore the world aboard Queen Anne, the line's first new ship in 12 years. Scheduled to launch in May 2024, the 2,996-passenger ship will take over Cunard 's world cruise duties in January 2025.

Queen Anne's maiden World Voyage in 2025 will span 111 nights, beginning and ending in Hamburg, Germany. Along the way, guests can explore historic churches in the Old Town of Lubeck, Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage site; visit the historic city of Antigua, Guatemala's original capital; and indulge in retail therapy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's bustling shopping hub.

Passengers will enjoy spectacular new elements on this ship. The vessel's main pool area, The Pavilion, is topped with a gorgeous retractable glass roof that will act as a showpiece and also a functional structure to keep poolgoers dry on rainy days.

If you're seeking the most luxurious accommodations and exclusive experiences on board, book Princess or Queens Grill suites. Fares include outstanding amenities such as private dining rooms, coffee and specialty tea service, priority boarding, and a private outdoor lounge area.

Queens Grill suite passengers receive butler service, too. However, many lovely inclusions, such as white-gloved servers presenting complimentary daily tea, are available for all guests.

Departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $17,799 per person.

Holland America

Grand World Voyage

Holland America 's 124-day Grand World Voyage on the 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam cruises round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. The enticing itinerary ventures far from Florida to must-visit cities such as Tokyo, Mumbai, Singapore and Istanbul. The ship will also traverse the Panama Canal.

Many included overnights allow opportunities to dive deep into local cultures and experiences. Spend extra time in Kobe, Japan; Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; and Singapore. As a bonus, Zuiderdam will take guests to incredibly remote locales, such as the Amazon.

On board, relish music venues like Billboard Onboard and BBC Earth in Concert, where a live orchestra plays before a huge backdrop of spectacular wildlife footage. Step One Dance Company presents works by noted choreographers. Count on a buzzy casino, fine dining at specialty restaurants and a professionally staffed fitness center.

Departs Jan. 4, 2025. Prices start from $24,999 per person.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is doing something a little different with its 2025 world cruise. It's offering a choice of four embarkation ports — Rome and Genoa in Italy; Marseille, France; and Barcelona. Passengers will return to the same port they left from.

The 2,550-passenger MSC Magnifica is the home base for the 116-night journey. The itinerary features port calls at 50 destinations across 21 countries in the Mediterranean, South America, the South Pacific, Australia and Asia. Among the cities you'll explore are Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro; Casablanca, Morocco; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; Broome, Australia; and Auckland.

Spend your port days ogling at Genoa's majestic Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Lawrence and Doge's Palace; exploring the peaceful mountaintop monastery in Montserrat, Spain; and wandering through the restored ceremonial village of Orongo, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a World Heritage Site.

Departs Jan. 4, 5, 6 and 7, 2025 (depending on your embarkation port). Prices start from $14,469 per person.

Oceania Cruises

Around the World Cruise

The lovely 656-passenger Insignia sails a whopping 200 days from Miami to New York for Oceania Cruises ' 2025 world cruise. It might seem a long way away, but inside cabins and some suites are already waitlisted for the sailing.

Prepare to tear up any bucket list on a cruise this long. The ship begins in the balmy Caribbean islands, ventures to the Brazilian Amazon, explores more of South America and then heads off to Africa and Asia. Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii and Latin America round out the itinerary before Insignia circles back to the Caribbean (different ports on this end) and sails triumphantly back to Miami.

Oceania Cruises is renowned for fine dining. Expect to eat and drink exceptionally well on board.

Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $54,099 per person.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises promises an unforgettable journey on its 116-day world cruise sailing from Fort Lauderdale (or Los Angeles, as an alternative embarkation port) on the 2,200-passenger Island Princess.

This ship delivers many onboard activities like cooking and dance classes, trivia contests, enrichment programs and games of basketball, volleyball and tennis on the sports court. A putting green ensures golf games stay sharp.

You can also expect outdoor movies, original musical productions and onboard wellness features such as a spa and fitness center.

World cruisers can visit 26 countries with 51 destinations across six continents; the exciting port of call include Lisbon; Bali; Naples, Italy; Milan; and Haifa, Israel. With late-night stays in 11 ports of call and a Dubai overnight, you can relish multiple opportunities to wine, dine and enjoy the nightlife ashore.

For 2025, Princess offers two 116-day world cruise itinerary options on Island Princess, one round-trip from Fort Lauderdale and the other round-trip from Los Angeles.

From Fort Lauderdale: Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $16,225 per person.

From Los Angeles: Departs Jan. 20, 2025. Prices start from $16,298 per person.

Related: Big vs. small cruise ships: Which will I like better?

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Navigate the World

World cruises prove perpetually popular on this ultraluxe line. They often sell out in the blink of an eye.

Availability is limited on the 2025 150-night world cruise on the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner, sailing round-trip from Miami to San Francisco. This itinerary includes cruising in Antarctica, the Chilean fjords, French Polynesia, Taipei and Bali.

Perhaps because its 2025 sailing is nearly sold out, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the first cruise lines to announce its 2026 world voyage, also on Seven Seas Mariner.

This journey will be the line's longest, sailing for 154 nights and visiting 77 ports in 41 countries across six continents. The itinerary includes three new ports of call for Regent, including Lifou Island and Mare of the Loyalty Islands in the New Caledonia archipelago. Count on visiting 47 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Robben Island in South Africa.

For all its around-the-world cruises, Regent piles on primo inclusions — first-class flights, unlimited shore excursions, luggage service, an open bar and a visa package are among countless amenities.

The 2025 world cruise departs Jan. 7, 2025. Prices start from $87,999 per person.

The 2026 world cruise departs Jan. 10, 2026. Prices start from $94,999 per person.

Related: The 9 best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

Grand Africa Voyage

Wander the majestic Grandmaster's Palace in Malta. Snorkel the pristine waters along the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Ogle the tropical beauty of the 115-island archipelago of the Seychelles. Soak up the beauty of Cape Town from atop Table Mountain.

You'll find many pinch-me moments on Seabourn 's 90-day, 26-country Grand Africa cruise in late 2024 and early 2025. It takes place onboard the 450-passenger all-suite Seabourn Sojourn and sails round-trip from Barcelona. (The line is not currently offering a more traditional world cruise in 2025.)

On the ultraluxurious vessel, you can expect exclusive VIP celebrations, like a Caviar in the Surf party. (Note that complimentary Champagne and caviar flow freely on board, too, adding to the happy vibe.)

There's much to love about Seabourn Sojourn. Its intimate size allows truly personalized service from a polished, attentive crew. Seabourn Square, a living room-like venue, is a magnet for affable passengers who quickly make new friends. Count on superb dining and 24-hour room service among a slew of upscale amenities.

Departs Nov. 30, 2024. Prices start from $38,999 per person.

Related: 7 extremely decadent things you can do on a luxury cruise vacation

Silversea Cruises

Controtempo

Silversea Cruises ' 2025 world cruise aboard the ultraluxurious, 596-passenger Silver Dawn looks amazing. The around-the-world cruise is designed to visit far-flung and more remote ports, often out of season, to avoid the touristy crowds.

This 136-day voyage sails from Tokyo to New York and explores 59 ports in 30 countries. Count on visiting enchanting cities, including Istanbul, Naples and Stockholm. Wonderfully remote ports, like Cochin, India; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Nuuk, Greenland, tempt travelers to come aboard for the long haul.

Silversea's world cruises are known for showcasing exceptional special-access events, and this sailing is no different. On this cruise, applause goes to a private tour of Cairo's 500-room Abdeen Palace and an inimitable evening at Versailles in lavish Marie Antoinette style (pre-guillotine, of course).

Silver Dawn is a wowser with a game-changer spa , all-suite accommodations, tux-clad butlers for all passengers and complimentary caviar service anytime, anywhere. Expect many fare inclusions, such as business-class flights, shore excursions and private transfers.

Controtempo departs Jan. 13, 2025. Prices start from $81,900 per person.

The Three Oceans

Silversea recently announced a new 80-destination world cruise for 2027, also aboard Silver Dawn.

Departing from Los Angeles for a 149-night voyage, the ship will visit 35 countries and five continents before ending in Copenhagen. The itinerary features 80 port calls, more than any sailing in Silversea's history, and it will also include 20 new destinations for the line.

Passengers can enjoy extended time in select ports with 11 overnight calls in Honolulu; Cairns, Australia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Cape Town, South Africa; and Bordeaux, France, among others.

The Three Oceans cruise departs Jan. 8, 2027. Prices will be available beginning from June 10, 2024.

Viking World Voyage II

Imagine the joy of ticking many bucket list boxes on Viking World Voyage II, Viking 's 163-day world cruise on board the 930-passenger Viking Sky in 2025. Book quickly; availability is extremely limited, with many suites and penthouses already sold out.

The Los Angeles-to-New York voyage visits 29 countries and 78 ports.

Palm-tree ports are plentiful, including Moorea, French Polynesia; Bay of Islands, New Zealand; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. You'll cross many seas, such as the Tasman, Arafura and Arabian, and take your pick of a plethora of possible excursions, including a visit to a Balinese Hindu temple in Indonesia and a tour of the ancient Elephanta Caves in India. You can pretty much do it all on this world cruise.

Departs Jan. 5, 2025. Prices start from $74,995 per person.

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The best cruise lines in the world: 2023 Readers' Choice Awards

By Condé Nast Traveller

The survey for the 2024 Readers' Choice Awards is open, vote now for your favourite places, hotels, airports, cruise lines, travel fixers and more.

Cruises are booming right now, buoyed partly by the popularity of domestic seacations that hauled in first-time sailors. So much so that Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 34,000-mile world trip for 2024 sold out in just over two hours, while the adults-only Virgin Voyages, which aims to throw cruise stereotypes overboard, rose to first place in Large Ships. And we’ve brought back last year's new category showcasing the expedition cruises – small, often sustainable vessels with a shoal of scientific experts onboard – that follow in the wake of adventurers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton.

These are the best cruise lines in the world, according to the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards .

The best cruise lines in the world 2023

Mega ships (More than 4,000 passengers)

4. MSC Cruises. Score 83.42 3. Carnival Cruise Line. Score 85.35 2. Royal Caribbean International. Score 86.69 1. Norwegian Cruise Line. Score 86.72.

Large ships (2,500 to 4,000 passengers)

10. MSC Cruises. Score 83.77 9. Royal Caribbean International. Score 84.31 8. Norwegian Cruise Line. Score 86.41 7. Holland America Line. Score 87.79 6. Costa Cruises. Score 87.95 5. Celebrity Cruises. Score 88.57 4. Princess Cruises. Score 89.42 3. Cunard. Score 89.55 2. Disney Cruise Line. Score 92.21 1. Virgin Voyages. Score 94.07

Medium ships (500 to 2,500 passengers)

15. Carnival Cruise Line. Score 80.56 14. P&O Cruises. Score 83.29 13. Princess Cruises. Score 84.84 12. Marella Cruises. Score 85.60 11. Hurtigruten. Score 86.23 10. Cunard. Score 86.33 9. Holland America Line. Score 86.42 8. Celebrity Cruises. Score 86.68 7. Azamara. Score 87.50 6. Silversea Cruises. Score 87.74 5. Oceania Cruises. Score 87.99 4. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Score 91.07 3. Seabourn. Score 91.67 2. Disney Cruise Line. Score 92.92 1. Viking. Score 94.98

Small ships (Fewer than 500 passengers)

10. Variety Cruises. Score 86.75 9. SeaDream Yacht Club. Score 89.66 8. Silversea. Score 89.93 7. Seabourn. Score 91.34 6. Ponant. Score 91.45 5. Windstar Cruises. Score 91.87 4. Sea Cloud Cruises. Score 91.94 3. American Cruise Lines. Score 92.88 2. Paul Gauguin Cruises. Score 92.94 1. Emerald Cruises. Score 95.27

10. AmaWaterways. Score 93.09 9. Sanctuary Retreats. Score 93.14 8. Uniworld River Cruises. Score 93.24 7. Pandaw. Score 95.28 6. Grand Circle Cruise Line. Score 95.69 5. Les Bateaux Belmond. Score 95.90 4. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Score 95.91 3. Tauck. Score 96.14 2. American Cruise Lines. Score 96.66 1. Viking. Score 97.32

Expedition ships

15. Alaskan Dream Cruises. Score 80.77 14. Lindblad Expeditions. Score 91.23 13. Silversea Cruises. Score 91.81 12. Hurtigruten. Score 91.87 11. Ponant. Score 92.25 10. Quark Expeditions. Score 93.15 9. Seabourn. Score 93.37 8. Metropolitan Touring. Score 94.71 7. Quasar Expeditions. Score 94.91 6. Celebrity Cruises. Score 95.38 5. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Score 95.80 4. Ecoventura. Score 95.82 3. Aqua Expeditions. Score 95.97 2. UnCruise Adventures. Score 96.41 1. Viking. Score 96.52

• Royal Caribbean International

Reviews of RCI excursions

By CaptJerry51 , November 19, 2023 in Royal Caribbean International

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CaptJerry51

I have my first cruise on RCI next June and am looking at their excursions.  I am finding their descriptions a little light in content and RCI does not provide for reviews to be posted.  I would like to be able to find out a little bit more about those I am interested in.

My questions are:

- should I assume that everything land based is done via a 40-50 passenger bus - Yes?  The description says nothing about the transportation.  This may be by design.

- where can I see reviews from prior passengers of each tour?  Often these reviews add a lot of detail - the good and not so good about the excursion.

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smokeybandit

Google the name of the excursion. You're likely to find reviews, though not necessarily specific to RC passengers. but you can still find what you need.

with some good googling of the shore excursion title, you can usually find the tour provider website or a page on trip advisor/viator

cruiselvr04

For a very short period of time Royal did have reviews.  I think a lot were so negative they quit doing it.   

The best thing I can say is stay away from anything that says panoramic or describes you will drive by….it also sometimes says how long the bus ride is.  I google how far what you’re going to see is from the pier.  

6 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said: The best thing I can say is stay away from anything that says panoramic or describes you will drive by….it also sometimes says how long the bus ride is.  I google how far what you’re going to see is from the pier.  

Lol I'm ok with panoramic views we drive by. The ones I stay away from say they are a walking tour. I can do a walking tour on my own, i want to be driven to see the sights. Ac included. 

Mum2Mercury

3 hours ago, cruiselvr04 said: For a very short period of time Royal did have reviews.  I think a lot were so negative they quit doing it. 

Cruise ships do not excel at shore excursions.  

Remember you have the option to go with private tours.  

3 hours ago, cruiselvr04 said: The best thing I can say is stay away from anything that says panoramic or describes you will drive by….it also sometimes says how long the bus ride is.  I google how far what you’re going to see is from the pier.  

Totally agree.  I have no interest in "city tours" or driving past interesting things. 

On our first cruise we didn't think about the distance between the pier and our excursion site, so we were surprised by a 45 minute ride.  We didn't know what we didn't know.  Yes, now I always use Google to check how far the drive is ... it's part of my "Is this worthwhile?" thought process.  

3 hours ago, firefly333 said: Lol I'm ok with panoramic views we drive by. The ones I stay away from say they are a walking tour. I can do a walking tour on my own, i want to be driven to see the sights. Ac included. 

This isn't my idea of fun at all ... but that's why it's essential to know what's going to happen on your excursion!  Check out your potential excursions on this board or other online websites.  

livingonthebeach

The ship sanctioned excursions are truly hit or miss. I've been on great ones and not so good ones. The only real advantage to these tours is knowing if there's a problem getting back on time, you won't miss the ship = the ship won't leave you stranded in a foreign port. Is it worth the extra money? Some may say yes due to the removal of stress in getting back on time. Will you miss out on a fantastic local tour for less money? Probably. 

island lady

Indeed, RCI used to post reviews (with pictures even) of the tours.  But that was years ago.  If it was due to so many bad reviews...I think the fix should have been to improve the tours and make them as described...which many are not even close!   😠

Hit and miss on those tours for us...IMHO I would say 30-40% are actually worth it, and that is being optimistic.  And like mentioned...we only do the RCI tours in cities we are not familiar with, and do feel better knowing RCI is responsible for getting us back to the ship.  

2 hours ago, island lady said: Indeed, RCI used to post reviews (with pictures even) of the tours.  But that was years ago.  If it was due to so many bad reviews... I think the fix should have been to improve the tours and make them as described...which many are not even close!    😠   Hit and miss on those tours for us...IMHO I would say 30-40% are actually worth it, and that is being optimistic.  And like mentioned...we only do the RCI tours in cities we are not familiar with, and do feel better knowing RCI is responsible for getting us back to the ship.  

Yes, absolutely agree. Often they are just using the supplier's own description and those frequently leave a lot to be desired. They really need to have an actual RC employee check out every excursion that they sell and then do proper write-ups like Princess have on their website.

One other benefit I like having with a ship-sponsored excursion is the ease of getting a refund if a port call is switched or missed.

I wish you could at least (easily) look at what excursions they offer even if you haven't booked a cruise with that port. I sometimes use that as a deciding factor for deciding on a cruise if ports are the focus (looking at you Falmouth!) Carnival does have reviews on their shore excursions and often have the same tours (or at least same beach/activity location). Plus, you can look them up from their website without having a cruise booked.

Sometimes it's nice to read reviews from a cruiser's perspective as other reviews may be from those on a land tour. Just go to the "Explore" tab and look all the way to the right. Hopefully it will give you an idea of what you are looking for. If you see a tour you like but Royal doesn't offer it, you can probably find it to do on your own outside of the ship's excursions.

2 hours ago, FionaMG said:   Yes, absolutely agree. Often they are just using the supplier's own description and those frequently leave a lot to be desired. They really need to have an actual RC employee check out every excursion that they sell and then do proper write-ups like Princess have on their website.   One other benefit I like having with a ship-sponsored excursion is the ease of getting a refund if a port call is switched or missed.

Totally agree.  Have mentioned that several times to the shore excursion staff, after a bad tour.  "Please put someone on these tours at least once to check them out for accuracy".   We are paying RCI for the product, and they are getting their cut.  Time to get their head out of the sand.  😉  

I use TripAdvisor to see what any port has to offer. Sometimes I use the ship excursion, sometimes I use private tours. Mostly I had good experiences with both. Occasionally there are glitches in both cases. My interests lie in history and culture not beaches.

Look at past cruises for the same ports on Cruise Critic. Sometimes passengers have recommendations or criticisms.

On 11/19/2023 at 5:18 PM, cruiselvr04 said: stay away from anything that says panoramic

Nothing wrong with a senior tour.  RCI is only an agent.

I started looking at the Holland America website. They seem to have similar tours but actually show the reviews. I have become very picky with what cruise ship tours I book.

Look at carnival website as well. 

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Quantum of the Seas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International |

Find a Cruise on Quantum of the Seas

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Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 373 guests have reviewed Quantum of the Seas , giving it a rating of 4 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

My first cruise ever on Royal Carribean

Jun 9th, 2024

Overall we enjoyed the cruise for what it was…a chance for us to get away and enjoy time with families and friends in an environment that is out of the norm for us. We will be doing an Alaskan cruise every year for as long as we can…it’s that special! Question is will we be using this cruise line again? We still have 3 cruise lines to try…Disney, Celebrity and Holland so the short answer is probably not.

Traveler Type

Large Group

Majestic views and memories made on an Alaskan Cruise

Jun 8th, 2024

We cruised Alaska earlier than initially thought we would in life--glad we did! Family all had a terrific time, enjoyed wonderful weather, made massive memories, and could do much more of the walking/hiking/climbing with the kids than we would have been able to for those majestic views, than if we had waited for retirement! If you are able, check this off your bucket list now :)

Family (older children)

Great cruise!

Jun 7th, 2024

The cruise was great as expected. I always enjoy all the towns in Alaska. The weather was wonderful at all ports. It was a good get away with teenage children. I have only sailed Royal Caribbean.... They met my expectations as always. The only mishap was weather when disembarkation.

Outstanding Royal Caribbean Cruise

I would do it again. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship experience was amazing, every day out at sea was so, magnificent, and all those 15 hours of daylight was a pleasure. Not our first cruise, but it was the best one. It was such a wonderful learning experience, good for my mind, body, and soul.

2-3 cruises

fabulous family cruise

Jun 2nd, 2024

an amazing fun family cruise to a stunning little tropical seasise town. very very impressed with our first royal caribeean cruise, and it definietly wont be our last :) 5 star :)

4-6 cruises

great time all the day long

May 30th, 2024

We all just had a great time -what a good staff where ever we went - Food was great and service even better

1 cruise (first)

Relaxing Alaskan Cruise Getaway

Great vacation getaway to Alaska. We had gone on an Alaskan cruise in 2016 and enjoyed it so much that we had to do it again. Staff were excellent. The only shore excursion disappointment was at Icy Straits. We did a river hike to see bears but it rained and they didn't show up. No risk, no reward. We tried new adventures such as tandem kayaking which was fantastic! The guides made it so easy for us. I wish we had more time in Juneau for shopping. We spent all our time hiking and enjoying the mountains and glaciers. No regrets! My wife and I even had a chance to try karaoke with a fantastic band! It was a blast! Highly recommend the cruise.

Great Alaskan Adventure

Great adventure. Great crew/staff. Clean ship. Definitely planning another Alaskan cruise, but will likely go higher (Anchorage, Denali, etc.) and likely a land and sea.

Rainy Alaska cruise

May 18th, 2024

The cruise was great. It was a rainy, which isn't unusual for Alaska in May. The cruise ship could have had some more activities, especially for At Sea days. Most ports were great. Icy Strait Point was a little underwhelming.

May 16th, 2024

Amazing if you never have to deal with their guest services. Dining staff and room attendants are exceptional

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best overall: nationwide travel insurance.

• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance

Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

How we rate travel insurance »

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Cruises: AIG Travel Guard

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review here.

Best for Reputation: C&F Travel Insured

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review here. 

Best for Pre-Existing Conditions: Tin Leg Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Digital Nomads: WorldTrips Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review here.

Best for Affordability: Trawick International Travel Insurance

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance  that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review here.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Julian Chokkattu

Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra

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I’m at a crossroads. Just a few weeks ago, I reviewed Samsung’s Galaxy A14 5G , calling it a phenomenal phone that costs a mere $200, proving that you really don’t need to pay heaving wads of dough to get a great smartphone . Now I’m reviewing Samsung's top-tier $1,200 Galaxy S23 Ultra and $800 Galaxy S23—and dang it, sometimes it’s nice to splurge, you know?

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 lineup (which also includes the S23+, a model I haven’t tested yet) are not game-changing devices in the least—and most people don’t need all these high-end cameras and tremendous horsepower. But I have to remind myself that sometimes it’s OK to pay up for the best of the best . It’s nice not having to squint at a dim screen on a sunny day, and to have the ability to play a demanding game at its highest fidelity.

If you’re coming from a Galaxy S22 or S21 or any other flagship device released within the last two years, these new Samsung handsets don't really give you a reason to upgrade. But if you have something older in your pocket, or a more wallet-friendly device that you feel offers a compromised experience, then you should definitely take a look.

I won’t bore you with the nitty-gritty specs on these phones. Instead, you can read my explainer on how the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra are all different and how they’re similar. (Heck, you can read last year's S22 series review to get the gist on what most of these new devices are about.) What you can't quite find out by reading specs are how these phones feel—the 6.1-inch S23 is my personal favorite because it fits my hands and most of the screen remains fairly accessible when I want to use it one-handed. The S23 Ultra's 6.8-inch display isn't terribly unwieldy, but while using it, I find my thumbs stretching farther and farther until my other hand has to join in—and I have large hands.

The best change is the S23 Ultra's edges, which are far flatter than last year's curvy S22 Ultra. The edges are not as flat as the edges on an iPhone 14 , but the Ultra still feels nicer to hold than its predecessor, and my grip almost never interrupts the screen. Outside this, color me whelmed with how the Galaxy S23 lineup looks. I still think Samsung's S21 series offered a sharper design language with the Contour Cut camera module in an accent color. These new phones with their understated and accent-free camera array look like the textbook definition of a “smartphone”—they're no doubt elegant, but there's not much character.

The three handsets share many of the same traits, like how the 120-Hz AMOLED screens can each now hit 1,750 nits of peak brightness. This is a feature that's often overlooked; a high brightness makes it so much easier to read the screen when you're outside on a sunny day. Too often my fiancée has to squint at her Pixel phone , and that's never a problem here. (It also gets pretty darn dim for anyone who appreciates low brightness at bedtime.)

They're all powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 “for Galaxy” chipset, which is slightly faster than the base-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 you'll find on other flagship Android phones like the OnePlus 11 . My benchmark tests bore that out, but it's not a massive leap. This chip is special in two ways. Year over year, it's really hard to notice meaningful gains in performance these days, but I've noticed that phones with this processor feel more responsive and snappier than ever before. 

This is further highlighted in demanding games like Genshin Impact . Last year, I had to lower the graphics settings so the game would run without too many stutters. Now, the game feels super smooth at the highest graphics settings, and you only see a few stutters here and there after long play sessions, and only when there's a lot of action on the screen. The handset gets warm after some gaming, but not terribly so. Hooray!

Galaxy S23 Ultra

The second thing I like about this chip is its efficiency. Despite using the same 5,000-mAh cell as last year's S22 Ultra, Samsung claims the S23 Ultra lasts 20 percent longer. This rings true. The Ultra often lasted me well into a second day with average use, requiring a top-up around 3 pm. The S23 with its 3,900-mAh battery capacity comfortably lasted a full day with around 30 percent left in the tank by midnight. You probably don't need to tote a charger around everywhere you go. (Though if you need a charger, since Samsung doesn't include one in the box, we have recommendations in our guide to S23 cases and accessories .) 

Samsung is leading the Android world with software updates, as these phones will get four Android OS upgrades and five years of monthly security updates. That'll make sure that you can keep using the S23 lineup as long as you'd like without feeling as if you're missing out on new Android features (or crucial security fixes). Samsung's OneUI software interface isn't my absolute favorite, but it certainly beats the OnePlus 11, and I'm so happy that a recent software update finally lets me disable Samsung Calendar, which I don't use, so I no longer have to get two notifications from it and Google Calendar.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is still the only model with the S Pen stylus embedded in the bottom. I've enjoyed using it as a remote shutter for the camera so I can take photos in low light without having to tap the shutter icon (and potentially introduce some camera shake). This was especially helpful when I was balancing the Ultra on a park bench here in New York and tried to use Samsung's new Astrophoto mode to capture some stars—a single tap on the S Pen's button and voila, a sharp photo. I'm not one for taking notes or doodling with a stylus, but you do you. 

If you take a lot of photos, it's probably worth splurging on the S23 Ultra. A few photos I've captured with the Ultra over the past few weeks are usually nicer than the shots from the standard S23, but the gap is by no means vast. The 50-megapixel camera on the S23 can snap up some crisp and colorful shots in any lighting condition, and the same can be said for the Ultra's 200-megapixel camera. Take selfies more than anything else? You'll be happy to hear they all have the same 12-megapixel selfie camera that's pretty sharp. 

The ultrawide and 3X telephoto cameras are super reliable and handy to have, but I also love using the S23 Ultra for its fourth camera , the 10X optical zoom. Ask my fiancée. She'll tell you how often I stop on the street to point the 10X camera up toward a tree to capture a photo of a bird, a squirrel, or just the Empire State Building. I'm a telephoto kinda guy, so this depends on whether you find yourself zooming in on your subject. To me, this is one of the top reasons to get this phone over anything else here in the US, though I have to say that the Pixel 7 Pro's 10X digital zoom gets impressively close considering its price.

Overall, I'm really impressed and happy with the photos that come out of the S23 lineup. As with any camera system, there are some flaws, like how colors can be too saturated, or how the cameras try to smooth out your facial features by default. (You can turn this off.) I also don't get too much use out of the dedicated 200- or 50-megapixel camera modes on the S23 Ultra and S23, respectively. Sure, you can capture a lot of detail in these high-resolution photos, but I generally prefer the results from the default 12-megapixel shots (and they don't suck up as much storage). These cameras easily rival the Pixel 7 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro, and in many cases, they best them. Samsung's improved video stabilization on the S23 Ultra is also worth noting, as it's some of the best you'll get on an Android phone, though the iPhone still wins the pot here.

I have minor quibbles. Why are the S23+ and S23 Ultra made out of aluminum instead of stainless steel like the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max? Some of the software menu options are also a little confusing and tucked away. It'd also be nice to see one major new trick with these handsets that's more helpful than gimmicky. Alas, I'm nitpicking. 

Which should you buy? Again, I should remind you that you don't need to spend this much to get a great phone, but hey, it doesn't hurt to treat yourself. Most people will be more than happy with the Galaxy S23 (and the S23+ if you want a bigger handset), but camera fiends and stylus wielders will love the S23 Ultra. I suggest you wait a few months for a sale, as Samsung phones are often discounted before long. Or you know, buy from last year's Galaxy S22 series for a fairly similar experience.