Top 5 Cruise Ships of 2025 | Best New and Favorite Cruise Ships Ranked
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
We loved Resilient Lady. It was so much fun.
The Prima class really showed us what Norwegian Cruise Lines was capable of in their ship design and execution.
We loved our time so much on the Norwegian Aqua that we ended up booking our second ever group cruise on board in October of 2026.
We loved it so much that we hosted our very first group cruise on board the Islander.
Creator's Tips & Advice
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
There are a LOT of cruise ships sailing right now, but which ones truly stand out in 2025? In this video, we’re counting down our Top 5 Cruise Ships of 2025, based on real sailings, real experiences, and what actually makes a ship unforgettable. From brand-new mega ships to classics that still surprise us, these are the ships we couldn’t stop talking about this year. We’re sharing why these ships made our list - from food and entertainment to itineraries, crew, and overall vibe - without spoiling the full rankings here. Ships featured in this video include: - Margaritaville at Sea Islander - Norwegian Aqua - Norwegian Jade - Norwegian Joy - Resilient Lady (Virgin Voyages) - Star of the Seas (Royal Caribbean's Icon Class) Whether you love modern mega ships, smaller classic ships, or laid-back cruising with incredible food and service, there’s something on this list for you. Let us know in the comments: Which cruise ship do YOU think deserves a spot in the Top 5 for 2025? Want to cruise with us? Check out our upcoming This Cruise Life Group Cruises: https://www.thiscruiselife.com/groupcruise 2025 was an incredible year of cruising, and we’re truly grateful to have shared part of that journey with each of you. From sailing on brand-new cruise ships to rediscovering favorites we already loved, your support, comments, and conversations are what make this community so special. If you love cruise ship reviews, cruise news, cruise tips, and honest cruising experiences, make sure to subscribe and join us as we head into even more adventures in 2026. Bon Voyage for 2025! -Mark and Rocky #2025review #resilientlady #norwegianaqua #margaritavilleatsea #staroftheseas #top5 00:00 Introduction 00:46 5th Favorite Ship 03:40 4th Favorite Ship 06:43 3rd Favorite Ship 10:28 2nd Favorite Ship 14:16 Honorable Mention 16:05 Number 1 Cruise Ship from 2025 19:08 The Wrap Up