Viking Cruises dominated the 11th annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards for the second year in a row with five wins in 2018.

Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection tied for second place with three award each, all of which were revealed on December 5.

“In the awards’ infancy, they were simply a way to recognize cruise lines that excelled in a particular area,” said Colleen McDaniel, executive editor of cruising website Cruise Critic. “And while the list certainly continues to be a compilation of the best experiences at sea, what’s very clear this year is that the awards also highlight the wide range of travel experiences that cruising offers.

“Whether you’re a family or adventure-seeker, solo traveler or foodie, these are the absolute best lines to try in the upcoming year.”

Viking rules the waterways

Viking won five awards, the most of any cruise line.

Cruise Critic’s editors pick winners in three categories: ocean cruises, luxury cruises (all on ocean ships) and river cruises.

Viking won three luxury awards (best new luxury ship for the Viking Orion, best spa, best value for money) and two river cruise awards (best for first timers and best itineraries).

It’s no surprise that Disney Cruise Line won for best for families in the ocean category, while Disney’s Adventures by Disney earned top honors for families in river cruising.

The new Celebrity Edge

The Norwegian Encore took the prize for best new ocean cruise ship.

“U by Uniworld is river cruising’s newest cruise line, introducing an entirely new way to river cruise, designed specifically with millennials in mind. And Viking Ocean found a way to breathe new life into its already popular luxury offerings – introducing brand-new features and perfecting what it’s already doing incredibly well on its newest ship, Viking Orion.”

A member of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Class, Norwegian Encore is their pick for best new ocean ship.

“A number of fantastic new ships launched this year, but what made Norwegian Encore stand out to our editors was the sheer depth of offerings available for every traveler,” McDaniel said.

“From an onboard go-kart track and virtual-reality simulators, to nearly 20 restaurants and a dual-deck, adults-only escape – there’s something on board for everyone. And while the ship isn’t an entirely new concept – it’s not first-in-class – the line has clearly taken what’s worked on its previous ships and perfected it on Norwegian Encore. It’s truly an exciting addition to the industry.”

The biggest winners: Viking Cruises won the most awards at the 12th annual Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards for the third year in a row, with five wins.

By sea or by river: Viking won three luxury awards (Best Enrichment, Best Spa, Best Value for Money) and two river cruise awards (Best for First-Timers and Best Itineraries).

Royal Caribbean: The cruise line won three awards, coming in second place, including Best Entertainment, Best Suites and Best Ship Refurbishment (for Oasis of the Seas).

Crystal Cruises: Also earning three awards and coming in second place, Crystal Cruises won for Best Luxury Cruise Line and river awards for Best Luxury and Dining.

AmaWaterways: The river cruise company won three awards, including Best River Cruise Line and Best River Cruise Line for Active Cruisers.

Best New Ocean Ship: With exclusive accommodations, Broadway musicals, virtual-reality rides and go-kart racing, the Norwegian Encore is Cruise Critic's Best New Ocean Ship of 2019. Norwegian Cruise Line was also named Best for Solo Travelers.

Best New River Ship: AmaWaterways' new ship, AmaMagna, was named Best New River Ship, one of three awards for the river cruise line.

Best New Luxury Cruise Ship: The Scenic Eclipse, Scenic's first-ever ocean-going ship, has two on-board helicopters, a six-person submarine and amazing destinations like the Arctic and Antarctica. Scenic also won for Best Enrichment on river cruises.

Tops for families: Disney Cruise Line won Best for Families in the ocean category.

More for Disney: Adventures by Disney earned top honors for families in river cruising.

Uniworld wins two: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection won two awards, for Best Ship Refurbishment of the S.S. Bon Voyage (shown here) and Best Cabins.

Emerald Waterways: This cruise line won the award for Best Value for Money in the river cruise category.

Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival won Best Value for Money in the ocean category.

Best North American Homeport: Seattle, Washington, was named the best homeport in the continent.

Cruise Critic's top cruise ships for 2019

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The best new river ship is AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna, which is double the width of many river cruise ships. “The modern ship offers large staterooms, a full-sized pool and an array of restaurants. AmaMagna is a dream for fitness and wellness enthusiasts, with a large gym and dedicated spa space – unheard of on river ships,” say the editors in a statement.

The best new luxury ship is the 200-passenger ocean ship Scenic Eclipse, which has two helicopters and a six-person sub. Editors noted the “chic, modern design, generously sized suites and incredible dining offerings. Scenic pulled out all the stops with its first ocean ship, which seamlessly combines luxury and soft-adventure travel to exotic destinations, including the Arctic and Antarctica.”

Ocean winners

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas won for Best Ship Refurbishment.

Best New Ship: Norwegian Encore

Best Ship Refurbishment: Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

Best for Adventure: UnCruise Adventures

Best Cabins: Celebrity Cruises

Best Dining: Holland America Line

Best Entertainment: Royal Caribbean International

Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line

Best Itineraries: Holland America Line

Best Nightlife: MSC Cruises

Best Service: Carnival Cruise Line

Best Shore Excursions: Princess Cruises

Best for Solo Travelers: Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Suites: Royal Caribbean International

Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Line

Best North American Homeport: Seattle, WA

Ocean winners/luxury

The Scenic Eclipse won for Best New Luxury Ship.

Best Luxury Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises

Best New Luxury Ship: Scenic Eclipse

Best Ship Refurbishment: Insignia (Oceania Cruises)

Best for Adventure: Ponant

Best Cabins: Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Dining: Oceania Cruises

Best Enrichment: Viking Ocean Cruises

Best Itineraries: Azamara

Best for Romance: SeaDream Yacht Club

Best Service: Silversea Cruises

Best Shore Excursions: Windstar Cruises

Best for Solo Travelers: Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Spa: Viking Ocean Cruises

Best Value for Money: Viking Ocean Cruises

River cruise winners

AmaWaterways won for Best River Cruise Line and for Best New River Cruise Ship, the AmaMagna.

Best Value for Money: Emerald Waterways

Best New River Cruise Ship: AmaMagna (AmaWaterways)

Best Ship Refurbishment: S.S. Bon Voyage (Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection)

Best for Active Cruisers: AmaWaterways

Best Cabins: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

Best Dining: Crystal River Cruises

Best Enrichment: Scenic

Best for Families: Adventures by Disney

Best for First-Timers: Viking River Cruises

Best Itineraries: Viking River Cruises

Best for Luxury: Crystal River Cruises

Best Service: Tauck River Cruising

Best Shore Excursions: Avalon Waterways

Best for Solo Travelers: Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Best Value for Money: Emerald Waterways