Travel + Leisure has announced its 30th annual World’s Best Awards results, highlighting top travel destinations and companies as voted by readers. Notable destinations include Santa Fe, New Mexico claiming Best U.S. City for the first time in 12 years, and Páros, Greece earning its first-ever Best Island in the World title.
Cruise Line Winners by Category:
- Mega-Ship Ocean: Virgin Voyages
- Large-Ship Ocean: Disney Cruise Line
- Midsize-Ship Ocean: Crystal
- Small-Ship Ocean: Viking
- Intimate-Ship Ocean: Quasar Expeditions
- River Cruise: The Oberoi Luxury Cruise Line
Other travel winners included Singapore Airlines (Best International Airline), Rocky Mountaineer (Best Train), and Yellowstone (Best U.S. National Park).
Unique Cruise Industry Insight: The 2025 winners reveal a fascinating market segmentation strategy where different cruise lines are dominating distinct vessel size categories rather than competing head-to-head. Virgin Voyages’ mega-ship victory signals that adult-focused, rock-and-roll cruise concepts are resonating with luxury travelers, while Disney’s large-ship dominance and Viking’s small-ship success suggest the industry has successfully carved out specialized niches. Most intriguingly, Crystal’s midsize-ship win demonstrates that the recently relaunched brand has quickly regained traveler confidence post-bankruptcy, positioning itself perfectly in the sweet spot between intimate luxury and expansive amenities.
