What are the most underrated cruise lines? We all know of the big names like Royal Caribbean and Princess, but there are plenty of great companies out there that no one really talks about. We are firm believers in the idea that you can’t get a sense of the cruise industry by just cruising with your favorite company. With that in mind, here are three cruise lines that we believe are incredibly underrated. You may or may not have heard of them, but they are all worth booking with!
Windstar
We’ve covered Windstar once before, and a quick look at our previous article should give you a sense of how we feel about them. Windstar has a small fleet and serves a niche market, but they have a unique appeal that any cruise traveler can appreciate. They’re regularly regarded as one of the best small cruise lines in the world! The main appeal of Windstar is pretty obvious from taking a glance at their fleet. Their ships are absolutely beautiful, and they have sails! Yes, real sails! But don’t let the old school look fool you. Windstar ships are known for offering true comfort and luxury. You can check out their website here if you’re interested.
Azamara
Ranked as the fourth best cruise line for couples by US News, Azamara is definitely underrated. Their ships are much smaller than the giant vessels sailed by Royal Caribbean and the like, but they offer a high quality and very intimate experience that you just can’t really find elsewhere. They sail to basically anywhere you might want to go, and they regularly have deals if you sail with a second guest (your beau, perhaps?). Their prices are actually quite reasonable for a luxury line, too, making them an excellent cruise line to book with if you want to get someone a gift.
Hapag-Lloyd
Most Americans haven’t heard of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. That’s okay; plenty of Europeans haven’t either. The German-based cruise line is actually owned by a shipping company, but that doesn’t mean that their cruises are utilitarian. They actually are quite luxurious, sailing all around the world (seriously… some itineraries even go to Antarctica). Their website is over here, and you can check out all of their itineraries online.
There are a lot of cruise lines out there, and it can be hard to choose one. If you want to book with one that is different from the norm, check out one of these options!
