I’m a Travel Editor: These Are the 3 Best Cruises to Book for 2026

Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is fun for the whole family and its Star of the Seas is one of the newer ships in the fleet. This ship sails out of Port Canaveral in Florida with itineraries to the Caribbean including its private CocoCay island. It has 20 decks filled with a number of dining venues, pools and entertainment offerings. Some highlights on Star of the Seas include the largest waterpark at sea, Crown's Edge (a skywalk that goes over the edge of the ship), a full-length "Back to the Future: The Musical" production and seven pools for guests.

There's also no shortage of food on the boat with everything from buffets at Windjammer to more signature dining options at Lincoln Park Supper Club and Chopps Grille. Royal Caribbean is a great cruise line for families and those groups with adventurous travelers who always want something to do at every turn. Whether you love live music and theater or relaxing by the pool or going down a thrill-seeking waterslide, you'll find it on Star of the Seas.

MSC World America

As a Floridian, taking cruises out of the state is always easier for me. MSC World America sails out of America and it is one of the nicest ships I've been on. For this sailing, I splurged on the Yacht Club which included having a personal butler for the duration of the cruise alongside a separate pool area and lounge. If you're looking to add some luxury to your next cruise experience, then I'd definitely recommend trying out the Yacht Club. It is more pricey than a traditional stateroom, however, the access and experience is next level. Decide to splurge? I highly suggest making a dinner reservation at La Brasserie for dinner — don't miss out on the cookie skillet.

Outside of the Yacht Club, the ship is filled with a plethora of onboard activities from The Cliffhanger (an overwater swing ride), bumper cars, 20 pools and whirlpools and a spa for the ultimate pamper session.

If you're an entertainment fan, then you'll love the offerings on board from "Dirty Dancing: In Concert" and Queen Symphonic to Hall of Fame, Odyssey, Cinesonic and Momentous. There is a good mix of families with children and adult-only parties on board making it welcoming for everyone.

Holland America Line – Eurodam

As someone who likes to relax and savor every moment on a cruise, I was stoked to go on my first sailing with Holland America Line. Unlike other lines I've been on, this one is a lot more peaceful, elegant and classy. The vibes are more sophisticated with its wooden interiors, live music and peaceful nooks throughout the ship. That said, there's still so much to do and see on board including live entertainment, a casino, a game room and library to name a few. Not to brag, but I did win bingo on my sailing so it was a fun time indeed.

My sailing on Holland America Line was to Alaska and it was nothing short of spectacular. The views at Glacier Bay National Park were better than I ever could have expected and the ports of call were amazing between Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Victoria.

As a foodie, I really liked the New York Pizza Place and the Dive-In which served up scrumptious pizza and burgers. Don't miss out on the fries as they are the perfect amount of crispy and delicious. Also, there are complimentary afternoon teas on sea days with different themes and live music which I highly recommend to socialize with other guests and enjoy the ambiance.