I know it’s popular for ocean liner aficionados to hate on cruise ships. I get it. Cruise ships often don’t have the clean, graceful lines of ocean liners. They have a very different look and feel about them. But I love them both…they’re different kinds of ships for different purposes. Are there some ugly cruise ships out there? Absolutely. But there were also some really ugly looking ocean liners too (look up the SS Matsonia of 1913…seriously). The modern cruise industry has evolved to meet passengers’ expectations and wants over the years. Guess what: a lot of the old steamship companies did that exact same thing.
Rather than add another list of the ugliest modern cruise ships to the internet, I wanted to do something a little different and show them some love.
I’m sure this list will probably be controversial. And that’s okay…this is all purely subjective and my own personal opinion. For this list, I looked at cruise ships that are either currently in service or under construction. I also looked at major players in the cruise industry (you probably know what companies I’m talking about).
So, without further ado, here’s my list of the Top Five most beautiful modern cruise ships!
5. Allure of the Seas
The Allure of the Seas is an Oasis-class cruise ship and has been in service for Royal Caribbean International since December 2010. She’s definitely the largest ship on this list at 225,282 GRT. Until the Icon of the Seas entered service earlier this year, the Oasis-class ships were the biggest ships in the world.
Like her sisters, Allure of the Seas has a lovely curve to her bridge design that reminds me of the original RMS Queen Elizabeth. At the bow, her superstructure gracefully curves upwards and looks rather elegant. Unlike her sisters, however, Allure of the Seas hasn’t yet been fitted with the ubiquitous, brightly colored waterslides you see with the rest of the Royal Caribbean fleet. This gives her a unique, clean profile not seen on most other cruise ships.
The Allure‘s stern is also very cleanly done and incorporates a lot of open space. As my wife just said to me, “It doesn’t look like a butt the way Icon of the Seas’ does.” In addition, the use of space on the upper deck reminds me of a lido deck on a ship like the SS Rex or SS Conte di Savoia. It’s simple, uncluttered, and eye catching.
However, this isn’t going to last for much longer. Allure of the Seas is about to undergo a $100+ million refurbishment in March 2025. Waterslides will be introduced to the ship for the very first time and fundamentally alter the Allure’s appearance. For now, however, we can enjoy the ship’s unique beauty before she gets refurbished.
4. Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Gem was the first cruise ship my wife and I sailed on, so it has a very special place in our hearts.
Norwegian Gem is a Jewel-class cruise ship that’s been in service since 2007. In many ways, they’re reminders of a bygone era in cruising. These were the last mid-sized ships that Norwegian Cruise Line built before upsizing to the gigantic Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Breakaway. As such, the Gem is a much more modest looking ship.
Although her bow is a tad short and her stern a little boxy, the Norwegian Gem still has a sleek, streamlined look to her. Unlike a lot of the behemoths today, she still looks like a ship. The Gem feels like a combination between a classic liner and a modern cruise ship (this is especially evident in her interiors).
3. Disney Magic
Ahh, the Disney Magic! I clearly remember this ship’s 1998 debut and watching a Disney Channel special about her. She’s been one of my favorites ever since.
Disney Cruise Line obviously took a look of inspiration from RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth (with a dash of QE2 in there for good measure). The classic red and black livery is a stunning choice…especially in the late-1990s when pretty much every other cruise ship was painted white. The gold stripe along the hull is reminiscent of the old White Star Line ships. Then there’s the classic two-funnel design.
Disney Magic was Disney Cruise Line’s first ship, and it’s set the tone for their subsequent fleet. I’m not sure there’s much more I can say about Disney Magic. She’s a classically beautiful ship for the modern age.
2. Norwegian Aqua
I can feel the angry comments coming with this one…but hear me out.
When Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the Prima-class cruise ships, it was a drastic departure from anything they’d built before (except maybe Norwegian Epic…and that wasn’t exactly a success). Norwegian Aqua is the third ship in the class and is set to debut in April 2025.
Norwegian Aqua is slated to be an improvement over the Norwegian Prima and the Norwegian Viva. At 156,000 GRT, she’s also slightly larger too. The Aqua features a bold design with plenty of curves. Her hull art is also a bright and vivid departure from the more subdued examples we see on the Prima and Viva.
The Prima-class sterns have been criticized for looking like an apartment building. I disagree. This design is a very welcome change from the boxy sterns we see on a lot of modern cruise ships. The Aqua (and her sisters) have a sort of tiered design that is tasteful, modern, and well-balanced.
The Norwegian Aqua is a bold and innovative departure from Norwegian Cruise Line’s usual. It’s new and modern. It has to be. Why? Because of the next ship on the list.
1. Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Cruises shook up the industry when they debuted the Edge-class ships in 2018. Celebrity Edge and her sisters were unlike any other cruise ship in service at the time. Like Norwegian Aqua, the Celebrity Beyond is the third ship in the class and a refinement over the previous ships in the class (and larger as well).
Celebrity Beyond is an amazing ship. Her lines are startlingly (and refreshingly) different from what we’ve seen over the last few decades, and the amenities are truly out of this world. It was this cutting-edge design that gave name to the first ship and the entire class.
Celebrity Beyond and her sisters are strikingly modern vessels that are to cruise ships what the Normandie was to ocean liners: a bold, breathtaking departure from everything that’s come before. It’s not surprising, then, that competitors are putting their own spin on Celebrity’s concept. Look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima-class. Then look at Cunard’s new Queen Anne, as well as Virgin Voyages’ entire fleet of ships.
Perhaps the most controversial feature on Celebrity Beyond (and the other Edge-class ships) is the Magic Carpet. Situated on the starboard side of the ship, this is a moveable platform that can be raised and lowered. It functions as a bar, restaurant, and a boarding platform for tender boats at various points in a cruise. Critics decry it as an ugly, orange thing that sticks out like a sore thumb. I disagree. I think it’s a cool, creative feature that helps the Edge-class ships stand out from their competitors.
Celebrity Beyond’s stern design is also exceptional. The rounded design stands out, as does the use of glass windows. It really adds a nice element to the ship’s overall look (and gives passengers some really phenomenal views). Overall, it’s uniquely elegant and exquisite.
We also sailed on Celebrity Beyond back in April, which you can read about here. Inside, the ship is just as bold and brilliant as her exteriors are. Like I said before, it really struck me as a modern-day Normandie.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. These are my choices for the Top Five most beautiful modern cruise ships. What do you think of this list? What ships would you have put on it? Please let me know in the comments below!