Top 5 Midsize Ocean Cruise Lines Chosen by Our Readers in 2025

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be.

Adventure-seeking travelers have embraced midsize ships, which can explore far-flung ports, including polar destinations — Antarctica, Greenland — and tropical islands in the South Pacific. The just-right size of these vessels hit many of the right notes for iBestTravel readers this year, who raved about having enough to do aboard while also getting to see some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.

The World’s Best Midsize Cruise Lines

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, readers are asked to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated individual cruise ships on their cabins and facilities, food, service, itineraries and destinations, excursions and activities, and value. Those assessments were combined to generate results for the cruise lines in five categories; midsize-ship ocean cruise lines have ships that can carry 250 to 599 passengers.

1. Seabourn

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 91.95

This Hall of Fame honoree moved from runner-up last year to the winner’s circle this year. Readers liked the intimate feel of the brand’s smaller ships as much as the destinations they visited. “Seabourn is the finest cruise line we have ever enjoyed, in 50+ years of cruising,” said one fan. Another reader loved the fact that a midsize ship has a Goldilocks feel, neither too big nor too small.

2. Ponant

Score: 90.98

3. Paul Gauguin Cruises

Score: 90.65

4. Windstar Cruises

Score: 89.73

5. Silversea Cruises

WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Score: 88.34