It’s not the Ritz — but it’s just as good.
A new list naming the best luxury hotels, restaurants and spas in the world includes multiple cruise ships from the same major line — with the massive craft sailing past countless high-end hostelries to claim coveted four-star status.
Celebrity Cruises, a brand within the Royal Caribbean Group, received the honor not once, but twice as part of the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards.
The 2,000-plus passengr Celebrity Millennium is just one of the line’s ships tapped for a prestigious travel honor this year, putting it on par with much smaller full-service hotels on dry land. EWY Media – stock.adobe.com
Celebrity’s newest ship, Ascent, made it on the list — crammed with high-end hotels and some of the world’s finest restaurants. dbvirago – stock.adobe.comThe brand new Celebrity Ascent and the classic Celebrity Millennium were specifically called out for their excellent service and facilities.
Two more of the line’s ships, Apex and Flora, were awarded the slightly lower “Recommended” status.
Millennium, which carries up to 2,137 passengers, came online in 2000 and was renovated just a few years ago. Ascent is the brand’s newest ship, debuting in 2023 with room for 3,260 cruisers.
“Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Award winners exemplify excellence in hospitality,” Amanda Frasier, President of Standards & Ratings for the prestigious awards, said in a written statement.
“This year’s list reflects the changing landscape of luxury with properties setting the standard for authentic experiences, unparalleled amenities, enhanced well-being and the delivery of unforgettable moments,” she said.
A sample stateroom onboard Millennium. Sergey Bogomyako – stock.adobe.comThe award of four out of five stars puts the massive ships on par with hotels like The Ritz-Carlton in NYC’s NoMad neighborhood, The Peninsula in Paris and the Four Seasons-managed San Domenico Palace in Sicily of “White Lotus” fame, according to the ratings giant.
Four stars, according to the list, means a property is “exceptional,” offering top-flight service and facilities, USA Today reported.
Five star awards are reserved for those hotels (and restaurants) deemed to “deliver an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly customized level of service.”
Five more ships, all on the smaller side, also made the four star grade this year.
Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards Four Star Cruise Ships in 2025
Passengers on Ascent can take a ride on the ship’s Magic Carpet, a floating platform. Nancy Pauwels – stock.adobe.com- Celebrity Ascent
- Celebrity Millenium
- Seabourn Ovation
- Seven Seas Splendor
- Silver Origin
- Silver Shadow
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima
The list also included a handful of “recommended” ships.
Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards Recommended Cruise Ships in 2025
Ascent was the largest cruise ship to take home a starred award — the liner has room for over 3,000 passengers. Nancy Pauwels – stock.adobe.com- Celebrity Apex
- Celebrity Flora
- Oceania Insignia
- SeaDream II
- Star Pride
- Viking Neptune
- Viking Sky
Besides honoring Celebrity’s ships, the experts also awarded four stars to the Fine Cut Steakhouse restaurant on the Ascent.
No ships or onboard amenities managed to snag the five star prize.
Five star award recipients included The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, New York’s St. Regis Hotel and The Dorchester in London.
