These Cruise Lines Have The Best Customer Service In 2024

24.02.2024 - 09:51 / forbes.com

When it comes to the best cruise line for customer service, Lauren Harvey has a favorite: Viking Cruises.

"Viking consistently delivers exceptional service," she says. "You get dedicated attention and a warm, inclusive atmosphere. It's this sense of community and attentiveness that truly sets Viking Cruises apart in the industry."

Harvey isn't just a traveler, she is also a travel advisor. And she's got company. The latest Readers' Choice survey by Elliott Advocacy, the nonprofit organization I founded, says Viking delivers the best customer service.

Here are the top cruise lines for customer service in 2024, according to the survey:

1. Viking

2. Holland America

3. Celebrity

4. Disney

5. Seabourn

The Reader's Choice Awards, now in their 19th year, are based on a poll of readers of my nonprofit consumer advocacy site. Here are the other winners for 2024.

What makes these cruise lines so good? Let's dive right in.

Harvey says Viking treats all of its guests well, whether they're in a suite or an inside cabin. The service is second to none. "​​I can unequivocally assure my clients that Viking Cruises exemplifies impeccable service standards, distinguishing itself from lower-cost options," she told me.

I've cruised with Viking, too, and she's correct — the cruise line's commitment to customer service is remarkable. But as a consumer advocate, I also get to see how Viking handles any customer problems that come up. And in that regard, the company stands apart from other cruise lines. Viking goes above and beyond to fix most consumer problems.

Holland America has a focus on longer voyages in smaller vessels, which makes that attention to detail critically important. Readers raved about Holland America's highly personalized onboard service. They also mentioned the many amenities, including its fine dining restaurants and on-board enrichment programs.

Another selling point for Holland America is its commitment to sustainability, which includes using solar power and reducing waste. Based on the low number of complaints we receive about Holland America, it seems the company has also invested in customer service initiatives. From what we can tell, the company responds quickly to almost all of its customers and takes care of them.

Readers liked Celebrity because it has a reputation for caring about the smallest details. From the welcome drinks to the gift baskets on board, the cruise line is a truly premium experience (and has premium prices to go with it). Behind the scenes, Celebrity invests heavily in crew training and ensures a low guest-to-staff ratio.

Celebrity has also invested in technology to ensure a better customer service experience, including virtual reality excursions and smartphone apps that allow