Candyce H. Stapen

Cruise Critic analyzed its users comments to rank cruise ships, categorizing the ships by size.

Disney Cruise Line won the top spot in eight categories in Cruise Critic’s 2017 Cruisers’ Choice Awards.  Viking Ocean Cruises, which launched its first ocean cruise ship in 2015, ranked number one in 10 categories. The cruise review site analyzed its users’ comments for 2016 voyages to rate cruise ships.

“With these awards, we consolidate the thousands of reviews submitted to Cruise Critic each year and honor those lines that received the best ratings from cruisers,” said Colleen McDaniel, Cruise Critic’s senior executive editor. “Reviews are incredibly helpful insights for those planning a cruise but also highlight the remarkable experiences and levels of service that people encounter every day on a cruise.”

Cruises float out great vacations if you choose the best destination, line and ship. Yes, ships within the same line vary. They differ by age, size, amenities, and services. Newer ships tend to feature new amenities to lure passengers. That could be a celebrity chef restaurant, Broadway-style musical, or action-packed activities such as ziplines, ropes courses, and wind tunnels. Sometimes, cruise lines reinvigorate older ships by adding special programs for kids or water parks.

Then, consider size. Large ships carry more than 2,000 passengers. Those ships come with crowds and queues but often variety in dining and entertainment. The cruise can be a more personal experience on a smaller ship since the crew and dining staff can get to know you and your preferences. Upscale, smaller ships tend to feature better food than the mega-ships but less variety in entertainment. 

Cruise Critic analyzed reviews based on four ship size classes. Large ships carry more than 2,000 passengers; mid-size ships carry 1,200 to 1,999 passengers; small to mid-size vessels carry 400 to 1,199; and small ships carry fewer than 400 passengers. Consider Cruise Critic’s rankings as guidance — not gospel — when deciding on your next voyage.

CRUISE CRITIC’S 2017 CRUISERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

· Large ship: Disney Dream, Disney Cruise Line

· Mid-size ship: Disney Magic, Disney Cruise Line

· Small to mid-size: Viking Sea, Viking Ocean Cruises

· Mid-size ship: Marina, Oceania Cruises

· Small to mid-size: Viking Star, Viking Ocean Cruises

· Large ship: Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Cruises

· Large ship: Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International

· Mid-size ship: Celestyal Crystal, Celestyal Cruises

· Small: Silver Shadow, Silversea Cruises

Articles

Choosing the right ship for you makes a big difference in sailing the cruise of your dreams. Cruise Critic's 2017 Cruisers' Choice Awards ranked the Disney Dream as the best overall large cruise ship and the Viking Sea as the best overall small to mid-size ship. Find out how the other major cruise lines ranked.

The Best Cruise Ships of 2017

Nevis has all of the Caribbean charm without traffic jams and cruise ship crowds. Image source: Four Seasons Resort

Sweeten your summer vacation by taking advantage of great deals on diverse beach properties in Mexico, the Caribbean and the U.S. You can save money and help in the conservation of sea turtles at the Four Seasons Nevis, enjoy sun and sand at the all-inclusive Fiesta Americana resorts in popular Mexico beach locations, and savor a romantic couples’ getaway in chic South Beach at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel.

Visit this Caribbean Gem forth e Best of Beaches and Culture

 feels like the old Caribbean. With a population of 11,000, the island is big enough to support upmarket hotels and restaurants, but small enough to have escaped traffic jams, casinos and cruise ship crowds. The lush rainforest affords easy and difficult trails, and sandy beaches front typically calm waters. Those enamored with Alexander Hamilton can visit his birthplace and a small museum dedicated to him.  

 Fly from Newark (EWR) to sister island St. Kitts, a short ferry ride from Nevis, on United Airlines and receive a $300 automatic discount on every ticket. You must use promo code SKB300 and book no later than May 27, 2017, for travel by July 8, 2017. Several island properties offer deals as well.

 Stay in a villa at 40 percent off the regular rates for a minimum of three nights, or choose the Nevis My Way package to receive a daily $100 resort credit as well as daily breakfast for two adults with a minimum four-night stay. Kids five and younger eat free from the kids’ menu and ages 3 through 9 enjoy the complimentary Kids For All Seasons club. Conditions and restrictions apply.

Four Seasons guests send a tagged sea turtle on its way. Image source: Four Seasons Resort

At the Four Seasons Resort, assist the Sea Turtle Conservancy spot nesting turtles so that the agency can tag the turtles with satellite transmitters and release them back to the sea. The program operates July 14-17, 2017. 

Cancun, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: 

Take your children on vacation for less at 

 family-friendly hotels, large, all-inclusive resorts with spacious Kidz Clubs. Properties offering family discounts include Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos, Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun, Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta, and the Fiesta Americana Cozumel.

 Kids stay and eat free when adults book travel between April 23 through December 17, 2017, using the promo code 17KIDSFREE. Book through April 29, 2017. Blackout dates may apply.

:  Stay oceanfront in trendy South Beach at this hotel fronting Collins Avenue. Along with a sandy beach and palm-tree-lined pool, the property offers such signature Kimpton amenities as complimentary bicycles and a whole-hearted welcome for your pet. Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s readers rated the property as among the top hotels in Miami Beach for 2016. 

 rooms from $129, includes Continental breakfast for two (one per stay), and a waived daily resort fee of $34. Book by May 1, 2017 for travel through November. Blackout dates may apply.                                

Go to the beach for less. These three deals offer you more for your money at popular all-inclusive properties in Mexico, a luxury resort in Nevis and a trendy hotel in Miami's South Beach. But you need to act quickly. Each of these ideal summer vacation deals has an expiration date.

Lock In These Summer Travel Deals While You Still Can

A panoramic image of the interior of Ballast Point's Little Italy tap room. The location ranks among San Diego's top craft beer destinations. Image Source: Fuzheado via Wikimedia Commons

With more than 140 breweries and brewpubs, San Diego County claims bragging rights as the craft beer capital of America. Beer aficionados praise the region’s diversity of flavors, styles and techniques. Some credit the innovation to San Diego’s lack of a beer tradition while others point to beer as another avenue for California creativity.  

Whatever. Make the most of your beer-tasting time by hanging out at a popular brewpub with craft brews on tap or opt for a guided pub crawl, complete with driver and local brewing lore. 

RELATED: More AAO 2017 Annual Session Coverage

5 Entertainment Ideas for Your Trip to San Diego

 San Diego City Beat crowned Blind Lady as the city’s 2016 Best Brew Pub. Their custom-designed direct draw system shortens the journey from barrel to glass so that the beer tastes its best. The family-friendly place earns high marks for its craft brews and pizza.

 A traditional alehouse, Hamilton’s Tavern has an impressive list of awards. Rated among the top 16 best beer bars for 2017 by West Coaster and listed in Draft Magazine’s top 100 U.S. beer bars, Hamilton’s constantly changes its wide selection of craft beers. Try the grilled cheese, another award-winner.

 This brewery teams up with popular Mastiff Sausage to feature their links in the brewery’s tasting room. The eatery also serves burgers, quinoa, and lamb stout stew. Down Hop-Fu and Ride the Tiger, popular picks.

The recently opened Kettle Room within the brewery’s Little Italy location aims to deliver upmarket fare. The starter chips come with caviar and entrees include seared tuna and wagyu chuck roll. Ballast Point Brewing Company has six locations with tours available in Little Italy. Among the popular beers are Mocha Martin, Sea Rose, and Calm Before the Storm.

Committed to showcasing San Diego beer, the Brew Project keeps many local beers on tap, making it among the best places to stay put and savor the range of local brews. 

The company builds your private tour around your choices. Don’t know what you want? Talk with them to come up with a beer crawl customized for you. The 2.5 hour Tasters Tour visits one to two breweries, and the marathon 5-hour Connoisseur Tour covers three to four breweries. Brew Hop works with more than 60 of San Diego’s breweries.

Taste samples at breweries on afternoon or evening tours. Breweries may include Ballast Point, Mission Brewery and Pizza Point. Tours depart weekdays and Saturday afternoons as well as Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Discover more Dentist’s Money Digest® conference coverage here

Lucky for beer aficionados who happen to be attending the AAO 2017 Annual Session, San Diego ranks among one of the leading U.S. destinations for craft beer. While you're in town for the conference, you'll want to make time to explore this craft brewing mecca. Popular breweries, tap houses and brew pubs include Blind Lady Ale House, Ballast Point and Hamilton's Tavern, among others.

AAO 2017: Experience San Diego's Craft Beer Scene

San Diego's dining scene is on the rise. Attendees of the 2017 AAO Annual Session will want to take advantage of all the delicious dining options.

San Diego is becoming almost as well-known for its food scene as for its spectacular weather and golf. Emerging chefs and culinary legends have opened restaurants in the region, expanding the city’s restaurant scene.  Seafood and Mexican cuisine remain staples but clever chefs revitalize the fare by mixing traditions.  Cali-Baja, the city’s signature culinary style, blends fresh California items, seafood included, with the traditions and tastes of Baja, Mexico.  From tony La Jolla to the revitalized Little Italy and trendy Point Loma, the city offers foodies a tasty culinary landscape to explore.

Entertainment Ideas for Your Trip to San Diego

What You Need to Know About This Year’s Annual Session

Pacific Beach: This restaurant’s motto is “Behind every great seafood restaurant is a warehouse stocked with fish.”  That’s because the Fishery, three blocks from the ocean, grew from the Pacific Shellfish Seafood Company, a wholesale seafood distributor that also has a seafood market. You know the catch is fresh and seasonal because it hails from the warehouse.

, La Jolla: For 14-years, A.R. Valentian has offered fine dining at the Lodge at Torrey Pines. The Forbes 4-star restaurant delivers tasty meals and good service.

 La Jolla: Named by Zagat as one of “the hottest new restaurants” for 2015, Catania serves seafood as well as homemade pasta and pizza.

, La Jolla: Known for its freshly ground masa (Spanish for dough), Galaxy Taco uses a labor-intensive method that produces tasty tortillas. Standouts are the grilled avocado taco, birria (Mexican stew) steamed clams and the Cosmic Punch with tequila and rum.

Little Italy, one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhood business districts, at one time housed more than 6,000 Italian families, many of whom worked in the city’s tuna industry. Now the area shines as a culinary hot spot with rising star and well-known chefs.  So many celebrated chefs helm eateries along Kettner Boulevard that locals call the street Top Chef Alley.  Here are three good choices on Kettner Boulevard.

: The restaurant, under chef Richard Blais, gains fame for its seasonal molecular cuisine. Try the eatery’s buttermilk biscuit with foie gras butter, Yodel, the devil’s food cake, and the ahi tuna preserved with yuzu.

: Chef Javier Plascencia’s Mexican cuisine emphasizes the Baja region. Standouts include the brisket and short rib, and the albacore served two ways—seared and tartare.

 Come for the food as well as for the rooftop patio bar’s cocktails. Chef Brian Redzikowski adds Asian and other ethnic touches to his cuisine. The foie gras Cubano, the big-eye tuna pizza, and the Hamachi ceviche are especially popular.

Point Loma delights with panoramic views of the bay and the San Diego skyline. Liberty Station, a reincarnation of the former Naval Training Center, offers acres of shopping, dining and cultural attractions that include art walks and an outdoor film series.

: Graze your way through the market’s stalls. Vendors sell fresh cheese, bread, empanadas, salads, and even lobster rolls, great for a picnic on Liberty Station’s lawn. 

 Part of Liberty Station, this shop sells artisanal chocolates.

A homage to the classic fifties diner, the eatery’s waitresses wear poodle skirts and pink neckerchiefs and the menu features burgers and shakes.

 Kabobs, wraps and salads are some of the choices at this eatery serving Mediterranean fare.

Savor San Diego has a burgeoning food scene one that attendees of the AAO 2017 Annual Session will want to make some time to enjoy. Tasty fare can be had at fine dining establishments but also at the local taqueria or pizza place that imaginatively melds traditions and features fresh, California ingredients. 

AAO 2017: Great Places to Eat in San Diego

On the heels of it's recent PR debacle, United didn't fair too poorly in this Wallethub ranking, which was based by airline data from 2016. The 2017 data might have another story to tell.

Alaska Airlines rates as the best overall U.S. carrier in 

Wallethub’s annual 2017 Best & Worst Airlines

 report. Delta Air Lines came in second to the best. Wallethub evaluated the 10 largest U.S. airlines plus two regional carriers in 2016. To come up with its ratings, Wallethub analyzed flight data according to 13 metrics across three major categories: baggage, departures and complaints; animal incidents; in-flight comfort and cost.

Following United Airlines’ PR Debacle, What To Do If You Get Bumped

The World’s Best Airports: Travel in Comfort

Most of us pick our airlines based on a flight’s cost, connections and airport convenience. However, when there’s a choice, it’s helpful to know which airlines are most likely to deliver a good experience or a bad one.

I would like to see passengers who have a choice of airlines avoid United Airlines; after all, no one needs to worry about being violently dragged down an airplane aisle by airport personnel.

In the you-get-what-you-pay-for category, Spirit and Frontier ranked at the bottom of the survey — A.K.A. the worst airlines, and both carriers also ranked as the least expensive airlines and the ones with the highest rate of complaints.

One interesting result is that JetBlue, which was rated as the most comfortable airline, only placed sixth out of 12 airlines overall. Another surprise is that United Airlines placed fourth. Although the carrier’s recent bad bumping behavior did not factor into Wallethub’s statistics because the incident took place in 2017, United, one can assume, must not think highly of its passengers if the CEO could initially label the dragging and pulling of a customer as a correct procedure. 

1. Alaska Airlines earned the number one spot with a score of 81.02 out of a possible 100.

2. Delta Air Lines came in second with a score of 73.08.

Click to the next page to see airlines seven through 12.

· Most comfortable airline: JetBlue offers free Wi-Fi, extra legroom and complimentary snacks and beverages

· Cheapest airlines: Spirit and Frontier

· Best airline for pets: Alaska Airlines

· Highest complaint rates: Frontier and Spirit

Discover more Dentist’s Money Digest lifestyle coverage here

It's hard to argue with savings on airfare. But cheap tickets come with other less obvious costs, such as poor service. That's where the number-crunching gurus at Wallethub come in. The analysts there created a systematic ranking of the best and worst airlines in their annual report. When you have a choice of carriers, use this report to pick wisely.

The 12 Best and Worst Airlines of 2017

Here are five quick entertainment ideas for while you're in San Diego for the AAO 2017 Annual Session.

San Diego has it all: glorious weather, a beautiful bay, lively arts, theme parks, a zoo and wild animal park, plus 70-miles of coastline in the county. Soak up the SoCal beach scene, browse art, history and science museums, encounter sea creatures at the aquarium and whales on a boat outing and root for the home team at a San Diego Padres’ game. Let the little kid within — plus the one who might be tagging along on the trip — play at LEGOLAND and SeaWorld.

Crystal Pier on Pacific Beach in San Diego, California. Image source: 

 Join locals by bicycling, inline skating, jogging and people-watching along the three- mile boardwalk that connects Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. For some of the region’s widest sands, head to Coronado across the bay. A bike path hugs the scenic shoreline, winding through Silver Strand State Park. In La Jolla, a posh suburb some 12 miles north of San Diego, families, kayakers and surfers like La Jolla Shores. At the Children’s Pool, a cove protected by a breakwater, watch sea lions frolic.

The fountain in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. Image source: 

 Along with green lawns and fountains, Balboa Park’s more than 1,000-acres houses 17 museums and cultural institutions. At the 

, find canvases by Rembrandt, Reubens, and other masters. Along with a special exhibit on the landscape of the American Southwest, the 

 varied collection includes 16th century pieces from Iran as well as 20th century American and European works. Discover cutting-edge photography at the 

Giraffes take in the California sunshine at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Image source: Lisa Field, 

 Discover the Pacific Ocean’s critters at the 

, La Jolla. Observe sea turtles, colorful fish, sharks in the facility’s tanks and look for hermit crabs, lobsters and sea stars in the facility’s tide pools. Stand in the Infinity Cube installation, opened April 7, and be surrounded by images of bioluminescence. On a whale-watching cruise, you might catch sight of sea lions, dolphins, minke and finback whales, and through April, the gray whales that migrate off San Diego’s coast. Orcas, dolphins, penguins, sharks, and polar bears are some of 

’s critters. Although the city’s zoo is well-known, if you have time for one land animal encounter, visit the 

, an 1,800-acre facility where more than 3,000 animals — giraffes, cheetahs, lions – and other African and Asian animals roam.

Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. Image source: Petco Park

 game at Petco Park, a stadium known for its scenic views of the city’s skyline and coast. You can go behind-the-scenes on game day with an Early Bird tour that may include seeing a luxury suite, sitting in the dugout, and browsing the Padres Hall of Fame. Tours cost extra and Early Bird tours require a game ticket. The Padres play at home April 18 through 23.

The Star Wars section of LEGOLAND in San Diego, California. Image source: LEGOLAND California

 Along with SeaWorld, San Diego features 

, the place to see what you can really do with those little blocks. Experts built a model of the Star Wars Finalizer, new to the park, out of 350,000 LEGO bricks. Kids also love the ninja training camp with its mini-rock climbing wall as well as the LEGOLAND Water Park.  For rides, visit 

The American Association of Orthodontists 2017 Annual Session is a little more than a week away. If you haven't figured out what you'll be doing in your down time while in San Diego, here are a few ideas. Beaches, boardwalk, baseball and Balboa Park, with its many museums, are just some of San Diego's draws. SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, and not too far away Disneyland add to the regions allure.

AAO 2017: 5 Entertainment Ideas for Your Trip to San Diego

Like what happened on a recent United flight, getting bumped is an unfortunate reality of air travel. But you do have rights in the event of being bumped from a flight.

United Airlines sank to the bottom of my list of preferred airlines. By now, you have probably viewed 

the recent video of a security officer yanking a passenger from a United flight

 — not because the man was unruly – but because United needed his seat (and three others) to transport flight crew to the destination. This could happen to you.

Look Before You Book: The World’s Best Airlines

Holiday Travel Tips: Know Your Airline Rights

United said that personnel randomly selected four passengers already seated on the plane to be involuntarily bumped. As proven by the video and the initial statement of United’s CEO, your ejection from the plane could be violent if you protest.

After being “chosen” to deplane, three people left without a fuss. When the fourth passenger, the man in the video, said he had to go home, security personnel violently ejected the man from his seat. He apparently slammed his head on the armrest. The man, his face bloodied and his eyeglasses askew, was dragged down the aisle to the exit. 

This incident goes beyond poor service to outrageous behavior on United’s part. If I were the man chosen to be removed from the plane, I too would have refused to give up my seat. After the video went viral, the Twitterverse came alive with new United slogans 

). Among them: “We put the hospital in hospitality;” “Beating expectations one punch at a time;” “Where fists fly free;” and “We have first class, business class, and no class.”

Amazingly, United’s CEO Oscar Munoz initially backed the airline personnel, stating that they followed established procedures. After torrents of bad publicity and public outrage, Munoz on Tuesday backed down, saying “no one should ever be mistreated this way.”  Duh. 

Who gets bumped remains something of a gray area. Some 62 passengers per million were bumped last year according to the Department of Transportation. United’s stats: 3,765 passengers out of more than 86 million passengers last year.

For voluntary bumping, United originally offered $400 per passenger, then upped the compensation to $800. An offer typically includes passage on the next flight to your destination. No one accepted United’s offers. The maximum compensation for being bumped, voluntarily or involuntarily, is $1,350 per person. The 

Department of Transportation lists the rules

It’s legal for airlines to oversell seats and to involuntarily bump passengers. I hope that United’s bad behavior will work to erode an airline’s power to bump passengers. Each airline seems to have its own system for choosing whom to eject. Some airlines ask those who purchased the lowest fares to leave first. Other airlines chop the last people to check in from the flight. For that reason, during busy flight times and holidays, it’s wise to check in early at the airport.

You can negotiate. You have more leverage if you voluntarily choose to be bumped. Ask for a confirmed flight and a seat assignment on the takeoff to your destination. This helps to assure will actually get on and stay on that flight. Request the maximum amount allowed — $1350 per person, per domestic flight.  Instead of accepting the extra money you agree upon in the form of a voucher for a future flight, request gift certificates of your choice. Yes, the airlines offer these. A flight voucher may have travel blackout dates and restrictions on being transferred to others. A gift certificate usually doesn’t.

Discover more Dentist’s Money Digest® lifestyle coverage here

On the heels of the incident aboard a crowded United Airlines flight that ignited a firestorm of controversy, you need to know your rights as an airline passenger. Yes, an airline can bump you. And yes, they often intentionally overbook flights. But you are entitled to a certain amount of compensation for being inconvenienced under the law.

Following United Airlines' PR Debacle, What To Do If You Get Bumped

It's National Pet Day. If you happen to be planning a summer vacation today, the good news is you may not have to leave your dog or cat at home. Just stay at one of these pet-friendly hotels.

, April 11, here’s a revised list of pet-friendly lodging. The good news is that since more travelers want to vacation with their dogs and cats, more chain properties are allowing pets. The bad news is that often the welcome wags come with added fees, nonrefundable deposits, and a limit on the number and or the size of four-footed pals. 

That makes me growl, especially since my 70-pound Labrador and 150-pound Newfoundland often find no room at the inn. The following hotel chains are truly pet friendly. Most allow one or two dogs without additional payment. Loews’ hotels may require a fee for big dogs. Cunard makes the list because it’s the only cruise line to allow dogs and cats on transatlantic crossings.

4 Reasons to Sail Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Mozart

7 Can’t-Miss Festivals and Food Celebrations This Spring, Summer

Plan a Summer Excursion to the Canadian Rockies

All Motel 6 properties — more than 1,350 of them &mdash; accept up to two pets per room with no added fees. The chain accepts dogs of any size as long as they are “well-behaved.”

Sailing to or from New York, London (Southampton) or Germany (Hamburg)? Your dog or cat can come onboard. However, you get the cabin and he gets the kennel, a facility with indoor and outdoor space for your visits and his romps. The arrangement works best for cats and small dogs. Kitty must sail in two upper kennels, one for her and one for her litter box, for a fee of $1,600. Dogs can bunk in upper ($800) kennels or lower ones ($1,000). It’s possible to give your pooch more room by booking two connecting kennels. Cruising canines must be less than 36 inches high from head to floor and less than 60 inches long. The line bans big dogs and those considered fighting breeds by the U.K. Once in the U.K., your pet must abide by the country’s quarantine rules.  

Almost all of La Quinta properties welcome up to two pets (cats and dogs) of any size. The few exceptions are a result of local laws that prohibit pets. The chain has no restriction on a pet’s weight and charges no additional fees.

All 60-plus Kimpton properties welcome pets of any size or breed as long as the pet “fits through the door.” Elephants, no. Newfoundlands like mine, yes. Kimpton properties neither charge extra fees nor limit the number of pets per room. For your Very Important Pet, each property provides loaners of pet beds, water bowls and mats and you and your pet can meet the other four-footed and two-footed guests at the nightly wine reception. 

The Loews Loves Pets program has been around for years. The pet-friendly chain welcomes big and little dogs as well as cats, providing name tags, bowls, treats and, by request, pet beds, litter boxes and scratching posts. Two pets per room can check in and when they get hungry, you can order food for them from the pet room service menu. Fees vary by property and some hotels may place limits on the animals’ size.  

At Red Roof Inn one family pet of any size stays for free at most all of the properties. Just a few hotels cannot accept pets because of local laws. And the chain doesn’t charge fees.

Discover Dentist’s Money Digest® lifestyle coverage here

There's no need to leave your furry friends at home. In time for National Pet Day, discover the chain properties that are truly paw-friendly as well as the only cruise line to sail with dogs and cats onboard. These chains are as welcoming to pets as they are to their humans.

National Pet Day: Hotels that Welcome Your Furry Friends

U.S. hotels brought in more Loved by Guests Awards than any other countries.

 bestows a Loved by Guests Award on lodgings its customers rave about. More than 608 properties across the U.S. received a Loved by Guests Gold Award, more than in any other country. With 171 awards, the United Kingdom came in as the country with the second-highest number of gold sleeps. This doesn’t necessarily mean that these nations’ lodgings are better than those in other countries. The results may simply reflect the users’ predilection for travel within the U.S and the U.K. 

Hotels.com sifted through more than 25 million guest-generated comments to crown 2,500 hotels in 87 countries with top honors. “The Loved by Guests awards celebrate those top-notch hotels that guests really loved and wanted to tell everyone about,” says Taylor L. Cole, APR, travel expert for Hotels.com. “We’re finding reviews are becoming more powerful than ever and in fact many travelers are preferring to book based on guest reviews rather than official star rating. Think of how many times you’ve chosen a hotel because you’ve been scrolling through reviews on your smartphone and read about its comfy beds and fantastic breakfast.” 

The Most Popular Vacation Destinations for Americans

The Top 3 U.S. Cities that Earned Loved by Guest Gold Awards  

: 15 Gold winners, including The Mark, Hotel Giraffe, The Library Hotel, Baccarat Hotel and Residences, The Peninsula and 1 Hotel Central Park.

: 14 Gold winners, including SpringHill suites, Hotel Ganduca, and the Houstonian Hotel.

13 Gold winners, including the Sono Chicago, Langham Hotel and the Talbott Hotel.

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Hollywood; Lago Mar Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale; 1 Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach; Marco Beach Ocean Resort, Marco Island.

 Halekulani, Honolulu, Oahu; Napili Kai Beach Resort, Lahaina, Maui; Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, Wailea, Maui; Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Wailea, Maui; Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort, Koloa, Kauai.

 Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara; Beach house Hotel at Hermosa Beach, Hermosa Beach; Malibu Beach Inn, Malibu; Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach

Town Hall Hotel & Apartments; Andaz London Liverpool Street

Grand Hyatt Shanghai; Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre

 Grand Hotel Central; Ohla Barcelona; Lugaris Beach Apartments; H10 Port Vell  

Forget about official star ratings to get the low-down on top hotels. Booking websites such as Hotels.com tout their guest-generated reviews as more genuine and telling than those created by professional and secret lodgings appraisers. Find out what real travelers like by discovering who won Hotels.com's Loved by Guests Award.

These are the Hotels Travelers Love Most

Cabins aboard Crystal River Cruises' Crystal Mozart are far more spacious than typical river lines. Image source: Crystal River Cruises

, in July 2016, launched the Crystal Mozart

 the first ship in Crystal River Cruises’ fleet. Like its upmarket, ocean-going, sister company 

, Crystal River Cruises provides a luxurious experience, one that comes with excellent food, first-rate cabins, and interesting shore tours.

Crystal purchased an older ship and completely renovated it to accommodate 154-passengers in 77 cabins. Because of the Crystal Mozart’s width, the ship plies the Danube River between Passau, Germany, and Budapest, Hungary, and not rivers with narrow locks. This year, the company will launch two smaller new-builds, designed to navigate additional European rivers: Crystal Bach

 scheduled to debut August 13, 2017; and the Crystal Mahler, scheduled to debut Sept. 30, 2017. The Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will debut in 2018.

At 75 feet wide, the Crystal Mozart is almost twice as wide as the standard river vessel, something that enhances the onboard experience. Forget about feeling enclosed, a common sensation on smaller river boats sized to fit through Europe’s narrow canals. Large windows flood public spaces with light and the ship contains several lounges.

The extra space enables the vessel to offer guests several dining options, rare on smaller riverboats. Along with waterside, the main dining area, the Crystal Mozart offers Blue, a hamburger-and-salad informal eatery, and the Bistro, a coffee and snack area serving an ample array of pastries, cheese, and deli meats depending on the hour. Room service is also available. We found the food, especially dinner, to be among the best we’ve ever had on a ship.    

The line labels all cabins “suites,” although the smaller cabins at 204 square feet or even 219 square feet don’t feel like suites. Nonetheless, the cabins’ sophisticated décor and upmarket amenities — Nespresso machine, iPad, king-size bed, larger than typical bathroom with Toto toilets (the lid lifts as you approach) and butler service — add to the comfort. We felt as if we were staying in a wealthy friend’s well-appointed, if small, guestroom. The Mozart offers 12 good-sized penthouses, each 330 square feet, plus the ship has a pair of two-bedroom suites, each a spacious 883 square feet.

Most shore excursions are included in the voyage’s fare. Crystal, as part of its stated commitment to providing luxury river journeys that showcase a destination’s culture, adds special outings at certain ports. In Vienna, a city associated with music, several river cruise lines offer concerts. Crystal River Cruises, however, held their concert afterhours in the iconic Belvedere Palace. Along with a 10-piece orchestra, performances in the elaborate Marble Hall featured ballet dancers and opera singers. It proved to be a memorable evening.

Crystal River Cruises adds luxury to the river cruise experience. Its first ship, the Crystal Mozart, plies the Danube, offering great food, well-appointed cabins and immersive shore excursions. Crystal River Cruises is scheduled to offer a few new river lines in the comping months, including the Crystal Mahler in September and the Crystal Debussy in 2018.