When planning a cruise vacation, most people focus on the destinations they will visit, the ship’s onboard amenities, or the cost. Yet one of the most critical factors which is usually ignored is safety. Identifying the safest cruise lines makes the trip safe and reliable. A secure cruise is reassuring, whether a cruiser is bringing along kids, older travellers or making a solo voyage. In 2025, several notable cruise companies are recognized for their commitment to passenger protection, boasting robust safety records, stringent health protocols, and well-trained crews.
How Cruise Line Safety Is Measured
Not all cruise lines are created equal in a safety sense. There are a few characteristics by which they can be measured or compared:
- Compliance with International Regulations: Ships need to adhere to International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and CDC Vessel Sanitation Plan requirements.
- Accident History and Safety Records: Cruise lines with fewer incidents and transparent reporting are considered more reliable.
- Onboard Medical Facilities: The presence of state-of-the-art medical centres along with well-trained medical professionals, who can attend to any medical emergency.
- Emergency Preparedness: Routine safety simulations, evacuation direction, and state-of-the-art technology have created protections for passengers.
- Crew Training and Security Protocols: Well-trained staff and strict security checks reduce risks onboard.
- Passenger Reviews and Satisfaction Scores: Passengers’ reviews tend to reflect actual experiences with security, cleanliness, and health care.
Top Safest Cruise Lines in the World (2025)
Based on the above factors, here are some of the cruise lines considered the safest to sail in 2025:
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is consistently ranked as one of the safest options worldwide. With a strong family-focused approach, Disney ships are designed with children in mind, ensuring extra precautions at every step. They maintain stringent health and sanitation standards, scoring highly on CDC inspections. Families especially appreciate the well-trained medical staff and excellent child safety programs.
Celebrity Cruises
Focused on luxury, Celebrity Cruises blends modernity with world-class safety measures. Their ships are new and are outfitted to the most advanced standards in safety, and receive good CDC sanitation scores regularly. Celebrity also boasts a good reputation for medical care onboard, including well-stocked medical centers. It feels safe and comfortable for couples and luxury travellers.
Royal Caribbean International
The cruise line is one of the world’s biggest cruise companies, and it has a wide-ranging fleet. The line has a reputation for having strong safety procedures, regular crew training and well-organized emergency drills. Home to some of the largest ships in the world, Royal Caribbean has maintained a great safety record, so it is recognized as a family, group and adventure-friendly cruise line.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
The company has received good marks for having a transparent safety policy and investing in new emergency equipment. Their ships are up-to-date and reliable, and NCL puts a strong emphasis on educating passengers about safety measures aboard the ships. Whether it’s solo travellers or groups, passengers enjoy the line’s steadfast adherence to high safety standards.
Holland America Line
With over 100 years of sailing experience, Holland America Line has built a strong legacy of safety and reliability. They are popular with older and family cruisers in search of a laid-back experience, departing highly rated for cleanliness and medical care.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises takes things up a notch by sanitizing all public areas with hypochlorous acid. The cruise line has a very high health rating of 4.8 out of 5, and all of its ships have medical centres. Visible as well as the hidden areas are cleaned through frequent disinfection. In 2023, three of its ships achieved perfect CDC scores of 100, while the Insignia earned a strong 97 in 2024.
Viking Ocean Cruise
Viking Cruises mixes opulence and next-level health practices with a stellar health rating of 4.9/5. All passengers are screened for illness before boarding, and a complete daily cleaning is standard. UV-C sanitizing robots are being used in public spaces to kill germs. The ships also have well-stocked medical facilities, and Viking Sky scored a perfect VSP score in December 2023.
Cruise Line Safety Comparison
| Cruise Line | Safety Highlights | Best For | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney Cruise Line | Family-focused and top sanitization | Familes | 9.5 |
| Celebrity Cruises | Strong medical care | Couples | 9.2 |
| Royal Caribbean | Emergency readiness | Families & Adventurers | 9.0 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Transparent safety and tech upgrades | Solo & Groups | 8.8 |
| Holland America Line | Strong safety legacy | Seniors | 8.7 |
| Oceania Cruises | Deep sanitization and high CDC scores | Food and Culture Lovers | 8.9 |
| Viking Ocean Cruises | UV-C sanitizing robots and advanced health protocols | Luxury and Wellness Travellers | 9.3 |
Tips for Choosing a Safe Cruise Line
Here are a few tips to help travellers choose the safest cruise that fits their needs:
- Check Health and Sanitation Scores: Travellers should look at CDC Vessel Sanitation Program scores, as higher ratings show stronger cleanliness and safety practices.
- Review Safety History: Checking a cruise line’s past incidents helps cruisers understand how reliable and transparent it is about safety.
- Read Passenger Reviews: Reviews from other passengers give real insights into how well the crew handles emergencies and everyday safety.
- Evaluate Ship Size and Features: Larger ships often have advanced safety technology, while smaller ships can offer quicker emergency response.
- Look at the Cruise Line’s Reputation: Cruise lines with a strong safety track record and positive ratings are usually more reliable.
- Check Onboard Medical Facilities: A ship with a well-equipped medical center provides peace of mind, especially for seniors and families.
- Pay Attention to Crew Training and Drills: Well-trained crews and organized emergency drills on cruise ships show a cruise line’s serious commitment to safety.
- Match the Cruise Line to Traveller Needs: Choosing a cruise line that fits the traveller’s lifestyle, whether family-friendly, senior-focused, or luxury, adds another layer of safety.
Conclusion!
In 2025, cruising continues to be the safest mode of transportation. All of the large cruise lines comply with international safety standards, but some have gone above and beyond what is required. The safest cruise lines in the world include Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises. Each of these companies has a strong safety culture, excellent medical care, and a history of reliability. Whether sailing as a family, couple, solo traveller, or senior, choosing one of these trusted lines ensures a safe and enjoyable journey. For more general safety insights, check out our related guide: Are Cruises Safe to Travel?
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Disney Cruise Line, because of its child-focused safety programs and excellent sanitation standards.
Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line are known for reliable medical facilities and professional staff.
Not always, larger ships often have more advanced safety technology, while smaller ships may offer quicker evacuation times.
Check CDC inspection scores, review the line’s accident history, and read recent passenger reviews.
Holland America Line is a top choice for seniors, as it offers a calm environment, reliable medical care, and a strong safety reputation.
Yes, all major cruise lines are legally required to conduct muster drills before departure to prepare passengers for emergencies.
Disney, Celebrity, Oceania, and Viking consistently score very high, with some ships earning perfect 100 ratings.
They should consider health inspection scores, safety history, onboard medical facilities, crew training, and the safety of the destinations visited.