In this Midweek Mini, we sit down with U.S. News Senior Travel Editor Nicola Wood to unpack the brand-new 2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings and what they mean for families, value-seekers, and anyone curious about cruising. We talk through how the rankings are actually created, the surprising ways scores and traveler reviews factor in, and why Virgin Voyages continues to dominate the “Best for the Money” category. We share why Virgin’s inclusions make it such a standout for points users, how transfer partners can make a cruise nearly free, and the real math behind when it does or doesn’t make sense to book a cruise on points. Nicola walks us through the biggest surprises of the year, including a luxury newcomer that suddenly appeared in the top three for the Caribbean, and why Viking took the number-one spot for the Mediterranean thanks to small ships, deep cultural programming, and crowd-free Quiet Season itineraries. We take a closer look at the family rankings too, with Disney once again claiming the top position for its unmatched entertainment and private-island experiences. Whether you’re a long-time cruiser or planning your very first sailing, this episode breaks down what really matters when choosing a ship, when deals are best, and how to stretch your travel budget further while actually enjoying the process.US News InstagramUS News and World Report - Cruises30% off the CardPointers subscription!Find Us On OnlineMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupWonderland On Points BlogAffiliate LinksRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!Tripiamo Driving TutorialsOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

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