Just released, the results of voting by more than 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers from across the globe about their travel experiences. When they got to the cruise category, voters evaluated more than 400 cruise ships of all sizes across a plethora of brands. In the “Large Ship” category, Disney Cruise Line ruled supreme. Still, it was a second place win in the small ship category by Windstar Cruises that jumped off the page.

Disney Cruise Line blends the magic of Disney entertainment with the excitement of ocean cruising, offering incredible onboard experiences and itineraries to the sun-drenched destinations of the Caribbean year-around and awe-inspiring seasonal sailings throughout Alaska and Europe

Disney won ahead of Cunard Line, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean, in that order.

Only Crystal Cruises scored higher than Windstar Cruises in the Small Ship Line category. Reflecting the discerning taste of the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, thirteen different and impressive small ship lines received votes. More than any other category.

After Windstar came Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic, Paul Gauguin, Regent Seven Seas, Ponant, Celebrity, Seabourn, Ecoventura, Quasar Expeditions, Star Clippers, SeaDream and dead last; Silversea.

Apparently, the readers of Conde Nast also prefer and engaging, personal travel experience just a bit different than all the rest. I like that.

The Windstar win is significant because there are a lot of great things going on at Windstar. See for yourself:

Windstar Small Group Tours Bring Meaningful Travel, Enhance Our Worldview

In Reflection: The Windstar Cruises Experience