Award-Winning River Cruise Line
At Grand Circle, our #1 goal is to deliver the best travel experience at the best value. This focus has earned us a number of awards and accolades from industry-leading publications over the years—most recently in USA Today's 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, where we were voted #2 Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers and #3 Best River Cruise Line in 2025.
Our fleet has also been ranked #2 in the Small Ships category and #10 in River Cruise category in Condé Nast Traveler “2024 Readers' Choice Awards,”. In fact, we’ve been ranked among the best river cruise lines in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for 18 years in a row―from 2006 to 2024. We also placed in Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards. Since we first launched our fleet, we’ve earned top marks to become one of the industry’s most decorated river cruise lines.
We’re proud to provide our travelers unforgettable discoveries and we’re extremely gratified when our travelers and industry experts recognize that commitment, and honor us by giving us award-winning high marks in independent surveys.
Click each icon below to see some of our most recent accolades:
USA Today's 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
USA Today's 10Best Readers Choice Awards
#2 Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers in 2025
#3 Best River Cruise Line in 2025
#1 Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers in 2024
#4 Best River Cruise Line in 2024
#4 Best River Cruise Line in 2023
Each year, readers select their favorite river cruise lines as part of USA Today’s 10Best's survey of the best of the best on the world’s riverways.
Ranked Among the World’s Best Cruise Lines
Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
Top "World's Best" River Cruise Lines 2022-2024
Top “World’s Best” River Cruise Lines 2018-2019
Top “World’s Best” River Cruise Lines 2012-2016
Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards celebrate readers’ favorite travel experiences in a number of different categories, including cruise lines, tour operators, and more.
Condé Nast Top River Cruises
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
#2 in Small Ships and #10 in River Cruises in 2024
#6 in 2023
#5 in 2022
#4 in 2021
#5 in 2019
#1 from 2012-2016
Honored Since 2010
Condé Nast Traveler readers are annually asked to rate the world’s best cities, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and more. In the cruise line category, readers rate their experiences based on ship activities/facilities, cabins, crew/service, design/layout, food/dining, itineraries/schedule, and shore excursions.
Grand Circle Corporation
2019
Best Wellness Employer “Silver Certification” for our worksite wellness program.
The award is given by Wellness Workdays in collaboration with Harvard Medical School to recognize the significant accomplishments of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being.
2018
2018 WorkWell Massachusetts Award Bronze Level
Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts
2018
Boston’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For
National Association for Business Resources (NABR)
2018
Best Wellness Employer “Silver Certification” for our worksite wellness program.
The award is given by Wellness Workdays in collaboration with Harvard Medical School to recognize the significant accomplishments of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being.
2013
Tourism Council of Bhutan
In appreciation for promoting Bhutan as a tourist destination;
largest U.S. travel company to Bhutan
2013
Top Producing Tour Operator received by O.A.T. and Grand Circle Travel
Best Value for the Money Packages received by Grand Circle Travel
South African Tourism Board
2006
Humanitarian Award received by O.A.T.
Tanzania Tourist Board
2006
Top 15 Corporate Charitable Contributors in MA
Corporate Philanthropy Summit and Boston Business Journal
2006
25 Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work for in America
Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. and Society for Human Resource Management
2006
New England Social Entrepreneur of the Year received by Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis
Ernst & Young
2006
Excellence Award
Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy
2005
Top 20 Best Places to Work (large company division)
Boston Business Journal
2000 & 1998
Friends of Thailand Award
Government of Thailand
Grand Circle Foundation
2016
Citizenship Award received by Harriet Lewis
City on a Hill Public Charter School
2004
Cornerstone Award
Neurofibromatosis Foundation
2004
Circle of Giving Award received by Harriet Lewis
The New England Women's Leadership Award (NEWLA)
2004
Thompson Island Outward Bound North Star Award
Thompson Island Outward Bound
2003
UNESCO World Heritage Centre Partners in Conservation Program
UNESCO
2002
AIDS Action Corporate Partner Award
AIDS Action Committee
2001
Big Sister Association Achievement Award
Big Sister Association of Greater Boston
2001
Recognition Award
Shelter, Inc.
2000
Hero of Philanthropy Award
National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE)
1998
Thompson Island Founders' Award
Thompson Island Outward Bound
1996
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Founders' Award
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
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