Where do cruisers like to go? Cruise Critic users say Budapest’s the best

Budapest, an architecturally stunning city that straddles the Danube River in central Europe, has long been the cultural and commercial heart of Hungary.

Now it’s also been named the world’s top cruise port in the 2017 Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.

The city, a popular stop on European river cruise itineraries, received the award based on consumer ratings compiled by CruiseCritic.com and was one of 15 cruise destinations spotlighted worldwide.

The online travel website, which announced the awards Wednesday, also noted that its research shows a majority of cruisers (44%) reported that itinerary is the most important factor when planning a cruise. Other factors: price (32%), sail dates (12%) and departure port (12%).

Budapest, which combines the colorful hills of Buda with the businesslike boulevards of Pest, was praised by cruisers for its history and beauty. Many passengers said they extended their stays pre- or post-cruise to explore the city even further.

European river cruise ports proved to be popular, Cruise Critic reported, taking top honors as the highest-rated cruise region. And Budapest; Wurzburg, Germany; and Vienna, Austria, were all listed within the top five overall cruise ports.

Glacier Bay in Alaska and St. Petersburg, Russia, were also named in the top five.

Quebec City was named best of the U.S. and Canada, with cruisers saying the city offers a European-like experience.

Kauai and Glacier Bay were named best in Hawaii and best in Alaska, respectively, both for the second year in a row.

In Mexico, Cabo San Lucas took the top spot in the category for Mexican Riviera, Central and South American port. Cozumel, Mexico, was named best in the Western Caribbean and Riviera Maya.

Other first-place winners include:

— Singapore, best in Asia and the South Pacific

— Akaroa, New Zealand, best in Australia and New Zealand

— King’s Wharf, Bermuda, best in the eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda

— Curacao, Lesser Antilles, best in the southern Caribbean

—Amsterdam, best in Western Europe

—Dubrovnik, Croatia, best in the eastern Mediterranean

— Villefranche, France, best in the western Mediterranean

— Castaway Cay, best cruise line private island (Disney Cruise Line)

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