Cruise Critic
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel, Tourism |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Anne Campbell, Kathleen Tucker |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Mark Patscher (General Manager), Colleen McDaniel (Editor in Chief) |
| Products | Cruise vacation research, reviews, booking services, online community forums |
| Parent | TripAdvisor |
Cruise Critic stands as the premier resource for researching, organizing, and reserving cruise vacations. Recognized as the foremost authority on cruise pricing, it features more than 60,000 cruise offers alongside upwards of 1,200 expert evaluations of ships. The platform supports the largest online cruise community worldwide, boasting 2 million members, over 60 million forum contributions, and in excess of 700,000 reviews and photographs submitted by users.
History
Established in 1995 by Anne Campbell and Kathleen Tucker under the umbrella of America Online, Cruise Critic was purchased by TripAdvisor in 2007. Its international presence grew with the introduction of a U.K. version in 2008 followed by an Australian edition in 2015.
By the year 2025, Cruise Critic attracted an average of more than 5.6 million visitors monthly and maintained a community surpassing 2 million participants. The platform’s leadership includes General Manager Mark Patscher and Editor in Chief Colleen McDaniel.
Community
Since its inception in 1995, Cruise Critic has been the trailblazer in creating an online forum where cruise enthusiasts can interact, exchange advice, and coordinate their journeys. The Roll Call feature, launched in the early 2000s, allowed travelers booked on the same voyage to connect virtually prior to departure. Additionally, the site collaborates with cruise lines to host Meet & Mingle gatherings aboard ships.
Members contribute over 55 million evaluations, comments, and images from cruisers around the globe, solidifying Cruise Critic’s role as a vital information hub within the cruise industry.
Influence
As the largest consumer-focused cruise website worldwide, Cruise Critic delivers expert guidance alongside firsthand traveler perspectives.
Its editorial staff frequently provides insights across major media platforms such as Good Morning America, TODAY, CNN, Fox Business, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Forbes, and AARP.
The organization actively engages in industry events and travel consumer conferences.
Introduced in 2008, Cruise Critic’s annual Best in Cruise Awards were pioneering as the first honors determined exclusively by cruiser ratings. These awards have since broadened to include editor-chosen distinctions and are esteemed among the most notable accolades in the cruising sector.