Most popular cruise destination of 2019 is historic French town

The picture postcard town of Avignon, France has scooped up the title of most popular cruise destination of 2019 in Cruise Critic's fourth edition of the Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards.

Based on ratings and reviews written by cruisers, the destination awards highlight the best ports across 18 regions worldwide.

This year's best cruise destination is set along the Rhône River in southeastern France and is characterized by its quaint, intimate atmosphere, cobblestone streets, famous Pont d'Avignon (Avignon bridge), medieval ramparts and pastel-coloured shutters.

Avignon is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectural heritage, with its Pont d'Avignon and Palace of the Popes, the biggest Gothic palace in the world. In the 14th century, Avignon was the seat of the Catholic popes.

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"For most travellers, the decision of where to cruise is made before they think about all the other pieces of the cruise planning process," said Colleen McDaniel, Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic in a statement.

"And for those looking for incredible cruise destinations, there's no better way to narrow your options than by seeing which destinations are rated most highly by cruisers who have already been there.

Here are the top cruise destinations, according to readers of Cruise Critic, a TripAdvisor offshoot.

1. Avignon, France
2. Bora Bora
3. Glacier Bay, Alaska
4. Vienna, Austria
5. Singapore