Grand Circle Cruise Line Wins Two Prestigious USA Today 10Best Awards for 2025
On January 15, 2025, Grand Circle Cruise Line (GCCL) proudly announced its remarkable achievement of being honored with two prestigious awards from USA Today in their 10Best Awards. This recognition highlights GCCL's commitment to providing culturally immersive river cruising experiences. The company secured the second spot for the Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers and the third position for the Best River Cruise Line, demonstrating its relentless focus on enriching cultural travel for its guests.
Brian FitzGerald, CEO of Grand Circle Corporation, expressed his gratitude for the awards, stating, "This recognition from USA Today is a tremendous honor and reflects our unwavering focus on creating culturally rich travel experiences for all our travelers." He emphasized the crucial role played by GCCL's Program Directors in offering insights into the local culture and nurturing genuine connections, especially among solo travelers. This personal touch is what sets GCCL apart in the competitive river cruising market.
GCCL has consistently received accolades within the USA Today 10Best Awards framework, previously earning recognition as one of the top river cruise lines and solo travel experiences. The company prioritizes solo travelers by providing low-cost Single Supplements along with exclusive solo cabins on its river cruises.
GCCL offers a variety of river cruise routes, allowing travelers to explore Europe’s renowned waterways like the Rhine, Danube, and Seine. Each cruise is enhanced by carefully curated guided tours that focus on deep cultural immersion. The fleet of Grand Circle Cruise Line consists of river ships designed to accommodate between 86 to 162 passengers, fostering an intimate atmosphere with small group sizes of 38 to 45 people.
The unique structure of these cruises ensures a personalized experience as Program Directors guide participants in discovering local gems and engaging in meaningful discussions about cultural topics. This model particularly benefits solo travelers by creating a sense of community and connection throughout their journey.
Moreover, GCCL's river ships are privately owned and operated, enabling them to maintain high service standards across all aspects, from having English-speaking crew members to offering gourmet dining that features regional specialties prepared with fresh ingredients. Each cabin boasts stunning river views while communal areas are designed to promote relaxation and socialization among guests.
In addition to the exemplary cruise experience, GCCL packages offer great value, incorporating comfortable accommodations aboard their river ships, guided excursions, most meals, and complimentary house beers, wines, and soft drinks.
As part of the Grand Circle Corporation, which also includes brands like Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.)—renowned for expertly guided land tours and small ship ocean cruises—and Grand Circle Travel, known for its immersive land tours, GCCL continues to strive for excellence in travel offerings.
For those interested, the full list of winners for the USA Today 10Best Awards can be accessed online, showcasing the diverse committees of exceptional travel services available to today’s explorers.