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Falklands' Stanley, top rated port in South America according to Cruise Critics

Stanley during a busy cruise day

Stanley, in the Falkland Islands, was rated as the top port in South America and Antarctica, according to Cruise Critic's fourth annual Cruisers' Choice destination awards which was published on Wednesday. Likewise Best large-ship line in South America and Antarctica, Norwegian Cruise Line, while Best small-ship line in South America and Antarctica, Hurtigruten.

The Cruise Critics' rating of destination awards chose Avignon, in France's Provence region, as the most popular cruise destination of the year, which was also named best European river cruise destination.

Bora Bora came in second place; Glacier Bay, Alaska in third place; Vienna, Austria in fourth place; Singapore in fifth place; and Kirkwall, Scotland in sixth place.

“For most travelers, 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.

The Cruise Critic team bases its rankings on thousands of consumer ratings and reviews submitted on Cruise Critic.com, covering more than 500 ports of call worldwide.

Overall four Norwegian cities took seventh through 10th places.

“Norway cruises continue to grow in popularity, and the more people who want to go there, the more cruise lines are adding itineraries and sailings to meet traveler needs,” McDaniel told CNN. She credits Disney's hit movie “Frozen” with increasing travel to Norway.

“We've also seen growing interest in northern lights cruises in the region as well,” she said. “You're able to sail far from land to get some pretty spectacular viewing opportunities.”

Cruise Critic also named the top cruise destinations in 18 regions around the world, as well as the best cruise lines to book to visit each region.

Quebec City was named the top cruise destination in the United States/Canada region, while Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay was named the best cruise line private island.

World's 10 most popular ports

1. Avignon, France (also No. 1 European river cruise destination)

2. Bora Bora (also No. 1 South Pacific cruise destination)

3. Glacier Bay, Alaska (also No. 1 Alaska cruise destination)

4. Vienna, Austria

5. Singapore (also No. 1 Asia cruise destination)

6. Kirkwall, Scotland (also No. 1 British Isles and Western Europe cruise destination)

7. Flam, Norway (also No. 1 Baltic and Scandinavia cruise destination)

8. Eidfjord, Norway

9. Oslo, Norway

10. Geiranger, Norway