• Massive Voter Participation: Nearly eight hundred thousand travelers voted in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards to rank the world’s top cruise operators across multiple vessel size categories.
• Megaship Category Leader: Princess Cruises captured first place in the megaship division with a 92.35 rating following the successful introduction of its 4,300-passenger vessels, Sun Princess and Star Princess.
• Top Megaship Contenders: Royal Caribbean International earned second place among megaships, while MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line completed the top five rankings.
• Large Ship Standouts: Virgin Voyages claimed the number one spot for large ships carrying 2,500 to 3,999 guests, followed closely by Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Princess Cruises

Nearly eight hundred thousand passionate travelers recently cast their ballots to determine the premier ocean cruise lines in the prestigious 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. The annual survey evaluates vessels across multiple capacity tiers, highlighting exceptional service, innovative onboard attractions, and unforgettable vacation experiences for guests worldwide. In the highly competitive megaship category, which includes massive vessels carrying more than four thousand passengers, Princess Cruises claimed the coveted number one position with an impressive score of 92.35. The brand recently entered this upper capacity tier with the successful debuts of Sun Princess and Star Princess, each accommodating up to four thousand three hundred guests in contemporary comfort.

Royal Caribbean International secured the second spot among megaships with a strong rating of 86.45, recognized for operating the nine largest cruise ships in the world featuring expansive water parks and Broadway-style productions. MSC Cruises placed third in the megaship division, followed closely by Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, which continue to delight travelers with thrilling onboard roller coasters, go-kart tracks, and virtual reality gaming. Meanwhile, in the large-ship category for vessels carrying between two thousand five hundred and three thousand nine hundred ninety-nine passengers, Virgin Voyages earned first-place honors with a score of 91. Disney Cruise Line and Holland America Line followed closely behind in second and third place, while Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises rounded out the top five, cementing Princess as a favorite across multiple ship classes.