• Princess Cruises Claims Megaship Victory: Princess secured first place in the megaship category with a score of 92.35, driven by the launches of Sun Princess and Star Princess.
• Massive Voter Participation: Nearly 800,000 passionate travelers cast ballots across multiple vessel categories in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards.
• Virgin Voyages Leads Large Ships: Virgin Voyages earned top honors among large ships carrying 2,500 to 3,999 passengers, outranking Disney Cruise Line and Holland America Line.
• Dual Category Recognition: Princess Cruises distinguished itself as the rare brand to achieve top-five placement in both the megaship and large ship classifications

Ocean cruising continues to capture the imagination of travelers around the world, as evidenced by nearly 800,000 votes submitted in Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. The comprehensive survey revealed clear favorites across several distinct vessel categories, showcasing the diverse appeal of modern maritime travel from innovative mega-resorts to boutique large ships.

Leading the charge in the highly competitive megaship category, designated for vessels hosting over 4,000 guests, Princess Cruises earned the top ranking with a score of 92.35. Princess made a notable impression on voters following the successful debuts of Sun Princess and Star Princess. These innovative Sphere-class ships accommodate up to 4,300 passengers, blending elevated hospitality with expanded amenities. Royal Caribbean International followed in second position, celebrated for operating the world’s largest ships complete with Broadway-caliber entertainment and thrill-packed water parks. MSC Cruises secured third place, with Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line completing the top five megaship rankings.

Travelers seeking vessels carrying between 2,500 and 3,999 passengers highlighted exciting options in the large ship category. Virgin Voyages took the crown in this division with a winning score of 91, closely trailed by Disney Cruise Line and Holland America Line. Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises also secured coveted spots in the top tier, establishing Princess as an exceptional standout by placing in the top five of both major ocean categories.

Beyond massive ocean liners, the annual awards surveyed medium vessels, intimate small ships, and scenic river cruise operators. The findings emphasize that today’s passengers value personalized service, culinary distinction, and immersive shipboard entertainment across voyages of every scale.