Princess Cruises has secured the top position among the world’s largest cruise ships in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, earning a score of 92.35. The annual survey gathered responses from nearly 800,000 travelers. These travelers evaluated cruise lines across multiple vessel size categories, including megaships, large ships, medium and small vessels, and river cruises.
Megaship Category Standings and Competitor Scores
Following Princess Cruises in the highly competitive megaship category, Royal Caribbean International claimed second place with a score of 86.45. MSC Cruises followed in third place with 85.23 points.
Rounding out the top tier of the megaship rankings, Carnival Cruise Line earned a score of 81.05. Norwegian Cruise Line completed the top five with a score of 80.3.
Fleet Additions Driving Success
Princess Cruises entered the prestigious megaship category on the strength of its newest class of vessels. This is highlighted by the introduction of the Sun Princess and Star Princess, which launched in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Each of these modern vessels can accommodate up to 4,300 passengers, making them the largest ships ever built for the Princess fleet.
Industry Context and Survey Methodology
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards represent one of the travel industry’s longest-running recognitions of excellence. The 2026 edition reflects shifting consumer preferences toward larger megaships. These vessels offer expansive entertainment, dining, and accommodation options.
- 1st Place: Princess Cruises (92.35 points)
- 2nd Place: Royal Caribbean International (86.45 points)
- 3rd Place: MSC Cruises (85.23 points)
- 4th Place: Carnival Cruise Line (81.05 points)
- 5th Place: Norwegian Cruise Line (80.30 points)
With massive new builds continuing to enter service across major cruise lines, the megaship category remains a primary focal point for travelers. Passengers increasingly seek innovative onboard experiences, diverse itineraries, and large-scale resort-style amenities at sea.
