What Are the Best Cruise Lines in 2026? Travel Advisors Reveal Their Picks

Travel advisors have weighed in on the best cruise lines of 2026, recognizing brands across a range of categories, from family-friendly vacations and onboard entertainment to luxury voyages and expedition cruises.

The winners were announced at the 2026 Travvy Awards on November 5 in Fort Lauderdale. Produced by TravelPulse and AGENTatHOME, the annual awards recognize leading suppliers across the travel industry, including cruise lines, hotels and resorts, destinations and tour operators. Travel advisors cast thousands of votes across more than 140 categories, determining the Gold and Silver winners.

The entrance to Perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo Credit: Sarah Kuta)

Royal Caribbean International earned recognition in several categories, including Best Cruise Line - Caribbean, Best Cruise Line - Large (Over 1,000 Cabins) and Best Cruise Line - Contemporary. The line also took Gold for Best Cruise Entertainment, while its private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, won Gold for Best Cruise Line Private Island/Destination.

Disney Cruise Line earned Gold for Best Cruise Line - Family, reflecting its position in the family vacation market, and Silver for Best Cruise Entertainment. Princess Cruises also appeared among the top picks in multiple categories, winning Gold for Best Cruise Line - Alaska, Best Cruise Line - Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific and Best Cruise Line - Hawaii, as well as Silver for Best Cruise Line - Premium.

Star Princess in Alaska (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises)

The results also recognized cruise lines serving travelers seeking smaller ships, high-end experiences and destination-focused itineraries. Regent Seven Seas Cruises took Gold for Best Cruise Line - Ultra Luxury, while Viking won Gold in the luxury category. Silversea earned Gold for Best Cruise Line - Small (Under 500 Cabins), and Azamara Cruises was named the top choice for immersive destination itineraries.

Two travelers kayak in the sea along Svalbard, Norway, with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. (Photo Credit: Michael S. Nolan)

Other Gold winners included Oceania Cruises for onboard cuisine, Celebrity Cruises for European itineraries and the premium cruise line category, Norwegian Cruise Line for Hawaii, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions for expedition and adventure cruising and Cunard for transatlantic crossings.

Here’s a complete look at the cruise line winners of the 2026 Travvy Awards.

2026 Travvy Awards: Cruise Line Winners

Onboard Cuisine: Oceania Cruises (Gold); Virgin Voyages (Silver)

Best Cruise Entertainment: Royal Caribbean (Gold); Disney Cruise Line (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Alaska: Princess (Gold); Holland America Line (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Asia: Seabourn (Gold); Scenic Luxury Cruises (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific: Princess (Gold); Windstar Cruises (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Caribbean: Royal Caribbean (Gold); Carnival Cruise Line (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Europe: Celebrity Cruises (Gold); MSC Cruises (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Hawaii: Norwegian Cruise Line (Gold); Princess (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Immersive Destination Itineraries: Azamara Cruises (Gold); Explora Journeys (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Expedition/Adventure: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions (Gold); HX Expeditions (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Family: Disney Cruise Line (Gold); Royal Caribbean (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Large (Over 1,000 Cabins): Royal Caribbean (Gold); Celebrity Cruises (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Small (Under 500 Cabins): Silversea (Gold); Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Contemporary: Royal Caribbean (Gold); Norwegian Cruise Line (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Premium: Celebrity Cruises (Gold); Princess (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Luxury: Viking (Gold); Oceania Cruises (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Ultra Luxury: Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Gold); Silversea (Silver)

Best Cruise Line - Transatlantic Crossing: Cunard (Gold); Holland America Line (Silver)

Best Cruise Line Private Island/Destination: Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay (Gold); Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key (Silver)

---

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore