Princess Cruises Condé Nast Traveler 2026: A Stunning Third Win for Sun Princess

Princess Cruises Condé Nast Traveler 2026 is another major milestone for the cruise line, with Princess Cruises taking the top spot in the Mega Ships category of the prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards. The recognition places Princess at the top of Condé Nast Traveler’s U.S. ranking for ships carrying more than 4,000 passengers and highlights the growing impact of the cruise line’s newest generation of Sphere Class ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess. Condé Nast Traveler

The result is particularly significant because this is not simply another award for Princess Cruises. Sun Princess has now secured the #1 position for the third consecutive year, following her victories in 2024 and 2025, while sister ship Star Princess receives the recognition in her first year of eligibility. For a cruise line that has spent the last few years reshaping its fleet around a new generation of ships, the 2026 result represents an important confirmation that the Sphere Class is resonating with travelers. 

Princess Cruises takes the top spot in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

The Princess Cruises Condé Nast Traveler 2026 recognition comes from the publication’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, one of the travel industry’s best-known reader-voted programs. According to Condé Nast Traveler, its 39th Readers’ Choice Awards generated 798,867 votes, with readers ranking travel experiences across categories including cruises, hotels, resorts and destinations. In the U.S. Mega Ships category, defined as ships carrying more than 4,000 passengers, Princess Cruises took the number-one position. Condé Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler’s ranking also places the achievement in context. Princess Cruises’ newest ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, can accommodate up to 4,300 passengers and are now the largest ships in the Princess fleet. The publication specifically highlights how the cruise line has evolved from its traditional Love Boat identity toward a modern mega-ship experience while retaining the brand’s distinctive character. Condé Nast Traveler

For Princess Cruises, the Princess Cruises Condé Nast Traveler 2026 result therefore represents more than a single trophy. It reinforces the direction the company has taken with the Sphere Class since Sun Princess entered service in 2024.

Sun Princess makes it three in a row

The most remarkable part of the 2026 result may actually be the consistency behind it. Sun Princess has been named the #1 Mega Cruise Ship for three consecutive years, winning in 2024, 2025 and now 2026. Princess had already celebrated the ship’s second consecutive victory last year, describing the award as recognition of her design, innovation, entertainment, dining and service. princess.com

That continuity matters because Sun Princess was the first vessel to introduce Princess Cruises’ Sphere Class concept. Rather than simply increasing the size of the ship, Princess used the new class to rethink the relationship between public spaces, entertainment, dining and the ocean itself.

The result is a ship built around large, visually distinctive venues including The Dome, the Piazza and Princess Arena, alongside a broad selection of restaurants, bars, entertainment and premium accommodation options. Princess says these elements were designed to bring guests closer to the sea while introducing new experiences to the brand. 

Star Princess adds another layer to the story

If Sun Princess represents the beginning of the Sphere Class story, Star Princess represents its expansion.

Star Princess delivery ceremony in Monfalcone

The second Sphere Class ship was delivered by Fincantieri in Monfalcone in September 2025, an event that Cruising Passion covered directly from the shipyard. Our full report from the Star Princess delivery ceremony in Monfalcone documented the arrival of the new ship and its position as the second Sphere Class vessel after Sun Princess. Cruising Passion

Star Princess subsequently entered service and expanded the role of the new class within the Princess fleet. In 2026, she became the first Sphere Class ship to sail Alaska, arriving in Seattle as part of Princess Cruises’ expanded seasonal program. Cruising Passion also covered Star Princess’ Alaska 2026 debut, highlighting how the ship represents a new direction for Princess Cruises in terms of design, technology and onboard experiences. Cruising Passion

Star Princess Alaska 2026

Her recognition in the Princess Cruises Condé Nast Traveler 2026 results is particularly notable because Star Princess was eligible for the Readers’ Choice Awards for the first time this year. Earlier in 2026, the ship had already been selected for Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious Hot List, which recognizes standout new and transformed travel experiences. princess.com

What makes the Sphere Class different?

The appeal of Sun Princess and Star Princess comes from the combination of scale and experience. Both ships are around 177,000 tons and accommodate approximately 4,300 guests, but Princess has focused heavily on creating spaces that feel connected to the sea rather than simply filling the ship with attractions. 

Among the most recognizable spaces is The Dome, a glass-enclosed venue inspired by the terraces of Santorini. The Piazza provides another major focal point, with expansive ocean views, while Princess Arena was designed as a technologically advanced entertainment venue capable of adapting to different productions. Dining is another central element, with venues including Love by Britto, Makoto Ocean and The Butcher’s Block by Dario. 

The premium side of the experience is represented by the Sanctuary Collection, including the Sanctuary Club, Sanctuary Restaurant and Suite Lounge. Together, these spaces demonstrate the balance Princess is attempting to achieve with Sphere Class: the scale and variety expected from a modern mega-ship combined with more intimate and personalized areas. 

A new chapter for Princess Cruises

The award also fits into a much larger strategy visible across Princess Cruises’ recent deployment plans. Star Princess has become an increasingly important part of the line’s Alaska strategy, including the recently announced Princess Cruises Alaska 2028 program, which will feature 185 departures across 14 itineraries and eight ships. Star Princess is again included in that lineup. Our complete guide to Princess Cruises Alaska 2028 explores the program in detail, including Glacier Bay, cruisetours and the wider role of Star Princess in Alaska. Cruising Passion

At the same time, Sun Princess continues to play a major role in Europe. Princess Cruises’ 2028 European program includes 291 departures across 150 itineraries, with Sun Princess positioned as one of the key ships of the deployment. Our Princess Cruises Europe 2028 coverage looks at the scale of that operation and the continued expansion of the Sphere Class. Cruising Passion

This is why the Princess Cruises Condé Nast Traveler 2026 award feels particularly relevant now. It arrives at a moment when the cruise line is not simply introducing new ships, but increasingly building its future identity around them.

Why the 2026 award matters

Princess Cruises has spent decades building its reputation around service, destinations and the experience traditionally associated with the Love Boat brand. The Sphere Class represents a significant evolution of that formula, combining the familiar Princess approach with larger architectural spaces, new entertainment concepts, expanded dining and a stronger emphasis on visual design.

The 2026 Readers’ Choice result suggests that this strategy is gaining traction with travelers. Sun Princess has now retained the top position for three consecutive years, while Star Princess has immediately followed with recognition in her first eligible year. The two ships therefore give Princess something increasingly valuable: a consistent flagship product capable of attracting attention across different destinations and different types of travelers.

For Cruising Passion, there is also a personal connection to this story. We followed Star Princess from her delivery in Monfalcone to her debut in Alaska and her growing role in Princess Cruises’ future deployment plans. The latest Condé Nast Traveler recognition adds another chapter to that story — and provides a strong indication that the Sphere Class is becoming one of the defining elements of the Princess Cruises fleet.

The Princess Cruises Condé Nast Traveler 2026 result is therefore not just another award badge. It is a significant recognition of a strategy that began with Sun Princess, expanded with Star Princess and is now shaping the future of one of the cruise industry’s best-known brands.