What is the best cruise line in the world? And the ship that has won the most awards, the terminal from which it’s worth setting sail, the destination to aim for on your next cruise vacation? The answers arrived with the World Cruise Awards 2026, a sort of Oscars for the industry that each year crowns the best in the cruise sector.
The verdict wasn’t decided by a jury shut away in a room. For a full year, both industry professionals and the public voted, and in every category the winner was the one who gathered the most preferences.
The names were revealed on October 12, during the gala evening of the sixth edition, as part of World Travel Week Jamaica. Among dozens of awards, here’s who took home the tokens that really count.
The Best Cruise Destinations and Ports
Among the destinations, Abu Dhabi was crowned the best cruise destination, both worldwide and in the Middle East. The emirate focuses on two very different ports. The Zayed Port terminal is just a few minutes from the Saadiyat cultural district, while Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach is the only beach cruise terminal in the Persian Gulf.
In Europe, Lisbon wins as the continent’s best cruise destination. The arrival is already a spectacle: climbing the Tagus, ships pass under the 25 de Abril Bridge and in front of Christ the King.
Ports also have their champions. The best cruise terminal in the world is DP World Mina Rashid, in Dubai, where the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 is permanently moored, today a floating hotel. The European title goes to Iceland, at the Vör Cruise Terminal in Reykjavík. Opened last spring, it is the first terminal built specifically for cruises in the country.
The title of best cruise line in the world goes to Norwegian Cruise Line, also crowned the best in Europe. Its trademark is Freestyle Cruising: there are no fixed dining times or assigned tables, you freely choose among the onboard restaurants and formal attire is never mandatory.
Among the largest ships has triumphed Icon of the Seas from Royal Caribbean, elected the best in the world in its category. On board there are eight themed neighborhoods, seven pools and a water park with six slides. It’s therefore no surprise that it also took home awards for onboard activities and for gambling.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Royal Clipper, crowned the best small-ship cruise vessel in the world. It is a five-masted sailing ship with 42 sails, inspired by the legendary Preussen of 1902, and it carries just over 200 passengers.
For those focusing on sustainability, the best green cruise line in the world is the Vietnamese Grand Pioneers, already awarded in 2024 and 2025. Its ships sail in Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a particular emphasis on protecting the marine environment.
The Best River Cruises
For those who prefer to sail along rivers, the world’s best destination is Vietnam, which also wins as the best Asian cruise destination. The title of best river cruise company goes to Pandaw, recognized also for Asia. The best river ship is the Pangolin Voyager, which also holds the top mark in Africa.
In Europe, Portugal was elected the best destination for river cruises. This is largely thanks to the Douro, which from Porto climbs toward the Spanish border among the terraced vineyards of the Upper Douro, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Not surprisingly, the best European river cruise company is the Portuguese DouroAzul. The award for the best European river ship goes to the MS Cyrano de Bergerac of CroisiEurope.
