Lisbon has been named Europe’s Best Cruise Destination at the 2026 World Cruise Awards, securing the title for the third time after previous wins in 2021 and 2024. The winners were announced on Monday, 12 October, at the sixth annual awards ceremony, held at Princess Grand Jamaica.
The Portuguese capital prevailed over a field of established European cruise destinations, including Athens, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Funchal, Monte Carlo, Nice, Rome, Oslo and Southampton, according to the Lisbon Port Authority (APL).
The authority credited the achievement to the professionals and organisations working across the city’s cruise tourism sector, alongside the hospitality of Lisbon’s residents. It said their efforts to create memorable visitor experiences were helping strengthen the capital’s position as a competitive, innovative and sustainable destination.
The recognition comes in a year when the Lisbon Cruise Terminal received its sixth consecutive nomination for Europe’s Best Cruise Terminal. That award went to Iceland’s Port of Reykjavik – Vör Cruise Terminal in 2026.
Lisbon’s victory also continues Portugal’s record in the European destination category. According to APL, Lisbon and Madeira have shared the title between them since the World Cruise Awards were established in 2021.
Portugal collected several further honours this year. DouroAzul was named Europe’s Best River Cruise Line, while Portugal won Europe’s Best River Cruise Destination. Madeira’s Port of Funchal received the global award for the World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability, adding another Portuguese winner to the international results.
The awards are decided through votes cast by cruise industry professionals and members of the public. Following a year-long programme, the nominee receiving the most votes in each category is declared the winner. The Jamaica ceremony formed part of World Travel Week, which brought together representatives from across the travel industry.
Abu Dhabi and Norwegian Cruise Line take top global honours
Beyond Europe, Abu Dhabi took the title of World’s Best Cruise Destination, while Vietnam was named World’s Best River Cruise Destination. Regional destination awards also went to Jamaica, the Seychelles, Mexico and Canada’s Prince Edward Island.
Norwegian Cruise Line secured both the global and European awards for Best Cruise Line. Dubai’s DP World Mina Rashid was named World’s Best Cruise Terminal, while Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas won World’s Best Large Cruise Ship.
Individual ships were also recognised for different aspects of the passenger experience. Sun Princess won the dining category, Disney Wish took the family award, and Celebrity Apex was recognised for romance. Utopia of the Seas received the entertainment award. In specialist cruising, Australis was named World’s Best Expedition Cruise Line, and Pandaw won World’s Best River Cruise Line.
