Star Princess Selected for Condé Nast Traveler's "2026 Hot List"

Princess Cruises announced that Star Princess has been selected for the "Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2026," hosted by the leading US travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, which annually curates and introduces new travel experiences from around the world.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Condé Nast Traveler's "Hot List" recognizes outstanding hotels, resorts, restaurants, and cruise ships that have opened or launched within the past year, setting new standards in design, service, and experiential value embodying the charm of their locations. These are carefully selected and honored by the magazine's global editorial team.

The newest Sphere Class ship, "Star Princess," further evolves Princess Cruises' iconic guest experience, blending modern design with warm spaces, designed to help guests connect more deeply with the world. This Hot List selection comes amidst a series of milestones for the ship; following its inaugural transit of the Panama Canal, Star Princess will make its maiden voyage on Alaska cruises from Seattle in May 2026, becoming the first Sphere Class ship to sail in the region.

Marie Lee, Chief Marketing Officer for Princess Cruises, stated:

"We are incredibly honored that 'Star Princess' has been selected for Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List 2026. By adopting a design that emphasizes 'connection,' with magnificent ocean views and seamlessly integrated public spaces, Star Princess brings guests closer to their destinations and deepens their connections with each other."

Alaska Cruises on Star Princess

In 2026, Princess Cruises will launch its largest Alaska season in brand history, with the Star Princess making its inaugural voyage, meticulously designed to immerse guests in Alaska's majestic natural beauty. The expanded program, featuring an 8-ship fleet with 180 departures and visits to 19 ports of call, offers an unprecedented range of Alaska experiences, from cruises to cruise tours combined with land stays.

Star Princess

The 177,800-ton, 4,300-guest Star Princess debuted in Barcelona in October 2025. It embodies a new evolution of the Princess Cruises experience, combining elevated dining and world-class entertainment with the brand's iconic guest experience.

The ship features the distinctive design of the Sphere Class, including "The Dome," a glass-enclosed retreat inspired by Santorini, and an outward-expanding Sphere structure that transforms the central Piazza into a light-filled, multi-story social space.

The selection for Condé Nast Traveler's "Hot List" reaffirms Princess Cruises' commitment to providing valuable travel experiences, while cherishing meticulous service, inspired design, and deep respect for destinations.

About Princess Cruises

Known as the "Love Boat" after the US drama, Princess Cruises is one of the world's most iconic cruise brands. It delivers dream vacations to millions of guests annually to the most popular destinations, offering both the extensive services characteristic of large ships and the meticulous, personalized service tailored to guests' needs, typical of smaller vessels. With well-appointed staterooms, world-class dining, spectacular performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences, numerous activities, and the integration of MedallionClass, Princess Cruises creates unforgettable moments with loved ones in stunning environments worldwide, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The newest and most innovative ship, "Star Princess," will debut in October 2025, and its sister ship, "Sun Princess," has been named #1 Mega-Ship by Condé Nast Traveler for two consecutive years. Princess Cruises is a company under Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).