Winner of the World’s Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions 2026 at the World Cruise Awards.
For many travellers, the true magic of a cruise begins when the ship slips into a new harbour. One morning might bring the promise of ancient ruins rising above the Mediterranean, the next a tropical island fringed by turquoise water, or a distant city whose markets, architecture and cuisine offer an entirely different perspective on the world. For Princess Cruises, the art of turning these moments into memorable experiences has earned international recognition, with the line named World’s Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions 2026 at the World Cruise Awards.
The accolade was announced this week at the Princess Grand Hotel in Jamaica, celebrating a part of the cruise experience that can prove just as memorable as life on board: the chance to step ashore and discover the character of a destination.
Princess Cruises’ appeal lies in the breadth of its excursions. Whether travellers want to explore a celebrated landmark, meet local people, sample regional cuisine, venture into spectacular wilderness or simply spend an afternoon beside the sea, its programme offers a range of ways to make each port call their own. The emphasis is on choice, allowing guests to balance headline attractions with more personal discoveries and shape their holiday around the experiences that matter most to them.
From iconic landmarks to local encounters
For first-time visitors, sightseeing excursions provide a convenient introduction to a destination’s defining sights. Guided tours can bring historic cities, architectural treasures and celebrated cultural landmarks into focus, with expert commentary adding context to what might otherwise be a fleeting glimpse. Options range from comprehensive sightseeing tours to experiences designed around particular interests, while independent-minded guests can choose excursions that leave more room to explore at their own pace.
Beyond the familiar landmarks, Princess Cruises’ Local Connections experiences offer a more intimate way to encounter the places visited. Developed with local experts, these tours seek out the people, traditions and lesser-known stories that give a destination its character. The programme spans more than 250 experiences worldwide, including opportunities to explore local food, art, culture and heritage.
It is an approach that can transform a day ashore. Rather than simply passing through a place, guests might discover how a regional speciality is made, learn about a community’s traditions or hear first-hand stories from someone who calls the destination home. These are the encounters that often linger long after the photographs have been filed away.
A culinary journey around the world
For travellers who believe that the quickest route to understanding a destination is through its food, Princess Cruises offers excursions devoted to local flavours and culinary traditions. These experiences can include cooking classes, market visits, food tastings, winery tours and encounters with local producers.
In Italy, that might mean discovering the craft behind fresh pasta or exploring the vineyards that have shaped a region’s reputation. In Spain, a cooking experience could bring guests closer to the techniques behind paella, while elsewhere a visit to a brewery, distillery or family-run food producer can reveal a different side of local life.
Wine lovers can explore celebrated vineyard regions, learn about the character of regional varieties and taste wines in the landscapes where they are produced. In destinations across the world, culinary excursions offer a way to connect the ingredients on the plate with the climate, history and traditions that have shaped them.
The pleasure lies as much in the story as the flavour. A meal becomes a cultural experience, and a tasting can provide a more nuanced understanding of the destination than a hurried visit to its main attractions.
Adventure, wildlife and extraordinary landscapes
For those who prefer their holidays with a little more adrenaline, the programme extends well beyond city streets and dining tables. Active excursions include opportunities for hiking, kayaking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits, with experiences shaped by the terrain and natural environment of each region.
Alaska offers some of the most dramatic possibilities, with towering mountains, immense glaciers, forested coastlines and wildlife-rich landscapes providing a spectacular setting for exploration. Depending on the port and tour, guests can seek out wilderness experiences, discover the region’s natural history or appreciate its scenery from a different perspective.
Elsewhere, excursions can take travellers into rainforests, along rugged coastlines or towards remarkable geological formations. Flightseeing experiences offer a particularly striking way to appreciate vast landscapes from above, while guided nature tours provide opportunities to learn about local ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabits them.
The Caribbean presents an entirely different palette of experiences. Alongside its famous beaches and clear waters, guests can discover tropical gardens, explore island interiors, enjoy outdoor adventures or learn about the cultures that have developed across this diverse region. A day ashore can be as active or as relaxed as the traveller chooses.
Beach escapes and time at your own pace
Not every excursion needs to be an adventure. Sometimes the greatest luxury is a day with very little to do. Beach experiences allow guests to spend time on sunlit shores, swim in clear water or simply enjoy the pleasure of being somewhere new without a packed schedule.
For those who want a more personalised day, Princess Cruises also offers private-vehicle options, with drivers and, where selected, guides available for half-day or full-day exploration. These can suit families, couples or small parties who prefer greater flexibility over where they go and how long they spend there.
The range also includes overland experiences, which can take guests further into a destination, as well as tours designed around arrival and departure logistics. For travellers with specific mobility requirements, accessible options and sightseeing experiences with lighter walking demands can help make time ashore more manageable. Availability and suitability vary by destination and excursion, making it important to check the details before booking.
The reassurance of a well-planned day
A successful excursion is about more than the destination itself. Timing, transport and reliable local knowledge all contribute to the experience, particularly when the ship is due to depart later in the day.
Princess Cruises works with selected tour operators and local guides, with excursions planned around the ship’s schedule. Guests booking through the cruise line also benefit from its Guaranteed Return to Ship promise: if a Princess-booked excursion runs late, the ship will wait, or the company will arrange transport to the next port when circumstances require it. That reassurance can make a considerable difference, allowing travellers to concentrate on the experience rather than the clock.
With popular tours sometimes selling out, planning ahead can also help guests secure the experiences that interest them most. Some excursions are designed for smaller groups, while others provide broader sightseeing opportunities, giving travellers the flexibility to choose between a more intimate encounter and a classic guided tour.
A destination-led approach to cruising
The World Cruise Awards celebrate achievement across the international cruise industry, recognising the operators and experiences that help shape the future of travel at sea. Winning the title of World’s Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions 2026 places Princess Cruises in the spotlight for an essential part of the modern cruise holiday: what happens once guests step off the ship.
For travellers, the attraction is the sheer variety. A cruise can become a journey through food and wine, a succession of historic discoveries, an adventure through remarkable natural landscapes or a leisurely escape to some of the world’s most beautiful coastlines. For families and multigenerational groups, that variety means everyone can find their own way to experience a destination.
Ultimately, the finest shore excursions do more than fill the hours between arrival and departure. They provide a sense of place, introduce new perspectives and turn a port of call into a memory with a story attached.
With Princess Cruises recognised for its shore excursions in 2026, the invitation is to look beyond the horizon — and to discover just how many different ways there are to experience the world, one port at a time.
