2026
RECOMMEND READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS WINNERS
Many of the destinations, tour operators, resort/hotel chains, cruise lines, car rentals, airlines and other travel suppliers selected by our readers are long-standing Readers’ Choice Awards recipients in their respective categories, while others are being applauded for the first time. To all, we say congratulations on an extraordinary year.
North America
Gold: Alaska
Silver: Hawaii
Bronze: Florida
Europe
Gold: Italy
Silver: Greece
Bronze: Ireland
Asia & the Pacific
Gold: Japan
Silver: Australia
Bronze: New Zealand
Caribbean/Bahamas/Bermuda
Gold: Saint Lucia
Gold: Turks & Caicos
Silver: Cayman Islands
Bronze: Dominican Republic
Bronze: U.S. Virgin Islands
Mexico & Latin America
Gold: Costa Rica
Silver: Quintana Roo (Cancun/Riviera Maya)
Bronze: Ecuador (Galapagos Islands)
Africa & the Middle East
Gold: South Africa
Silver: Egypt
Bronze: Dubai
North America
Gold: ALG Vacations
Gold: Delta Vacations
Silver: Collette
Silver: The Travel Corporation (TTC)
Bronze: Classic Vacations
International
Gold: Globus family of brands
Silver: Avanti Destinations
Bronze: Kensington Tours
Gold: Marriott
Silver: Hilton
Bronze: Four Seasons
Gold: MGM Resorts International
Silver: Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos
Bronze: Wynn Resorts
Overall
Gold: Sandals Resorts
Silver: Hyatt Inclusive Collection
Silver: All-Inclusive by Marriott
Bronze: Hilton All Inclusive
Bronze: Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
Luxury
Gold: Hyatt Inclusive Collection
Silver: Palladium Hotel Group
Silver: Velas Resorts
Bronze: AIC Hotel Group
Bronze: Karisma Hotels & Resorts
Family
Gold: Beaches
Silver: Hyatt Inclusive Collection
Bronze: Iberostar Hotels and Resorts
Destination Weddings/Honeymoons
Gold: Sandals Resorts
Silver: Hyatt Inclusive Collection
Bronze: Romance by Melia @ Paradisus
Overall Large-Size Ship
(3,000+ passengers)
Gold: Princess Cruises
Gold: Royal Caribbean
Silver: Celebrity Cruises
Bronze: Norwegian Cruise Line
Bronze: MSC Cruises
Overall Mid-Size Ship
(1,000 to 3,000 passengers)
Gold: Oceania Cruises
Gold: Virgin Voyages
Silver: Holland America Line
Bronze: Cunard
Overall Small-Size Ship
(up to 1,000 passengers)
Gold: Explora Journeys
Gold: Viking Ocean Cruises
Silver: Silversea Cruises
Bronze: Azamara
Bronze: Seabourn
Overall River Cruise
Gold: AmaWaterways
Gold: Viking River Cruises
Silver: Avalon Waterways
Bronze: American Cruise Lines
Bronze: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Ultra-Luxury Ocean Cruises
Gold: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Gold: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Silver: Explora Journeys
Bronze: Silversea Cruises
Luxury Ocean Cruises
Gold: Cunard
Gold: Crystal Cruises
Silver: Oceania Cruises
Bronze: Azamara
Bronze: Scenic
Contemporary / Premium Ocean Cruises
Gold: Celebrity Cruises
Gold: Virgin Voyages
Silver: MSC Cruises
Silver: Princess Cruises
Bronze: Royal Caribbean
Expedition
Gold: National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions
Silver: HX Expeditions
Silver: Atlas Ocean Voyages
Bronze: Silversea Cruises
Ocean Cruise Itineraries
Gold: Princess Cruises
Silver: Celebrity Cruises
Bronze: Oceania Cruises
River Cruise Itineraries
Gold: Viking River Cruises
Silver: AmaWaterways
Silver: Avalon Waterways
Bronze: American Cruise Lines
Cuisine
Gold: Celebrity Cruises
Silver: Oceania Cruises
Silver: Virgin Voyages
Bronze: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Bronze: Riverside Luxury Cruises
Family
Gold: Disney Cruise Line
Silver: Royal Caribbean
Bronze: MSC Cruises
Bronze: Norwegian Cruise Line
Sustainability —
Cruise Lines with Large Ship Capacity
Gold: Disney Cruise Line
Gold: MSC Group (incl. Explora Journeys)
Silver: Virgin Voyages
Bronze: Royal Caribbean Group
Sustainability —
Cruise Lines with Small Ship Capacity
Gold: AmaWaterways
Silver: National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions
Bronze: Scenic / Emerald Cruises
Best North American Airline (USA/Canada)
Gold: Delta Air Lines
Silver: American Airlines
Bronze: United Airlines
Best U.S. Airline to Latin America, Mexico
& the Caribbean
Gold: Delta Air Lines
Silver: American Airlines
Bronze: United Airlines
Best U.S. Airline to Europe & Africa
Gold: Delta Air Lines
Silver: United Airlines
Bronze: American Airlines
Best International Airline Overall
Gold: Emirates
Silver: British Airways
Bronze: Singapore Airlines
Bronze: Turkish Airlines
Gold: Rocky Mountaineer
Silver: Amtrak Vacations (Railbookers)
Bronze: Alaska Railroad
Gold: Enterprise Holdings
(Alamo, Enterprise, and National)
Silver: Hertz Global Holdings
(Dollar, Hertz, and Thrifty)
Bronze: Avis Budget Group
(Avis, Budget, and Payless)
USA Destination: Hawaii
International Destination: Italy
Airline: Delta Air Lines
Cruise Line (Ocean): Viking Cruises
Cruise Line (River): Viking River Cruises
Cruise Line (Expedition): National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions
Tour Operator: Globus family of brands
Hotel/Resort Group: Marriott
All-Inclusive Resort Group: Sandals Resorts
Travel Insurance Provider: Allianz
Travel Leaders Network
