- Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Line
- Best Luxury River Cruise Line
- Best Ocean Cruise Line
- Best River Cruise Line
- Best Premium Cruise Line
- Best Expedition Cruise Line
- Best for Solo Travellers (ocean or river)
- Best Specialist Cruise Line
- Best New Ship Launch (ocean or river)
- Best Value-for-Money Cruise Line
- Best Family Cruise Line
Best Luxury Cruise Line
Whether it’s the sumptuous cabins and suites with designer interiors, the fine dining with impeccable but intuitive service, the high crew-to-passenger ratio or the little touches – from staff greeting guests by name to heated bathroom floors and personalised stationery – this is the category for luxury cruise lines whose passengers sail the oceans in style.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate these luxurious touches, your core USP in the luxury sector and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the luxury cruise market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best Luxury River Cruise Line
The onboard butlers are standing by, the minibar is stocked with premium vintages, the stateroom is sophisticated, the spa is sumptuous and guests’ every whim is catered for – often in advance. But the true sign of a luxury river line is that the experience on shore is as exceptional as on the ship. Private performances, exclusive access to cultural events and bespoke visits to iconic places of interest are all part of the rich itinerary. Throw in can’t-be-bought-elsewhere specialist experiences and faultless service, and you know you’re exploring the world’s rivers on the most luxurious line.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate these specialist touches, your core USP in the luxury river cruise sector and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the luxury river cruise market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best Ocean Cruise Line
From innovative new ways to provide thrills and spills on board through to tried-and-tested excellence delivered by heritage brands, we are looking for the cruise line that excels at food, accommodation, entertainment and service. Customer satisfaction levels will bear out what passengers – new and loyal – already know: this is the line that provides the perfect holiday at sea, time and time again.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate the unique touches that set you apart from other cruise lines, your core USPs and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the sector. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best River Cruise Line
Whether it’s the finest dining, a varied entertainment programme, elegant and spacious staterooms or every facility guests could want on board (yes, a spa and maybe even a four-poster bed!), the best river cruise line should match the most opulent of hotels. Add an itinerary that takes in magical destinations and offers exciting and cultural excursions at every port, and this will be a winning line with the wow factor.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate these specialist touches in the river cruise sector, your core USPs and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the river cruise market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best Premium Cruise Line
Popular but carrying fewer passengers on smaller ships, the best premium cruise line offers great value on a high-end product. Along with exotic itineraries in far-flung destinations and those coveted perks – wine with dinner, premium products in the bathroom – guests might be treated to extra-special touches such as a saxophonist by the pool. Sophisticated, with second-to-none service, the best premium cruise line is fast closing the gap with the luxury market.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate these premium touches, your core USP in the premium sector and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the premium cruise market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best Expedition Cruise Line
Offering everything from eco-voyages through to scuba diving, rock climbing and sea kayaking, this is the cruise line for adventurous passengers who want to explore every corner of the globe from the comfort of a cruise ship. With itineraries ranging from the frozen polar wastelands to the shimmering seas of Tahiti, this line delivers incredible experiences every single day.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate how you offer more than any rival in the expedition sector, your core USPs and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the expedition cruise market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best for Solo Travellers (ocean or river)
With innovations such as studios with public lounges for solos to mingle, no single supplements, dedicated cocktail parties, dance hosts and even hand-picked dining companions, cruise lines have gone all out to embrace solo travellers. And the very best make it possible for lone travellers to join hosted tours, classes and groups, while also giving them the space to strike out alone.
The judges are looking for your entry to show how solo travellers are so well looked-after that they don’t feel as though they are travelling alone, as well as your core USPs in the solo sector and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the solo traveller market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best Specialist Cruise Line
Being different is a good thing. Being unique is even better. The best specialist or niche cruise line doesn’t follow others but sets its own passenger-pleasing agenda, offering anything from in-depth lectures and lesser-known destinations to exceptional experiences, both on board and ashore. Whether its ships look different from others, or sail from different ports, the best specialist or niche line offers something no one else does – a one-of-a-kind experience that guests fall in love with.
The judges are looking for your entry to showcase your specialist or niche area and how you cater for and attract guests, as well as your core USPs in the specialist or niche sector and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best New Ship Launch (ocean or river)
From building the momentum to the actual launch, this is the campaign that created the biggest buzz and got the entire industry talking. Did you come up with an innovative way of marketing the ship, or stage the most exciting event? Did you do something different with the fam and press trips for agents and media – or did you make global headlines that broke the internet?
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate an innovative, headline-grabbing launch that impressed the media and the rest of the industry. From idea to delivery, tell us how your launch campaign set the agenda and showcased your new ship’s core USPs and innovations across every platform, from bloggers to the world’s most prestigious media – resulting in huge exposure, increased forward bookings and growth in the market.
Best Value for Money
It doesn’t have to be all-inclusive – this cruise line could offer speciality experiences at a supplement, have a no-extras policy or give guests complimentary additional services – but delivering great value is the sign of an outstanding cruise, no matter what the cost. Customer satisfaction ratings for this cruise line – whatever the price of the holiday – will prove that offering consistently good value for money is priceless.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate why your cruises are the best value for money, with your core USPs outlined along with any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the value-for-money cruise market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
Best Family Cruise Line
When the kids are happy, every member of the family has a smile on their face. From family-friendly innovations and thrilling experiences to the most entertaining kids’ clubs, the best family cruise line ensures there’s something special for every generation – and delivers a holiday that’s packed with memory-making moments for parents and children to enjoy together.
The judges are looking for your entry to demonstrate these family-friendly touches, your core USPs in the family sector and any innovations that have driven customer satisfaction, forward bookings or growth in the family cruise market. You should clearly be able to show how you communicated these, to both the market and the trade.
How To Enter
Entries are closed for the 2021 awards.but you can still book your place at the event.
