The winners of the 2019 Wave Awards have been revealed.
Finalists attended a prestigious black-tie event and gala dinner at London’s De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, where they were treated to first-class entertainment from Marella Cruises and comedian Hal Cruttenden.
This year saw the introduction of new categories, including Best Environmental Initiative, Best Retail Agent, Best Non-Retail Agent and Best Agent Consortia or Homeworking Agency.
Other highlights of the night included the John Honeywell Award, named after the former editor-at-large of World of Cruising and a true industry legend, and the Grand Prix winner, recognising those who have gone above and beyond to drive the sector forward.
The awards – organised by Real Response Media – celebrate the very best in the cruise industry, and are open to cruise lines, travel agents, tourist boards and ports.
Winners as follows:
Cruise Line Categories
Best Ocean Cruise Line
WINNER
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
HIGHLY COMMENDED
MSC Cruises
Best River Cruise Line
WINNER
Avalon Waterways
Best Luxury Ocean Cruise Line
WINNER
Seabourn
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Crystal Cruises
Best Luxury River Cruise Line
WINNER
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Best Premium Cruise Line
WINNER
Celebrity Cruises
Best Expedition Cruise Line
WINNER
G Adventures
Best for Solo Travellers (ocean or river)
WINNER
Saga Cruises
Best Specialist Cruise Line
WINNER
Voyages to Antiquity
Best New Ship Launch
WINNER
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - Symphony of the Seas
Best Value-for-money Cruise Line
WINNER
Saga Cruises
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Best Family Cruise Line
WINNER
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Grand Prix
WINNER
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Agent Categories
Best Retail Agent
WINNER
Trailfinders
Best Non-Retail Agent
WINNER
Iglu Cruise
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cruise Nation
Best Online Agent
WINNER
WTH UK
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cruise Nation
Best Agent Consortia or Homeworking Agency
WINNER
Advantage Travel Partnership
Industry Categories
Best Advertising, PR or Marketing Campaign
WINNER
ROL Cruise - Cruise Miles Loyalty Programme
Best Escorted & Specialist Tour Operator
WINNER
Intrepid Travel
HIGHLY COMMENDED
G Adventures
Best Transfer Service
WINNER
Titan Travel
Best Digital or Web-based Platform or Service
WINNER
Azamara Club Cruises
Best Environmental Initiative
WINNER
Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Use of Technology
WINNER
Celebrity Cruises
On Board Categories
Best for Accommodation
WINNER
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best for Cuisine
WINNER
Oceania Cruises
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Crystal Cruises
Best for Entertainment
WINNER
MSC Cruises
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Marella Cruises
Best for Enrichment
WINNER
Voyages to Antiquity
Best for Wellbeing/Spas
WINNER
Marella Cruises
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Ports & Destinations Categories
Best Destination (Port or Country)
WINNER
Greece - Greek National Tourism Organisation
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cruise Jamaica
Best Port
WINNER
Port of Seattle
HIGHLY COMMENDED
ABP Southampton
Best Excursion
WINNER
Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Wellness Shore Excursions
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services - VIP tour of Kennedy Space Center
Public Vote Categories
Favourite Travel Cruise Blogger
WINNER
Ben & David - Cruise with Ben & David
Favourite Cruise Travel Agent
WINNER
Bolsover Cruise Club
Favourite Cruise Destination
WINNER
Barbados
Favourite Luxury/Premium Cruise Line
WINNER
Cunard
Favourite Specialist Cruise Line
WINNER
Silversea Cruises
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Favourite River Cruise Line
WINNER
Viking River Cruises
Favourite Ocean Cruise Line
WINNER
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
HIGHLY COMMENDED
P&O Cruises
John Honeywell Award
John Honeywell Award
WINNER
Mike Evans, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
and
Mike Rodwell, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
