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THE BEST CRUISE LINES • HOTTEST DESTINATIONS • FANTASTIC AGENTS
Saga Cruises introduces Boutique Cruising aboard Spirit of Discovery She’s the only small ship being built for the British market. Launching Summer 2019, Spirit of Discovery’s inaugural season is selling fast. And with cruises from just £856 per person including so much in the fare, it’s not hard to see why. Saga Cruises have long been known for their care and attention to single cruisers. It’s why we’re delighted to win Best for Solo Travellers in the British Cruise Awards 2018. And also why our new ship features no less than 109 dedicated single cabins, an unprecedented move for a new ship.
Call Saga free on 0800 068 5053 quoting MG437 visit saga.co.uk/cruiseint or pop into your favourite travel agent.
Cruise with no more than 999 other guests…
Relax with your own private balcony as standard…
Enjoy a complimentary chauffeur service from your own front door…
Dine in five world-class restaurants at no extra charge…
Receive premium value, with so much more included in the price…
Price is per person, based on two people sharing a Standard Balcony cabin aboard Spirit of Discovery’s Rendezvous in Rouen cruise, departing February 12, 2020. Includes optional travel insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, and additional cancellation rights, or a price reduction of £18 if not required (cover is subject to medical questions). Private chauffeur service included up to 75 miles each way; shared chauffeur service from 76-250 miles each way. Price was correct at time of going to print and is subject to availability and change. Please call for details. Saga’s holidays and cruises are exclusively for the over 50s (but a travelling companion can be 40+). Saga Holidays is a trading name of ST&H Ltd (registration no. 2174052). ST&H Ltd and Saga Cruises Ltd (registration no. 3267858) are subsidiaries of ST&H Group Ltd (registration no. 0720588). All three companies are registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: Enbrook Park, Sandgate, Folkestone, Kent CT20 3SE. With respect to general insurance products sold in the UK, ST&H Ltd is an appointed representative of Saga Services Limited, registered in England and Wales (company no. 732602), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate, visit www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. This is not a brochure, terms and conditions apply. NHA-SC0774.
WELCOME The British Cruise Awards 2018 celebrate the very best of the cruise industry, and this year s awards ceremony was held at the House of Lords in London s Westminster in September, with Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE, hosting the event. Voted for by you, our readers, these awards reward excellence from ship design to the quality of cuisine, entertainment, activities and spas on board, to the world s best destinations, as well as cruise agencies and all the extras which help make a cruise holiday so memorable. On the following pages you can see all the winners of the British Cruise Awards 2018. They are the crème de la crème of the cruise industry, making this special digimag a fantastic tool for choosing, booking and planning your next cruise.
Liz Jarvis Editor Cruise International
SUPPORTED BY
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THE BRITISH CRUISE AWARDS 2018
CONTENTS Page 8
Best blogger
Page 30
Best for millennials
Page 10
Best tour operator
Page 31
Best online cruise agency
Page 11
Best value for money cruise line
Page 32
Best product or service
Page 12
Best UK port
Page 33
Best for onboard entertainment
Page 14
Best boutique cruise line
Page 34
Best cruise travel agency
Page 16
Best expedition cruise line
Page 35
Best river cruise itinerary
Page 18
Best for new to cruise
Page 36
Best worldwide destination
Page 19
Best for wellbeing
Page 38
Best for innovation
Page 20
Best for LGBT cruisers
Page 40
Outstanding contribution
Page 21
Best for solo travellers
Page 22
Best for culinary experience
Page 41
Best luxury river cruise line
Page 23
Best for families
Page 42
Best luxury cruise line
Page 24
Best new ship
Page 43
Best river cruise line
Page 26
Best for cultural immersion
Page 44
Best cruise line
Page 28
Best European destination
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THE BRITISH CRUISE AWARDS 2018 The Champagne flowed at the glittering ceremony for the British Cruise Awards 2018, which took place at the House of Lords and were hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE. Here are some of the highlights of the evening
Bernard Carter and Kate Gibbs of Oceania Cruises
Baroness Floella Benjamin and Jo Rzymowska of Celebrity Cruises
Nabil Maillard and Stephen Winter of Ponant, with Baroness Floella Benjamin
Karen Sequeira and Karen Evans-McDaid of NCL with Baroness Floella Benjamin
Photos: Steve Dunlop Baroness Floella Benjamin and Dominic Keeley of Scenic Tours
Christian Lacey, Tori McCrindle, Adrian Hibbert and Christopher Hackney of Marella Cruises, with Becky Wiggins
Clare Housein, Connie Georgiou and Sarah Barr of Silversea, with Giles Hawke of Avalon Waterways
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THE BRITISH CRUISE AWARDS 2018
L-R: Andy Squirrell, Thom Adams and Alastair Brent
Nathalie Avis and Rebecca Martin of Bolsover Cruise Club with Baroness Floella Benjamin
Paul Ludlow of P&O Cruises and Baroness Floella Benjamin
Paul Frost of Holiday Direction, Wendy Lamich of HAL and Seabourn, and Steve Williams of MSC Cruises
Dan Whitehouse, Tim Chidley and James Langley of Saga Cruises with Baroness Floella Benjamin
Baroness Floella Benjamin with Tony Roberts of Princess Cruises
DECEM BER /JA N UA RY 2019 |
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BEST BLOGGER
Winner BECKY WIGGINS, ENGLISH MUM
Becky, aka English Mum, has shared her busy, fun-filled family travel experiences with her many devoted fans for over 10 years. With her unique take on cruise and travel, you love the colourful way she documents her life, in an entertaining and honest way with engaging posts and videos. “I’ve always loved to travel, and being able to do it as a career is a dream come true,” she says (englishmum.com).
Highly Commended GARY BEMBRIDGE, TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
Zimbabwe-born Gary has a wealth of experience exploring the world and created Tips for Travellers to help people make the most of time away. You were impressed with the variety and quality of content on his blog, from videos and podcasts to top tips and informative articles (tipsfortravellers.com). 8
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for voting
We’re delighted to have been recognised amongst the best in the industry. It means our customers are happy and that’s what’s most important. Andy Squirrell, Managing Director, Titan
BEST TOUR OPERATOR
SOLO TRAVELLERS
BEST PRODUCT OR SERVICE
• VIP door-to-door travel service† • Multi-award winning • Expertly designed escorted holidays • Fly from an airport near you • Exceptional value • Guaranteed departures
We scooped Best Tour Operator and Best Product or Service at the British Cruise Awards 2018. And that’s not all – we were also highly commended in Best for Solo Travellers and Best Cruise Travel Agency. We’re rather excited to have won and we’d like to say a huge thank you to those who voted.
0808 250 4595 | titantravel.co.uk †Mainland UK only. Excludes Scottish islands and Sark, where vehicle
access is restricted. Prices are per person and correct at time of print.
BEST TOUR OPERATOR
Winner TITAN TRAVEL
You decided to award Titan the accolade of Best Tour Operator in recognition of their superb itineraries and friendly tour managers who help to ensure that everything runs smoothly throughout your trip. Value for money is also important to you, and you clearly feel Titan delivers here too, including plenty of extras in your cruise package, with impressive attention to detail.
Highly Commended VIRGIN HOLIDAYS
Virgin Holidays is one of your favourite ports of call for fantastic cruise holidays, offering a wide range of cruise lines and itineraries, plus of course the advantage of flying with Virgin Atlantic. In 2020 Virgin’s cruise line, Virgin Voyages, will be launching its first ship, Scarlet Lady, for adults only, featuring innovative design. 10
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BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
Winner
MARELLA CRUISES
When it comes to value for money, Marella Cruises is hard to beat, and you clearly agree. Fares that include tips and service charges in the price of your cruise has made Marella a big hit, particularly with families and savvy travellers. 2018 has been a big year for the line, with a name change from Thomson Cruises and the launch of Marella Explorer, taking the total number in its fleet to seven.
Highly Commended P&O CRUISES
The Southampton-based cruise line scored highly with you thanks to the vast array of activities and entertainment on board. Spectacular shows, such as Astonishing, are included in the price. Flights are also included on ex-UK cruises, helping to make your trip more affordable. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST UK PORT
Winner SOUTHAMPTON
Welcoming 1.7 million passengers each year, Southampton is home to major cruise lines such as Saga Cruises, P&O Cruises and Cunard. There are four impressive state-of-the-art cruise terminals in operation, all with practical ship-to-shore walkways. Staff at the cruise terminals are always extremly helpful, making cruising from here a pleasure.
Highly Commended LIVERPOOL
Since it first opened in 2007, Liverpool has built up a reputation as one of Europe’s most popular cruise terminals. It prides itself on its rich maritime history, being the birthplace of the first passenger cruise line, and you rate its team of friendly and efficient staff who deliver excellent service to both crew and passengers alike. 12
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BEST BOUTIQUE CRUISE LINE
Winner PONANT
This was the first of, we are sure, many British Cruise Awards for the French cruise line. You voted for Ponant in recognition of its unique, exclusive and luxury itineraries, five-star service, and its fleet of exquisitely appointed small ships, with its latest, Le Lapérouse, featuring the Blue Eye lounge providing a multi-sensory underwater experience.
Highly Commended AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES
Last year’s category winner scored highly again with you again thanks to its excellent itineraries and elegant ships, including new launch Azamara Pursuit. Azamara Club Cruises continues to inspire cruise travellers, with exhilarating, immersive itineraries from Australia to South America. 14
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Kirkwall Orkney, Scotland
The UK’s Destination Cruise Capital
Contact: Michael Morrison t: 01856 873636 e: harbours@orkney.gov.uk
www.cruise-orkney.com
BEST EXPEDITION CRUISE LINE
Winner SILVERSEA
For a second year Silversea won the award for Best Expedition Cruise Line. The cruise line’s luxury fleet of expedition ships take guests into the heart of remote destinations across all seven continents. As Cruise International’s Editor Liz Jarvis said of a Silversea voyage to Africa, “an expedition cruise with Silversea is the opportunity to explore some of the most intriguing destinations in an extraordinary region of the world.”
Highly Commended PONANT
Ponant also rated highly in this category, in recognition of their expedition cruises. Le Lapérouse, launched in July 2018, is the first vessel in the line’s Explorer Series, with itineraries such as Expedition to Borneo & Beyond. 16
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GET POLARISED LET US TAKE YOU CLOSER TO THE AUTHENTIC BEAUTY OF THE SVALBARD ISLANDS. Explore the unspoiled landscapes of the Arctic on an extraordinary voyage with all the comforts you love. Aided by a team of world-class experts, our ultra-luxury, all-inclusive ships are modern gems of design, excelling in both fine living and exploration.
For more information or for reservations please call 0207 340 0700, visit silversea.com or contact your travel agent.
BEST FOR NEW TO CRUISE
Winner P&O CRUISES
With its connections to the judges and dancers from Strictly Come Dancing and the likes of Marco Pierre White and James Martin on board, P&O Cruises certainly has a lot of star quality to offer new to cruisers. As they proudly state, “so much is included” and they are right: spectacular entertainment, flights on ex-UK cruises, food, dance classes, the list is endless, plus a familiar, welcoming atmosphere, making it perfect for first-time cruises.
Highly Commended ROYAL CARIBBEAN
It’s hardly surprising that you voted Royal Caribbean highly in this category as it offers everything you could possibly want, from the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss, to a dizzying array of restaurants. You don’t have to know what you like about cruising before you set sail, but you will when your breathtaking adventure comes to an end. 18
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BEST FOR WELLBEING
Winner
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
You were impressed with the cruise line’s wellbeing facilities – from the relaxing treatments at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon to fitness classes including Pilates and indoor cycling, while treatment rooms on its latest launch, MS Koningsdam, afford sea views. Equally excellent service will be offered when MS Nieuw Statendam launches this December, with its eminent godmother, Oprah Winfrey.
Highly Commended VIKING
With décor inspired by its Scandinavian heritage, Viking continues to be a popular choice for those looking for an authentic Nordic spa experience, with its ocean ships offering superb treatments and facilities including an elegant sauna, whirlpool and Snow Room. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST FOR LGBT TRAVELLERS
Winner
CELEBRITY CRUISES
You voted Celebrity top in the hotly contested Best for LGBT category, impressed by the cruise line’s welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, fun and diverse entertainment and nightlife, beautiful, chic ships, and brilliant itineraries.
Highly Commended P&O CRUISES
The first British cruise line to offer same sex weddings on board, P&O Cruises boasts a warm, friendly ambience with some ships adults-only, brilliant entertainment and a strong emphasis on delectable food including impressive menus from Marco Pierre White and a beautiful afternoon tea created by renowned French pâtissier Eric Lanlard of Cake Boy fame. 20
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BEST FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS
Winner SAGA CRUISES
Saga Cruises was your clear winner in this category. The line is particuarly welcoming to the solo traveller and you liked that you have a choice of single rooms and cabins at no extra cost. Saga Cruises offers great savings on exclusive solo departures at different times of year, complimentary wine with dinner and free wifi, making it very affordable. You were also impressed with its chauffeur service, included with all its ocean cruise itineraries.
Highly Commended TITAN TRAVEL
‘Travel solo but never alone’ says Titan and you clearly appreciated the fact that everything, from the itinerary details to airport transfers is taken care of, taking the stress away from solo travel, with the bonus of a tour manager helping to ensure you make friends quickly during your trip. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST FOR CULINARY EXPERIENCE
Winner
OCEANIA CRUISES
It’s little surprise Oceania Cruises was awarded Best for Culinary Experience once again – it counts Master Chef Jacques Pépin as its Executive Culinary Director, meaning food on board has been carefully curated to offer excellent menus. You were also wowed by speciality dining options such as Red Ginger with its Asian-inspired menu, Italian Toscana and the impressive Polo Grill steakhouse.
Highly Commended SEABOURN
Also popular in this sought-after category was luxury line Seabourn. The range of options available to passengers on board each ship is impressive and clearly won your favour, with The Grill by Thomas Keller, serving a unique culinary concept of table-side prepared dishes. 22
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BEST FOR FAMILIES
Winner
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Last year’s highly commended cruise line stepped up to take this year’s top spot. Royal Caribbean is known for offering an incredible array of entertainment and activities to keep kids and adults happy for weeks, with plenty of excursions, youth clubs, and fun and games on board, as well as endless dining options to cater to all tastes. Ships sail from and to a myriad of breathtaking destinations, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, which also adds to the appeal.
Highly Commended DISNEY CRUISE LINE
With non-stop entertainment, colourful Disney characters on board, exciting and creative food, and games and activities aplenty, the four Disney ships, Magic, Wonder, Fantasy and Dream, offer an enchanting holiday for families. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST NEW SHIP
Winner
NORWEGIAN BLISS
Norwegian Bliss launched in April 2018 and became an instant hit with cruise passengers. The distinctive livery, designed by marine life artist Wyland, makes it instantly recognisable and interesting from a distance, and up close it is even more exciting. The ship was designed with laidback fun and relaxation in mind, boasting the longest race track at sea, galactic themed laser tag, and a thrilling aqua park with slides reaching out over the sea, in addition to the Mandara Spa and thermal suite, complete with a Salt Room and heated ‘Vitality’ whirlpool. Bliss also scores highly in the culinary stakes, with a wide variety of incredible restaurants and stylish bars. All this and so much more, meant that Norwegian Bliss won Best New Ship for 2018.
Highly Commended SEABOURN OVATION
Seabourn is renowned for its extraordinary attention to detail, so it’s unsurprising that you voted its new ship Seabourn Ovation as highly commended in this category. With indoor and outdoor spaces created by designer Adam Tihany, Seabourn Ovation has been developed to give guests the feeling that they are connecting with their environment, maximising the use of light and space. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST FOR CULTURAL IMMERSION
Winner
AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES
Pioneers of the destination immersion concept, Azamara Club Cruises offers extraordinary itineraries that give you the opportunity to travel across the globe, experience different cultures, and discover the history behind sacred cities. You also love that Azamara offers longer stays and more overnights in port and its AzAmazing Evenings, allowing you to truly get to know your destination.
Highly Commended CUNARD
The soon-to-be four-strong fleet of Cunard ships are celebrated for offering passengers the very best in elegant travel. Cunard sails to the four corners of the globe and you were impressed by the destination knowledge of the ship’s crew. 26
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BEST EUROPEAN DESTINATION
Winner VENICE
The history, culture, food and friendly local people of the Floating City all contributed to you naming it your favourite in this year’s Best European Destination category. Built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, Venice is as unique as it is beautiful, from the Grand Canal, lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces, to the spectacular Piazza San Marco; little wonder it has inspired so many incredible artists, including Caravaggio. Venice is a truly extraordinary spectacle, and unique cultural experiences such as the Venice Carnival adds to its appeal.
Highly Commended NORWAY
Home to the magnificent fjords, soaring mountains, spectacular waterfalls and wild coastline, Norway offers everything from adventure and beauty to delicious and hearty food, making it a superb location for thrill seekers and culture lovers alike. Norwegians are incredibly friendly and welcoming people, which adds to the overall experience and proved to be important to you when casting your vote. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST FOR MILLENNIALS
Winner
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
With some of the coolest ships at sea, offering everything from surfing to iFlying and rock climbing, plus a dizzying array of bars, restaurants and entertainment, and some amazing itineraries, you could never run out of things to do on a Royal Caribbean ship, and the cruise line scored highly with you for its effortlessly cool, laid back vibe.
Highly Commended CELEBRITY
One of the most appealing things about Celebrity is its brilliant use of space and chic design. Add in stunning ports of call and you have a brilliant option for anyone looking for a truly modern, luxury and culturally immersive experience. The variety and high standard of onboard cuisine also makes it great for foodies. 30
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BEST ONLINE CRUISE AGENCY
Winner BOLSOVER CRUISE CLUB
With its fantastic range of cruise holidays, superb deals and excellent customer service, Bolsover Cruise Club has proved to be very popular with you time and time again. The agency’s friendly and efficient team of highly trained staff members help to ensure you feel confident when you book your cruise holiday.
Highly Commended CRUISE.CO.UK
You clearly appreciate the ease in booking your cruise with Cruise.co.uk and the fact the website is clear and straightforward to use, with friendly and helpful booking staff and a comprehensive selection of cruises.
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BEST PRODUCT OR SERVICE
Winner TITAN’S VIP DOOR-TODOOR TRAVEL SERVICE
Making the transfer to your holiday and back again has been made easier and more comfortable thanks to Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service. You love the fact that you are picked up from your home and taken to your departure port or airport and back again in total comfort and without any bag carrying.
Highly Commended SAGA CRUISES TRAVEL INSURANCE
Saga’s tailored travel insurance provides peace of mind and comprehensive protection. You particularly appreciated that their policies, which are designed with the over 50s in mind, cover most pre-existing medical conditions, so you can still get covered and travel safely. 32
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BEST FOR ONBOARD ENTERTAINMENT
Winner P&O CRUISES
P&O Cruises is well-known for staging spectacular entertainment at sea, including Strictly-themed special cruises but this year has seen the cruise line upping its game even further with revolutionary magic and illusion show Astonishing, which combines the production talents of Stephen Mulhern and Jonathan Wilkes with the spectacular dance moves of leading choreographer Paul Domaine as well as the mind-blowing trickery of master illusionist Guy Barrett, garnering particular praise.
Highly Commended ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Stunning performances of shows like Grease and Saturday Night Fever helped Royal Caribbean score highly in this category. You loved that you could experience the cream of Broadway every night at sea. The Ice shows in Studio B and acrobatics at Two70 have also dazzled. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST CRUISE TRAVEL AGENCY
Winner BOLSOVER CRUISE CLUB
It’s clear that you value personalised and exceptional service and you think Bolsover Cruise Club has this in spades. As well as friendly and professional staff, you rate the travel agency’s easy-to-navigate website and so voted it your winner in the Best Cruise Travel Agency category.
Highly Commended TITAN TRAVEL
You were clearly impressed with the well-informed advice and local knowledge you receive from Titan Travel staff when choosing, booking and planning your cruise, as well as the range of destinations and itineraries available, ensuring there’s something to suit everyone.
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BEST RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY
Winner SCENIC
The wonderful attention to detail, unique experiences and excursions and excellent destination knowledge of the ship’s crew and local guides makes Scenic’s Treasures of the Mekong itinerary so popular. Highlights of this amazing adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia includes the opportunity to have a Vespa foodie tour of Saigon by night.
Highly Commended VIKING
Also highly commended in this category was Viking River Cruises for their Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary, which takes you from Lisbon to Pinhão. The itinerary includes the opportunity to roam the port warehouses of Porto, enjoy traditional cuisine and fado singing, as well as cruise the Douro River Valley. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST WORLDWIDE DESTINATION
Winner ALASKA
With breathtaking natural beauty including soaring snow-covered mountains, mammoth galciers and crystal clear waters, it’s hardly surprising that you voted the Last Frontier as your Best Worldwide Destination – and who could resist the opportunity to go on a thrilling husky ride or spot bears and eagles in the wilderness. No wonder so many of you put Alaska on your cruise wishlist.
Highly Commended HONG KONG
The vibrancy, rich culture and colours of Hong Kong make it a firm favourite for a stay-and-cruise holiday, and it’s also one of the most impressive capital cities in the world, with its lively mix of old and new and stunning architecture.
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10:45 am 62° 56’ 27.35’’ S 60° 33’ 19.35’’ W
PONANT, World Leader in Luxury Expedition Cruising PONANT can take you to such legendary destinations as Antarctica, Spitzbergen, the North West Passage, Iceland, Greenland, the Ba tic Sea, Alaska, Kamchatka, the Amazon, the Great Barrier Reef, the Kimberley, New Zealand & New Caledonia, the Seychelles... and more! Onboard our intimate small ships experience our discreet service, friendly bilingual staff, refined gastronomy and unique itineraries inaccessible to larger ships. Experience the Ponant Moment with cruises that combine luxury, relaxation and discovery. Discover the Treasures of the World by sea with PONANT.
Contact your local travel agent or call our UK call center at 0800 980 4027
All rights reserved - PONANT. Document and photos for illustrative purposes only. Photo credit : © PONANT Nathalie Michel / François Lefebvre.
www.ponant.com
BEST FOR INNOVATION
Winner NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE The first cruise line to introduce a go kart track at sea, NCL continues to impress you with its big, lively ships. Their newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, offers not only the race track but laser tag too; sister ship Norwegian Encore (arriving next year) has artwork by eminent Spanish artist Eduardo Arranz-Bravo.
Highly Commended ROYAL CARIBBEAN
From sky diving at sea to robotic bartenders who will mix any cocktail you can conjure up to perfection, Royal Caribbean is embracing the future of technology on every ship, offering fantastic experiences as you sail across the globe.
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THANK YOU
FROM NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE At Norwegian Cruise Line we are extremely grateful to have been nominated and win two awards at this year’s British Cruise Awards 2018. With over 80,000 votes made across the awards, it has been a great year to hear from you all on what impresses you the most within the cruise industry. “We are delighted to win Best New Ship for Norwegian Bliss, our most successful ship ever, and be honoured as an innovative leader in the cruise industry. I would like to thank everyone who voted for us, as we continue to ensure an unforgettable holiday experience for our guests.” - Nick Wilkinson, Vice President & Managing Director, UK&I and MEA.
VISIT US AT WWW.NCL.CO.UK OR CALL US ON 0333 336 0794. ©2018 NCL Corporation Ltd. Ship’s Registry: Bahamas and United States of America. 6980.9.2018
NORWEGIAN BLISS BEST NEW SHIP
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE BEST FOR INNOVATION
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE CRUISE INDUSTRY
Winner JO RZYMOWSKA, CELEBRITY CRUISES The only British Cruise Awards category to be voted for by judges, this year’s winner of Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry began her career in the travel industry as a rep at a budget hotel in Majorca. After working for various travel companies, she joined Royal Caribbean in 2005, before moving to Celebrity Cruises, where she has spearheaded some incredible developments, including the launch of Celebrity Edge. Jo, now Vice President and Managing Director of Asia, UK & Ireland, has also championed LGBT rights in the travel industry,
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and in 2015 she helped found TTG LGBT, the first network in the UK for LGBT travel professionals. She is ranked inside the top half of the Executive Diversity Top 100 – a listing of the UK’s most influential LGBT business executives – as compiled by OUTstanding, which campaigns for LGBT rights in the workplace, and the Financial Times. On receiving her award, Jo said: “This award is testament to the guidance of my mentors throughout my career and to the hard work of my dedicated team who I am privileged to work with every day.”
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BEST LUXURY RIVER CRUISE LINE
Winner VIKING
Interesting and unique shore excursions, fine food and Scandi-inspired interiors across its fleet meant you once again voted Viking River Cruises your number one for Best Luxury River Cruise Line. Fascinating and well-informed guest speakers, as well as onboard activities designed to help guests learn more about the destinations, complement the impressive itineraries from the Rhine to the Yangtze, while little touches, like L’Occitane toiletries add to the feeling of indulgence.
Highly Commended SCENIC
You love Scenic’s Space-Ships, which are designed to set the standard in luxury river cruising, offering an elegant allinclusive experience. The cuisine, wine selection and itineraries on Scenic are all of the highest quality, and destinations include the Mekong and Volga. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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BEST LUXURY CRUISE LINE
Winner SEABOURN
You again crowned Seabourn your favourite luxury cruise line in recognition of its excellent service, superb restaurants, and sumptuous 300sq ft staterooms. Its five ships Quest, Odyssey, Sojourn, Encore and the newly christened Ovation, are sophisticated and spacious, with a relaxed atmosphere. The luxury line is planning a round-the-world tour in 2020, with Seabourn’s flagship, Sojourn, visiting five continents in 146 days.
Highly Commended SILVERSEA
Cruising to more than 800 ports, Silversea is rated highly as a luxury line for its intimate quality and exceptional onboard service. The high staff-to-guest ratio means you are remarkably well looked after and the wonderful cuisine is both beautiful to look at and absolutely delicious to taste. 42
T HE BR IT ISH CRU ISE AWAR DS 2018
CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
BEST RIVER CRUISE LINE
Winner VIKING
You continue to be impressed with the quality of Viking’s river cruises, from the culturally immersive itineraries to its stylish fleet and fantastic staff. With décor inspired by its Scandinavian heritage, Viking river cruise ships continue to be a popular choice for first-time river cruisers too, and the iconic fleet continues to grow, with Viking Ra launched earlier this year and now sailing the Nile.
Highly Commended EMERALD WATERWAYS
Also garnering praise in this category is Emerald Waterways. You singled Emerald out for particular praise, saying that you love the EmeraldACTIVE programme which allows you to relax, and stay fit and healthy, with some of the most beautiful views in the world. You’re also impressed by this fast-growing cruise line’s glamorous ships. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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| DECEM BER /JA N UA RY 2019
CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
BEST CRUISE LINE
Winner
PRINCESS CRUISES
2018 marks an exceptional fifth win in a row for Princess Cruises in the Best Cruise Line category. You love the glamour of Princess Cruises’ ships, with their sparkling atriums and innovative features such as poolside cinema Movies Under the Stars, excellent onboard service and incredible range of itineraries, particularly to destinations such as Asia and Alaska but also the Baltic and Mediterranean. You also love the onboard restaurants and activities that keep you entertained and help you unwind on sea days. New ship Sea Princess launches next year.
Highly Commended P&O CRUISES
The Southampton-based cruise line continues to score highly with you thanks to its fantastic family-friendly entertainment, wide range of activities and great food. The line is proving to be hugely successful as the fleet continues to grow – Iona, the largest ship for the UK market, is set to launch in 2020 and will sail cruising-destination favourite, Norway. Iona was named following a competition, which attracted over 30,000 entrants, highlighting the huge and growing interest in cruise travel in 2018. CRU ISE -I N T ER NAT IONA L .COM
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