More than 200 industry partners attended the ceremony at Madame Tussauds on Wednesday evening (18 January) hosted by TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith.

The awards recognised cruise specialist agencies for their business and loyalty to Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn, with each brand giving awards for “partnership development” and “outstanding contribution”.

Four multi-brand awards were also given for “innovative marketing campaign”, “outstanding customer care”, “rising star” and “outstanding contribution”.

Dame Irene Hays, chair of Hays Travel, was honoured for her outstanding contribution to the industry and “dedication in supporting all six brands”. 

Accepting the award from P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow, Hays, who is also godmother of P&O’s Iona, said: “I’m amongst such great friends, and all these brands are so sensational. The cruise industry is such a fantastic industry, and to be given this award is beyond compare – let’s have a great year and sell some cruises."

The winners were:

Multi-brand awards

Innovative Marketing Campaign – Imagine Cruising
Outstanding Customer Care – Bolsover Cruise Club
Rising Star – Gemma Pallister, ROL Cruise
Outstanding contribution – Dame Irene Hays

Carnival Cruise Line

Partnership Achievement Award – Cruise 1st
Highly commended – Barrhead Travel
Outstanding contribution – Iglu Cruise
Highly commended – Cruise Nation

Cunard

Partnership Achievement Award – Iglu Cruise
Highly commended – Hays Travel
Outstanding contribution – ROL Cruise
Highly commended – Imagine Cruising

Holland America Line

Partnership Achievement Award – Trailfinders
Highly commended – Iglu Cruise
Outstanding contribution – Canadian Affair
Highly commended – Stewart Travel

P&O Cruises

Partnership Achievement Award – Travel Village
Highly commended – Fred Olsen Travel
Outstanding contribution – Hays Travel
Highly commended – Bolsover Cruise Club

Princess Cruises

Partnership Achievement Award – Travel Counsellors
Highly commended – Cruise.co.uk
Outstanding contribution – Reader Offers
Highly commended – Iglu Cruise

Seabourn

Partnership Achievement Award – Six Star Cruises
Highly commended – Travel Counsellors
Outstanding contribution – The Sovereign Cruise Club
Highly commended – Trailfinders