The 2024 Wave Awards' winners celebrate. Credit: AG Studios

Wave Awards 2024: Winners announced

Author: Kaye Holland

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The winners of the Wave Awards were announced last night in a glittering ceremony at The Dorchester

In total, 41 awards were handed out by host Sue Perkins, one of the nation’s best loved broadcasters, comedians and travel presenters.

Dubbed the Oscars of the cruise industry, the Wave Awards – now in their 10th year – are the UK cruise industry’s premier accolades with both travel industry pros and the general public getting to cast their vote.

Royal Caribbean was the biggest winner on the night, picking up the coveted Grand Prix Award after winning in three categories on the night, including Best for Accommodation Design, Best Family Cruise Line and Best for Accessibility.

Two special gongs – The Peter Grant Award and the new DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) Award, which celebrate two individual cruise pioneers who’ve driven innovation and positive change throughout the sector – were won by World Travel Holding’s Alison Earnshaw and Limitless Travel founder Angus Drummond, respectively.

Also receiving top titles were Marella Cruises – who were recognised for their entertainment offerings – and AE Expeditions who scooped the prize for Best Sustainability Initiative.

Norway was celebrating too after being named Favourite Cruise Destination, with Portsmouth hailed Best Port.

Elsewhere Jenni Fielding – better known by her online pseudonym Cruise Mummy – aka Cruise Mummy walked away with the award for Favourite Cruise Travel Blogger for the third year running, while Hays Travel were presented with the award for Favourite Cruise Travel Agent.

Entertainment throughout the evening was provided by Cunard, with world-renowned violinist and vocalist Lizzie Ball and West-End performerTosh Wanogho-Maud delighting the audience.

The Wave Awards are managed, organised and produced by Real Response Media, the publisher behind World of Cruising and our sister title Cruise Trade News.

Chris Pitchford, Real Response Media founder and CEO, said: "Every year the Wave Awards gets bigger and better, and this – our special 10th anniversary – was our best awards yet. It was an amazing evening and we are so proud to host the biggest awards dedicated to the cruise industry.

“The scale of public voting and the calibre of judges for the trade section make winning a Wave Award a real accolade and something to be very proud of.

“Congratulations to all those who won on the night, and indeed all who were shortlisted as the competition was stiff. Also, a huge thank you to all our sponsors and partners for helping make the 2024 Wave Awards such a success."

Wave Awards 2024: The full list of winners

The Peter Grant Award, sponsored by Fred. Olsen Cruise LinesAlison Earnshaw, World Travel Holdings

The DEI Award, sponsored by Iconic Luxury HotelsAngus Drummond, founder of Limitless Travel

Grand Prix WinnerRoyal Caribbean International
Favourite Cruise Travel Influencer, sponsored by Marella CruisesJenni Fielding aka Cruise Mummy

Favourite Cruise Destination, sponsored by Carnival Cruise LineNorway

Favourite Cruise Travel Agent, sponsored by Virgin VoyagesHays Travel

Favourite Luxury or Premium Cruise Lince, sponsored by The IndependentOceania Cruises

Favourite River Cruise Line, sponsored by The IndependentViking River Cruises

Favourite Ocean Cruise Line, sponsored by The IndependentMSC Cruises

Favourite Specialist Cruise Line, sponsored by The IndependentFred. Olsen cruise Lines

Best Escorted & Specialist Tour OperatorRiviera Travel

Best Advertising, Marketing or PR Campaign, sponsored by Force24Celestyal

Best Sustainability Initiative, sponsored by CunardAE Expeditions

Best Transfer Service, sponsored by Marella CruisesTitan Travel

Best Technology Innovation, sponsored by Virgin VoyagesMy Kind of Cruise

Best for Wellbeing, sponsored by Limitless TravelExplora Journeys

Best for Enrichment, sponsored by Limitless TravelCunard

Best for Accessibility, sponsored Limitless TravelRoyal Caribbean International

Best for CuisineHavila Voyages

Best for Accommodation DesignRoyal Caribbean International

Best for EntertainmentMarella Cruises

Best for ExcursionsCelestyal

Best Port, sponsored by Princess CruisesPortsmouth International Port

Best Independent/Solo Agent, sponsored by Riviera TravelThe Cruise Room

Best Homeworking Network, sponsored by Cruise PlusTravel Counsellors

Best Consortia, sponsored by CunardAdvantage Travel Partnership

Best Online Agent, sponsored by Fred. Olsen Cruise LinesIglu Cruise

Best Retail Agent, sponsored by Princess CruisesBarrhead Travel

Best Specialist Cruise Agent, sponsored by Oceania CruisesIglu Cruise

Best Trade Sales TeamPrincess Cruises

Best Family Cruise LineRoyal Caribbean International

Best Specialist Cruise LineUnforgettable Croatia

Best Value-for-money Cruise LineVirgin Voyages

Best Luxury Ocean Cruise LineExplora Journeys

Best Luxury River Cruise Line, sponsored by Oceania CruisesAmaWaterways

Best Premium Cruise Line, sponsored by TravelzooWindstar Cruises

Best for Solo Travellers, sponsored by TravelzooRiviera Travel

Best Expedition Cruise Line, sponsored by the Expedition Cruise NetworkPonant

Best New Ship Launch, sponsored by TraveltekCunard (Queen Anne)

Best River Cruise Line, sponsored by Regent Seven Seas CruisesRiviera Travel

Best Ocean Cruise Line, sponsored by Cruise PlusP&O Cruises

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About Kaye Holland

Kaye is a London-based wordsmith who has written for a range of publications including The Times, The Independent, The I, Culture Trip, The Sun, and ABTA among others. In June 2022, Kaye joined the Real Response Media where she looks – together with Lucy Abbott – after the World of Cruising website. Want to get in touch? Kaye can be reached at: [email protected]