2023’s SLTS Luxury Cruise Award winners are…

Go back to the e-newsletter

Signature Luxury Travel & Style‘s 2023 Luxury Cruise Awards were celebrated on Thursday 30 November in Sydney, at an event that saw a dozen accolades presented in style, at the Sydney Opera House, no less, with the cruise industry left buzzing after the event. Emceed by the hilarious Andrew Daddo and hosted within the Yallamundi Rooms on the forecourt of Australia’s most iconic landmark, overlooking Sydney Harbour, the event began with a fabulous Welcome to Country before a rapid-fire presentation of awards, recognising not only winners but those who placed second and third, all receiving gorgeous glass trophies.

---

Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.

---

A guest list of the Australian cruise industry’s elite, including multiple brand representatives, travel advisors, special guests and Signature Media staff shared in the celebration as winners were presented awards in the following categories. Some luxury cruise lines walked away with more than one 1st placed trophy, including Silversea Cruises and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises. Cathy Wagstaff, CEO & Group Editor of Signature Media – the parent company of Signature Luxury Travel & Style and LATTE – expressed her gratitude to the event sponsors Travel Associates, Monaco Tourism, Crown Towers Sydney and IVE, and to the expert judging panel, CLIA’s Managing Director, Joel Katz, and to the cruise lines for their involvement. The winners in Signature Luxury Travel & Style‘s 2023 Luxury Cruise Awards were:

• Ocean Ships – more than 750 passengers >>>>>> Oceania Cruises
• Ocean Ships – 251 – 749 passengers >>>>>> Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Ocean Ships – Boutique, 50 – 250 passengers >>>>>> Silversea
• Ocean Ships – Yachts, 50 – 250 passengers >>>>>> Ponant
• Ocean Ships – Tall Ships >>>>>> Windstar
• Ocean Ships – Multi-Generational >>>>>> Celebrity Cruises
• River Cruises – Europe >>>>>> Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• River Cruises – Rest of the World >>>>>> Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• Expedition Ships – Luxury >>>>>> Silversea
• Expedition Ships – Four-star ship, Five-star experience >>>>>> Quark Expeditions
• Luxury Operator >>>>>> Abercrombie & Kent
• Ship-in-a-Ship >>>>>> Norwegian Cruise Line, The Haven

Recognition awards were also presented to HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) and Ponant, for their focus and initiatives centred around Sustainability. Below are the winners’ photos with award presenters. See next week’s LATTE Cruise for a full event wrap-up with more photos and feedback from winners and guests.

Oceania Cruises

Ocean ships – more than 750 passengers

“We are delighted to win this award – it is an outstanding acknowledgement of the Oceania Cruises team, both onboard and ashore, as we continue creating memorable holiday experiences for our guests,” said Jason Worth, Vice President, International Sales, Oceania Cruises.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ocean Ships – 251-749 passengers

“We are absolutely thrilled to have 1st place in the category of ‘Ocean Ships: 251-749 passengers’ bestowed upon Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This is testament to all those who make our product and brand outstanding.

Silversea

Ocean Ships – Boutique, 50-250 passengers

“2023 has been a remarkable year for Silversea, marked by the launch of Silver Nova and the overwhelming support of our Australian and New Zealand guests who journeyed with us globally.

“We’re immensely proud to be acknowledged as a leader in Luxury Ocean and Expedition Cruising by industry heavyweights. Our heartfelt thanks go to Cathy Wagstaff and her team for hosting a wonderful event, and we deeply appreciate the significant role Signature Media plays in enriching the travel and cruise industry.

“Anticipating an even more extraordinary year ahead, we set our sights on 2024 with great enthusiasm,” said Philippa Walker, Silversea Marketing Director for Asia Pacific.

Windstar

Ocean Ships – Tall Ships

‘To receive this award is such great recognition for the fabulous Windstar team, from the warmth of the onboard team through to the innovative itinerary planners.

“There is so much effort that goes into making Windstar the best it can be for our customers,” said Andrew Millmore, Managing Director of Windstar’s long-standing representation partner in Australia, Travel the World.

Celebrity Cruises

Ocean Ships – Multi-Generational

“It is an honour to have our commitment to delivering elevated holiday experiences for guests recognised by the prestigious Signature Luxury Cruise Awards.

“Taking home four awards across an array of categories is a testament to the variety of holiday experiences Celebrity Cruises caters for. We thank the expert industry panel and wider cruise industry for their ongoing support,” said Emma Mumford, Marketing Director, Australia/New Zealand, Celebrity Cruises.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

River Cruises – Europe

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

River Cruises – Rest of the World

Silversea

Expedition Ships – Luxury

Quark Expeditions

Expedition Ships – Four-Star ship, Five-Star Experience

Abercrombie & Kent

Luxury Operator

Norwegian Cruise Line

Ship-within-a-Ship

“As a leader in the contemporary sector, Norwegian Cruise Line is renowned for our innovation and as a brand we have carved out our own unique category. We aim to become the best global holiday choice – not just a great cruise holiday but an overall experience that is unrivalled on land or sea.

“We cater for all types of traveller and demographic – our “ship within a ship” concept known as “The Haven” is a perfect example of this. We offer an exclusive VIP enclave where our guests not only receive priority service, their own pool, restaurant and butler – but they are tucked away from the rest of the ship with the added bonus of still being just steps away from the award-winning entertainment and dining choices we offer.

“It is truly the best of both worlds – and no surprise that it so popular with our guests. Hence, we are thrilled to be recognised for this prestigious award from Signature Media,” said Michelle Wiederman, NCL Marketing Director APAC.

Hurtigruten Expeditions and Ponant

Sustainability Recognition

“We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Cathy, Cara, Guy and the entire Signature Luxury Travel & Style team for organising a brilliant event. Your dedication to recognising excellence and fostering a sense of community is commendable, and we’re grateful to have been included on the day.

“We’re honoured and privileged to receive this Sustainability Recognition Award.

“On the back of our Sustainability win at the NTIA Awards, it’s been a fantastic couple of weeks. Having our work in this important area recognised by our partners, media and peers is a truly humbling experience.”

“Sustainability isn’t a competition; it’s a collective responsibility. We acknowledge the many sustainability initiatives undertaken by fellow brands. The more we can collaborate and share best practices, the greater our collective impact on the environment.”

“This award ends 2023 on a high for HX Expeditions and Hurtigruten Norway,” said Damian Perry, Managing Director, VP Sales & Marketing, Asia-Pacific

Go back to the e-newsletter