HOSTED by our sister publication, the inaugural Travel Daily Awards was held yesterday, with Princess Cruises, APT Travel Group and Scenic taking out the coveted cruise categories (CW breaking news). Princess came away with the Most Supportive Ocean Cruise Line award, APT was awarded the Most Supportive River Cruise Line,...
HOSTED by our sister publication, the inaugural Travel Daily Awards was held yesterday, with Princess Cruises, APT Travel Group and Scenic taking out the coveted cruise categories (CW breaking news).
Princess came away with the Most Supportive Ocean Cruise Line award, APT was awarded the Most Supportive River Cruise Line, and Scenic was dubbed the Most Supportive Expedition Cruise Line, as voted by Travel Daily and Cruise Weekly readers.
The winners beat out stiff competition, with Dream Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Viking also nominated in the Ocean category.
Silversea was also nominated in the Expedition category, as were Aurora Expeditions, Hurtigruten, Ponant and Quark Expeditions, while most supportive expedition line, Scenic, was also nominated in the River class, along with Avalon Waterways, Tauck, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Viking, all pictured.
It was a big day for APT also, nominated in the Most Supportive Tour Operator/Wholesaler category with Scenic.
Other cruise sector nominees included Crystal’s Natalie Freeman and Scenic’s Zena Dalton, both nominated in the Most Supportive Industry Sales Executive category.
Princess Director of Sales & Marketing Nick Ferguson said winning the Most Supportive Ocean Cruise award was particularly welcome after such a challenging year for the company.
“The whole team at Princess has continued to try and improve the way we service the trade,” he said, with a range of initiatives including the introduction of new tools to help agents navigate through this period.
Scenic’s Emma Davie said they were thrilled to win the Expedition category, particularly after Scenic Eclipse’s first season.
She also congratulated the other finalists, saying “we’re all winners for just surviving through the last six months”.
River winner APT’s Scott Ellis recounted the year’s challenges including repatriating clients, then working with agents to help them rebook as well as developing a domestic program.
“I actually feel an award like this in today’s climate is more significant than when it’s smooth sailing,” he said.
More photos from the event HERE and a full list of winners on the cover page.
More in today’s Travel Daily.
