The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) revealed the winners of its inaugural awards during its conference this week.
The Expedition Cruise Awards featured seven categories for expedition cruises lines, five categories for travel trade, and an additional two special recognition awards.
All expedition cruise categories were voted for by ECN travel trade members while the travel trade categories were judged by a panel made up of expedition cruise lines that form part of the Expedition Cruise Network.
The winners were:
- Best expedition cruise operator for the polar destinations – Oceanwide Expeditions
- Best expedition cruise operator for warm weather destinations – HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
- Best expedition cruise operator for luxury – PONANT
- Best expedition cruise operator for sustainability – Oceanwide Expeditions
- Best large expedition cruise operator (600+ berths in overall fleet) – HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
- Best medium expedition cruise operator (150 – 599 berths in overall fleet) – Oceanwide Expeditions
- Best small expedition cruise operator (up to 149 berths in overall fleet) – Polar Latitudes
- Best Expedition Cruise Agency category – Polar Tracks
- Best Expedition Cruise Tour Operator (ATOL bonded) – Swoop Antarctica
- Best Individual Expedition Cruise Seller/Travel Advisor – Lucy Yeoman
- Best Newcomer to Expedition cruise – travel agency or tour operator – Kenwood Travel
- Best Individual Newcomer to Expedition Cruise – cruise seller/advisor – Sarah Meadowcroft
- Lifetime Achievement Award – John McKeon
- Significant Achievement Award– AE Expeditions