Wave Awards 2024: Winners announced

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