The UK top cruise travel agents were recognised last night at annual awards run by Carnival UK.
The fourth UK Cruise Awards was held to highlight achievements of agents in supporting six Carnival Corporation brands – Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.
More than 250 agents joined sales teams from the cruise lines at Royal Exchange in the City of London.
Claire Brighton, senior commercial manager at Advantage Travel Partnership, received a shining star award for her support and dedication to all six Carnival brands over the past year.
The outstanding achievement award went to Iglu senior vice-president for global supply Simone Clark.
The award was given as a tribute to former P&O Cruises senior business manager Trevor Dupont, who retired in 2017 after 39 years with the business.
Each brand presented two awards for partnership achievement and outstanding contribution.
Carnival Cruise Line
Partnership achievement award – Worldwide Cruises
Outstanding contribution award – Iglu
Cunard
Partnership achievement award – ROL Cruise
Outstanding contribution award – Imagine Cruises
Holland America Line
Partnership achievement award – Trailfinders
Outstanding contribution award – Iglu
P&O Cruises
Partnership achievement award – Mid-Counties Co-op
Outstanding contribution award – Bolsover Cruise Club
Princess Cruises
Partnership achievement award – Imagine Cruises
Outstanding contribution award – Iglu
Seabourn
Partnership achievement award – Six Star Cruises
Outstanding contribution award – The Sovereign Cruise Club
P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow, who confirmed earlier in the evening plans for a second new 5,200-passenger ship, said:
“We are very proud that tonight sees the collaboration of all our UK brands to celebrate and recognise the success of our incredible travel partners. We look forward to continued growth and success in 2018.”
The awards were co-hosted by presenters Mark Durden-Smith and Princess Cruises ambassador and Philip Schofield.
Celebrities present at the masquerade themed awards included singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Good Morning TV presenter Richard Arnold. Also attending was master patissier and P&O Cruises ‘food hero’ Eric Lanlard.