Shortlist for 2018 Silver Travel Awards announced

The shortlist for the annual Silver Travel Awards has been announced, after a record number of votes were cast.

The awards, presented by Silver Travel Advisor, the reviews and advice site for mature travellers, recognise the best travel companies, experiences and destinations for the over-50s market.

The number of categories has been increased from 17 to 21, with new emphasis on ocean and river cruising, villas and luxury tour sectors. Shearings Holidays, Kirker, Jet2holidays and Saga are among those up for gongs.

This year, more than 100,000 votes were cast.

Winners will be presented with their awards by former ITV newsreader John Suchet at the National Portrait Gallery on July 9.

Travel Weekly is trade media partner for the awards.

Best Ocean Cruise Line Saga Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Princess Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, P&O Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages

Best Premium or Luxury Cruise Line Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, Viking, Cunard, Holland America Line, Azamara Club Cruises

Best Specialist or Expedition Cruise Line Hurtigruten, Holland America Line, Noble Caledonia, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Best River Cruise Line Riviera Travel, Saga Cruises, Viking, Shearings Holidays, Noble Caledonia, CroisiEurope

Best Premium or Luxury River Cruise Line Scenic, Emerald Waterways, Uniworld, Avalon, APT, Ama Waterways

Best Short Haul Tour Operator TUI, Jet2holidays, Mercury Holidays, Saga Holidays, Riviera Travel, Thomas Cook

Best Long Haul Tour Operator Virgin, Kuoni, Trailfinders, TUI, Saga Holidays, Shearings Holidays

Best Activity or Adventure Tour Operator Explore, HF Holidays, Inghams, Exodus, Trailfinders, Undiscovered Destinations

Best Cultural Tour Operator Wendy Wu Tours, Andante Travels, Jules Verne, Titan, Shearings Holidays, Saga Holidays

Best City Breaks Operator Cresta, Saga Holidays, British Airways Holidays, Riviera Travel, Superbreak, Kirker Holidays

Best Accessible Travel Provider Shearings Holidays, Limitless Travel, Accessible Travel, Virgin Holidays, Enable Holidays, Saga Holidays

Best Holidays for the Single Traveller Just You, Solos Holidays, Jules Verne, Saga Holidays, One Traveller, Shearings Holidays

Best Self-Catering Travel Company Sykes Cottages, Hoseasons, Eurocamp, James Villas, HomeAway, Forest Holidays

Best Escorted Tour Operator (UK Tours) Grand UK Holidays, Leger Holidays, Saga Holidays, Shearings Holidays, Titan, Brightwater Holidays

Best Escorted Tour Operator (Europe and Long-Haul Tours) Titan, Saga Holidays, Travelsphere, Wendy Wu Tours, Jules Verne, Shearings Holidays

Best Luxury Escorted Tour Operator Kuoni, Cox & Kings, Wendy Wu Tours, Scenic, Titan, Jules Verne

Best Villa Holiday Company James Villas, CV Villas, Owners Direct, Villa Plus, Simpson, HomeAway

Best Rail Holiday Company Rail Discoveries, Railbookers, Great Rail Journeys, Eurostar, The Railway Touring Co, Belmond

Best Airline Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Jet2, Emirates, EasyJet, Singapore Airlines

Best Car Rental Company Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Alamo, Budget

Best Overseas Destination Australia, Alaska, New Zealand, France, Italy, USA