The Expedition Cruise Conference

The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) recognised excellence across the expedition cruise industry at the first ever dedicated awards for the industry on Tuesday 1 October at the Bankside Hotel in London, held as part of the Expedition Cruise Conference on 1 & 2 October.

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.

Winners of the Expedition Cruise Operator Categories

• 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

Winners of the Travel Trade Categories

• 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

Winners of the Special Recognition Awards Categories

• Lifetime Achievement Award – John McKeon
• Significant Achievement Award– AE Expeditions

ECN chairman, Martin Johnson said:

“It’s an honour to be in a position to champion the outstanding members of the sector at our first ever dedicated awards for the expedition cruise industry. Our goal is to recognise, celebrate, and share the hard work of these expedition cruise line operators, sellers and individuals with the wider travel industry. My congratulations go out to each of the winners and I hope they can emulate their success ready for next year’s awards.”