Cruise lines picked up six awards at last night’s Globe Travel Awards, with lines owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd picking up five of those.
Best Mainstream Cruise Company – Royal Caribbean International
Best Trade Friendly Brand – Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International was founded in Norway in 1968 with their first ship, Song of Norway at only 18,416GT hitting the water two years later in 1970.
Fifty years on Royal Caribbean International now have 25 ships in service ranging from Empress of The Seas at 48,563GT to their latest ship, Symphony of The Seas weighing in at an impressive 228,081GT (over twelve times bigger than their first ship).
Song of Norway 
Symphony of The Seas
Royal Caribbean International’s innovative ships manage to offer something for everyone from little kids, to big kids, to those seeking adventure and escape.
Best Premium Cruise Company – Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises was formed in Greece in
Celebrity currently operates 13 ships across several classes, from it’s latest groundbreaking ship Celebrity Edge to their exclusive Xpedition ships which hold only 48 people and explore the Galapagos.
With an entirely grown up atmosphere, contemporary style, industry leading cuisine, and immaculate service, Celebrity Cruises certainly succeed at making you feel like a Celebrity any time you’re onboard.
Celebrity Edge 
Celebrity Reflection
Best Specialist Cruise Company – Azamara Club Cruises
A relative newcomer to the cruise industry, Azamara Club cruises has really shook up the scene. Starting sailing in 2007 this Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd brand really takes you places and gives you experiences no other cruise can.
Azamara operate three R-Class ships, which hold only 690 passengers – offering both a huge amounts of space per passenger, but also providing an intimate and exclusive atmosphere. Rumour has it that Azamara CEO, Larry Pimentel, is currently trying to acquire a fourth R-Class ship from Princess.
Looking to explore the Chilean fjords, be in the heart of the action for the Monte Carlo F1, or dock on an a remote pacific island? Azamara has you covered.
Best River Cruise Company – Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Have you ever felt you’d rather be on beautiful boat, gliding down one of Europe’s most famous rivers, taking in the cities and countryside whilst you sip a glass of wine? Yes, us too. Welcome to river cruising.
Uniworld have been around since 1976 offering passengers the chance to explore sights and experiences you simply can’t reach by ocean cruise. Uniworld currently operate 18 beautiful, sleek, river ships all over Europe Russia, and China.
Recently Uniworld’s S.S Maria Theresa featured on an episode of Cruising with Jane McDonald on UK television – perhaps the first time many people in the UK were aware of the phenomenon of river cruising.
Best Luxury Cruise Company – Silversea Cruises
Silversea was founded in 1994, and now operate nine ships across the globe. These range from their 4,077GT Silver Galapagos explorer ship to their newest addition the 40,700GT Silver Muse – launched in 2017.
The Silversea product is an ultra-luxury, all-suites, all-inclusive cruise, that even includes alcohol and travel insurance in the ticket price. Guests won’t want for anything onboard.
Talking about the onboard experience, Silversea prides itself on it’s passenger to crew ratio – with Silver Muse having a 1:1 passenger to crew ratio providing attentive but never intrusive service.
In June 2018 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd bought a 66.7% majority stake in Silversea, adding to it’s ultra-luxury portfolio.
If this was helpful to you consider sharing it using the buttons below. Which of these lines have you sailed before? Which are on your #BookItList? Got a question I haven’t answered here? Feel free to leave a comment, or contact me on twitter at @CruisingWithTom or Instagram at @TomLovesCruising