Saga Cruises' Spirit of Discovery Named Best New Ocean Ship; AmaMagna Secures Best New River Ship; and Scenic Eclipse Scoops Best New Ship Award in Luxury Category
LONDON, Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cruise Critic, the world's largest cruise reviews site and online cruise community, has announced the winners of its 11th annual UK Editors' Picks Awards. The awards are selected by a global panel of impartial cruise experts from Cruise Critic, to highlight the best ocean, river and luxury cruise lines for UK travellers, across dozens of categories.
Adam Coulter, UK Managing Editor, Cruise Critic said: "The desire for more experiential holidays, especially amongst younger travellers is certainly helping to boost the UK cruise sector. There is more choice than ever before in ocean, river and expedition cruises as a result of an array of exciting new ships launched this year and next. Whether you are cruising as a multigenerational family, a couple or solo, travellers are starting to realise that there really is a cruise for everyone. Our awards combine our editors' impartial cruise expertise, based on first-hand experiences and industry knowledge, to help travellers select the best cruise choice for them from an increasing number of exciting ships and itineraries that are available – many of which now sail directly from the UK."
The Ocean's BestThe award for 'Best New Ship' on the ocean went to stunning new-build, Spirit of Discovery, which Saga Cruises debuted in July of this year. Cruise Critic editors agreed that the ship has set a new quality standard in British cruising with its luxurious thermal spa, inclusive speciality restaurants, beautiful, boutique hotel-inspired design and generous 2:1 passenger-to-crew ratio. Saga Cruises also secured the 'Best for Solo Travellers' award for its high number of no-supplement single cabins, and daily events such as meet and greets, group dinners and special shore excursions.
Marella Cruises additionally secured two awards this year, including the coveted 'Best Refurbishment' award for Marella Explorer 2, following its bow-to-stern makeover which saw the addition of four new-to-the-line venues. For the third consecutive year, the line was also awarded 'Best Value for Money' for its inclusive tips and service charges, as well as alcoholic drinks on some of its ships.
Celebrity Cruises bagged the award for 'Best Cabins' for its practical and impressively stylish cabins, as well as new innovative features on its newest ship, Celebrity Edge, such as built-in USB ports in the bedside lamps and glass-fronted cabinetry. The line also won the 'Best Dining' accolade for its consistently high standard across all of its restaurants.
For the eighth year in a row, Hurtigruten won the 'Best for Adventure' award. With its new hybrid vessel, Roald Amundsen, the line can take intrepid travellers almost silently to the most remote and challenging areas, without upsetting the natural wildlife. Hurtigruten also secured the 'Best Shore Excursions' award for its wide and varied tour offerings.
MSC Cruises additionally secured two awards for 'Best Entertainment' – for its partnership with Cirque du Soleil - and 'Best for Families' for onboard link-ups with Chicco and LEGO.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Line grabbed the 'Best Itineraries' award for the fifth year running, for its wide range of destinations offered, including sailings to Greenland, the Arctic and the Amazon directly from UK ports.
River's Most DistinguishedWinning the 'Best River Cruise Line' award for the fourth year running, the judges praised the continued attention of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection to every aspect of cruise service, food, accommodations and itineraries. The line also scooped the 'Best Refurbishment' accolade for its outstanding overhaul of its ship S.S. Bon Voyage, as well gongs for 'Best Cabins', and 'Best for Luxury'.
AmaWaterways grabbed the coveted 'Best New River Ship' for AmaMagna. Double the size of most river cruise ships, this modern ship offers large cabins, a full-sized pool, large gym, dedicated spa space and an array of restaurants – making it a real game changer on the river scene. The line also won the 'Best for Active Cruisers' award.
For the fourth year in a row, Viking River Cruises held on to the 'Best Itineraries' award; and also grabbed the 'Best for First Timers'.
Scenic secured two awards for 'Best for Enrichment' and 'Best Shore Excursions'; Whilst Adventures for Disney impressed judges with its dedicated family focus to win the coveted 'Best for Families' award.
Crystal River Cruises secured this year's gongs for 'Best Dining', for its sophisticated dishes, made-to-order meals and excellent wine list; as well as 'Best Service' for its 24-hour butler service in every cabin and low crew-to-passenger ratios.
Luxury's FinestIn the luxury awards, Silversea won the accolade for 'Best Luxury Cruise Line', for its fleet of stunning ships and constant innovation and investment in updating ships with modern touches, as well as its consistently superlative cuisine. The line also nabbed the 'Best for Adventure' award for its commitment to seeking out the most exciting, undiscovered and exotic destinations across the globe; as well as the 'Best Service' gong for its intuitive service where crew anticipate your every need.
With its super-chic modern design, generously-sized suites, two state-of-the-art helicopters and a six-person submarine, Scenic Eclipse stole the 'Best New Luxury Ship' award – a great win for Scenic's first ocean ship.
Viking Ocean Cruises secured awards for 'Best Spa' and 'Best Value for Money', each for the fourth year running; and also bagged this year's 'Best Enrichment' gong for the knowledgeable onboard historians and experts across its fleet, and its stunning planetarium shows on Viking Jupiter and Viking Orion.
Award-winning PortsDover secured the 'Best UK Departure Port'; whilst Belfast took the award for 'Best UK & British Isles Port of Call'.
Please find the full list of all winners, below.
2019 Cruise Critic UK Editors' Picks Awards
Ocean Category
Best New Ship: Spirit of DiscoveryBest Ship Refurbishment: Marella Explorer 2Best for Adventure: HurtigrutenBest Cabins: Celebrity CruisesBest Dining: Celebrity CruisesBest Entertainment: MSC CruisesBest for Families: MCS CruisesBest Itineraries: Fred. Olsen Cruise LinesBest Nightlife: Norwegian Cruise LineBest Service: Celestyal CruisesBest Shore Excursions: HurtigrutenBest for Solo Travellers: Saga CruisesBest Suites: Royal Caribbean InternationalBest Value for Money: Marella CruisesBest UK Departure Port: Dover Best UK & British Isles Port of Call: Belfast
River Category
Best River Cruise Line: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise CollectionBest New River Ship: AmaWaterways' AmaMagna Best Ship Refurbishment: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection's S.S. Bon Voyage Best for Active Cruisers: AmaWaterwaysBest Cabins: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise CollectionBest Dining: Crystal River CruisesBest for Families: Adventures by DisneyBest for First-Timers: Viking River CruisesBest Itineraries: Viking River CruisesBest for Enrichment: Scenic Best for Luxury: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise CollectionBest Service: Crystal River CruisesBest Shore Excursions: Scenic Best for Solo Travellers: Riviera TravelBest Value for Money: Emerald Waterways
Luxury Category
Best Luxury Cruise Line: Silversea CruisesBest New Luxury Ship: Scenic EclipseBest Ship Refurbishment: Oceania Cruises' InsigniaBest for Adventure: Silversea CruisesBest Cabins: Seabourn Cruise LineBest Dining: Oceania CruisesBest Enrichment: Viking Ocean CruisesBest Itineraries: AzamaraBest for Romance: SeaDream Yacht ClubBest Service: Silversea CruisesBest Shore Excursions: Windstar CruisesBest for Solo Travellers: Seabourn Cruise LineBest Spa: Viking Ocean CruisesBest Value for Money: Viking Ocean Cruises
For the full details of this year's winners, visit the 2019 Cruise Critic UK Editors' Picks Awards listing.
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