With political uncertainty and orchestrated violence threatening to impact on the travel sector on an almost daily basis, it is a great feeling to be able to look at our industry in a positive light for a change and celebrate its many achievements. Inside this issue we revisit last month’s Wave Awards and bring you some of the highlights of this truly memorable evening.

One of the crowning moments without doubt was bestowing this year’s John Honeywell Award (named after the hugely popular former editor-in-chief of Real Response Media’s cruise titles) on two highly respected and well-liked doyens of the cruise industry – Mike Evans and Mike Rodwell from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Another high note was when Royal Caribbean scooped the Grand Prix, bringing to five the astonishing total number of accolades that the line won on the night.

Our readers can be winners too – there’s still time to try for a place on not one but two amazing trips: first up is a weekend in Amsterdam courtesy of Holland America Line, where guests will be treated to lunch on board the elegant Nieuw Statendam. On the river front, AmaWaterways is offering two spots on a week-long sailing down the Danube aboard its brand new double-width ship, the AmaMagna (see The Buzz news round-up for more details).

Also this month we learn how to sell to a younger audience and cruise down ‘Ol’ Man River’, otherwise known as the Mississippi, in America’s Deep South, take a tour of the new MSC Bellissima, get a glance inside Avalon Passion and find out what’s behind the increasing popularity of small ships. Meanwhile, our bumper destination special section features enchanting Greece, exciting Alaska, cultured San Francisco and the greenest little city-state in the world, Singapore.

Happy reading and see you again in May.