Exclusive: UK Cruise Awards 2025 winners’ reactions
“Ecstatic”, “overjoyed” and “beyond proud” – the winners of the UK Cruise Awards 2025 share their reactions exclusively with Cruise Trade News
On Thursday evening (6 February), travel agents from across the UK descended on Canary Wharf’s The Pelligon for the UK Cruise Awards 2025 hosted by Carnival Corporation brands Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Seabourn.
Each line recognised two standout travel partners, presenting Partnership Achievement Awards for exceptional collaboration and Outstanding Contribution Awards for long-term dedication to their brands.
Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow said: “The UK Cruise Awards underscore the vital role that our dedicated travel partners play in driving forward the cruise industry.
“It was simply inspiring to be surrounded by so many people who share a joint passion for delivering the very best cruise holidays.”
Ludlow presented the Outstanding Contribution Award to Michael Wilson of Bolsover, recognising his long-standing reputation for excellent customer service and dedication to innovation.
On the night, Cruise Trade News was granted exclusive access to interview a selection of the winners. Here’s what they had to say:
Cunard Partnership Achievement Award
Winner: World Travel Holdings UK (WTH UK)
“We are ecstatic and so proud. Cunard has been a brand we have worked with for years and we have loved every minute of it. Events like this are extremely important. It brings all the brands together and while Cunard is important to us, we work with all of them, and they are all great. It is so significant to be recognised, it really does mean so much to us,” said head of product and commercial Connell Blackburn-Green.
Seabourn Partnership Achievement Award
Winner: The Cruise Line
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award. It is a testament not only to our team’s hard work and dedication but also to our valued partnership with Seabourn, which continues to go from strength to strength,” David Smith, managing director.
Rising Star Award / Carnival Cruise Line Outstanding Contribution Award
Winners: Nick Watts / Cruise.co.uk
“I feel unbelievable, it’s not something you expect. To get two awards is amazing. We have fantastic relationships with the brands. The team mean a great deal to me, we have a great group at the office and the support is massive, the team push me to want to do better so a big thanks to them. I want to grow, I want to build on the success, so far we are having a great year and long may that continue.”
Carnival Partnership Achievement Award
Winner: Viva Holidays
“This award is incredible and reinforces all our efforts throughout the year. First of all, we can bench mark our achievements against our competitors and it gives a lot of inspiration to the team as well and thanks for their hard work. It’s now about trying to improve on this for the coming year, we had a great year last year and this year is already looking really positive,” said Shubhang Gupta, director of Viva Holidays.
Princess Cruises Partnership Achievement Award
Winner: Hays Travel
“We are ecstatic and very proud. The team have really pulled together to help us win this award and we are so proud of them. We love working with Princess and our customers cannot get enough of them. All of the brands are a pleasure to work with. It is massively important to have events like these in the calendar. It’s all about finding the right cruise for the right person. And Princess has something for everyone, they have budget options all the way up to the Sanctuary for customers looking for a more premium experience,” said Laura Yates.
Full list of winners
Carnival Cruise Line:
Partnership Achievement Award: Viva Cruise
Outstanding Contribution: Cruise.co.uk
Cunard:
Partnership Achievement Award: WTH
Outstanding Contribution: Reader Offers Ltd
Holland America Line:
Partnership Achievement Award: Stewart Travel
Outstanding Contribution: Iglu Cruise
P&O Cruises:
Partnership Achievement Award: TUI
Outstanding Contribution: Hays Travel
Princess Cruises:
Partnership Achievement Award: Hays Travel
Outstanding Contribution: Iglu Cruise
Seabourn:
Partnership Achievement Award: The Cruise Line
Outstanding Contribution: Sovereign Cruise Club
