Entries for the Wave Awards 2023 are now open, with cruise lines, travel agencies, tourists board, ports and technology companies encouraged to enter for the chance to win the cruise industry’s highest accolade.

This year, there are new categories for travel agents, including Best Small Agency, open to high street, online or home-based agencies with 10 members of staff or fewer, and Best Independent/Solo Agent, designed to reward homeworkers and mini agencies.

In addition, for 2023 there is a greater focus on technology and how this is changing the cruise sector.

First up is Best Technology Provider, aimed at technology developers that excel in providing cruise lines with the back-office systems that enable them to run their complex operations.

There is also Best Technology Innovation, to reward the technology development that is the most exciting in terms of its potential to revolutionise the cruise sector, and Best Use of Content, for the company that is making the most of the rich content available in cruise.

Wave Awards primed for ‘memorable evening’

As with previous events, there are a host of cruise line categories, such as Best Ocean Cruise Line, Best River Cruise Line and Best New Ship Launch.

On-board awards – think Best for Accommodation and Best for Cuisine – will also be on offer. Special awards will be announced on the night, to recognise lasting and instrumental contributions to the sector.

All categories will feature an early-bird rate and the entry costs for the new travel agent categories will be lower than the standard price. 

Cruise Trade News editor Gary Peters said: “Now that entries for the Wave Awards 2023 are open it truly feels like the countdown has started to what is sure to be another memorable evening in the cruise calendar.

“Last year’s event surpassed expectations on every level and with plans well underway for another spectacular evening, we are confident that 2023 will do just the same.”

Go to thewaveawards.com for the full list of categories and more information on how to submit an entry.