The Wave Awards 2023 took place at the Dorchester Hotel on 13 November. Here, a selection of winners explain what their victories mean to them.

Panache Cruises founder & MD James Cole
Winner of the Peter Grant Contribution to Cruise Award

“It is absolutely amazing to win this award. I was lucky enough to know Peter Grant and had many meetings with him and Chris Pitchford (Real Response Media CEO) in the early years of World of Cruising.

“It is fantastic to be able to go back to the office and show them this amazing award, which really is a team effort. It might have my name on it but this is one for all of us.”

Seabourn UK & Europe vice-president Lynn Narraway (pictured above)
Winner of the Women in Cruise Award

“I’m still shaking [after winning]. I have the most amazing team and my family… they made this possible. I couldn’t do my job without them.

“To be here at the Dorchester with all my friends and the team, is truly incredible. It has been a great year for cruise, but I could not do it without my team.”

Bolsover Cruise Club chief operating officer Katie Wilson
Winner of Favourite Cruise Travel Agent

“We are so proud of the team at Bolsover for winning this award. For us an award like this is so important because it is voted for by our customers, which is why we do what we do.”

Cunard vice-president of global marketing and EMEA sales Angus Struthers
Winner of Favourite Luxury or Premium Cruise Line and Best for Wellness and Enrichment

“We are over the moon. These are awards that really matter and they are important to our consumers and our agents partners.

“The big one for us, Favourite Luxury or Premium Cruise Line, really shows that our guests care for our brand and our message is getting across.”

WTH UK (Six Star Cruises) MD Alison Earnshaw
Winner of Best Specialist Cruise Agent and Best Use of Content

“It is so great to receive the support of our peers and to know our customers enjoy what we do. It is great to be back from the pandemic and it is a very different time in the industry.

“It’s so great to get together and drive the industry forward. The Wave Awards is one of our favourite events and one of the best in the industry.”

Riviera Travel channel director Stuart Milan
Winner of four awards, including the special Grand Prix

“Winning four awards, including the Grand Prix, at the Wave Awards is an amazing achievement. I’m hugely proud of Riviera, and how we keep going from strength to strength. The awards we received are a huge accolade. I’d like to give a special thanks to the whole team.”

Unforgettable Croatia CCO Graham Carter
Winner of Best Specialist Cruise Line

“As a luxury small ship cruise company we’re so honoured to win this award, where we are mixing with some of the best cruise lines in the industry. Unforgettable Croatia launched in 2016 and I know how much this means to our team. It’s recognition for the long hours and hard work they have put in.”

View the full list of winners and the picture gallery from this year’s Wave Awards here.