The shortlist for the Wave Awards 2025, taking place Wednesday 26 November, has been announced following a record number of entries, beating last year’s figure by 33 per cent

The Wave Awards, hosted by Cruise Trade News and World of Cruising in partnership with Virgin Voyages, will take place The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane on 26 November, with 33 winners to be chosen on the night from the shortlist below.

A limited-time Early Bird Offer is now live, with discounted individual tickets and tables available to purchase until 31 August.

The winners were decided after a comprehensive judging day at The Independent HQ in Finsbury Square, London last Friday (11 July). A total of 40 judges made up the independent panel, with new additions including Helen Beck, managing director, global commercial, Windstar; David Duff, managing director, UK, Azamara; and Torey Kings-Hodkins, trade sales and marketing director EMEA, Disney Destinations International.

The last 12 months has seen the cruise industry go from strength to strength, with the travel community’s enthusiasm to recognise its achievements translating into a record number of entries.

This was also fuelled by several new categories, including Best Initiative for Attracting New-to-cruise and Best PR Team.

Join us in celebrating the very best of the cruise sector at the industry’s premier event in November by purchasing tickets at thewaveawards.com now, using our Early Bird discount.

A special thank you to our Wave Awards 2025 sponsors, which this year include Virgin Voyages (headline sponsor), Cunard (entertainment sponsor) and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (welcome drink sponsor), as well as Marella Cruises, Riviera Travel, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Travelzoo, Princess Cruises, Celestyal, The Independent and Chewton Glen.

Your Wave Awards 2025 shortlist

Agent categories

Cruise line categories

Technology and online categories

Industry categories

Onboard categories

Ports and destinations