Wave Awards 2026: submission deadline extended
The deadline to submit your entries for this year’s Wave Awards has been extended
Following overwhelming interest, you now have until 4 June 2026 to get your submissions in and be in with a chance of taking home one of the most coveted awards in cruise.
Taking place on 24 November at The Dorchester Hotel on London’s Park Lane, the biggest night in the cruise industry calendar will welcome cruise lines, travel agents and destinations alike for a night of glitz, glamour and glory.
Click here to submit your entries for this year’s Wave Awards
There’s still time to enter a range of categories, including Best for Wellbeing, which celebrates the programmes featuring the latest trends in wellness and restoration. The judges are looking for entries to demonstrate how a company offers an industry-leading wellbeing programme and restorative environments, and what sets it apart from the rest.
Best Homeworking Network, meanwhile, is designed to highlight and champion the leading homeworking networks in the cruise industry. From supporting new agents with setting up their independent homeworking businesses to being on hand to help experienced sellers reach even greater heights, the best homeworking agency will work tirelessly to support agents in boosting client satisfaction and sales.
New awards for this year include Best Luxury Agent/Agency, which recognises the very best luxury travel agent or agency operating in today’s rapidly evolving premium market, and Best Trade Operator, designed to recognise a trade operator with a laser focus on helping its industry customers excel.
Best Tech Provider, meanwhile, rewards a company that has either successfully collaborated with a cruise line or agent, or has developed innovative technology to grow sales and/or improve customer success.
There are also gongs dedicated to the destinations supporting the cruise industry’s rapid growth, like Best Port, and – also new for 2026 – Best Tourist Board. To get the inside scoop on how to write a winning Wave Awards entry, click here.
The judges were recently confirmed for the event, with new additions including owner of Mundy Cruising, Edwina Lonsdale; international sales director for Atlas Ocean Voyages, Bernie Carter; associate vice president of sales and distribution for P&O Cruises, Ruth Venn; marketing director for World Travel Holdings, Sally White; managing director of World Travel Holdings, Lisa McAuley; and head of Paramount Cruises, Patrick Hill.
The headline partner for the event is Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, with sponsors also including Celestyal, Cunard, Hurtigruten, Marella Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Riviera Travel and Virgin Voyages.
