Virtuoso Honours Top Cruise Partners at 2025 Awards Gala

Virtuoso unveiled its top cruise preferred partners at their Virtuoso Awards Gala last week in Las Vegas, recognizing excellence across the sector.

The awards included the Cruise Ambassador title, given to a member and partner who exemplify exceptional support of the Virtuoso network—selected by Virtuoso leadership. Other honours—such as Best Expedition Cruise Experience, Best Ocean Luxury Cruise Experience, Best Contemporary & Premium Ocean Cruise Experience, Best River Cruise Experience, and Best Niche Cruise Experience—were determined through a survey and voting process among Virtuoso’s global network of travel advisors.

With the cruise sector experiencing continued growth in both consumer demand and supplier innovation, this year’s award winners stood out for their commitment to service excellence, travel advisor engagement, guest satisfaction, and delivery of unforgettable voyages to some of the world’s most remarkable destinations.

And the winners are …

CRUISE AMBASSADOR recognizes a Virtuoso member and partner who stand out for their support, amplification and engagement within Virtuoso. They have made a measurable impact on Virtuoso cruise sales and innovation. 

Member winner: Carl Fabruada / TripMatters, an independent affiliate of Montecito Village Travel 

Partner winner: Chris Austin / Explora Journeys 

BEST EXPEDITION CRUISE EXPERIENCE 

Winner: PONANT 

Committed to responsible tourism and purposeful voyages of exploration for over 35 years, PONANT is the world leader in luxury expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries sailing to all corners of the globe. Each year, PONANT offers more than 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents. The fleet of purpose-built ships are able to call at iconic, international ports as well as secret harbors accessible only to smaller-sized ships. 

BEST OCEAN LUXURY CRUISE EXPERIENCE 

Winner: Explora Journeys 

Explora Journeys blends remarkable itineraries, renowned destinations and lesser-travelled ports for journeys that celebrate discovery. With 461 oceanfront suites – all with private terraces – 11 culinary experiences providing unrivaled variety at sea and equipped with the latest in environmental-supporting and marine technologies, Explora Journeys redefines ocean travel for discerning explorers. 

BEST CONTEMPORARY & PREMIUM OCEAN CRUISE EXPERIENCE 

Winner: Oceania Cruises 

Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line’s seven luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired ships call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on 7 continents on voyages that range from 7 to more than 200 days. 

BEST RIVER CRUISE EXPERIENCE 

Winner: AmaWaterways 

A family-owned company since 2002, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 29 ships sailing through Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. With exquisite locally sourced cuisine, a variety of shore excursions included in every port, personalized service, twin-balcony staterooms and fleetwide wellness activities, AmaWaterways is redefining the river cruise experience. It is also the only river cruise line inducted into La Chaine des Rotisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious culinary organizations. 

BEST NICHE CRUISE EXPERIENCE 

Winner: Windstar Cruises 

Windstar Cruises offers a vacation experience that is 180-degrees from ordinary. Guests are able to step away from the crowds and enjoy a small ship experience where freedom is the order of the day and casual elegance is the style of choice. Each yacht allows only 148-342 guests for an intimate and personalized travel experience, all while traveling to the world’s most legendary places, best small ports and hidden harbors.  

Held August 9–15, Virtuoso Travel Week brought together 4,700 luxury travel professionals, advisors, and preferred partners representing 105 countries.