The World Travel Awards — the self-proclaimed "Oscars of the travel industry" — are given out every year….yes, just like the Oscars. They make for interesting reading, nodding or head-shaking and good advertising for the winners.
Since cruising is travel, a few categories are devoted to this popular and expanding niche of the travel business.
Before enticing you to nod or shake your head, first you should know how the WTA works. All year, regional winners are announced in gala ceremonies for Africa, the Caribbean, Central America (including Mexico), Europe, the Middle East, North America, South America and Asia, Australasia and the Indian Ocean, for a myriad of categories.
The European winners were announced last weekend, and the last regional (Asia and Australasia) is scheduled for October 18th.
The Grand Final (i.e. Oscar Night) is December 12th in New Delhi, India.
Here are the cruise category finalists so far…
Cruise Line
Africa: Royal Caribbean
Caribbean: Royal Caribbean
Europe: Norwegian
Middle East: Royal Caribbean
North America: Royal Caribbean
South America: Regent Seven Seas
Cruise Port
Caribbean: Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Europe: Copenhagen
Mexico and Central America: Panama
Middle East: Dubai
North America: Miami
South America: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Cruise Destination
Caribbean: Jamaica
Europe: Izmir, Turkey
Mexico and Central America: Cancun
Experienced cruisers may find a few surprises on the list, but the one that jumped out at us was Europe's favorite cruise destination.
Izmir, Turkey?
Coral Princess
14 nights
December 15, 2012
Los Angeles: Puntarenas, Fuerte Amador, Panama Canal, Cartagena, Aruba, Fort Lauderdale
Inside: $1,005
Cost per day: $99
www.princess.com