Royal Caribbean celebrates trade partners at first Club Royal awards

Royal Caribbean International held its first Trade Partner & Club Royal Awards Ceremony at the Gherkin in central London last night.

Iglu Cruise scooped best cruise specialist, as Cruise.co.uk won the Outstanding Contribution Award.

Samantha Wilkinson of Delma World Choice was named Club Royal Ambassador. For the full set of winners, see below.

Speaking to Cruise Adviser, Ben Bouldin, associate VP and MD, UK and Ireland, said: “Club Royal has been an outstanding success. It’s indicative of the support from the trade and how highly we value it.

“We’ve 12,100 members now, having launched three years ago. We invest over £1million a year in agent rewards and we’re absolutely committed to it. We’re always looking of ways to expand and develop it — we’ve got some big developments coming this year.”

Earlier this month, the company announced that Symphony of the Seas, the fourth in the record-breaking Oasis-class, will be the world’s largest ship, eclipsing Harmony of the Seas.

The vessel will have 28 more staterooms than Harmony of the Seas and, at 230,000 GT, be 3,000 GT larger.

It will feature new innovations, which are yet to be announced, as well as the standard Oasis-class features.

Symphony will spend its inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean, calling at Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Provence, Florence, Pisa, Rome and Naples.

Full list of winners
Best cruise specialist — Iglu Cruise
Multiple of the year — Thomas Cook
Most improved agent — Imagine Cruising
Consortia of the year — World Choice Ireland
Agent of the year (Ireland) — Club World
Newcomer of the year — Lee’s Travel
Retail outlet of the year — Fahy Travel
Strongest and most consistent growth — World Travel Holdings
Outstanding contribution award — Cruise.co.uk
Club Royal Ambassador — Samantha Wilkinson of Delma World Choice