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Tuesday 7 December 2010

Cruisers vote for retro at the Cruise Passenger Awards


The Cruise Passenger Readers' Choice Awards were held at a stylish function in the Observatory Hotel, close to Sydney's home of cruising, Sydney Harbour, on Monday evening, December 6, 2010.

Guests awaited with anticipation the announcement of the coveted Best Luxury Cruise Line and Best Luxury Cruise Ship awards, which were given to Silversea and Silver Shadow.

Sally Macmillan, editor of Cruise Passenger magazine, said, "Our readers love that Silversea's guests revel in the sophisticated 1930s ambiance on board the Art Deco- designed ships. These ships truly make you take a step back to old-fashioned glamour and enjoy the romance of travel while on board."

The winner, Silversea, will showcase another of its luxurious cruise ships on March 1, when Silver Spirit will cruise into Sydney on her maiden voyage.

There was much applause when Sydney was announced as the best cruise port.

" Sydney has broken all records with 154 cruise-ship visits this 2010/2011 season, a 30 per cent increase on last year. It's no wonder readers have voted Sydney their favourite port," Sally Macmillan said.

"It's wonderful for the New South Wales economy as close to $200 million will be spent by cruisers and crew during these visits."

A Sydney highlight for 2011 will be the arrival of the new Queen Elizabeth and sister ship Queen Mary 2, who will rendezvous on Sydney Harbour on February 22.

The winner of the premium cruise line category, Princess Cruises, has launched the season with its two Australia-based ships, Dawn Princess and Sun Princess.

It's exciting for Sydneysiders to witness four maiden voyages in 2011. These will be from:

• Pacific Pearl on February 3
• Seabourn Sojourn on February 5
• Queen Elizabeth on February 22
• Silver Spirit on March 1

The Overseas Passenger Terminal will mark its 50thanniversary this year on December 23, half a century after the first P&O Cruises vessel docked in 1960.

Cruise Passenger readers also voted Alaska as the best cruise region and Qantas as their favourite airline.

Cruise Passenger magazine is Australasia's Number One cruise publication for lovers of big ship voyages, intimate small ship river cruises and everything in between. Featuring a round-up of the latest news from the cruise world, new cruise liners to hit the industry, popular cruise ports and land-based tour options, plus features on family cruising and expedition cruising, Cruise Passenger is jam-packed with all the latest information from the ever-expanding cruise sector.

All the winners are listed below:

Best Luxury Cruise Line
1st: Silversea
2nd: Crystal Cruises
3rd: Regent Seven Seas

Best Luxury Cruise Ship
1st: Silver Shadow
2nd: Crystal Serenity
3rd: Silver Cloud

Best Premium Cruise Line
1st: Princess Cruises
2nd: Cunard
3rd: Holland America Line

Best Premium Cruise Ship
1st: Queen Mary 2
2nd: Sun Princess
3rd: Diamond Princess

Best Mid-Range Cruise Line
1st: P&O Cruises
2nd: Royal Caribbean International
3rd: Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Mid-Range Cruise Ship
1st: Pacific Dawn
2nd: Rhapsody of the Seas
3rd: Pacific Sun

Best Adventure/Small Ship Cruise Line
1st: Captain Cook Cruises
2nd: Orion Expedition Cruises
3rd: Aurora Expeditions

Best Adventure/Small Ship Cruise Ship
1st: Orion
2nd: True North
3rd: Coral Princess

Best River Cruise Line
1st: APT
2nd: Scenic Tours
3rd: Avalon Waterways

Best River Cruise Ship
1st: MS Amabella
2nd: MS Amadagio
3rd: Scenic Diamond

Best Cruise Region
1st: Alaska
2nd: Mediterranean
3rd: South Pacific

Best Cruise Port
1st: Sydney
2nd: Venice
3rd: Vancouver

Best Individual Cruise Agent
1st: Seniors Holiday Travel
2nd:  ecruising
3rd: Clean Cruising

Best Multiple Cruise Agent
1st: Harvey World Travel
2nd: Flight Centre
3rd: Cruiseabout

Best Fly/Cruise Airline
1st: Qantas
2nd: Singapore Airlines
3rd: Emirates

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