Lisbon, Portugal, 19 September 2018 – The winners of the Seatrade Cruise Awards 2018 were announced this evening as part of the Seatrade Cruise Med Welcome Reception held at Páto da Galé in Lisbon, Portugal.
The awards were presented by Mary Bond, Managing Director Publishing & Content, Seatrade, alongside Ingo Soerensen, Area VP, Global Cruise Sales, Oracle Hospitality - Principal Sponsor of the Seatrade Cruise Awards. According to Mary, the awards had received a record number of entries – over 100 – and reflected the global reach of the award scheme.
Now in the 12th edition, the Seatrade Cruise Awards celebrate the best of international cruise industry success, ambition and innovation. For 2018, six industry awards were supported by three personality awards, including: Seatrade Outstanding Contribution Award; Seatrade Port Personality of the Year and Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year, which was sponsored by V Ships Leisure Ltd.
Following the announcement of the industry awards, Mary Bond presented the three Personality Awards. First to be called to the stage was the winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award - Fred Danska, Director Cruise at Wartsila.
Speaking about Fred and his long career, Mary said: “He was among the first to extol the virtues of LNG as an environmentally friendly solution for cruise ships when it was still in its infancy and the company he represents is currently contracted to supply engines and gas cleaning systems for an exploration cruise ship under construction in China; dual-fuel engines for a luxury icebreaker with electric hybrid system powered by LNG building in Europe and various cruise new building projects with smart nautical and technical systems.”
Next to be welcomed to the stage was the Seatrade Port Personality for 2018, Betty MacMillan, Cruise Development Manager, Port Saint John, who was awarded, amongst other career highlights spanning 30 years, for her efforts to grow the port’s seasonal business to close to 200,000 passengers this year and is facing its best year ever in 2019 because of her determination and tireless efforts to develop and promote the Port and region.
The 3rd personality winner, Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, joined the stage to much applause as he was named Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year 2018, sponsored by V. Ships Leisure.
Mary told the audience: “In a career spanning from tall ships to adventure cruises, our personality is a captain, a hands-on boat builder, financier, philanthropist and a jazz musician. He has over 35 years of professional experience in the hospitality and maritime industry.
“As a seasoned entrepreneur, he founded numerous enterprises with lead responsibility for product development, sales, ship design, ship construction and marine operations.
“The common thread throughout all his businesses: a laser focus on the guest experience.
His energy is infectious I am told and he has labored five years to develop a new cruise brand which is currently building its first cruise yacht branded after a luxury hotel company. It will debut next year.”
The industry award winners, chosen by a panel of industry experts, were announced as:
- Destination of the Year – Dubai, UAE
- Port of the Year – Dublin Port
- Supplier of the Year - ADELTE
- Environmental Initiative Award – Port of Santo Domingo
- Marketing Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Cruise Baltic – Discover Saint John
- Innovative Shorex of the Year Award, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture – Rainforest Adventures St Maarten for The Flying Dutchman
Mary added: “We would like to extend our gratitude to our principal sponsor, Oracle Hospitality and to the awards sponsors Cruise Baltic, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism and V Ships Leisure Ltd.
