Virtuoso concluded its recent 38th annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas with an elegant awards gala that honoured its top cruise partners for 2026.
Award categories included the Cruise Ambassador, which honours one agency member and one preferred partner who demonstrate outstanding support of the Virtuoso network and were selected internally by Virtuoso leadership. Nominees in the remaining categories were determined through a survey to Virtuoso’s travel advisors, who then voted to select the winners.
As consumer demand drives growth in the cruise category, competition is intensifying, noted Virtuoso, adding that “This year’s winners stood out for their commitment to excellence, innovation, advisor support, client satisfaction and unforgettable experiences in some of the world’s most remarkable destinations.”
The winners were:
CRUISE AMBASSADOR
In recognition of an agency member and preferred partner who stand out for their support, amplification and engagement within Virtuoso. They have made a measurable impact on the network’s cruise sales and innovation.
- Advisor winner: Grant Holmes / ASMALLWORLD
- Partner winner: Joe Leon / Silversea
BEST SMALL SHIP CRUISE EXPERIENCE
This award recognizes the cruise line that offers exceptional and unique experiences for specialized or niche markets.
- Winner: Aqua Expeditions
A recognized global leader in luxury small-ship expeditions, Aqua Expeditions explores the world’s most biodiverse and culturally significant destinations aboard best-in-class vessels. Guests can expect tailored five-star itineraries, a highly exclusive one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, world-class dining and small group, expert-guided activities and excursions. Aqua Expeditions operates river explorations on the Amazon in Peru and the Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam, along with coastal yacht voyages to Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, Ambon, the Spice Islands, Raja Ampat and Asmat; the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador; and, aboard its newest superyacht in the Seychelles and Arctic.
BEST OCEAN LUXURY CRUISE EXPERIENCE
This award recognizes the cruise line that offers the best overall ocean cruise experience to Virtuoso travelers.
- Winner: Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys blends remarkable itineraries, renowned destinations and lesser-traveled 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
This award recognizes a partner offering exceptional experiences aboard large or mega-sized contemporary or premium ships.
- 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 seven to more than 200 days.
BEST RIVER CRUISE EXPERIENCE
This award recognizes the river cruise line which delivers the best overall river cruise experience to Virtuoso travellers.
- 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 EXPEDITION CRUISE EXPERIENCE
This award recognizes the expedition cruise line which delivers the best overall expedition cruise experience to Virtuoso travellers.
- Winner: National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions reveals the beauty and wonder of the world through expertly led, deeply immersive modern expedition cruises designed for discovery and created for curious travellers seeking to experience the world from a new perspective. With 100+ unique itineraries visiting 70+ countries and territories on all seven continents aboard 24 state-of-the-art owned and chartered vessels, Lindblad Expeditions operates the largest, most diverse fleet of mission-built ships in the industry on behalf of the co-brand.
More than 4,800 attendees from 105 countries attended Virtuoso Travel Week, which was held Aug. 8-14 across Bellagio Resort & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa and the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
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