This week: Virtuoso recognized its top cruise partners this month at Virtuoso Travel Week, while First in Service scored its own award. Also, Travel CUTS is planning a big reunion for staff and former staff in Toronto.
Virtuoso
Virtuoso recognized its top cruise preferred partners this month 37th annual Virtuoso Travel Week. Nominations were determined by a survey to Virtuoso advisors, who then cast votes to determine the winners.
As the cruise category expands, competition has also grown alongside consumer demand. The winners are:
CRUISE AMBASSADOR recognizes a Virtuoso member and partner who stand out for their support, amplification and engagement within Virtuoso. They have made a measurable impact on Virtuoso cruise sales and innovation.
- Member winner: Carl Fabruada / TripMatters, an independent affiliate of Montecito Village Travel
- Partner winner: Chris Austin / Explora Journeys
BEST EXPEDITION CRUISE EXPERIENCE
- Winner: PONANT
BEST OCEAN LUXURY CRUISE EXPERIENCE
- Winner: Explora Journeys
BEST CONTEMPORARY & PREMIUM OCEAN CRUISE EXPERIENCE
- Winner: Oceania Cruises
BEST RIVER CRUISE EXPERIENCE
- Winner: AmaWaterways
BEST NICHE CRUISE EXPERIENCE
- Winner: Windstar Cruises
Virtuoso says this year’s winners share a commitment to “excellence, innovation, support of the travel advisor community, client satisfaction and, of course, unforgettable travel experiences in some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.”
First in Service Travel
First in Service Travel announced it has been recognized with the ‘Best Agency Culture,’ Canada honour at the 2025 Virtuoso Global Awards. The awards were presented during Virtuoso’s 37th annual Virtuoso Travel Week.
The Best Agency Culture award acknowledges the crucial role culture plays in driving organizational success, attracting top talent, and creating an environment where advisors thrive. First in Service Canada stood out in this category for the strength of its inclusive, collaborative approach that prioritizes advisor and client well-being.
“We are incredibly proud of our Canadian team for earning this honor. Under the leadership of Willa Griffin, who oversees our Canadian operations, our advisors have built a culture rooted in care and partnership that is second to none,” noted Fernando Gonzalez, CEO of First in Service. “This award is a testament to the trust they’ve fostered with their clients, the respect they’ve built with their supplier partners, and the mutual support they show each other as colleagues. At First in Service, we believe culture is not just a philosophy, but a daily practice – and our Canadian team exemplifies that every single day.”
Travel CUTS
With its origins in the 1950s, Travel CUTS (Canadian University Travel Services) is holding a staff reunion event in Toronto on the weekend of Sept. 26 to 28, 2025. Over a 150 people are already scheduled to attend – “a testament to the company, the staff and the life-long friendships that were forged.” Specializing in youth travel Travel CUTS is now owned by the Merit Travel Group and has 19 locations across Canada on or near university campuses.
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