The National Travel Industry
Awards on Sat night honoured
three top cruise companies.
ROYAL Caribbean Cruise Lines, Princess
Cruises and APT were all significant winners at
last weekend’s travel industry “night of nights”.
The ceremony was the culmination of a long
period of nominations and then voting by
travel agents, followed by evaluation from a
judging panel of industry experts.
Royal Caribbean won the “Best Cruise
Operator – Australian Based Operation,” for the
first time ever, with md Gavin Smith saying his
team in North Sydney had “dedicated
themselves to being the most relevant cruise
company in this country today” and it was
great to get the industry’s recognition.
Perennial winner Princess Cruises took out
the “Best Cruise Operator – International Based
Operation” for the fourth year running, with
Director of Commercial Operations Stan Birge
saying how exciting it was to win again.
And APT also took out an award – but for its
domestic tour operations rather than its
extensive river cruise portfolio.
APT ceo Chris Hall said the company had
expanded its business in Europe, Africa, South
America and Asia.
“We are doing some exciting new things on
the international stage, but Australia will
always be the heart and soul of APT,” he said.
APT recently launched its new China cruise
brochure, offering ‘companion fly free’ deals
on 9-15 day tours, and it also purchased a key
stake in UK-based Noble Caledonia.
MS Caledonian Sky currently has a
‘companion fly free deal’ on Alaskan cruises –
for details, see www.APTouring.com.au.
