| Cruise nominees abound at NTIA ’25

VIKING and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will attempt to defend their National Travel Industry Award (NTIA) titles for a third year running, with both lines nominated for their category’s major gong.

The two cruise lines are nominated for the ‘Most Popular Ocean Cruise Operator’ and ‘Most Popular River Cruise Operator’ award respectively, joined by 17 other brands put forward in the two categories.

Viking (pictured) took out the ocean accolade for a second consecutive year in 2024 (CW 28 Oct), and will battle it out to be a 2025 finalist against Celebrity Cruises; Crystal; HX; MSC Cruises; Lindblad Expeditions; Norwegian Cruise Line; Oceania Cruises; Princess Cruises; Quark Expeditions; Royal Caribbean; Silversea; and Virgin Voyages.

Meanwhile, Uniworld will also attempt to retain its crown, against AmaWaterways; APT; Avalon Waterways; Emerald Cruises; Tauck; and Viking, which like last year, has been nominated in both categories.

Other high achievers include Cruiseco, which was put forward for both the ‘Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Product/Service’ and ‘Most Popular Reservations/Groups Team’ awards.

Cruiseabout was recognised in the ‘Most Outstanding Branded Leisure Travel Agency’ category, and the ‘Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign’ class.

There are also 30 nominees for the ‘Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Cruise’ award, while other nominees from around the sector include Cruise Guru (‘Most Outstanding Online Travel Agency’); CruiseHQ (‘Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Product/Service’); Norwegian (‘Most Popular Reservations/Groups Team’); and CLIA (‘Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Program’). MS