A Coruña celebrates the return to record cruise numbers with the prestigious Cruise Excellence Awards Gala.
Read article in CruisesNews Magazine nº61 – June 2022
The Rosalía de Castro Theatre in A Coruña received about 200 guests who attended the ceremony of the Cruise Excellence Awards ceremony.
The event brought together the chief executives of cruise ship companies, as well as cruise tour operators, consignees, ports and destinations, travel agents, collaborators, professionals, business managers and other suppliers of the cruise industry, as well as professionals from A Coruña and the Community of Galicia.
During an enjoyable gala directed and presented by the humourist and showman, Mr Corrales, and enlivened by the artists Violin Laser Mapping, organised by Artechsel, the guests enjoyed a lively event in which the different awards were announced:
During the event, special recognitions were given by Port Authority of A Coruña for their constant support during the pandemic and in the commercial promotion of cruise traffic:
• Spanish State Ports
• Guardia Civil
• National Police
• Customs
• Foreign Health
• Sergas (Galician Health Service)
• Corunna Cruise Terminal
Recognition from Cruises News Media Group to:
• Explora Journeys
The ceremony brought together the main executives of cruise lines, cruise tour operators, ports and destinations, travel agents, press, etc., who enjoyed a unique gala, followed by a cocktail-dinner at Palexco.
The Cruise Excellence Awards, whose first edition was held in 2008 in Barcelona, are decided by the votes of national cruise passengers and travel agencies and they are a brand of CruisesNews Media Group, organiser of the International Cruise Summit in Madrid and editor of CruisesNews magazine.
This edition has been promoted and sponsored by the Port Authority of A Coruña, the City Council of A Coruña and the Xunta de Galicia, also received sponsorship from Puertos del Estado, MEGA, Corunna Cruise Terminal, Bergé, Cruises Atlantic Islands, Gadis and Marítima Consiflet.
Winners 2022
• Best Spanish Port: PUERTO DE BARCELONA
• Best Crew: CELEBRITY CRUISES
• Best Entertainment: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
• Best Value for Money Cruise Line: COSTA CRUCEROS
• Best First Cruise Line: COSTA CRUCEROS
• Best Family Cruise Line: MSC CRUCEROS
• Best Premium Cruise Line: CELEBRITY CRUISES
• Best Luxury Cruise Line: SILVERSEA CRUISES
• Best River Cruise Line: CROISIEUROPE
• Best Ship in the Mediterranean: WONDER OF THE SEAS
• Best Ship in Northern Europe: MSC SEAVIEAW
• Best Brand Recognition among Travel Agents: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
• Best Gastronomy: NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
• Best Itinerary: PRINCESS CRUISES
• Best Brand Image among consumers: COSTA CRUCEROS
• Best Cruise Destination: ISTANBUL
The Cruise Industry Gala
The industry was severely damaged after the halt forced by the pandemic, and now it is beginning to recover with the return to operations of all ships, the birth of new cruise lines and the latest generation of ships that have already been able to finish their construction in the shipyards and join the fleets of the cruise lines.
The first edition of the Cruise Excellence Awards was held in 2008 in Barcelona and have been celebrated in other Spanish cities as Valencia, Palma de Mallorca or Barcelona, among others. The awards are firmly established as the premier distinctions in the Spain’s cruise industry. They are decided by the votes of national cruise passengers and travel agencies and they are a brand of CruisesNews Media Group, organiser of the most important national B2B cruise events, as the International Cruise Summit in Madrid and editor of the most important cruise magazine for Spanish speaking countries, Cruises News magazine, among other products.
Each year the Cruise Excellence Awards Ceremony is attended by the chief executives of cruise lines, as well as cruise tour operators, consignees, ports and destinations, travel agents, collaborators, professionals, business managers and other suppliers of the cruise industry, as well as professionals and local authorities from the city where it takes place.
A Coruña
The Port of A Coruña has multiplied its passenger traffic and the cruise calls by large ships and new cruise lines. The forecasts for 2022 in A Coruña are very positive. Record figures of cruises with more than 160 scheduled calls are expected, with several double and even triple calls during the season. In addition to the usual cruise lines that visit this city, demonstrating their loyalty, ships such as Spirit of Adventure of Saga Cruises or Valiant Lady of Virgin Voyages are also making their maiden calls.
The Calvo Sotelo quay will be opened to the public and has been refurbished for the regular use of cruise ships. The Port has also announced a strategic plan for innovation, sustainability, digitalisation and modernisation of processes, also promoting the A Coruña Green Port programme.
The Port Autorithy of A Coruña has announced a strategic plan for innovation, sustainability, digitalisation and modernisation.
The ceremony brought together the main executives of cruise shipping companies, cruise tour operators, shipping agents, ports and destinations, travel agents, press, collaborators, professionals and businessmen of A Coruña and other suppliers to the sector, who enjoyed a unique gala at the Rosalía de Castro Theatre, followed by a cocktail-dinner at Palexco.
The Port of A Coruña as this year´s host city and entity offered a VIP pre-gala program to cruise line executives and some other guests which included a reception at the Port Authority by the president and director, as well as a visit to the Trasatlánticos dock and Corunna Cruise Terminal; a guided tour on tourist bus to special places like La Marina, El Parrote, Castillo de San Antón, Paseo Marítimo, Torre de Hércules and beaches; and finally a visit to the Estrella Galicia Museum, ending with a beer pairing activity and light lunch.
