The cruise industry companies elected finalists for the Seatrade Cruise Awards 2026 have been unveiled. A milestone 20th Anniversary celebration will present the winners during Seatrade Cruise Med at Las Palmas Cruise Port, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the evening of September 16.

Independent panel selects finalists

The independent judging panel, composed of 15 prolific industry names, will bring a wide breadth of industry knowledge and expertise from across the world to choose the winning innovators, trailblazers and visionaries shaping the cruise industry.

Innovative Shorex of the Year nominees

  • Abercrombie & Kent (Akorn Destination Management) - The Zero Waste Circular City Melbourne
  • Excursions Ltd - The Whitstable Oyster Farm, from Beach to Table
  • Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services X National Geographic Expeditions - Behind the Scenes of the Carreiros do Monte

Product of the Year contenders

  • MarineXchange Software - MXP365, 2025/2026 Developments
  • Otalio - Shipboard Passenger Management System
  • Zeero Group - Circular Biofuel Technology for Cruise

Sustainability Initiative of the Year finalists (sponsored by Cruise Baltic)

  • MSC Cruises x ORCA Partnership - Marine Mammal Observer Sailing Onboard
  • Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings - Sailing for Nature: Biodiversity Programme Alaska
  • Port of Dover - Carbon Net Zero
  • Virgin Voyages - Impact Squad, Crew Volunteer Programme

Destination of the Year shortlist

  • Dubrovnik, Croatia
  • Gibraltar
  • Stavanger, Norway

Expedition Cruise Initiative of the Year nominees

  • Aqua Expeditions - Superyacht Aqua Lares
  • HX Expeditions + AROS - 1896 Cabin, A 130 Years Experience
  • United Waterways X Ocean Advice - Newbuild Programme in China

Port of the Year finalists

  • Port Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic
  • Portsmouth International Port, UK
  • Skjolden Port, Norway

Personality Awards to be announced

There will be Personality Awards announced and presented at the ceremony chosen from nominations received including Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year and Seatrade Cruise Outstanding Achievement Award. The award is sponsored by V.Ships Leisure.

Event sponsorship

Principal sponsors of the Seatrade Cruise Awards 2026 are Oracle Hospitality and Tura Turizm.

Registration for Seatrade Cruise Med is open.