The second annual MedCruise Awards ceremony took place today. The MedCruise Association held this event once again to recognize excellence in our industry; the award categories reflect the diverse nature of the industry and the innovation it fosters.
It was an impressive online ceremony that conveyed positive messages of great hope to the industry for a united recovery, particularly in these challenging times. Despite the difficult situation the world is facing, the MedCruise Association felt it was more important than ever to recognize those companies, organizations, and individuals who are working hard to lead the cruise industry into a challenging and competitive future.
This major cruise event brings together MedCruise members and key partners annually, along with experts – cruise line executives and international press representatives – and aims to recognize outstanding companies, organizations, and individuals. This year, the Mediterranean Cruise Ports Association recognized the exceptional commitment and solidarity of cruise industry companies, ports, organizations, and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MedCruise Awards integrates several categories with different juries composed of experts from the cruise industry, where some awards are decided based on the jury's opinion and others based on facts.
“I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank all the members of MedCruise, associate members, cruise line executives, and international press representatives for being part of the selection process and supporting this great event, as well as the members of the MedCruise board of directors for their commitment to organizing this great event,” said MedCruise President Airam Diaz.
Award categories and winners:
- Cruise line executive with the greatest commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic: Michel Nestour, from Carnival Corporation, for maintaining contact with MedCruise members and showing interest in our destinations.
- Award for the cruise line that has shown the greatest solidarity and commitment during the pandemic: Celestyal Cruises, for purchasing a cruise ship during the pandemic.
- The port that has shown the greatest commitment during the pandemic for the MedCruise Western Mediterranean region: Gibraltar Port Authority.
- The port that has shown the greatest commitment during the pandemic for the MedCruise Adriatic region: Dubrovnik Port Authority.
- Ports that have shown the greatest commitment during the pandemic for the MedCruise Eastern Mediterranean region: Galataport Istanbul & Kuşadasi, Antalya, Bodrum; Global Ports Holding.
- The port that has shown the greatest commitment during the pandemic to the Black Sea region of MedCruise: Odesa Sea Port Authority
- The port that has shown the greatest commitment during the pandemic for the MedCruise Western Mediterranean region: Gibraltar Port Authority.
- Award for the MedCruise associate member that has shown the greatest commitment during the pandemic: Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services.
- Award for best article in the cruise industry: Cruise Times, for the article “An Aegean Resurgence – The future is bright for the Eastern Med”.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Mendonça, of Madeira Ports, for her exceptional contribution to the cruise industry.
- Award for the cruise industry expert who has shown great commitment and vision during the pandemic: Chris Ashcroft of Cruise Insight, for his videos and articles on the future of the cruise industry after the pandemic.
- Award to the international cruise industry association that has contributed greatly to the return of the cruise industry: CLIA Europe, for its commitment to restarting cruise operations in MedCruise partner ports.
- Award for the maritime organization or organizations for their special commitment during the pandemic: IAPH, for leading the dialogue between the world's cruise port organizations on the future of cruise tourism, in collaboration with the IMO and the UNWTO.
- MedCruise Chairmanship Award: Michael McCarthy (chairman of Cruise Europe), for his commitment to the entire cruise industry and valuable cooperation with the MedCruise association.
