The cruise industry set its sights on Melilla with the celebration of the Excellence Cruise Awards, surprising everyone with its architectural, cultural and beach heritage.
Article from CruisesNews magazine, issue no. 72 – March 2025.
More information: www.premiosexcellence.com
The Kursaal Theatre – Fernando Arrabal in Melilla experienced a truly gala evening with the celebration of the Excellence Cruise Awards on February 26, 2025.
The red carpet welcomed guests from all over Melilla, the Iberian Peninsula, and the islands, as well as prominent international executives from across Europe. The prior event, the State Ports Association's business forum, allowed representatives from across the Spanish port system to attend the awards gala.
Of course, all the authorities of the Autonomous City of Melilla were present, headed by its President, His Excellency Mr. Juan José Imbroda; the First Vice President of the Governing Council and Councilor for Economy, Commerce, Innovation Technology, Tourism and Development, His Excellency Mr. Miguel Marín Cobos, as well as the President of the Port of Melilla, Mr. Miguel Ángel Quevedo, and the Director of the Port of Melilla, Luis J. Ayala.
Among the international guests, we can highlight the presence of Matt Lebbern, Director of Sales in Europe and new markets for Virgin Voyages; Riet Goetschalckx, Director of Sales CEMEA for Oceania Cruises; Marc Bellows, Senior Sales Manager in Europe for Princess Cruises; Stephen Winter, Director of International Sales for Ponant Cruises; and Pierre Thomas, Business Development Manager for Expeditions at Silversea Cruises.
Representing the important group of port services companies and sponsor Lantimar Group, Maria Sennacheribbo, from the Operations Department, attended.
A video with spectacular images of cruise ships kicked off the gala, presented, once again, by comedian and showman Mr. Corrales, along with Virginia Lopez Valiente, CEO of Cruises News Media Group, who thanked the authorities and all attendees for their presence.
The attendees immediately realized that the gala was not going to be a boring formal ceremony, as the jokes in Mr. Corrales' first monologue began to resonate and laughter started to flow, as did the awards.
After some awards had already been presented, the first performance by the Girasomnis Creative Studio took place, a spectacular combination of percussion with advanced visual effects that surprised everyone present.
In the second part of the awards ceremony, Mr. Corrales went down to the auditorium to surprise Natalia López, daughter of Virginia López, and bring her up on stage to present the award for Best Remote Itinerary, thus making her debut at an Excellence Awards gala.
One after another, the remaining awards arrived, and amid laughter, Mr. Corrales once again went down to the auditorium to surprise David Castro, Commercial Director of the Port of Vigo, whom he also brought up on stage to present the award for Best Value for Money.
Between awards, a video was shown about the enormous evolution of cruise ships since their beginnings, and how from simple deck games for passengers they have moved to the large facilities of today, with go-kart tracks, large water slides, and Broadway-level shows.
Once the awards voted on by the readers of Cruises News Media Group were presented, there was a second performance by the Girasomnis Creative Studio before giving way to the special mentions that CruisesNews awards each year.
Likewise, Melilla Tourism wanted to acknowledge the efforts of several companies, associations and organizations that are committed to developing tourism in the autonomous city: Africa Travel, Central Zone Association, and the Port of Melilla.
Mr. Juan José Imbroda brought the gala to a close with a speech in which he highlighted the tourism potential of Melilla, and afterwards a group photo was taken of all the award winners, presenters, and CruisesNews staff on stage.
Several buses were waiting outside the Kursaal Theatre to take guests to the cocktail dinner at the Hotel Puerto Melilla, which, although it had been planned to take place at the Assembly Palace, was prevented by causes beyond the control of CruisesNews.
At the Hotel Puerto Melilla, attendees were able to strengthen ties, discuss moments from the gala, take photos at the photocall and network while enjoying dinner served by the hotel's own gastronomic team.
Melilla will receive numerous luxury cruise ships in 2025, beginning with the Seabourn Sojourn, which visited the city on the day of the gala and returned on March 4. Two other ultra-luxury ships, the Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Navigator, are also expected to visit in April, on April 2 and 21 respectively.
In May, the Ocean Victory, from the Spanish boutique cruise line Alma Cruceros, will make its first stop in the city, calling at least six times this year. Also arriving in May is the Marina from Oceania Cruises, and the Marella Discovery will call in both July and September.
This will undoubtedly be a historic year for the Port of Melilla, which will see its efforts to attract this type of traffic rewarded.
One of the most frequent comments from attendees was that Melilla had pleasantly surprised them. As a prelude to the gala, tours were organized so everyone could discover the treasures of this European city in North Africa, with its rich cultural heritage reflecting the coexistence of diverse European, Arab, and Berber influences. Its strategic location has made it a historic enclave brimming with tourist attractions.
One of its main attractions is Melilla la Vieja, an impressive fortified citadel dating back to medieval times. Its walls and bastions offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean, and within its walls are museums such as the Museum of Archaeology and History and the Army Museum, where you can learn more about the city's history.
Another of Melilla's great attractions is its modernist and art deco architecture, with over 500 buildings in this style, making it the second city in Spain with the most modernist buildings after Barcelona. Notable examples include buildings designed by Enrique Nieto, a disciple of Gaudí, such as the Casa de los Cristales (House of Glass) and Casa Melul.
For those seeking nature and relaxation, Melilla boasts beaches like Los Cárabos, Playa del Hipódromo, and Playa de San Lorenzo, ideal for enjoying the sun and sea. A stroll through Parque Hernández, a large green space in the city center, is also highly recommended, with its gardens and fountains that invite you to unwind.
The port of Melilla is another key location, not only for its commercial importance but also for its culinary offerings, which blend Andalusian and North African flavors. Visitors can sample traditional dishes such as couscous, Moorish kebabs, and fresh fish in restaurants with sea views.
Furthermore, Melilla is a perfect destination for culture lovers, with festivals and events celebrating the city's diversity. Its duty-free shopping also attracts many tourists looking for bargains.
In short, Melilla is a unique destination that blends history, architecture, beach and gastronomy in a unique multicultural environment.
This eighteenth edition of the Excellence Cruise Awards was promoted and sponsored by the City of Melilla, Melilla Tourism, the Port Authority of Melilla and in collaboration with other public and private bodies such as State Ports and Lantimar Group.
MELILLA AWARDS 2025 | 18th Edition
Best Entertainment 2024 | ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Best Brand Image as Voted by Consumers 2024 | MSC CRUISES
Best Spanish Cruise Port 2024 | BARCELONA
Best First Cruise Line 2024 | COSTA CRUISES
Best Gastronomy 2024 | OCEANIA CRUISES
Best River Cruise Line 2024 | CROISI EUROPE
Best Itinerary 2024 | NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Best Remote – Exotic Itinerary 2024 | REGENT SEVEN SEAS
Best Expedition Cruise Line 2024 | SILVERSEA
Best Ship in Northern Europe 2024 | CELEBRITY APEX
Best Ship in the Mediterranean 2024 | SUN PRINCESS
Best Family Cruise Line 2024 | MSC CRUISES
Best Premium Cruise Line 2024 | VIRGIN VOYAGES
Best Luxury Cruise Line 2024 | SILVERSEA CRUISES
Best Value for Money 2024 | MSC CRUISES
Best World Cruise 2024 | OCEANIA CRUISES
Best Brand Recognition by Travel Agencies 2024 | ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTL.
CRUISES NEWS MEDIA GROUP AWARDS
Explora Journeys | Excellence in Luxury Ship Design
Ponant | Beyond Sustainability
Crystal Cruises | Exceptional Service
Virgin Voyages | LGBTQ+ Inclusion
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR MELILLA TOURISM:
Central Zone Association | For its commitment to revitalizing the city center during cruise ship calls.
Africa Travel | For being the local Shorex company committed to boosting the cruise sector.
Port Authority | For being the main promoter of cruise traffic and responsible for the current growth in the city.
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