The cruise industry shines at the Teatro Eslava in Madrid, at the Cruise Excellence Awards. Cruises News Media Group, the company that owns and organizes the event, brought together more than 200 guests at the iconic Teatro Eslava in Madrid for the annual Cruise Excellence Awards ceremony.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 76 – March 2026
Web Excellence Cruise Awards
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National and international executives from cruise lines, tour operators, consignees, ports and destinations, industry professionals and more than 100 travel agents, enjoyed an entertaining gala directed and presented by the comedian and showman Mr. Corrales, and enlivened by the saxophonist Tavi Gallart and the dance numbers under the production and choreography of Natalia Mira.
The cruise industry experienced one of its most significant nights in Madrid with the celebration of the 19th edition of the Excellence Cruise Awards, known as the "Goya Awards of cruises", which for the first time took place at the emblematic Teatro Eslava.
A milestone in Madrid
Last Thursday, February 12, the cruise industry met in Madrid to celebrate a gala evening in style at the Teatro Eslava, where national and international executives received the 2025 Cruise Excellence Awards.
After years of establishing itself as an essential event for the industry, the Excellence Awards arrive in Madrid with the aim of continuing to highlight the excellence, innovation and quality of shipping companies, destinations, ports and professionals that drive the growth of the sector.
The event was the crowning achievement of a historic year for Spanish ports, which welcomed 14.1 million cruise passengers in 2025, breaking the previous year's record with an almost 10% increase. The Spanish cruise market now accounts for over 650,000 passengers.
The Cruise Excellence Awards were first held in Barcelona in 2008 and are the result of a large-scale survey of domestic cruise passengers and travel agents. They recognize the best ships, cuisine, itineraries, and cruise lines, among other categories—a total of 18—and are a brand of CruisesNews Media Group, organizer of the International Cruise Summit in Madrid and publisher of CruisesNews magazine and the news portal www.cruisesnews.es.
Sponsors
This edition has been sponsored by International HM Hospitals, Puertos del Estado, Grupo Viajes El Corte Inglés, Airmet, Visit Qatar, Intermundial, Lantimar Ship Agent and Perelada & Chivite.
The 2026 Award Winners
Best Spanish Port 2025: PORT OF BARCELONA
Best Family Cruise Line 2025: MSC CRUISES
Best Premium Cruise Line 2025: CELEBRITY CRUISES
Best Luxury Cruise Line 2025: EXPLORA JOURNEYS
Best River Cruise Line 2025: CROISIEUROPE
Best Entertainment 2025: ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Best Value 2025: PRINCESS
Best Ship in the Mediterranean 2025: ALLURE OF THE SEA
Best Brand Recognition among Travel Agencies 2025: ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Best Ship in Northern Europe 2025: MSC EURIBIA
Best Brand Image among Consumers 2025: MSC CRUISES
Best First Cruise Line 2025: COSTA CRUISES
Best Dining 2025: OCEANIA CRUISES
Best Itineraries 2025: NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
Best Animation 2025: VIRGIN VOYAGES
Best Expedition Cruise Line 2025: SILVERSEA CRUISES
Best Long Voyage Cruise Line 2025: REGENT SEVEN SEA CRUISES
Best World Cruise 2025: OCEANIA CRUISES
Cruises News Media Group Special Awards:
During the gala, the Cruises News Media Group presented its annual special awards, which are not subject to a vote:
Excellence in Luxury River Cruising: Riverside Luxury Cruises.
Excellence in Cruise Crew: Celestyal Cruises.
Launch of a New Cruise Line for the Spanish Market: Corazul Cruceros.
“All Aboard” Initiative: Tenerife Port Authority, MSC Cruises, and the Cruise Line International Association.
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