At a black-tie gala dinner in New York Dec. 15, Travel Weekly revealed the winners of the 14th Annual Readers Choice Awards and Holland America Line took top honors in two categories: Best World Cruise Itinerary and Best Private Island. Eva Jenner, Holland America Line’s vice president of sales, was at the ceremony to accept the awards.
The premium cruise line was selected by Travel Weekly readers during two voting phases, and was one of only a few cruise lines to take home more than one award. Holland America Line’s annual Grand World Voyage is a global exploration that visits some of the most exotic and exciting ports in the world over the course of three months, while the line’s private island, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, has been repeatedly recognized by fans and guests as the best in the Caribbean.
“It is especially meaningful when Holland America Line wins an award that is voted on by travel professionals because they are the experts in what we do and have a deep understanding of each cruise line, so they really are picking the best of the best,” said Jenner. “Thank you to everyone who voted and to Travel Weekly for bestowing on us these two distinct honors.”
Best World Cruise Itinerary
Once again, Holland America Line’s world cruise itinerary took top honors in the Readers Choice Awards. Each year ms Amsterdam’s’ Grand World Voyage circles the globe for more than 100 days, calling at dozens of countries and ports around the world. Longer port visits, several overnight calls, special onboard galas and destination-centric experiences onboard such as local entertainment, cuisine and experts are the epitome of each Grand World Voyage. On Jan. 4, 2017, ms Amsterdam departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a 111-day odyssey, while the 2018 Grand World Voyage sets sail Jan. 4 on a 113-day adventure that will see the return of South Africa to the itinerary.
Best Private Island Celebrates 20 Years in 2017
Half Moon Cay is Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas. The tropical paradise has evolved over two decades into an idyllic playground for cruise guests and features the finest beaches in the Caribbean, a natural 700-acre lagoon, incredible two-story villas and private cabanas, as well as a variety of fun-filled shore excursions for nature lovers, adventurous travelers, families and explorers. To celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017, a new Lobster Shack eatery debuted on the island featuring fresh grilled lobster and sides. For the 2016-17 Caribbean season, all cruises that sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale will call at Half Moon Cay.
About the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards
Once a year, Travel Weekly — considered the publication of record for the travel trade — honors the best in travel with its Readers Choice Awards. Winners are selected from two rounds of voting during which all of Travel Weekly’s readers are invited to choose the suppliers who have led the way in products and service during the year. An open-ballot phase of voting is conducted where readers are asked to write in the names of companies they believe are outstanding in any of 78 categories. The leading vote recipients are identified as finalists, and then a second round of voting on the finalists takes place.
