Avoya Travel / American Express, one of the leading travel companies in North America and beyond, announced that Norwegian Cruise Line has presented the company with its 2011 ‘Home-Based Agency of the Year’ award. Avoya Travel received the cruise line’s highest agency honor for the company’s dedication to customer service, its elite network of Independent Agencies, and outstanding sales performance in 2011.

“Avoya Travel is a valued partner of Norwegian Cruise Line and, as such, we commend them for creating exceptional vacation experiences for customers worldwide,” said Andy Stuart, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Passenger Services for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Avoya Travel’s support of Norwegian Cruise Line is a core element of our success, and we’re looking forward to working together to deliver amazing vacations to cruisers around the globe for years to come.”

Recently onboard the Norwegian Epic, Avoya Travel held its annual National Conference for its network of independent travel agencies. While onboard, Stuart hosted an exclusive event for Avoya Travel to celebrate the successful year. The honor was later announced by Stuart; Camille Olivere, Vice President of Sales; Alex Pinelo, Director, National Accounts; and Shanel Knight, Program Manager, Home Based Accounts for Norwegian Cruise Line. This is the third agency of the year award Avoya Travel has won from Norwegian Cruise Line, previously receiving the cruise line’s recognition in 2007 and 2006.

“Earning the Home-Based Agency of the Year award is a testament to Avoya Travel’s commitment to the customer experience and the expertise of our Independent Agencies,” said Brad Anderson, Co-President of Avoya Travel. “We are pleased to win one of the most elite awards from Norwegian Cruise Line and will continue to provide travelers worldwide with the best value, customer service, and overall vacation experience.”

Avoya Travel’s Independent Agencies are renowned for creating dream vacations for travelers, including onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s popular ships, Norwegian Epic, Pride of America, Norwegian Dawn, and more, offering itineraries to the most sought after destinations such as the Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, and Alaska. Avoya Travel continues to create phenomenal vacations for customers onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships, the Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, which will begin sailing in 2013 and 2014.

Avoya Travel has a long-standing reputation in the travel industry for being one of the top-producing and most innovative travel companies worldwide. The company has been a part of the American Express Travel Representative Network for over 20 years and has an elite network of independently owned and operated travel agencies.

Avoya Travel has received notable accolades, including being named ‘Travel Agency of the Year’, by Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, American Express, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Brendan Vacations. Avoya Travel has also been featured for its groundbreaking technology, innovative Live Leads program, and leadership in travel by top industry publications, including Agent@Home, Travel Agent, Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, Vacation Agent, and more.