Port of Lisbon hands over to Port of Malaga for Seatrade Cruise Med 2020.
The awards had received a record number of entries – over 100 – and reflected the global reach of the award scheme.
LISBON, PORTUGAL – The winners of the Seatrade Cruise Awards 2018 were announced this evening as part of the Seatrade Cruise Med Welcome Reception held at Pato da Gale in Lisbon, Portugal.
The awards were presented by Mary Bond, Managing Director Publishing & Content, Seatrade, alongside Ingo Soerensen, Area VP, Global Cruise Sales, Oracle Hospitality – Principal Sponsor of the Seatrade Cruise Awards. According to Mary, the awards had received a record number of entries – over 100 – and reflected the global reach of the award scheme.
Now in the 12th edition, the Seatrade Cruise Awards celebrate the best of international cruise industry success, ambition and innovation. For 2018, six industry awards were supported by three personality awards, including: Seatrade Outstanding Contribution Award; Seatrade Port Personality of the Year and Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year, which was sponsored by V Ships Leisure Ltd.
Following the announcement of the industry awards, Mary Bond presented the three Personality Awards. First to be called to the stage was the winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award – Fred Danska, Director Cruise at Wartsila.
Speaking about Fred and his long career, Mary said: “He was among the first to extol the virtues of LNG as an environmentally friendly solution for cruise ships when it was still in its infancy and the company he represents is currently contracted to supply engines and gas cleaning systems for an exploration cruise ship under construction in China; dual-fuel engines for a luxury icebreaker with electric hybrid system powered by LNG building in Europe and various cruise new building projects with smart nautical and technical systems.”
Next to be welcomed to the stage was the Seatrade Port Personality for 2018, Betty MacMillan, Cruise Development Manager, Port Saint John, who was awarded, amongst other career highlights spanning 30 years, for her efforts to grow the port’s seasonal business to close to 200,000 passengers this year and is facing its best year ever in 2019 because of her determination and tireless efforts to develop and promote the Port and region.
The 3rd personality winner, Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, joined the stage to much applause as he was named Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year 2018, sponsored by V. Ships Leisure.
Mary told the audience: “In a career spanning from tall ships to adventure cruises, our personality is a captain, a hands-on boat builder, financier, philanthropist and a jazz musician. He has over 35 years of professional experience in the hospitality and maritime industry.
“As a seasoned entrepreneur, he founded numerous enterprises with lead responsibility for product development, sales, ship design, ship construction and marine operations.
“The common thread throughout all his businesses: a laser focus on the guest experience.
His energy is infectious I am told and he has labored five years to develop a new cruise brand which is currently building its first cruise yacht branded after a luxury hotel company. It will debut next year.”
The industry award winners, chosen by a panel of industry experts, were announced as:
- Destination of the Year – Dubai, UAE
- Port of the Year – Dublin Port
- Supplier of the Year – ADELTE
- Environmental Initiative Award – Port of Santo Domingo
- Marketing Initiative of the Year, sponsored by Cruise Baltic – Discover Saint John
- Innovative Shorex of the Year Award, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture – Rainforest Adventures St Maarten for The Flying Dutchman
Mary added: “We would like to extend our gratitude to our principal sponsor, Oracle Hospitality and to the awards sponsors Cruise Baltic, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism and V Ships Leisure Ltd.”
Seatrade Cruise Med moves to Malaga, Spain in 2020
Seatrade Cruise Med will move to Malaga, Spain, in 2020 it was announced on the final day of the event in Lisbon, Portugal. Seatrade Cruise Med will take place in Malaga from 15-17th September 2020 at Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Malaga (Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Malaga). The event will be hosted by Port of Malaga; Andalucia; Costa del Sol and City of Malaga.
A Mediterranean port with nearly 3,000 years of history, Malaga will become the 13th destination to host Seatrade Cruise Med which is held biennially in different locations around the Mediterranean and includes an international exhibition, detailed conference programme and excellent networking opportunities.
According to Vanessa Stephens, Global Events Director of Seatrade, organisers of the event: “We are delighted to announce today that the next destination for Seatrade Cruise Med is Malaga, the capital city of the Costa del Sol.
“We have visited the magnificent Trade Fairs and Congress Center of Malaga and know that the 2020 event will be an exciting destination to work with thanks to the efforts of the hosts.”
An ideal cruise destination, Malaga is strategically located in southern Spain between the provinces of Granada and Cadiz, and nearby the provinces of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Currently regarded as one of Europe’s best access points by land, sea and air, Malaga was awarded Europe’s best shore destination in 2015, supported by one of the best climates in Europe as it enjoys more than 325 days of sunshine each year.
Malaga Cruise Port manages all three cruise terminals of the Port of Malaga which is located just 15 minutes away from Malaga International Airport, which offers flights to and from Europe and all around the world making Malaga’s port facilities, hotels and airport a truly world-class international homeport.
The three cruise terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B and the Palm Grove Terminal allow Malaga to receive cruise ships of any sizes from all over the world. Larger cruise liners dock in the eastern area and smaller cruise ships dock at the inner basin next to the Palm Grove waterfront, which is within five minute’s walking distance to the cathedral. There are full turnaround and transit services as well as a small shopping center offering duty free and souvenir shopping. A shuttle service to the city center is also in operation.
All three terminals have been designed with the latest requirements concerning safety and security in mind, and each fully complies with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). Terminal A is equipped with two boarding bridges specially designed for a new generation of ships and has already hosted some of the world’s biggest cruise ships, such as Genesis from RCCL and Dream Class from Carnival. Terminal B has a modern boarding bridge and offers full turnaround and transit services while The Palm Grove Terminal is designed to operate small and mid-sized ships up to 200 m and is located in the heart of the city center.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
