Carnival Cruise Line won six Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. Princess Cruises received top honors in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 19th Readers’ Choice Awards, receiving five awards overall.
SEATTLE, WASH. – Holland America Line dominated Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards with eight honors. Readers from Porthole, one of the world’s leading consumer cruise travel publications, recognized Holland America Line in areas that covered everything from destinations to onboard and shoreside experiences.
The awards include Best Canada/New England and Northern Europe Itineraries; Best Shore Excursions; Best Spa Facilities; Most Eco-Friendly Line; Best Medical Facilities; Best Facilities for Guests with Disabilities; and Best Private Island for Half Moon Cay, the line’s exclusive island in the Bahamas.
“As Holland America Line continues our journey of brand evolution and innovation, it is an incredible honor to be recognized by the readers of Porthole who are the most discerning and well-experienced cruisers in the world,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We’re working hard to make sure that we excel in all areas of the cruise experience, and these recognitions tell us we’re on the right path. Thank you to Porthole and all of the readers for these eight awards.”
Porthole Cruise Magazine's annual Readers' Choice Awards are determined by thousands of the publication's readers who vote both online and via paper ballot on their favorite cruise lines in more than 50 categories.
“Every year Holland America Line impresses our readers in a variety of categories, and by the number of awards it’s clear that the cruise line delivers an all-around fantastic experience,” said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine. “Congratulations to Holland America Line for once again earning the most awards. Our readers know what they like and they know what makes an exceptional cruise, and Holland America Line continues to capture their votes.”
Half Moon Cay: Best Private Island in its 20th Anniversary Year
For the past 17 years, Porthole Cruise Magazine’s readers have named Half Moon Cay the industry’s Best Private Island. In 2017 the island is celebrating its 20th anniversary with special events, upgrades and new facilities. Half Moon Cay is 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 and explorers.
Best Shore Excursions
Holland America Line guests can participate in incredible EXC Tours (shore excursions) that are designed to help guests deeply connect with the people and places they are visiting. To help make the most of time ashore, Holland America Line’s expertly curated EXC Tours provide a wide variety of ways to explore and learn about the cultures of each port of call. Guests looking for a more tailored experience can delve deeper into The Collections tours and choose a shore excursion that has a particular focus.
Top Itineraries Earn Top Honors
Holland America Line earned a win for its Canada/New England itineraries. Stretching from April through October, the line offers the longest Canada/New England season in the industry. In 2018, four ships will feature cruises from seven to 15 days, with many able to combine with a Bermuda, Cuba or back-to-back Canada/New England cruise to form a longer Collectors’ Voyage. Whether on a gorgeous summer day or during the stunning fall foliage season, Holland America Line visits the region at the most beautiful times of the year.
The line’s northern Europe cruises garnered an additional honor for top itineraries. While visiting some of the most charming, scenic and historic ports, guests can marvel at the fjords of Norway, attend an evening ballet at St. Petersburg, Russia, or traverse the Arctic Circle to welcome the splendor of the midnight sun. In 2018, Holland America Line will have four ships sailing throughout the region from April through September.
Best Spa Facilities
Holland America Line’s Greenhouse Spa and Salon is a heavenly retreat that nurtures every aspect of well-being with renowned spa rituals and healing touches. Guests can relax and rejuvenate their mind, body and soul with a massage, facial or a dip in the hydropool. With the introduction of the two-story spa on ms Koningsdam, Holland America Line took the shipboard spa experience to a whole new level of pampering. It is the first in the fleet to feature a Medi-Spa and Barber Shop. The serene Spa Staterooms and Suites on select ships are spacious havens of peace and quiet, conveniently located steps away from the spa facilities.
Most Eco-Friendly Cruise Line
Holland America Line understands the great responsibility in safeguarding the oceans and environment. Through the “Our Marvelous Oceans” partnership with Marine Conservation Institute that began in 2010, Holland America Line educates guests and crew about marine conservation issues, including marine protected areas. Responsible energy, water and waste management are important components of the company’s sustainability strategy. Six of the 14 Holland America Line ships use shore power at the ports of Quebec, Seattle, San Diego and Vancouver.
State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities and Facilities for Guests with Disabilities
Once again, Holland America Line received recognition for its accessibility and medical facilities. Holland America ships accommodate guests with a variety of special needs and feature state-of-the-art shipboard medical facilities and equipment.
Carnival Cruise Line wins six Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards
Carnival Cruise Line has earned six Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards, including Best Value for the Money Line for the 19th consecutive year. Carnival’s six Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards include:
- Best Value-For-The-Money Line
- Best Cruise Line for Teens
- Best Computer Facilities
- Best Website
- Best Nightlife
- Best Mexican Riviera Itineraries
Carnival’s six Porthole Awards encompass a variety of categories, everything from providing a superior value with an array of free-of-charge dining and entertainment options to the line’s legendary nightlife, which includes fun-filled deck parties, sizzling dance clubs, high energy production shows and live music throughout the ship.
The line’s top-rated Club O2 teen program, which features designated facilities, enthusiastic counselors and activities aimed at 15-17 year olds, along with its immersive carnival.com web site that makes planning for a cruise vacation fun and easy, were also recognized as was the line’s fleetwide computer facilities with standalone workstations that provide convenient access for keeping in touch with friends and families back home.
Carnival is also the West Coast cruise leader, with three year-round ships operating 250 three- to 15-day cruises annually from Long Beach, Calif., visiting spectacular ports in Mexico and Hawaii. The line will increase capacity by more than 40 percent on its longer length cruises from Southern California when the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor repositions to Long Beach in January 2018.
“Considering our awards cover such a diverse array of areas – from our teen program and nightlife to onboard computer facilities and itineraries – it’s truly gratifying to be recognized for the efforts we put forth in providing fun and memorable cruises for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Plus, exceeding guests expectations is one of our brand pillars and earning Best Value honors for the 19th consecutive year is a testament to the value and affordability of the Carnival vacation experience.”
Princess Cruises Itineraries and Onboard Offerings Receive Top Honors
Princess Cruises also received top honors in Porthole Cruise Magazine's 19th Readers' Choice Awards, receiving five awards overall including "Best Alaska Itineraries," "Best Onboard Shopping," "Best Asia/Pacific Itineraries," "Best Central America Itineraries," and "Best Onboard Photography."
"We're incredibly proud to be recognized as a destination leader in Alaska, Central America, and Asia/Pacific by the readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises group president. "We strive to provide our guests the most immersive, authentic experiences while traveling to destinations around the globe."
Award winners were determined by thousands of readers and online fans of the magazine, who voted for their favorite cruise lines and ships in 55 cruise-related categories. 2017 garnered a record-breaking number of ballots for the awards, and results are set to publish in the November/December 2017 issue on stands today.
"From its onboard amenities and activities to its variety of worldwide itineraries, Princess Cruises offers a standout cruise experience to its loyal guests," said Bill Panoff, Porthole Cruise Magazine publisher and editor-in-chief. "Our readers place a great deal of emphasis on itinerary options, so I commend Princess on its three wins in this category alone – the most of any cruise line."
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