Not only has the Queen been involved in various ship launches, and naming ceremonies, she is also a keen cruise traveller and has been on many cruise holidays throughout her life. Indeed this summer she spent 10 days on a cruise onboard the Hebredian Princess, sailing around the Western Isles with her family.
The Queen is most often associated with Cunard Cruises due to the names of their ships, and her most recent launch for them was for the Queen Elizabeth ship. It is very fitting then that this 92,000 tonne liner also received an award, for being the best new ship in the industry.
Southampton, which is the Queen Elizabeth’s home port, won the award for the best departure port in the United Kingdom and the Golden Lion Bars aboard Cunard’s ships won the award for the best pubs at sea. It is starting to sound like someone at Cunard slipped the voters a bit of cash, but alas, some other cruise lines did pick up a few gongs.
Thomson Cruises won an award for being the best cruise line on a budget and P & O’s cruise ship, the Ventura was named the best liner for children. For those who prefer to cruise without kids, and I mean without any kids (not just your kids), Saga is the cruise line of choice, winning the award for best “kid-free cruising”.
Royal Caribbean also picked up an award, with their Independence of the Seas ship winning the best ship for first time cruisers. So take note all you cruise virgins out there, the Independence of the Seas is the one to try if you want to dip your foot in the cruise waters!
