Sydney, Australia – 6th December, 2018 – Cruise Critic, the world's largest cruise reviews site and online cruise community, has announced the winners of its 11th annual Editors' Picks Awards. The awards are selected by a global panel of impartial cruise experts from Cruise Critic, and highlight the best ocean, river and luxury cruise lines for Australian cruisers, across twenty categories. 

“With more Australians deciding to take a cruise than ever before, it's evident that a holiday at sea is becoming an increasingly compelling proposition,” explained Louise Goldsbury, Managing Editor of Cruise Critic Australia.  “Cruise lines continue to meet the growing demand by sending more and more ships to our shores, which is incredibly exciting news for Australian travellers. These awards name the best cruise lines in our region, based on our editors' impartial cruise expertise, first-hand experiences and industry knowledge -- ultimately helping travellers select the best cruise choice for them, from the myriad of amazing options now available.” 

The award for 'Best New Ship' on the ocean went to Majestic Princess which impressed the judges with its outstanding new features, such as an elegant, all-weather pool club and conservatory with bar; hot tubs and enclosed cabanas; and a glass walkway that extends over the ocean. Princess Cruises also won the 'Best Dining' award for its mouth-watering menus created with Michelin-starred chefs. 

P&O secured the coveted 'Best Refurbishment' award for Brisbane-based Pacific Aria for its fantastic cabin upgrades and stylish refreshes to its Dome nightclub and Elemis spa. 

Winning three awards this year, Royal Caribbean International received the 'Best Entertainment' award for its spectacular daytime and nightime entertainment programmes, which feature some of the leading technological innovations at sea, such as skydiving and surfing simulators, and its SeaPlex hub of roller-skating, ice-skating and dodgem cars. The line also won awards for 'Best Suites' and 'Best Nightlife'. 

Azamara Club Cruises took the 'Best Service' award for its friendly, personalised service, and special touches such as ice cream and a jazz band to welcome you back to the ship at the end of a long day at shore.  The line also secured the 'Best Shore Excursions' accolade for its excellent cycling and culinary tours, as well as overnight stays and intimate-sized tour groups. 

The coveted 'Best for Families' award went to Carnival Cruise Line for its fantastic crew that are expertly skilled at taking care of families. The line was also awarded 'Best Value for Money' for delivering plenty of bang for your buck. 

In the river category, Pandaw River Cruises took the 'Best River Cruise Line' award for its beautifully crafted Colonial-style, brass and teak vessels, whilst continuing to open up new cruising regions and developing excellent cultural excursions with a nod to history. Evergreen Cruises & Tours won the 'Best River Cruise Line for Value' award for its quality and great fares which include free wine and beer with meals and gratuities, and also offers special deals for solo travellers. 

Ponant won the 'Best for Luxury' accolade for taking luxury to new depths, with underwater observation lounges on its latest, elegant yachts and for its one-of-a-kind itineraries that always focus on the interesting, cultural and adventurous. 

Viking Orion bagged the 'Best New Luxury Ship' award for its fabulous food, impeccable service, spacious cabins and amazing spa. 

Award-winning Ports 

Sydney secured the 'Best Australian Homeport' award; whilst Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea was awarded 'Best South Pacific Port of Call'. 

Please find the full list of all winners, below. 

2018 Cruise Critic Australia Editors' Picks Awards  

Best New Ship: Majestic Princess

Best Ship Refurbishment: Pacific Aria (P&O)

Best for Adventure: Coral Expeditions

Best Cabins: Celebrity Cruises

Best Dining: Princess Cruises

Best Entertainment: Royal Caribbean International

Best for Families: Carnival Cruise Line

Best Itineraries: Aurora Expeditions

Best Nightlife: Royal Caribbean International

Best Service: Azamara Club Cruises

Best Shore Excursions: Azamara Club Cruises

Best for Solo Travellers: Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Suites: Royal Caribbean International

Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Line

Best River Cruise Line: Pandaw River Cruises

Best River Cruise Line for Value: Evergreen Cruises & Tours

Best for Luxury: Ponant

Best New Luxury Ship: Viking Orion

Best Australian Homeport: Sydney

Best South Pacific Port of Call: Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea 

For the full details of this year's winners, visit the 2018 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards listing.

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Note to Editors: This list reflects the winners in the Australian Editors' Picks Awards. To view the separate list of US and UK winners, click here. 

About Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic® is an online cruise guide, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 350,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world's largest online cruise community where travelers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers. Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet, launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc. 

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site*, enables travelers to unleash the full potential of every trip. With over 702 million reviews and opinions covering the world's largest selection of travel listings worldwide – covering approximately 8 million accommodations, airlines, experiences, and restaurants -- TripAdvisor provides travelers with the wisdom of the crowds to help them decide where to stay, how to fly, what to do and where to eat. TripAdvisor also compares prices from more than 200 hotel booking sites so travelers can find the lowest price on the hotel that's right for them. TripAdvisor-branded sites are available in 49 markets, and are home to the world's largest travel community of 490 million average monthly unique visitors**, all looking to get the most out of every trip. TripAdvisor: Know better. Book better. Go better. 

The subsidiaries and affiliates of TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) own and operate a portfolio of websites and businesses, including more than 20 travel media brands: 

www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bokun.io, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com. 

* Source: Jumpshot for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, September 2018

** Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique visitors, Q3 2018