There finalists and winners of Signature Luxury Travel & Style's Luxury Cruise Awards were revealed on Thursday 30 November as maritime opulence and excellence were celebrated in true style in the Sydney Opera House's Yallamundi Rooms.

Eighty guests, including luxury cruise line executives, top-selling travel advisors, cruise industry members and select media, enjoyed fine wining and dining, along with the hilarious MCing of Andrew Daddo.

The fifth annual awards were judged by a panel of 19 leading luxury cruise experts and travel advisors who rated major cruise lines across 11 key categories, including suites, service, dining, wellness, itineraries and shore excursions. Standouts in ocean, river and expedition cruising were recognised in yet another year of excellence in an industry that is currently booming.

And there were many winners at the event, sponsored by Travel Associates, IVE, Crown Towers Sydney and Monaco Tourism. For a full list, pick up the Cruise Editon of Signature Luxury Travel & Style, on sale today, or visit https://www.signatureluxurytravel.com.au/cruise-awards/ 

The Signature Luxury Travel & Style Cruise Editon is packed full of awe-inspiring adventures and travel ideas for your next journey. Along with the awards, there is a special on the 24 most jaw-dropping ocean experiences that are hot on travel insiders' radars right now. Writer Louise Goldsbury also invites you aboard Viking's first Egypt-based vessel as she soaks up the ancient wonders of the Nile on a river cruise, while diving enthusiasts will be enthralled by an article on the remote archipelago of Palau, which is a true underwater paradise.

And for those who prefer to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, don't miss the feature on Saudi Arabia and how its transformation is paving a future geared towards top-end tourism. There's also a story on the 10 best-kept secrets in the Kingdom of Thailand – best to be discovered now before word gets out. Shhh.