Announcing winners of the 2024 Seatrade Cruise Awards

The 18^th edition of the Awards were announced Wednesday evening at Seatrade Cruise Med in Málaga at the Welcome Reception.

Cruise Personality of the Year: Marie-Caroline Laurent

CLIA Europe Director General Laurent was awarded the Seatrade Cruise Personality of the Year Award sponsored by V.Ships Leisure and presented by Per Bjørnsen, CEO, V.Ships Leisure, and Seatrade Cruise Portfolio Director Mary Bond.

Laurent was chosen in recognition of the inroads made since joining the cruise industry just three years ago. ‘She has displayed an unstinting drive and determination in raising awareness of the industry’s scale of investment and commitment towards achieving net zero cruising getting amongst politicians, authorities and industry stakeholders both at national government level and in local communities across Europe to highlight the social and economic sustainability cruising provides, and the value it brings as an integral part of society,’ Bond said.

‘She also strived to seek and create dialogue to find practical solutions at multiple touch points and so before she moves onto pastures new, Seatrade and V.Ships Leisure felt the legacy Laurent is leaving deserved recognition.'

Outstanding Achievement Award: Giora Israel

The Seatrade Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by ProColombia, went to Israel, of consulting firm Giora Israel LLC, and presented by senior tourism advisor Pascual Martinez.

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Bond said: ‘Giora has been chosen in recognition of the extensive work undertaken and legacy port projects he developed across six continents during a successful and illustrious 31-year career at Carnival Corp. & plc.

'We strongly felt his savvy, analytical mind and willingness to share knowledge and expertise with governments, authorities, ports and destinations, suppliers, colleagues and the entire cruise and tourism network across the globe and the multiple people and places that have been impacted by his vision and actions deserved to be recognized in front of your peers tonight.’

2024 Award winners

Record 146 nominations

'The Seatrade Cruise Awards program recognizes the best in the cruise industry, setting new standards for innovation, creativity and technology,' Bond said. 'These awards are a testament to the vision of those who drive it. We congratulate our recipients and express gratitude to our group of judges for their efforts in selecting our prestigious winners.'

A record 146 nominations were received.

The winners were determined by an independent panel of leading voices from across the international cruise community, from consultants to professors, editors to operations executives.

Finalists

The full list of finalists was announced in August.