Cruising has always been about discovery—new places, new people, new perspectives. So it feels only right that the industry itself continues to evolve, becoming more inclusive, more representative, and more welcoming to everyone onboard.
That’s why we were proud to once again present the Awards for Inclusion at this year’s Sailawaze Excellence Awards, as well as return to the judging panel, helping to shortlist the cruise lines making real strides towards a more inclusive future.
Last year, we handed out three Inclusion Awards, but the categories weren’t quite as defined. This year, Sailawaze gave the recognition more structure, with clear winners in Ocean, River, and Expedition cruising—and we couldn’t have been more thrilled to be the ones announcing them on the night.
This Year’s Winners
🌊 Ocean (Joint Winners):
– Norwegian Cruise Line, for its industry-leading solo traveller offering—think solo staterooms, lounges, and dedicated onboard communities, helping solo guests feel seen and supported at sea.
– Disney Cruise Line, recognised for its commitment to accessibility, including wheelchair-accessible cabins and facilities not only onboard, but at its private island, Castaway Cay.
🌍 Expedition:
– Aranui Cruises, a standout for its all-Polynesian crew—70% of whom are women, many in roles traditionally held by men. It's a brand leading with authenticity and local empowerment.
🚢 River:
– VIVA Cruises, which continues to welcome some of the highest percentages of LGBTQI+ guests on Europe’s rivers and is a proud member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA).
Each of these winners is doing more than ticking boxes—they’re creating environments where more people feel like they belong. And that’s what inclusion should be about.
Keeping the Conversation Going
As judges, we get a behind-the-scenes look at what these cruise lines are doing to walk the walk—not just splash a rainbow logo on social media, but embed inclusion into their company culture, hiring practices, design choices, and guest experience.
We’ve seen how inclusion evolves from one year to the next, and we’re encouraged to see the Sailawaze Excellence Awards growing with it—offering more defined recognition, broader visibility, and a proper platform to celebrate what matters.
So thank you to Sailawaze for inviting us back. And huge congratulations to Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, VIVA Cruises, and Aranui Cruises. Your work is seen, and it’s making a difference.
Last year's winners included Celebrity Cruises, VIVA Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line.
Until next year...