ECN Awards 2025 Shortlist Revealed – Celebrating Excellence in the Expedition Cruise Industry

ECN Inaugural Awards' winners 2024

The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is delighted to announce the shortlists for the ECN Awards 2025. These awards celebrate the very best of the expedition cruise industry, from the expedition cruise operators pioneering extraordinary voyages to the travel advisors and agencies whose expertise inspires travellers to choose expedition cruising.

Now in their second year, the ECN Awards reflect the passion, collaboration, and innovation that drive our sector forward. We are especially thrilled to introduce a brand-new category in 2025: Favourite Expedition Cruise Sales Representative. This is the first time that the trade has been invited to recognise the sales professionals who are on the front line every day, connecting, educating, and inspiring the travel trade to sell expedition cruising.

Expedition Cruise Operator Categories

Voted for by the travel trade

Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator for Polar Regions

• Albatros Expeditions

• Antarctica 21

• Oceanwide Expeditions

• HX Expeditions

• National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

• Polar Latitudes

• Quark Expeditions

  
  

Favourite Warm Weather Expedition Cruise Operator

• Aqua Expeditions

• HX Expeditions

• Golden Galapagos

• National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

• PONANT

  
  

Favourite Luxury Expedition Cruise Operator

• PONANT

• Silversea Expeditions

• Scenic

• Aqua Expeditions

• Seabourn

  
  

Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator for Sustainability

• AE Expeditions (Aurora)

• Golden Galapagos

• Oceanwide Expeditions

• HX Expeditions

• National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

• Polar Latitudes

  
  

Favourite Micro Expedition Cruise Operator

• Aqua Expeditions

• Maple Leaf Adventures

• Golden Galapagos

• Secret Atlas

  
  

Favourite Specialist Expedition Cruise Operator

• Adventure Canada

• Australis Cruises

• Heritage Expeditions

• Coral Expeditions

  
  

Overall Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator

• Polar Latitudes

• National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

• Oceanwide Expeditions

• Golden Galapagos

• HX Expeditions

  
  

Favourite Expedition Cruise Sales Representative (new for 2025)

• Andrea Pico (Golden Galapagos)

• Danielle Bates (National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions)

• Megan Lewis (HX Expeditions)

• Max Campos (Aqua Expeditions)

• Christofer Lederman (Golden Galapagos)

Travel Trade Categories

Judged by a panel of expedition cruise operator representatives

Best Expedition Cruise Travel Agency

• AdventureSmith Explorations

• Marco Polo Travel

• Polar Tracks Expeditions

• The Small Cruise Ship Collection

• Mundy Adventures (Expedition division)

• Fred Olsen Travel

  
  

Best Expedition Cruise Tour Operator (ATOL bonded)

• Audley Travel

• Discover the World

• Swoop Antarctica

• Polar Routes

  
  

Best Individual Expedition Cruise Seller / Travel Advisor

• Darren Seward, Discover the World

• Andrew Browning, AdventureSmith Explorations

• Beth Parry, The Small Cruise Ship Collection

• Otto Lock, Swoop Antarctica

• Jane Middleton, Authentic Travel Company

• Erin Chavanne, Polar Tracks Expeditions

• Heather Moult, Swoop Antarctica

• Helen Fensom, Panache Cruises

• Telina Lawrence, The Travel Professionals

  
  

Best Individual Newcomer to Expedition Cruise – Cruise Seller / Travel Advisor

• Becky Walker, Club Voyages

• Jane Coy, Polar Routes

• David McKerry, We Do Travel

• Lu Pearson, Swoop Antarctica

• Kathryn Waites, Panache Cruises

  
  

Best Newcomer to Expedition Cruise – Travel Agency or Tour Operator

• Vigil Cruisevoy Limited

• Travelpack

• Glacial Expeditions – a new division of Journey with Erika

• Holiday Moods Adventures

• ArcticDesire.com

• Panache Cruises

An Evening to Remember on the River Thames

Dixie Queen

The winners of the ECN Awards 2025 will be revealed at a very special celebration on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, from 7:00pm – 10:00pm in Central London (see the full conference programme for details).

This year’s ceremony will take place aboard the Dixie Queen, one of the most iconic vessels on the River Thames. Styled as a classic Mississippi paddle steamer, the Dixie Queen combines vintage charm with modern elegance. With spacious decks, beautifully appointed interiors, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing London’s skyline, it is the perfect venue to bring the expedition cruise industry together.

Guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening of dining, networking, and celebration — with the highlight of the night being the thrilling cruise beneath a fully raised Tower Bridge, a spectacular and rare moment that will make this year’s Awards truly memorable.

For tickets, please check here

Celebrating Our Community

Akvile Marozaite, CEO and Co-Founder of ECN, said:“These awards are about celebrating the spirit of collaboration that defines the expedition cruise industry. From the operators creating unforgettable journeys to the travel advisors who bring them to life for their clients, our sector is full of remarkable talent. The introduction of our new sales representative category highlights just how essential these individuals are in building strong relationships between operators and the travel trade. We are proud to honour every single person and company shortlisted this year, and we cannot wait to celebrate together on the Thames.”