ECN Awards 2026 shortlist celebrates the people and companies shaping expedition cruising
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has announced the shortlist for the 2026 ECN Awards, recognising the expedition cruise operators, travel businesses and individuals making a significant contribution to the sector.
The third annual awards will take place on 29 September 2026 at Amazing Grace in London. The invite-only evening will bring the expedition cruise community together to celebrate the achievements, knowledge and commitment helping to move the sector forward.
A broad and varied operator shortlist
This year’s operator shortlist features 41 finalist places across 21 expedition cruise brands. The categories reflect the breadth of expedition cruising today, with awards covering polar, warm-weather, luxury, responsible, micro and specialist operations, alongside the overall Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator and Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator Sales Representative awards.
HX Expeditions appears in five operator categories, while National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions is shortlisted in four. Aqua Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions and Poseidon Expeditions each receive three shortlist places.
Growing recognition for travel trade expertise
The travel trade categories celebrate the agencies and individual sellers developing their expedition cruise expertise, supporting clients and helping to grow awareness of the sector.
Entries for Best Individual Expedition Cruise Seller or Travel Advisor increased by 67% this year.
Individual categories accounted for more than two-thirds of the travel trade entries considered in 2026, highlighting the growing depth of knowledge across the trade.
“What stands out this year is the growing recognition of individual expedition cruise expertise. Entries in our established seller and travel advisor category increased by 67%, while individual categories now account for more than two-thirds of all travel trade submissions.“ We are also seeing a broader range of knowledge reflected in the entries, with 60% highlighting first-hand expedition experience and more than half referencing destinations beyond the traditional polar regions. It shows how quickly expedition cruise expertise is developing across the travel trade.“ The operator shortlist also demonstrates the extraordinary variety within expedition cruising today, from polar and warm-weather voyages to micro, specialist and luxury expeditions. Congratulations to every company and individual shortlisted. We look forward to celebrating their achievements in September.” Akvile Marozaite, CEO and Co-Founder, Expedition Cruise Network
ECN Awards 2026 shortlist
Expedition cruise operator categories
Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator for Polar Regions
HX Expeditions
National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions
Oceanwide Expeditions
Polar Latitudes Expeditions
PONANT
Poseidon Expeditions
Favourite Warm-Weather Expedition Cruise Operator
Aqua Expeditions
Golden Galapagos
HX Expeditions
National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions
Swan Hellenic
Favourite Luxury Expedition Cruise Operator
Aqua Expeditions
PONANT
Scenic Eclipse
Seabourn
Silversea
Favourite Responsible Expedition Cruise Operator
AE Expeditions (Aurora Expeditions)
HX Expeditions
National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions
Oceanwide Expeditions
Poseidon Expeditions
Favourite Micro Expedition Cruise Operator
Aqua Expeditions
Golden Galapagos
Kontiki Expeditions
Royal Galapagos
Secret Atlas
Favourite Specialist Expedition Cruise Operator
Adventure Canada
Australis Cruises
Coral Expeditions
Heritage Expeditions
UnCruise Adventures
Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator
HX Expeditions
National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions
Oceanwide Expeditions
Polar Latitudes Expeditions
Poseidon Expeditions
Favourite Expedition Cruise Operator Sales Representative – UK
Max Campos – Aqua Expeditions
Danielle Bates – National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions
Luke Clarke – Swan Hellenic
Kate Statsenko – Poseidon Expeditions
Mark Walter – HX Expeditions
Travel trade categories
Best Expedition Cruise Travel Agency
Antarctica Cruise
Eclipse Travel
John Galigan Travel company a FROSCH Ireland Company
Mundy Adventures
The Small Cruise Ship Collection
Best Individual Expedition Cruise Seller or Travel Advisor
Cassia Jackson, Swoop Travel
Julie Ruston, Swoop Travel
Kassey Green, Cruise Routes
Mary Curry, Adventure Life
Otto Lock, Swoop Travel
Best Individual Newcomer to Expedition Cruise – Cruise Seller or Travel Advisor
Becky Walker, Club Voyages
Daniel Tilyard, Eclipse Travel
Keith Scott, Swoop Travel
Lizzy Watts, Delmar World
Martina Catinari, Antarctica Travels
Celebrating the winners in London
The winners will be announced at the ECN Awards ceremony on 29 September 2026 at Amazing Grace in London. The event is by invite only.
The awards form part of the third annual Expedition Cruise Network Conference, taking place at Glaziers Hall on 29 and 30 September. The two-day conference will bring together expedition cruise operators, travel advisors, tour operators, destinations and industry partners for education, networking and commercial development.
Find out more about the ECN Awards and Conference at www.expeditioncruiseconference.com
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