The winners of the second annual Royal Caribbean Trade Awards have been announced during a ceremony onboard an exclusive first sailing of Independence of the Seas following her multi-million pound makeover.

Recognising the hard work of agent partners across the UK & Ireland, the awards were attended by over 1,000 agents, including the 800 #GetMeOnIndy winners. The evening, which was co-hosted by radio and TV star Mark Wright and Royal Caribbean’s UK & Ireland Managing Director, Ben Bouldin, started with a sneak peek of award-winning Broadway musical, Grease, which is also set to delight guests onboard Independence of the Seas.

The audience was also given the chance to win prizes, including two £250 vouchers and a golden ticket for a three-night cruise onboard Independence of the Seas in October.

Bouldin said: “We continually seek to surprise, delight and reward our agency partners and our annual Trade Awards are the pinnacle of this. It’s always a pleasure to be involved in these awards and celebrate the hard work and dedication that our trade partners show to Royal Caribbean. A huge congratulations once again to all our winners.”

Winners:

Best overall performance – Cruise Specialist 2017

Iglu

Best overall performance – Retail 2017

Virgin Holiday Cruise

Most improved Agent performance 2017

Stewart Travel

Best overall performance – Northern Ireland 2017

Clubworld

Best overall performance –Republic of Ireland 2017

E Travel

Best overall performance – Consortia 2017

The Travel Network Group

Retail Outlet of the Year 2017

Barrhead Saltcoats – (Manager Tina King)

Newcomer 2017

LoveitBookIt

Club Rewards Ambassador of the Year

Gary Goodfellow – The Cruise Specialists

Outstanding Contribution 2017 (MD Award)

Alison Earnshaw – World Travel Holdings