Travel Weekly celebrates the best of the best in travel in 91 categories, all chosen and voted on by our readers.
January 20, 2025
Travel Weekly’s Readers Choice Awards, now in their 22nd year, celebrate the best of the best in the travel industry. Readers each year are given the opportunity to honor what they believe to be the top suppliers in each category by writing in the companies to be nominated as finalists and then voting on the winners. This year, awards were handed out in a record 91 categories.
For a third year in a row, the Readers Choice gala dinner was held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Attendees gathered in the entrance rotunda and proceeded to the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, where awards were presented under the museum’s unforgettable giant blue whale. Among the honorees: three individuals who received Lifetime Achievement awards and one company that was presented an award for sustainability in travel.
View the finalists – and the winners – of this year’s Readers Choice Awards
Left to right, Collette’s Christian Leibl-Cote, Ryan Grissett, Stephanie Mirando, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, Kristina Miranda, Matt Voccola, Todd Bridges, Jeff Roy and Willie Montano.
Left to right, Collette’s Christian Leibl-Cote, Ryan Grissett, Stephanie Mirando, Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, Kristina Miranda, Matt Voccola, Todd Bridges, Jeff Roy and Willie Montano.
Hertz’s Casey Rodriguez, Cheryl Reynolds, Allison Yore and Bridget Bardill.
Hertz’s Casey Rodriguez, Cheryl Reynolds, Allison Yore and Bridget Bardill.
Shannon McGee, Jamie Paiko and Amanda Jordan of Cunard.
Shannon McGee, Jamie Paiko and Amanda Jordan of Cunard.
Travelmation’s Adam Duckworth; Katelyn Duckworth; Azamara’s Dondra Ritzenthaler; Nexion’s Jackie Friedman; Michelle Lardizabal, Katie Gerhard and Lori Goldspiel of Azamara; Signature’s Julie Howard; Online Vacation Center’s Marc Rudner; and Avoya’s Phil Cappelli.
Travelmation’s Adam Duckworth; Katelyn Duckworth; Azamara’s Dondra Ritzenthaler; Nexion’s Jackie Friedman; Michelle Lardizabal, Katie Gerhard and Lori Goldspiel of Azamara; Signature’s Julie Howard; Online Vacation Center’s Marc Rudner; and Avoya’s Phil Cappelli.
Windstar’s Gina McGinnis, ASTA’s Erin Hulscher, Azure Blue Vacations’ Suzy Schreiner, Windstar’s Dianna Rom, KHM Travel’s Anita Pagliasso, Virtuoso’s Una O’Leary, Travel Leaders’ Millie Quiles, Enticing Vacations’ Kerry Tice and Huckleberry Travel’s Thomas Carpenter and David Slivken.
Windstar’s Gina McGinnis, ASTA’s Erin Hulscher, Azure Blue Vacations’ Suzy Schreiner, Windstar’s Dianna Rom, KHM Travel’s Anita Pagliasso, Virtuoso’s Una O’Leary, Travel Leaders’ Millie Quiles, Enticing Vacations’ Kerry Tice and Huckleberry Travel’s Thomas Carpenter and David Slivken.
Certares’ Greg O’Hara, one of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
Certares’ Greg O’Hara, one of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
Oceania’s Joe Eastep, Christina Quinoy, Nikki Upshaw and Frank A. Del Rio; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Patrik Dahlgren; Oceania’s Morgane Beltaief and Tricia Wolf; and Greg Mattson of World Travel Holdings.
Oceania’s Joe Eastep, Christina Quinoy, Nikki Upshaw and Frank A. Del Rio; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Patrik Dahlgren; Oceania’s Morgane Beltaief and Tricia Wolf; and Greg Mattson of World Travel Holdings.
FRANK J. DEL RIO
Former President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Frank J. Del Rio served as president and CEO of cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings from 2015 to June 2023 and oversaw the financial, operational and strategic performance of the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. Del Rio was a founder of Oceania in 2002, carving out an industry niche that became known as “deluxe” or “premium,” and he served as the CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings and was responsible for its integration with NCLH. Prior to Oceania, Del Rio played a role in the development of Renaissance Cruises and also served in leadership roles.
Northstar Travel Group’s Alicia Evanko-Lewis with Holland America Line’s Rob Coleman; Seabourn’s Maxine Gundermann and Eva Damato; and Holland America’s Tara Schreiner, Nate Burdulis and Ann Hall.
Northstar Travel Group’s Alicia Evanko-Lewis with Holland America Line’s Rob Coleman; Seabourn’s Maxine Gundermann and Eva Damato; and Holland America’s Tara Schreiner, Nate Burdulis and Ann Hall.
Celebrity’s Katina Athanasiou; Royal Caribbean’s Vicki Freed; Laurie Bohn-Isaure, Joe Leon and Kelly Bigel of Silversea; Royal’s Joanne Schimelman and Celebrity’s Jennifer Suarez.
Celebrity’s Katina Athanasiou; Royal Caribbean’s Vicki Freed; Laurie Bohn-Isaure, Joe Leon and Kelly Bigel of Silversea; Royal’s Joanne Schimelman and Celebrity’s Jennifer Suarez.
AmaWaterways’ Alex Pinelo and Gary Murphy.
AmaWaterways’ Alex Pinelo and Gary Murphy.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Brennan Quesnele, Jennifer West, David Herrera, Daniela Jolodosky and Derek Lloyd.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Brennan Quesnele, Jennifer West, David Herrera, Daniela Jolodosky and Derek Lloyd.
Regent Seven Seas’ Shawn Tubman, Jessica John and Andrea DeMarco; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Patrik Dahlgren; and Regent Seven Seas’ Wesley D’Silva and Steve Odell with Northstar’s Mary Pat Sullivan.
Regent Seven Seas’ Shawn Tubman, Jessica John and Andrea DeMarco; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Patrik Dahlgren; and Regent Seven Seas’ Wesley D’Silva and Steve Odell with Northstar’s Mary Pat Sullivan.
A group celebrates with Sandals’ Gareth Laird, center.
A group celebrates with Sandals’ Gareth Laird, center.
The Los Cabos Tourism Board’s Rodrigo Esponda with Northstar’s Bob Sullivan.
The Los Cabos Tourism Board’s Rodrigo Esponda with Northstar’s Bob Sullivan.
IHG Hotels and Resorts’ Michael Shepard and Renah Kang-Casas.
IHG Hotels and Resorts’ Michael Shepard and Renah Kang-Casas.
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s Robyn Basso with Travel Weekly’s Arnie Weissmann.
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s Robyn Basso with Travel Weekly’s Arnie Weissmann.
GREG O'HARA
Founder and Senior Managing Director for Certares Management
Michael Gregory O’Hara is the founder and a senior managing director at Certares, an investment firm focused on the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. He is the chairman of American Express Global Business Travel and chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council. He also serves on the boards of Hertz Global Holdings, TripAdvisor and Certares Holdings. Prior to forming Certares, he served as chief investment officer of JPMorgan Chase’s Special Investments Group and managing director of its private equity arm, One Equity Partners, and before that he was executive vice president of Worldspan.
Northstar’s Bob Sullivan, Mary Pat Sullivan and Arnie Weissmann flank Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, second from left: Gloria Bohan, Brad Tolkin, Michelle Fee, Michele Saegesser, Jackie Friedman, Frank A. Del Rio (standing in for his father, Frank J. Del Rio), Jeff Tolkin, Kathy Sudeikis and Valerie Wilson.
Northstar’s Bob Sullivan, Mary Pat Sullivan and Arnie Weissmann flank Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, second from left: Gloria Bohan, Brad Tolkin, Michelle Fee, Michele Saegesser, Jackie Friedman, Frank A. Del Rio (standing in for his father, Frank J. Del Rio), Jeff Tolkin, Kathy Sudeikis and Valerie Wilson.
TTC Tour Brands’ Melissa DaSilva.
TTC Tour Brands’ Melissa DaSilva.
Amstar’s Rosalinda Rodriguez.
Amstar’s Rosalinda Rodriguez.
Tourism Ireland’s Alison Metcalfe with Sullivan.
Tourism Ireland’s Alison Metcalfe with Sullivan.
Allianz Partners’ Tom Trotta, Rob Cavaliere, Richard Aquino and DeAnne Bell.
Allianz Partners’ Tom Trotta, Rob Cavaliere, Richard Aquino and DeAnne Bell.
Railbookers’ Cris David, Jim Marini, Jarret Kettinger and Frank Marini.
Railbookers’ Cris David, Jim Marini, Jarret Kettinger and Frank Marini.
Marriott’s Michelle Galindo, Mitch Hince and Nicole Ziolkowski.
Marriott’s Michelle Galindo, Mitch Hince and Nicole Ziolkowski.
MICHELE SAEGESSER
Vice President of Sales and National Accounts, Viking
Michele Saegesser has built a 44-year career in travel, including 20 years growing the Viking brand — she joined when the line had a mere 12 ships in its lineup. Saegesser started in travel with Disneyland Resort before moving to Princess Cruises, including working onboard the “Love Boat,” aka the Pacific Princess (she recalled that one of the perks of the job included a $1,200 per month “gown allowance”).Saegesser also was the first U.S. representative for Rocky Mountaineer, which led her to start her own business specializing in luxury trains. Her career at Viking has included opening the line’s first office in Australia and serving as vice president of sales and national accounts.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Kirk Neal, Sheila LeBlanc, Ken Tate, Christine Duffy, Mike Julius and Janet Wygert.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Kirk Neal, Sheila LeBlanc, Ken Tate, Christine Duffy, Mike Julius and Janet Wygert.
Princess Cruises’ Marsha Patrick and Cindy Botelho.
Princess Cruises’ Marsha Patrick and Cindy Botelho.
Avalon Waterways’ Pam Hoffee, Globus’ Camille Olivere, Northstar’s Alicia Evanko-Lewis and Globus’ Scott Nisbet.
Avalon Waterways’ Pam Hoffee, Globus’ Camille Olivere, Northstar’s Alicia Evanko-Lewis and Globus’ Scott Nisbet.
The Delta Vacations and Delta Air Lines team: Paola Saraceni, Scott Jordan, Marie Blawat, Kama Winters, Kristen Molloy, Mike Owen, Laurie Miles, Shawn Cole and Mollie Ohlhaut.
The Delta Vacations and Delta Air Lines team: Paola Saraceni, Scott Jordan, Marie Blawat, Kama Winters, Kristen Molloy, Mike Owen, Laurie Miles, Shawn Cole and Mollie Ohlhaut.
Travel Planners’ Erwing Hernandez, Disney Destinations’ Doreen Brown, Mickey World Travel’s Janice Hayeck, Mouse Made Simple’s Judy Globokar, Firefly Travels’ Kristen Keeney, Kingdom and Cruise Travel’s Jennifer Price, Noel 4 Travel’s Noel Zanvettor, The Walt Disney Company’s Stella Marianetti, Nexion’s Mai Da Pra and Starstuff Travel’s Stacey Cabell.
Travel Planners’ Erwing Hernandez, Disney Destinations’ Doreen Brown, Mickey World Travel’s Janice Hayeck, Mouse Made Simple’s Judy Globokar, Firefly Travels’ Kristen Keeney, Kingdom and Cruise Travel’s Jennifer Price, Noel 4 Travel’s Noel Zanvettor, The Walt Disney Company’s Stella Marianetti, Nexion’s Mai Da Pra and Starstuff Travel’s Stacey Cabell.
Pleasant Holidays’ Jack Richards and Chanda Vudmaska.
Pleasant Holidays’ Jack Richards and Chanda Vudmaska.
VAX VacationAccess’ Josef Shomperlen.
VAX VacationAccess’ Josef Shomperlen.
ALG Vacations’ Brian Ehlers, Jacki Marks, Heather Hendrix and Mike Ehlers.
ALG Vacations’ Brian Ehlers, Jacki Marks, Heather Hendrix and Mike Ehlers.
Abercrombie & Kent’s Kim Guimaraes and Shawn Johnson.
Abercrombie & Kent’s Kim Guimaraes and Shawn Johnson.
HURTIGRUTEN
The recipient of the annual Sustainability Award, Hurtigruten has been an industry leader in sustainability, starting with a ban of heavy fuel oil it implemented more than 15 years ago. Hurtigruten was the first to introduce battery-hybrid-powered ships, beginning with the Roald Amundsen in 2019; it now has three, with a fourth vessel planned for this year. And it aims to debut a zero-emission ship in 2030. It claims to be the first line to have banned single-use plastics, and it has committed to reducing edible food waste to zero.
Courtenay Oswin, the line’s North America marketing lead, accepted the award and was joined onstage by Bruce Beckham, the former executive director of Tourism Cares.
Photos by Andrei Jackamets Photography
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