The Geordie capital of Newcastle is the surprise winner in the 2011 UK Editors’ Picks cruise awards presented by the influential cruise news and reviews Web site Cruise Critic.
The port was named the Best UK Port of Call in the annual awards, which honour top cruise lines, ships and ports.
Newcastle’s Port of Tyne has benefited from the boom in the British cruise business – in particular, round-Britain itineraries.
Latest figures reveal that visitors arriving through the cruise terminal are worth some €51.5million to the North East’s visitor economy and help sustain about 1,400 jobs in the tourism sector.
Next year, a record 41 cruise ships are expected to call.
Cruise Critic’s editor-in-chief, Carolyn Spencer Brown, said: “Newcastle has some delightful areas – the Quayside, superb museums, restaurants and galleries – and is convenient as both a port of embarkation and a port of call.
“The city’s charms also extend to the countryside, with a range of sites from castles to cathedrals and the gorgeous scenery of the Pennines.” Britain’s largest and busiest cruise port, Southampton, was once again named Best UK Departure Port for its continued growth and commitment to the cruise industry. The Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards celebrate excellence in cruise travel and are selected by a panel of cruise journalists.
The 2011 categories have a distinct gastro theme with awards for Best Dining, Best Alternative Restaurant, Best Buffet, Best Wine List and Best Bar.
Awards were widely distributed among the cruise lines offering itineraries for UK travellers, but Oceania picked up three top honours – Best Buffet and Best Suites, both for Oceania Marina, and Best Dining for the whole fleet.
Cunard reflagged its ships to Bermuda last month, but remains loved by cruisers. It also took home three top awards - Best Itineraries, Best for Entertainment and Best Alternative Restaurant for The Verandah on its newest ship, Queen Elizabeth.
P&O Cruises took top honours for the line’s family-friendly ship, Ventura, which was named Best for First-Timers, and Best Cruise Ship Bar was awarded to The Glass House.