Royal Caribbean Arabia launches first-ever Middle East cruise agents awards

Debut event was held on board Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Arabia has hosted the first-ever awards ceremony honouring Middle East cruise agents.

The 2023 Middle East Awards at Sea hosted by Royal Caribbean Arabia took place on board Oasis of the Seas on 28 September 2024.

Royal Caribbean’s Senior Vice President, International, Angie Stephen – who took on the role in May 2024 – attended the event to congratulate the winners.

Royal Caribbean’s Senior Vice President, International, Angie Stephen and Royal Caribbean Arabia Managing Director Mohamed Saeed 

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the vacation industry,” she said. “The opportunities to deliver even more memorable vacations around the world are exponential, and Royal Caribbean and our world-class international organisation are perfectly positioned to make it all a reality.”

Spearheading the awards, Royal Caribbean Arabia Managing Director Mohamed Saeed joined Stephen on stage to address the winners.

“Our success relies not only on our state-of-the-art ships and unparalleled customer experiences but significantly on the dedication, passion and expertise of our agents,” said Saeed. “You are the ambassadors of our brand, the bridge between us and our treasured guests. It’s your hard work, innovative spirit and relentless commitment to excellence that help us reach more travellers and create unforgettable journeys for them.”

The winners celebrate

Saeed assured the audience that the debut awards event would be followed by another, already in the planning, expected to take place in October 2025. 

The award ceremony was the climax of a three-day itinerary, incorporating travel trade conferences, networking sessions and Royal Caribbean cruise experiences, including Flowrider surfing sessions, a top deck zipline, a silent disco, theatre shows in water, on ice and on stage, and bespoke excursions tailored to Arabian markets offered in conjunction with Marhaba Italia. 

All the winning agents were invited on the all-expenses-paid, three-day trip from Rome to Barcelona.

Awards presenter Sarah Hedley Hymers, Editorial Director of Connecting Travel

The winners were awarded one of four accolades:

The Royal Rising Star Award: This category celebrates Royal Caribbean Arabia’s emerging talents — agents who have recently begun selling Royal Caribbean brand cruises and are already making a significant impact. These rising stars show promise and demonstrate exceptional enthusiasm, and have the potential to be the new leaders in the travel industry.

The Royal Pinnacle Award: Honouring Royal Caribbean Arabia’s veterans, the Royal Pinnacle category recognises agents who have consistently delivered outstanding performances over the years. These key players are instrumental in sustaining and increasing Royal Caribbean Arabia’s market presence, supporting the brand with their dedication and expertise.

The Middle East Awards at Sea

The Royal Ambassador Award: Recognising the top cruise experts in the community, this category is for those who have been instrumental in driving Royal Caribbean sales across the region. The Royal Ambassadors embody the spirit of our brand, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion with travellers and fellow agents.

The Middle East Sales Champion: Awarded to the top sales performer of 2023, this category honours the agent whose unparalleled sales achievements have set the standard for success this year. Their exceptional results are a testament to their hard work, strategic acumen and dedication to excellence.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE AWARDS CEREMONY HERE 

The winners of the 2023 Middle East Awards at Sea hosted by Royal Caribbean Arabia are:

2023 Royal Rising Stars:

• Al Faris Int'l Travel & Tourism
• Al Sarh Travel & Tourism
• Elite Holidays Travel & Tours
• Rayna Seacation
• Touri Travel & Tourism

Elite Holidays' Esraa Madi with Royal Caribbean's Mohamed and Andrew

2023 Royal Pinnacles

• 24x7rooms.com
• Aljawla Alsaeeda
• Amin Kawar & Sons Travel and Tourism
• Click Luxury Travel
• Cruise Makers by MTC
• Darwish Travel Co
• Dnata Travel Group (Middle East)
• Eihab Travels
• Regency Travel & Tours
• Tutankhamun Tours

Tutankhamun Tours' Omar Wahba and Naiara Khayrat

2023 Royal Ambassadors:

• Cruise Master
• Cruisexplore
• Tbo.com

Cruise Master's Ashok Kumar (left) with Royal Caribbean's Mohamed

The Middle East Sales Champion of 2023:

• Cruise Center

Cruise Center CEO PNJ Kumar and Mohamed

To partner with Royal Caribbean Arabia call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, or email book@rccl.ae. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.ae