NOMINATED: River Cruising, River Cruise Sales & Service

Founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner, Kristin Karst and Jimmy Murphy, AmaWaterways has 20 vessels in its European fleet, including its newest river cruise vessel, the AmaKristina, which launched this year. Additionally, AmaWaterways operates one vessel on Vietnam and Cambodia's Mekong River, one on Myanmar's Irrawaddy River and offers safari sailings on the Zambezi Queen in Botswana. In 2019, AmaWaterways plans to unveil a mega-river ship, the AmaMagna, which will be twice as wide as its current ships, allowing for larger staterooms and more space for the common areas.

NOMINATED: River Cruising

Founded in 2011, the American Queen Steamboat Co. added a third vessel to its river fleet in 2017, the 340-foot American Duchess, which sails the Mississippi. The former gaming vessel was converted into the all-suite Duchess, which features much more contemporary interiors than the company's two other paddlewheelers. The company purchased its flagship vessel, the 436-passenger American Queen, in 2011. After receiving several million dollars in upgrades, the American Queen was relaunched on the Mississippi River in 2012. The American Queen Steamboat Co. expanded in 2014 with the addition of the 223-passenger American Empress in the Pacific Northwest.

NOMINATED: River Cruising, River Cruise Sales & Service

Avalon Waterways, part of the Globus family of brands, launched its first river cruise vessel in 2004 and has grown to have a European river fleet of 16 vessels. Last year, the company debuted its Avalon Discovery program, with an emphasis on more active and experiential excursions and encounters, as well as Avalon Fresh, a dining program that revolves around healthy, vegetarian cuisine. Avalon also sails vessels on the Mekong, Irrawaddy, Yangtze, Amazon and Nile rivers and has a small-ship charter in the Galapagos Islands.

NOMINATED: Under 1,000 Berths

Azamara Club Cruises, a Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. brand, sails two 694-passenger ships, the Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, in Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America and Mexico. It also offers Panama Canal and transatlantic sailings. The Quest and Journey went into drydock in 2015 for comprehensive upgrades that included a redo of all the suites and brighter, more contemporary furnishings. They will gain a sister ship, the Azamara Pursuit, in the fall.

NOMINATED: Alaska, Caribbean, Domestic, Entertainment, Family Experience, Hawaii/Pacific, Overall, Sales & Service

The world's largest cruise line, Carnival has more cruises to the Caribbean from more U.S. homeports than any other cruise line. Carnival has been adding features to its existing ships, such as the Seuss at Sea kids program and a series of longer, nine-day-plus cruises with special itineraries called Carnival Journeys. Carnival expects to launch the 4,000-passenger Carnival Horizon in Europe next year.

NOMINATED: Alaska, Caribbean, Cuisine, Domestic, Entertainment, Europe, Family Experience, Hawaii/Pacific, Overall, Premium, Sales & Service 

Celebrity pioneered Suite Class, which builds perks into the fare, such as priority embarkation, premium drinks, dining across specialty restaurants, private minibar, exclusive access to Michael's Club and a dedicated restaurant, Luminea. Some of its 12 premium-segment ships feature real grass lawns and a live tree suspended in a container in their atriums. With the Celebrity Edge in 2018, it will launch a class of ships distinguished by their orientation to the sea, visual flair, innovative balcony design and moveable platform cantilevered over one side.

NOMINATED: Cuisine, Under 1,000 Berths, Luxury, World Cruise Itinerary

Crystal Cruises just finished reducing the capacity of its Crystal Symphony from 922 to 848 passengers to allow for single-seat dining. The 1,080-passenger Crystal Serenity will get a similar treatment in 2018. Acquired in 2015 from its Japanese owners by Genting Hong Kong, Crystal is building three ships for delivery starting in 2022. In addition to the 31-suite luxury yacht, the Crystal Esprit, more river cruise and expedition ships are on the horizon.

NOMINATED: Luxury, World Cruise Itinerary

Heritage is a big theme on Cunard Line's three Bermuda-flagged ships. The biggest, the 2,600-passenger Queen Mary 2, was "remastered" in 2016 after 10 years in service, with a more contemporary interpretation of art deco design in its suites and the addition of 15 solo cabins and 30 Britannia Club rooms. Cunard, which has ordered a fourth ship for 2022, is a brand of Carnival Corp.

NOMINATED: Entertainment, Family Experience, Private Island/Destination (Castaway Cay)

The four ships operated by Disney Cruise Line will be joined by three more in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Unlike most ships of their type, they do not include casinos. Disney ships also feature ship's horns that play the opening seven-note theme of "When You Wish Upon a Star." Disney's ships showcase Disney musicals in the Broadway-style Walt Disney Theatre, such as "Tangled" on the Disney Magic. Based out of Port Canaveral,  Fla., Disney Cruise Line packages cruises with its theme parks in nearby Orlando.

NOMINATED: Alaska, Caribbean, Cuisine, Domestic, Europe, Hawaii/Pacific, Overall, Premium, Private Island/Destination (Half Moon Cay), Sales & Service, World Cruise Itinerary

HAL will launch the Nieuw Statendam in late 2018, which will be a sister ship to its 2,650-passenger Koningsdam. HAL introduced a new logo in 2016 and a new tag line, "Savor the Journey," to replace its "Signature of Excellence" slogan. Its 14 ships are registered in the Netherlands, a reflection of its Dutch heritage. This summer Oprah Winfrey cruised in Alaska on HAL to highlight a new partnership.

NOMINATED: Europe

MSC Cruises is a family-owned cruise line with a fleet of 12 ships. Known for its Mediterranean-style cruising, the MSC fleet sails year-round in the Mediterranean. Its MSC Divina has returned to Miami to sail the Caribbean, and MSC plans to launch its next newbuild, the 4,170-passenger Seaside, in Miami this month. The Naples, Italy-based line plans to open a private island near Bimini in 2018. It plans to offer a 119-day world cruise, its first, aboard the MSC Magnifica from Genoa, Italy, in 2019.

NOMINATED: Alaska, Caribbean, Cuisine, Domestic, Entertainment, Europe, Family Experience, Hawaii/Pacific, Overall, Private Island/Destination (Harvest Caye), Sales & Service

Norwegian's 14-ship fleet sails itineraries in the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, South America, Asia and more. Its Pride of America is the only ship that sails year-round In Hawaii. Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line's destination island in Belize, opened late last year. The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss, with a go-kart track on the top deck,  will become the first ship in the fleet to be christened in Seattle, positioned for Alaska sailings, when it arrives in June.

NOMINATED: Cuisine, Europe, Premium, Under 1,000 Berths, World Cruise Itinerary

Oceania Cruises, the world's largest upper-premium cruise line, operates the 684-passenger Nautica, Insignia, Sirena and Regatta and 1,250-passenger Marina and Riviera. Oceania's OLife Advantage package includes amenities such as free shore excursions, unlimited internet and prepaid gratuities as part of the fare. Its 180-day world cruises are unique.

NOMINATED: Hawaii/Pacific

Paul Gauguin Cruises' 332-passenger flagship, the Paul Gauguin, has been offering year-round luxury cruises in Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific since 1988. It offers oceanview accommodations at every level and dining inspired by top chefs of Paris.

NOMINATED: Alaska, Caribbean, Cuisine, Domestic, Entertainment, Europe, Family Experience, Hawaii/Pacific, Overall, Premium, Private Island/Destination (Princess Cays), Sales & Service, World Cruise Itinerary

Agents and cruisers still love "The Love Boat," but the line's current marketing message is "Come Back New." The 18-ship line has a worldwide reach, but it has focused on China lately and sent the new Majestic Princess to Shanghai this year. On its ship the Regal Princess, it has started previewing the Ocean Medallion, a personal digital device developed by parent Carnival Corp. Princess so far is the only brand that will have it.

NOMINATED: Under 1,000 Berths, Luxury, World Cruise Itinerary

Regent launched the Seven Seas Explorer last year, but the line didn't ignore its existing trio of all-suite ships, which operate seven- to 119-night voyages to more than 300 destinations worldwide. More recently the Seven Seas Voyager emerged from a 25-day drydock with updated public spaces and suites, part of a $125 million refurbishment of the Regent fleet. The Voyager's dining options now include French restaurant Chartreuse, which debuted on the Seven Seas Explorer. Regent has also developed new Culinary Arts Center classes for ships sailing in the Caribbean this winter.

NOMINATED: Alaska, Caribbean, Cuisine, Domestic, Entertainment, Europe, Family Experience, Overall, Private Island/Destination (Labadee), Sales & Service

Founded in 1969, Royal Caribbean International's 25-ship fleet visits destinations throughout Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, Central and South America and more. In April, Royal will debut a fourth Oasis-class ship, the Symphony of the Seas, which after sailing in the Med will move to Miami to sail the Caribbean from Royal's new $247 million terminal at PortMiami.

NOMINATED: River Cruising, River Cruise Sales & Service 

In 2008, Australian company Scenic launched its first river cruise program with the christening of two vessels in Europe. Scenic now operates a fleet of 16 luxury river ships in Europe, Russia and Southeast Asia. For 2018, Scenic partnered with National Geographic to launch National Geographic-branded river cruises. The river cruise line will also be introducing sailings on Egypt's Nile River for the first time in 2018. Scenic owns the lower-priced boutique river cruise brand Emerald Waterways, which has seven vessels in its European fleet.

NOMINATED: Under 1,000 Berths, Luxury

Seabourn's fleet of all-suite ships, carrying between 450 and 600 guests each, sails to Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, Europe and beyond with a nearly 1-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio. Seabourn's Odyssey class expanded to four last year with the addition of the Seabourn Encore, and another 600-passenger ship, the Seabourn Ovation, is due in May. The luxury cruise operator has a partnership with Thomas Keller, the chef behind gourmet meccas such as the French Laundry in Napa Valley and Per Se in New York.

NOMINATED: Luxury

Silversea Cruises has five luxury and four expedition ships in its fleet, which travels the globe to more than 800 destinations. Its latest newbuild is the 596-passenger Silver Muse, which will be joined by the Silver Moon in 2020. Silversea has refitted its 296-passenger Silver Cloud for polar voyages, and it began sailing expedition itineraries this month. The Silver Cloud, which entered service in 1994, is Silversea's oldest ship.

NOMINATED: River Cruising, River Cruise Sales & Service

In 2004, Tauck entered the European river cruising game with its first river cruise vessel and has since expanded into an eight-ship operation. This year, Tauck relaunched the Sapphire and Emerald following extensive renovations. The company has completely overhauled the look and feel of the lower-deck cabins on many of its vessels by introducing a lofted lower-deck cabin concept, effectively bringing more light and space to the traditionally smaller and darker staterooms.

NOMINATED: River Cruising, River Cruise Sales & Service

One of the pioneers in the river cruise industry, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection was founded in 1976 by Serbian entrepreneur Serba Ilich. The company was purchased by the Travel Corp. in 2004 and has since been transformed into a six-star luxury river cruise line with a fleet of 18 river cruise vessels in Europe, Russia, Asia and India. For 2018, Uniworld is launching the first millennial-focused river cruise brand, U by Uniworld, aimed at ages 21 to 45. The company is converting the former River Ambassador and River Baroness into The A and The B, vessels with features like communal tables and contemporary furnishings that together with more flexible options and scheduling will be meant to entice a younger demographic.

NOMINATED: Premium, Under 1,000 Berths

With the launch of its 930-passenger Viking Star in 2015, Viking Cruises expanded its successful river cruise brand to deep water cruising. It has since added the nearly identical ships Viking Sea, Sky and Sun, with a additional four ships in the design/build pipeline. Brand hallmarks include modern Scandinavian design, free WiFi, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, at least one shore excursion in every port and an emphasis on destination. Viking is targeted at couples age 55-plus in English-speaking markets.

NOMINATED: River Cruising, River Cruise Sales & Service

Viking River Cruises dates to 1997 when company chairman Tor Hagen purchased four Russian river cruise ships. The company has since grown into the largest river cruise company in Europe. In 2012, Viking began launching its 190-passenger Viking Longships, kicking off a building spree  Viking launched 54 river cruise ships over the course of six years. After a shipbuilding slowdown in 2017 and 2018, the company will kick back into gear with the launch of seven vessels planned for 2019. Viking also sails in Russia, Ukraine, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Egypt and has been credited with bringing a great deal of exposure to the river cruise industry through its widely viewed TV ads, notably on PBS.

NOMINATED: Hawaii/Pacific, Under 1,000 Berths

Windstar Cruises sails to 150 ports in Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Central America. Its fleet comprises three sailing yachts (the Wind Star, Wind Surf and Wind Spirit) and a trio of 212-passenger yachts (the Star Pride, Star Breeze and Star Legend). The line, a division of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, recently launched a marketing campaign focused on the "unexpected" elements of a Windstar vacation.