Stella Awards 2025: Best Cruise Line

Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International

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Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean is a premier cruise line for meetings, corporate events and incentive trips at sea, thanks to a roster of innovative ships that deliver value, ease of planning and a unique experience. With 28 vessels sailing the globe to choose from, clients can take their events to anywhere from the Caribbean to Europe to Asia and beyond. RCI’s ships are built for business and feature dedicated conference facilities in addition to some of the largest and most unique meeting spaces in the industry.

From nightclub theaters to ice-skating rinks with ocean views, not to mention surf simulators and facilities for zip lining, rock climbing and more, Royal Caribbean’s fleet offers an impressive range of customizable activities and venues to suit any group size and meeting objective, accommodating gatherings of as small as 16 and up to 1,400 on larger ships. Planners will find that every RCI ship is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and A/V services, while the all-inclusive nature of each sailing means no extra charge for most components of the event.

silver star Stellas winner

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Whether it's a full-ship charter offering an immersive brand experience or an intimate executive retreat with curated luxury, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings continually proves itself as an essential partner for planners. From full-ship charters to incentive trips, the NCLH team tailors all the details in service of the client's brand and vision, including immersive programming, private destination buyouts, experiential team-building activities and exclusive shore excursions. With a fleet of 34 ships and growing, NCLH offers a wide array of versatile onboard venues, from theaters to lounges, all extraordinary blank canvases rife for event setups.

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Azamara Cruises

An award-winning small-ship cruise line, Azamara specializes in transformative, authentic experiences in the heart of each port visited. In 2025 the company added 85 new destinations, including Antsiranana and Nosy-Be in Madagascar, and Mombasa in Kenya. Each destination offers a unique opportunity to immerse groups in the culture, wildlife and natural beauty of these lesser-known ports. Azamara’s “AzAmazing Evenings” afford attendees a chance to dive deep into cultures and traditions worldwide and, in the process, get to know local people and their ways. With over 13,500 shore excursions on tap, the cruise line provides myriad ways to connect with the destinations visited.