The port of Lisbon has announced that it has been nominated for two World Cruise Awards, which are regarded as the most prestigious international recognitions within the cruise sector.

The city of Lisbon is competing in the category of Europe’s Best Cruise Destination, while the capital’s terminal is nominated in the category of Europe’s Best Cruise Terminal.

Previous recognition

The Portuguese capital has previously won the award for Europe's Best Cruise Destination in 2024 and 2021, and Europe's Best Cruise Terminal in 2024 and 2022, Publituris reports.

Lisbon is not Portugal’s only nominee at this year’s World Cruise Awards, as Madeira, last year’s winner of Europe’s Best Cruise Destination, is once again competing in the category.

Consistent path

These two nominations “reinforce Lisbon's international recognition as a cruise destination of excellence and confirm the quality, competitiveness and attractiveness of the city's port infrastructure," officials said, and this double nomination represents not only a symbolic distinction, but a “confirmation of a consistent path of international affirmation."

In the words of the organisers, “World Cruise Awards serves to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in the global cruise sector.”

European competition

This year, Lisbon will be competing in the category of Best Cruise Destination in Europe against destinations such as Athens, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Monte Carlo, Nice, Oslo, Rome, and once again, the popular Portuguese destination, Madeira.

For Europe's Best Cruise Terminal Award, the Port of Lisbon states that the infrastructure will compete against renowned ports such as Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Amsterdam, Limassol, Malaga, Monaco, Oslo, Portsmouth, Valletta and Zadar.

Global recognition

World Cruise Awards covers the full spectrum of the global cruise sector across all seven continents, with categories spanning from Best Cruise Line, Best Cruise Destination and Best Cruise Travel Agency, and nominees ranging from small companies and start-ups to global brands.

Last year, the United Arab Emirates dominated in the global categories, with Abu Dhabi taking the award for World’s Best Cruise Destination, and DP World Mina Rashid in Dubai taking the award for World’s Best Cruise Terminal.

Cast your votes

World Cruise Awards is the sister programme to World Travel Awards, which is currently in its 33rd year of celebrating global travel excellence, and according to officials, World Cruise Awards “aims to foster growth, innovation and best practice on a global scale,” just as the World Travel Awards has been doing for more than three decades.

Votes can be cast via the World Cruise Awards website between 13 July and 21 August. The nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced as the winners at the 6th edition of the World Cruise Awards, taking place in Jamaica on 14 October. Jamaica, the 2025 winner of the Caribbean’s Best Cruise Destination Award, will host the ceremony.