Five years, five African crowns

by BAILEY CAMPBELL
KINGSTON – SOUTH AFRICAN travel company Cruise Vacations has been named Africa’s Best Cruise Travel Agency for the fifth consecutive year at the 2026 World Cruise Awards, strengthening the country’s reputation in the international cruise tourism industry.

The winners were announced at a ceremony in Jamaica on Monday marking another milestone for the Johannesburg-based business, which returned to operations in April 2022 as international travel resumed following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within months of reopening, the company secured its first African title in 2022, followed by consecutive victories in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.

It also won the World’s Best Cruise Travel Agency award in 2024.

Owner Gaynor Neill attributed the achievement to teamwork, industry partnerships and customer loyalty.

“We are a small, proudly South African, all-women team sending travellers from Africa to some of the most extraordinary places on earth,” Neill said.

“Five consecutive wins belong to every member of our team, our travel agent partners and the clients who continue to trust us with their journeys.”

Cruise Vacations specialises in luxury, niche, yacht, expedition and river cruises across all seven continents, serving both individual travellers and the travel trade.

The company also invests in training and mentoring travel advisers, promoting cruising as a diverse holiday experience encompassing everything from river journeys and luxury yacht voyages to expeditions exploring remote destinations.

Beyond tourism, Cruise Vacations supports community development and conservation initiatives.

Its activities include distributing essential supplies and “Jars of Hope” to disadvantaged communities, as well as supporting charitable golf events.

In 2026, the company hosted its own golf day, raising R250,000 for Rhino Connect and rhino conservation.

Neill said the company believed its commitment to sustainability should extend beyond the cruise industry to communities and wildlife conservation in South Africa.

“We represent cruise lines that take sustainability seriously, and we believe we should mirror those values here at home by supporting local communities and conservation initiatives,” she said.

The company also credits its workplace culture, which combines professional dedication with a relaxed, people-centred environment, for helping its team deliver personalised service.

“We work incredibly hard, but we also sell dreams for a living,” Neill said.

Cruise Vacations operates through Exclusive Cruise and Travel Marketing (Pty) Ltd and brings more than three decades of experience in cruise travel.

It works with premium cruise brands, offering travel agents expert support and products tailored to the African market.

The latest award highlights the potential of South African tourism businesses to compete internationally through specialist knowledge, customer service and sustained investment in relationships.

For the local travel sector, the company’s achievement also demonstrates how specialised tourism services can build international recognition while supporting employment, business partnerships and conservation initiatives at home.

– CAJ News