The British Travel Awards has marked the arrival of new cruise ships with a special category for 2015 – the Best New Cruise Ship.
The awards are also increasing the number of award categories grading many entrants according to company size.
More than half of the awards’ categories will now be graded, including travel retailers, cruise line and customer service sectors.
BTA chief executive Lorraine Barnes Burton said: "This is sure to be a closely fought battle as each ship has amazing features to wow the consumer. Ships which came into service between 1 January 2014 and 31 May 2015 will be eligible to register for the new category.
"The increase in the number of awards now graded according to size of company means the smaller companies, of which there are many in the travel industry giving exceptional service with niche products, don’t compete against the big boys."
Companies have until May 31 to apply for listing under their elected categories on the voting form while consumer voting will begin on July 6 and run until September 30.
The 2015 British Travel Awards will take place in London on Wednesday, November 25.
