Winner: Dave Monk with (from left) Julie Peasgood, Erin Johnson of Carnival Cruises and Caprice Bourret (Picture: Steve Dunlop)
Shipmonk was voted best blogger at the Cruise International Awards in London.
Author Dave Monk received his trophy from Erin Johnson of Carnival Cruises in a packed ceremony at the Ham Yard Hotel.
Dave, 56, has been writing the blog since 2013. As well as shipmonk.co.uk, he posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and also has an app.
He said: ‘I’m thrilled to receive this award on my third time as a finalist. I was up against tough competition from Gary Bembridge, who was highly commended for Tips For Travellers, as well as Becky Wiggins (EnglishMum) and Danielle Fear (CruiseMiss).
‘I’m very grateful to my followers, and the readers of Cruise International, for voting for me in such large numbers.’
Other winners at the awards included Princess Cruises (best cruise line); Royal Caribbean (best onboard entertainment, onboard activities and new ship for Harmony of the Seas); Viking Cruises (best river cruise line and luxury cruise line); Carnival Cruise Line (best for first-time cruisers); Regent Seven Seas (best luxury cruise line); Oceania (best for food); Holland America (best for wellbeing); P&O Cruises (best value for money); Silversea (best for adventure); Disney (best for families); Saga (best for enrichment) and Seabourn (best boutique).
‘Outstanding contribution’: Arnold Donald of Carnival Corporation
Titan’s VIP home departure service was voted best product or service. Best destination in Europe was the Norwegian fjords and, in the rest of the world, New York.
Dave’s award as best blogger comes as he is about to leave his job as deputy editor of Britain’s third-biggest newspaper, Metro, where he has worked for 17 years, to concentrate on cruise writing.
Lines Dave has sailed on include Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises, Disney, Celebrity, Princess, Norwegian, Carnival, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, Silversea, Seabourn, Viking, Cunard, Crystal and Holland America. He has also visited Saga, Voyages of Discovery, Windstar, Ponant, Azamara and SeaDream ships.
Congratulations Dave!