Krooze, Brazil’s largest cruise ecosystem, held the third edition of the Krooze Awards on September 28, 2026, in São Paulo. Established as one of the country’s leading cruise industry awards, the initiative recognizes outstanding cruise lines, destinations, ships and experiences that defined the season.
Following the success of its first two editions, the awards returned in 2026 with an even stronger presence, bringing together industry experts to select the best in the sector across several categories. The Krooze Awards reflect the evolution of the cruise industry and highlight the companies and initiatives that stand out for their service quality, innovation and excellence in the experiences offered to travelers.
The judging panels are composed of travel trade professionals, specialized journalists, influencers and experienced travelers, who evaluate the cruise lines, destinations and experiences from the 2025/2026 season in Brazil and abroad. More than 40 experts participated in the voting process, which took place through virtual sessions in August 2026.
Created in 2024, the Krooze Awards were established to recognize excellence across the cruise industry. In their inaugural edition, the awards honored the sector’s leading names in ten categories. In 2025, the initiative expanded its scope, introduced new categories and held its first in-person ceremony, bringing together representatives from major cruise lines, destinations, partner organizations and industry professionals. In 2026, the event unveiled even more exciting new features.
Award categories
Best Embarkation Ports of the Brazilian Cruise Season
This category recognizes the Best Embarkation Ports of the 2025/2026 Brazilian Cruise Season. The judges selected the three ports that stood out among those hosting embarkation operations during the season, based on criteria such as infrastructure, organization, operational efficiency, service quality and the overall experience provided to cruise guests.
Best Ports of Call of the Brazilian Cruise Season
This category recognizes the Best Ports of Call of the 2025/2026 Brazilian Cruise Season, highlighting the destinations that stood out for welcoming cruise ships and providing memorable experiences for travelers throughout the season. The judges evaluate criteria such as infrastructure, hospitality, tourist attractions, operational organization and the quality of the shoreside experience.
Best of the Brazilian Cruise Season
This category recognizes the Best Cruise Lines of the 2025/2026 Brazilian Cruise Season among the companies that operated regular embarkations in Brazil. The judges evaluated the quality of the ships’ facilities, the comfort of public areas and accommodations, onboard service standards, dining, entertainment and the overall experience offered to cruise guests throughout the season.
Best Themed Cruises
This category recognizes the Best Themed Cruises of the 2025/2026 Season, highlighting voyages that offer distinctive experiences and exclusive programming for guests. The judges evaluated the quality and originality of the themes, which may include gastronomy, literature, science, wellness, lectures, culture and other special-interest programs, as well as the organization, entertainment and overall experience provided throughout the voyage.
Best Music-Themed Cruises
This category recognizes the Best Music-Themed Cruises of the 2025/2026 Season, highlighting the experiences that most delighted guests. The judges evaluated criteria such as artistic programming, the quality of the performances, organization, entertainment, atmosphere, interaction between artists and audiences, and the overall experience provided throughout the voyage.
Best River Cruise Lines
This category recognizes the Best River Cruise Lines, bringing together the companies that stood out during the 2025/2026 season. The judges evaluated criteria such as ship comfort and sophistication, service quality, dining, onboard experiences, itinerary excellence, guest service and the cultural immersion offered to travelers throughout their journeys.
Launch of the Year – River Cruise Ship
Best Luxury Cruise Lines & Yachts
This category recognizes the Best Luxury Cruise Lines and Yachts, highlighting companies that offer exclusive and personalized experiences. The judges evaluated criteria such as service excellence, fine dining, sophisticated accommodations, innovation, guest service, itineraries and the level of exclusivity provided to travelers during the 2025/2026 season.
Launch of the Year – Luxury Cruise Ship or Yacht
Best Expedition Cruise Lines
This category recognizes the Best Expedition Cruise Lines, highlighting companies that offer exploration experiences in remote and hard-to-reach destinations. The judges evaluated criteria such as ship infrastructure, expedition quality, distinctive itineraries, excellence in land-, water- and air-based excursions, the expertise of expedition teams and the overall experience provided to travelers during the 2025/2026 season.
Launch of the Year – Expedition Ship
Best Premium Cruise Lines
This category recognizes the Best Premium Cruise Lines, bringing together companies that combine high service standards, sophisticated ships and a more personalized experience. The judges evaluated criteria such as service quality, dining, accommodation comfort, innovation, itineraries, exclusive services and the overall experience offered to cruise guests throughout the 2025/2026 season.
Launch of the Year – Premium Cruise Ship
Best Contemporary Cruise Lines
This category recognizes the Best Contemporary Cruise Lines, highlighting the companies that stood out during the 2025/2026 season. The judges evaluated criteria such as service quality, entertainment, dining, ship infrastructure, innovation, value for money and the overall guest experience, covering cruise lines designed to serve a wide variety of traveler profiles.
Launch of the Year – Contemporary Cruise Ship
Best Exclusive Areas Onboard
The Best Exclusive Areas Onboard category recognizes the growing range of experiences available to guests who choose suites and premium accommodation categories. Depending on the ship and cruise line, these spaces may feature concierge services and personalized assistance, private restaurants and lounges, swimming pools, sun decks, saunas, whirlpools and exclusive spa facilities. Some concepts also include amenities such as pillow menus, butler service, premium in-room products and private spaces dedicated to relaxation and wellness.
Best Onboard Entertainment Attraction
The Best Onboard Entertainment Attraction category highlights experiences that turn every moment of the voyage into pure enjoyment. Guests can discover innovative attractions that combine adrenaline, technology and entertainment for different age groups. Thrilling waterslides, roller coasters, simulators and adventure courses provide excitement during days at sea. Ships also offer interactive spaces, gaming areas, sports activities and productions featuring music and live performances. For guests seeking more relaxed options, there are shows, themed parties and a wide variety of leisure activities. These experiences are designed to surprise guests and make entertainment one of the most memorable parts of the cruise.
Mission of the Krooze Awards 2026
Krooze’s mission is to drive the growth of the cruise industry in Brazil through technology designed for travel advisors and reliable, high-quality information for cruise travelers. In line with this purpose, the Krooze Awards 2026 recognize the cruise lines, destinations, ships and experiences that stood out during the 2025/2026 season, celebrating excellence, innovation and the continued development of the cruise industry.
The awards aim to increase the visibility of the cruise sector among the public, the media and tourism professionals. In addition to recognizing the industry’s leading achievements, the Krooze Awards seek to establish themselves as a benchmark for the market and a trusted guide to help Brazilian travelers choose their next experience at sea.
Meet the event’s official sponsor: Redion
Redion was created through the evolution of an integrated global care platform that brings together assistance services, travel insurance and corporate benefits under a single standard of excellence, with operations in more than 190 countries.
The company supports employers, insurers and travel companies in providing consistent, agile and compassionate assistance anywhere in the world. Through a unified operation, Redion delivers simplicity for its partners and continuous care for clients and employees—whenever and wherever it is needed.
Midia Partner
Sponsor
