DESTINATION and speaker-led cruise line Voyages to Antiquity is celebrating winning 'Best for Adventure' in the Cruise Awards.

Beating off stiff competition from the likes of Northern Lights specialists Hurtigruten as well as Azamara and Silversea Cruises, the range and depth of the itineraries and land excursions offered presented an unarguable case for the top spot.

Olly Symonds, trade marketing and communications manager, was present at the ceremony at Kensington’s Roof Gardens to receive the award from members of the judging panel.

Liz Jarvis, editor of Cruise International and chairman of the judging panel, highlighted the depth of this year’s field in saying: “For a small-ship cruise line such as VTA to attract the sheer quantity of votes that they did speaks volumes for the quality of their itineraries.

"Adventure cruising is growing rapidly, and it is a market that requires experience as well as comfort and accessibility.

“Our voters understand that a cruise with Voyages To Antiquity ticks each of these boxes in triumphant style.”

David Yellow, managing director of Voyages To Antiquity, said: "We would like to pass on our heartfelt thanks to all those who voted for us!

“We are delighted and very proud that our in-depth, exciting itineraries have been recognised.

"In addition, knowing that this has been voted for by the cruise-buying public and readers of the magazine makes it all the more rewarding.”

The company’s single vessel, the MV Aegean Odyssey, sails through the Mediterranean and surrounds over the summer season before venturing further afield during the winter months.

In particular, winter 2014-15 sees exciting 16- to 25-day itineraries which, as well as a full cruise programme, include land-based explorations to places like India’s Golden Triangle and Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.

These places, along with smaller-sized ships allowing greater access to smaller ports and increased time ashore, combine with a programme of high quality speakers on board to give Voyages to Antiquity a highly impressive portfolio of small-ship adventure cruises.