Travel Weekly’s seventh annual Readers’ Choice Awards were handed out at an awards ceremony held at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Winners were selected in 58 categories overall, including airlines, cars, hospitality, rail, GDS, tour, cruise, destination and theme parks.

Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards

Marriott International got the award for being the best domestic hotel chain and for offering the best Sales & Service. IHG was voted as the best hotel chain for both Europe and Asia. Four Seasons got the award for being the best luxury hotel chain.

In the cruise sector, Carnival was the best domestic cruise line, but Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises – each part of Royal Caribbean Cruises, LTD corporation – swept 7 out 10 cruise awards. RCI was the overall winner and also won for offering the best Sales & Service. The best cruise ship category was also won by Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas.

Tom Coiro, VP of Direct Line Cruises who attended the event at the Plaza Hotel as a guest of Celebrity Cruises, observed that “It was incredible to watch! Before Dondra [Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior VP of Sales for Celebrity Cruises] and Vicki [Vicki Freed, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for Royal Caribbean International] could return to their seats, they were being called back up to the stage to receive another award.”

Under airlines, Southwest Airlines won the award for best domestic airline, while Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines were declared best for International and Business/First Class respectively.

Las Vegas was voted in as the best U.S. City in the Destination category, while Hawaii took home the award for best U.S. State.

Mike McCartney, Hawaii Tourism Authority’s president and CEO, said that “We are truly honored that Hawaii has been chosen for such a prestigious award…HTA will continue to work with our marketing partners and Hawaii’s visitor industry to ensure that our islands continue to be recognized as a desirable and premier travel destination.”

Maui was voted as Hawaii’s best island, while Bellagio was declared as the best hotel in Las Vegas. The St. Regis Bora Bora was declared as the best resort in the world.

In Europe, Italy won the best country and for Rome as the best city, while Asia/Pacific was swept by Australia, which was named the best country with Sydney as the best city.

Hertz swept the car rental category by winning both domestic and international arenas. The Best GDS was Sabre and Walt Disney World was the best in theme parks. The best domestic tour operator was GOGO Worldwide Vacations, with Trafalgar Tours winning the international category, and Travel Impressions for Sales & Service.

Here’s the full list of winners, and these were the nominees.