Travel with the World's Best
At Overseas Adventure Travel, our #1 goal is to deliver our travelers the best travel experience at the best value—to lead as the best small ship and land adventures travel company in the industry.
We’re extremely gratified when our travelers and leading travel industry experts recognize that commitment, and honor us by giving us award-winning high marks in independent surveys. Every year, we earn more of these prestigious awards—just another reminder you’re traveling with the leader in small groups on the road less traveled!
Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” Awards
#2 “World’s Best” Intimate-ship Ocean Cruise Line 2024
#4 “World’s Best” Intimate-ship Ocean Cruise Line 2023
Travel + Leisure’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrate readers’ favorite travel experiences in a number of different areas, with categories including cruise lines, tour and safari operators, and more.
Condé Nast Traveler “Reader’s Choice Awards”
#2 Small Ships Category in 2024
Named Best Tour Operators in 2021
Condé Nast Traveler “2024 Readers' Choice Awards” recognize the cruise operators that consistently offer travel experiences their readers value most—from immersive itineraries and unique destinations to comfortable onboard accommodations.
USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
#6 in Top 10Best Educational Tour Companies in USA Today’s 10Best Awards, 2019
USA Today’s 10Best Educational Tour Companies are for curious travelers who crave immersive experiences and detailed knowledge of the destinations they visit, and the quickly growing educational travel industry provides the answer. These tour companies take learning on the road with itineraries focused on topics like culture, history, archaeology, architecture, and science.
Gold List cruise line
Condé Nast Traveler
2006-2014
Until 2015, Condé Nast Traveler readers were asked annually to participate in the magazine’s Readers’ Choice Survey—and the resulting Gold List honor was bestowed to a who’s who of top destinations, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and more. Those who made the list for five consecutive years—like Grand Circle Cruise Line—also earned a place in the prestigious Platinum Circle.
Solo Travel Awards
Solo Traveler
“Best Tours” Solo Travel Awards, 2017 & 2018
Solo Traveler's Solo Travel Awards are designed to acknowledge companies that are effectively serving solo travelers.
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
“Best in Travel for Solo Packaged Tours” 2016
Top 5 “World’s Best” Small Ship Cruise Lines 2009, 2016
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s annual “Best List” is a roundup of the best values in all the areas the magazine covers.
Travel + Leisure Awards
Overseas Adventure Travel
2013
Global Vision Award for Leadership
2010
Global Vision Award for Philanthropic Travel
2010
World's Best Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked in Top 20
Grand Circle Corporation
2019
Best Wellness Employer “Silver Certification” for our worksite wellness program.
The award is given by Wellness Workdays in collaboration with Harvard Medical School to recognize the significant accomplishments of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being.
2018
2018 WorkWell Massachusetts Award Bronze Level
Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts
2018
Boston’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For
National Association for Business Resources (NABR)
2018
Best Wellness Employer “Silver Certification” for our worksite wellness program.
The award is given by Wellness Workdays in collaboration with Harvard Medical School to recognize the significant accomplishments of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being.
2013
Tourism Council of Bhutan
In appreciation for promoting Bhutan as a tourist destination;
largest U.S. travel company to Bhutan
2013
Top Producing Tour Operator received by O.A.T. and Grand Circle Travel
Best Value for the Money Packages received by Grand Circle Travel
South African Tourism Board
2006
Humanitarian Award received by O.A.T.
Tanzania Tourist Board
2006
Top 15 Corporate Charitable Contributors in MA
Corporate Philanthropy Summit and Boston Business Journal
2006
25 Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work for in America
Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. and Society for Human Resource Management
2006
New England Social Entrepreneur of the Year received by Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis
Ernst & Young
2006
Excellence Award
Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy
2005
Top 20 Best Places to Work (large company division)
Boston Business Journal
2000 & 1998
Friends of Thailand Award
Government of Thailand
Grand Circle Foundation
2016
Citizenship Award received by Harriet Lewis
City on a Hill Public Charter School
2004
Cornerstone Award
Neurofibromatosis Foundation
2004
Circle of Giving Award received by Harriet Lewis
The New England Women's Leadership Award (NEWLA)
2004
Thompson Island Outward Bound North Star Award
Thompson Island Outward Bound
2003
UNESCO World Heritage Centre Partners in Conservation Program
UNESCO
2002
AIDS Action Corporate Partner Award
AIDS Action Committee
2001
Big Sister Association Achievement Award
Big Sister Association of Greater Boston
2001
Recognition Award
Shelter, Inc.
2000
Hero of Philanthropy Award
National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE)
1998
Thompson Island Founders' Award
Thompson Island Outward Bound
1996
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Founders' Award
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
