Celebrating 12 years of the World Superyacht Awards

A highlight of the yachting calendar, the World Superyacht Awards are held annually at a beautiful location in one of Europe's premier yachting cities. In 2016 the awards headed to Florence for the first time and attendees enjoyed a weekend of culture, socialising and, of course, celebrating the finest the superyacht industry has to offer with winners including Latitude, Malahne, Unfurled and 11.11.

As well as the glittering ceremony at the magnificent Palazzo Vecchio (pictured), guests were treated to a cocktail party at the world famous Uffizi Gallery, brunch at the Tuscan vineyards of Antinori and a cultural programme including a visit to Temple St Clair's jewellery workshop, tours of Italy's most famous shipyards and private shopping with Stefano Ricci.

Table applications for the World Superyacht Awards 2017 are now open, register your interest here.

The 2015 awards were held at Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam with the great and good of yachting turning out to toast the industry's achievements. The big winners in 2015 included Arctic P - which took home the Voyager Award for completing the furthest voyage south ever undertaken - Sailing Yacht of the Year WinWin, Motor Yacht of the Year Grace E and Legacy award winner Lord Irvine Laidlaw.

In 2014 the ceremony took place at Amsterdam's stunning Het Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum) with support from Dutch superyacht builders Amels, Feadship, Heesen Yachts, Holland Jachtbouw and Royal Huisman.

Andrew Winch Designs (pictured above) took home four coveted Neptune trophies in 2014. These included Motor Yacht of the Year for Madame Gu, a judge's special award for sailing yacht Inou__ï and a category win for motor yacht Sea Owl.

In 2013 Istanbul was chosen as the host city for the World Superyacht Awards, with the ceremony taking place at Çırağan Palace Kempinski, a former Ottoman palace bordering the Bosphorus.

Tako van Ineveld, commercial director at Holland Jachtbouw, Jeroen de Vos from Dykstra Naval Architects, Michiel de Vos from DeVosDeVries Design and the yacht's owner are presented with a Neptune trophy for J Class sailing yacht Rainbow.

The World Superyacht Awards moved to the Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul for the first time in 2012. The 5* resort was chosen for its huge capacity, allowing up to 700 yacht owners and industry professionals to attend the awards, along with its incredible scenery, cultural heritage and proximity to Istanbul's bustling harbour.

Along with the awards ceremony and delicious dinner, guests at the World Superyacht Awards are also treated to a brilliant afterparty. Giving industry friends a chance to catch up, hard-working professionals the opportunity to let their hair down and winners an opportunity to celebrate, the infectious atmosphere in 2012 ensured no-one was tempted to leave early.

Every year the World Superyacht Awards is attended by the cream of the yachting industry, including owners, builders, designers and naval architects, all hoping to take home a coveted trophy. Of course, for the 'Oscars' of the superyacht world, everyone makes sure they are looking their best.

It says something about the calibre of an awards ceremony when the same presenter agrees to come back year after year. International broadcaster and television personality Natasha Kaplinsky has presented the awards for many years.