Passengers aboard Caribbean Princess have voted and selected vocalist Zach Winningham as Princess Cruises 2013 Entertainer of the Year. Four finalists were chosen from the hundreds of talented performers – comedians, magicians, tribute bands and other specialty acts – who grace the Princess stages each year.

During the cruise these top artists performed to enthusiastic audiences who then cast their ballot to crown the winner.

Winningham hails from the Midwest farm town of Belleville, Indiana, where long country drives with his father introduced him to 50s and 60s rock n’ roll, country, and bluegrass music. His passion to keep this music alive has driven his musical career and blossomed into a love of performing, which has taken him to stages across America and all over the world.

Passengers aboard the March 22-29 Caribbean Princess sailing enjoyed live performances from each finalist. The finalists were determined by the Princess Cruises entertainment department based on passenger surveys and onboard audience response. Along with Winningham the finalists included comedian Troy Thirdgill, illusionist Jonathan Hawley and tribute band Walk Like a Man. Winningham was announced as the winner on the final night of the cruise at a celebratory event in Princess’ signature venue, The Piazza.

“Congratulations to Zach for being chosen as our 2013 Entertainer of the Year,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We were so proud to showcase the great talents of all our finalists to our passengers, who were thoroughly entertained by their dynamic performances.”

This marks the line’s third annual Entertainer of the Year program, which was created to recognize the high caliber and diversity of guest entertainers that perform on Princess ships each cruise.

As the new holder of the line’s “2013 Entertainer of the Year” title, Winningham also received a cash prize of $5,000.