Cruise Industry Awards served up at glittering Sydney bash

The cruise sector’s top performing agents and agencies were celebrated in Sydney over the weekend as the 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia came to town.

Held by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) at Sydney’s Star Event Centre on Saturday, the gala dinner and presentation night was hosted by actor and television presenter Luke Jacobz and involved 15 awards for travel agencies and individuals.

CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said this year’s awards reflected an increasingly diverse travel agent community in Australia and New Zealand.

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“We can see new faces and first-time winners in this year’s awards, which is a sign of the fresh talent emerging from within an expanded CLIA membership,” Katz said.

“At the same time, we can also see several well-established achievers in the Australasian cruise community – members who have consistently shown leadership and inspiration over many years.”

Respected cruise industry leader Stuart Allison was inducted into the Hall of Fame, with Chairman of CLIA Australasia Peter Little highlighting Allison’s 25 year commitment to the cruise sector. Allison led Princess Cruises in this region as the line’s Sydney-based Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, UK & Europe, and also held multiple positions across Carnival Corporation brands in Australia over recent decades.Here is the full list of the winners:

Agency Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Luxury Escapes

Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Cruise Express

Rising Star – New Zealand
Melissa Duder, House of Travel Taupo

Cruise Champion – Australasia
Michael Middleton, Ignite Travel Group

Home-based/Mobile Cruise Agent of the Year – Australia
Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia
Samantha Renvoye, Clean Cruising

Cruise Agency of the Year, single location – New Zealand
House of Travel Kapiti Coast

Cruise Agency of the Year, multi location/brand – Australia
Ignite Travel Group Network

Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Travel Associates

Media Award – Australasia
Jocelyn Pride, Signature Luxury Travel & Style

Rising Star – Australia
Shane Black, SW Black Travel

Cruise Broker of the Year – New Zealand
Joint winners: Robert Schroder, Mondo Travel and Michelle Downey, Bucket List Travel