CRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) has revealed the finalists for its upcoming 22nd Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia (CW breaking news).
Taking place on 08 Mar at The Star Event Centre in Sydney, the sold-out celebration will see a total of 75 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand vie to take home an award.
Around 800 nominations were received for this year’s awards, which will involve 15 categories.
CLIA MD Joel Katz said this year’s finalists reflected a thriving membership that is now bigger than ever before.
“CLIA’s travel agent membership is now at record levels in Australasia, and this is demonstrated by the breadth of nominations and finalists in this year’s awards,” he said.
“We can see new faces and fresh perspectives among the finalists, alongside some of the established achievers of the Australasian cruise community.”
Phil Hoffmann Travel, Ignite Travel Group, Gallivanter Travel, Bicton Travel/Claremont Cruise & Travel Centre, and Hunter Travel Group will compete for the Agency of the Year – Multi-Location accolade.
Finalists for the coveted Cruise Champion gong are Kylie Crouch, First Travel Group; Michael Middleton, Ignite; Belle Goldie, The Cruise & Travel Store; and Rose Febo, TravelManagers.
Meanwhile, the Online Cruise Agency of the Year Australasia category will see Cruise Guru, Our Vacation Centre, Clean Cruising, Ecruising and Trip-A-Deal go head-to-head.
Karryn Bartlett, TravelManagers Australia; Sarah Webster, Wayfinder Travel; Tracy King, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents; Jane Fowler, TravelManagers; and Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents will battle it out for the Mobile/Home Based Agent of the Year Australia award.
The industry’s night of nights will also see the title of Cruise Consultant of the Year Australia go to one of Amanda Taylor, My Cruises; Michelle Yates, The Travel Studio; Kat Logan, Cruiseabout Brisbane; Malcolm Leyland, Cruise Express; or Samantha Renvoye, Clean Cruising.
“Cruising has become a clear priority among our region’s travel agents, and so this year’s awards will help celebrate that focus and support,” Katz added.
“The cruise industry is incredibly grateful for the passion and professionalism shown by our trade partners, and I congratulate all our award finalists for their success” – see the full list of CLIA Award 2025 finalists here. JM