CLIA and hundreds of members from across Australia and New Zealand gathered at The Star in Sydney last night for the biggest celebration of the year, the 22nd annual CLIA Cruise Industry Awards.
A total of 75 finalists were in the running to win one of cruising’s highest honours, with 16 awards presented at a gala dinner and celebration hosted by actor and television presenter Luke Jacobz.
Among the highlights of the night was Stuart Allison, of P&O Cruises, being inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame.
Stuart Allison joins CLIA Hall of Fame
Top winners included Samantha Renvoye of Clean Cruising, named Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year, and Natasha Warfield of Toussaint & Turner Travel Associates, awarded New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year. Michael Middleton of Ignite Travel Group was named Cruise Champion Australasia, while Jocelyn Pride won the Media Award for her work in Signature Luxury Travel & Style magazine.
Agency winners included Ignite Travel Group, which was named Australasia’s Multi Location/Brand Cruise Agency of the Year. Destination HQ was awarded Australia’s Single Location Cruise Agency of the Year, while House of Travel Kapiti Coast was named New Zealand’s Single Location Cruise Agency of the Year.
“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,” CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel 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,” Katz said.
“The cruise industry is incredibly grateful for the passion and professionalism shown by all our travel agent members, and we congratulate all the award winners and finalists for their role in cruising’s global success.”
2025 CLIA Hall of Fame recipient Stuart Allison, who is now based in the UK as P&O Cruises Chief Commercial Officer, was recognised for his longstanding industry leadership and his role in transforming the Australasian region into one of the world’s most dynamic cruise markets, most recently leading Princess Cruises as its Sydney-based senior vice president, Asia Pacific, UK & Europe.
Allison paid tribute to P&O and his time in Australia in a video speech from Southampton, England where he is now based. Australia has farewelled the much-loved P&O brand as it disappears from the local and global cruise landscape, after being absorbed into the greater Carnival company.
Thoughts in the room were also with those in Northern NSW and Queensland, impacted by Cyclone Alfred and not able to attend the awards as a result.
“Tonight is a celebration of the exceptional talent, dedication and passion that drives the success of the Australasian cruise industry,” Katz added.
“It’s a night to recognise the incredible contributions of our travel advisors, our cruise line partners and industry professionals, the people who make cruising such a dynamic and thriving part of our region’s tourism industry.
“And what a year it has been cruising globally is stronger than ever, with surging demand new ships on the horizon and remarkable innovation leading the way, more travelers than ever are discovering the joy of cruising, and that is because of you.
“Travel agents are the heart and soul of this industry. You are the trusted experts and the navigators of dreams. Every itinerary you curate, every new to cruise guest you inspire, and every unforgettable experience you helped create, contributes to the incredible momentum of cruising globally because of you.
“More people than ever before are experiencing the magic of waking up in new destinations each morning, immersing themselves in rich cultures and sharing incredible moments with friends and family, and tonight, we celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, the individuals and the teams who have set new benchmarks for excellence in our industry.”
The 22nd Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia are supported by headline partner Qatar Tourism, with feature entertainment sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line and an after-party presented by Royal Caribbean.
Surprise entertainment
As proceedings concluded, the biggest surprise of the night was The Wiggles taking to the stage to perform a variety of familiar favourites. Numbers including Nutbush City Limits to Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy got the audience to its feet, or at least those who had not already headed to the dessert bar in the foyer.
Dance the night away
Fresh from success on America’s Got Talent, Sydney’s Brent Street performing arts school also returned to the stage at the 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards in a tribute to cruise line entertainment.
Dozens of talented young Brent Street performers were in the spotlight to create a spectacular salute to the thousands of artists who perform aboard cruise ships worldwide.
Their performance was inspired by NCL’s upcoming production, Revolution: A Celebration of Prince, set to premiere when Norwegian Aqua sets sail on 20 March. While not a direct adaptation, Brent Street’s energetic tribute captured the spirit and music of the legendary artist.
It is the third time Brent Street has led the entertainment at the CLIA Awards, and the first since the school took the US by storm on America’s Got Talent last year. Brent Street went on to make the show’s finals after a ‘golden buzzer’ audition involving a routine that had been performed at last year’s CLIA Awards.
And the winners are…
Agency of the Year Categories
Cruise Agency of the Year, Multi Location/Brand – Australasia: Ignite Travel Group
Cruise Agency of the Year, Single Location – Australia: Destination HQ
Cruise Agency of the Year, Single Location – New Zealand: House of Travel Kapiti Coast
Online Cruise Agency of the Year, Australasia: Cruise Guru
Broker of the Year, New Zealand: Tied: Michelle Downey, Bucket List Travel / Robert Schroder, Mondo Travel
Mobile / Home Based Agent of the Year Australia: Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
Cruise Consultant of the Year, Australia: Samantha Renvoye, Clean Cruising
Cruise Consultant of the Year, New Zealand: Natasha Warfield, Toussaint & Turner Travel Associates
Rising Star, New Zealand: Melissa Duder, House of Travel Taupo
Rising Star, Australia: Shane Black, SW Black Travel
Cruise Champion, Australasia: Michael Middleton, Ignite Travel Group
Promotion and Media Categories
Cruise Month Promotion of the Year, Australasia: Cruise Express “CLIA Cruise Month Discover and Learn”
Network Cruise Promotion of the Year, Australasia: Travel Associates “Luxury Cruise Season”
Agency / Agent Cruise Promotion of the Year, Australasia: Luxury Escapes “Sail Away Sale”
Media Award, Australasia: Jocelyn Pride, Signature Luxury Travel & Style, “Into the wild”
2024 Hall of Fame: Stuart Allison
