Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) hosted its biggest ever gala celebration in Australasia last night, with almost 600 people enjoying the 23rd annual Cruise Industry Awards.
With an expanded venue at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney, CLIA announced 15 awards for the brightest talent in the Australasian cruise community, chosen from a total of 83 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand.
Opening with welcome drinks before entering the ICC’s Grand Ballroom, the finalists and guests enjoyed entertainment throughout the evening as host Tim Campbell kept the schedule on track.
Among the honours were awards for Cruise Consultants of the Year, Cruise Agencies of the Year, Home-Based Consultants of the Year, and Rising Stars from Australia and New Zealand. Other awards recognised Cruise Promotions and Cruise Month initiatives, as well as a Media Award for travel journalists.
The prestigious Hall of Fame recipient was Gavin Smith, the Sydney-based vice president and managing director Australia & New Zealand at Royal Caribbean who has held other roles including senior vice president, International, based in London.
Gavin Smith joins cruising Hall of Fame at 23rd annual CLIA Awards
“What jumps out to me in today is our ability through technology and love for our guests, to personalise everything that we do for everybody that gets on our ships, whether they’re beautiful build luxury yachts, or the big things that Royal (Caribbean) runs around the place,” he said.
“So, every aspect of the industry is super exciting, and that’s what, I suppose, gets me out of bed, and gets me in there every day, mostly the joy of the young, happy people that fill the corridors of Royal Caribbean these days.”
CLIA executive director Australasia Joel Katz said the awards recognised the rising levels of excellence within the association’s membership in Australia and New Zealand.
“Tonight is one of my favourite nights of the year,” he said. “It’s our opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the very best of the best in our cruise community. These awards honour the advisors, the agencies, and partners who set the benchmark for professionalism, knowledge, innovation, and service. The individuals and businesses we celebrate tonight are not only outstanding in what they do, but they elevate the entire industry through their commitment to excellence.”
Saturday night’s event featured more than 150 performers in an expanded entertainment format, including young dancers from Sydney’s Brent Street performing arts school, who brought the excitement of the on-board cruise experience to life.
There was even an elephant in the room, sticking with The Greatest Show theme.
“The theme is also a metaphor for our industry,” Katz said. “Because cruising really is one of the greatest shows in travel. It’s a remarkable spectacle of ships, destinations, culture, experiences, that bring joy to millions of travellers around the world. And just like any great show, the magic only happens because of the people behind it.
“And in our industry, these people are all of you, who bring the show to life every single day. You are the heartbeat of our industry. You are the storytellers, the trusted advisors, the problem solvers, and the champions of cruise. And as current events remind us, travel advisors are often the first step to help clients navigate uncertainty as global events disrupt travel plans. That professionalism and resilience never goes unnoticed.”
The 23rd annual Cruise Industry Awards was supported by headline sponsor, Visit Qatar, with the backing of award sponsors from across the CLIA cruise line membership.
And the winners are…
Cruise Agency of the Year Multi Location/Brand – Australasia
Winner: Ignite Travel Group
Finalists
Travel Group
RAA Travel
Phil Hoffmann Travel
Bicton Travel / Claremont Travel
Gallivanter Travel
Cruise Agency of the Year Single Location – Australia
Winner: Main Beach Travel
Finalists
Destination HQ
Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel
FBI Travel
Chirn Park Travel
Cruise Express
Cruise Agency of the Year Single Location – New Zealand
Winner: Pukekohe Travel
House of Travel Botany Junction
Private Travel Company
North Shore Business Travel
Bon Voyage Cruises and Travel
House of Travel Hornby
Online Cruise Agency of the Year -Australasia
Winner: Clean Cruising
Finalists
CruiseAway by Dreamlines
Our Vacation Centre
TripADeal
Luxury Escapes
Ecruising
Cruise Broker of the Year New Zealand
Winner: Trish Seeherr, TS Travel Ltd
Finalists
Robert Schroder, Mondo Travel
Sarah Rodgers, Envoyage
Jenny Jia, NZ Travel Brokers
Kristy Cockerill, KC Travel
Kim Mildon, Wanderlust Travel Experts
Mobile (Home-Based) Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia
Winner: Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
Finalists
Shane Black, SW Black Travel
Jessica Bennett, TravelManagers Australia
Lyndall Collins, itravel
Lisa Maddox, Spencer Travel
Karryn Bartlett, TravelManagers Australia
Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand
Winner: Lisa Wharfe, Pukekohe Travel
Finalists
Shelley Williams, Cruisedeals.co.nz
Lesley Johns, Helloworld Westgate
Lorraine Van Veen, House of Travel Botany Junction
Craig Martin, Streeter & Turner Travel Associates
Lydia Haydon, YOU Travel & Cruise Bethlehem
Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia
Winner: Tina Wheelock, Cruise Express
Finalists
Lauren Macartney, Clean Cruising
Justin Lubrig, Cruiseabout Whitford City
Kai Floto, Southlands Cruise & Travel
Laurel Brown, Flight Centre Taree
Genevieve Thomspon, Complex Travel Group
Rising Star – New Zealand
Winner: Flynn Cox, Travel Associates Howick
Finalists
Diana Lintag, Flight Centre Silverdale
Sian Loh, YOU Travel & Cruise Bethlehem
Kurt Johnston, Flight Centre Botany Town
Shannara Robinson, Best Travel
Rising Star – Australia
Winner: Jason Rigg, Phil Hoffmann Travel Glenelg
Finalists
Josh Hall, RAA Travel
Corey Martin, The Cruise & Travel Store
Kim Da Costa, Southlands Cruise and Travel
Thomas Liardo, Cruiseabout Narellan
Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Winner: Globe Trotters Cruise & Touring, “Explore, Discover, Cruise”
Finalists
Cruise Express, “Discover, Engage & Win”
House of Travel, “Cruise Made Easy”
My Cruises, “Early Bird Sale”
House of Travel Invercargill, “The Go-To Crew for Cruising”
Small Network Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Winner: House of Travel Papamoa Group, “Small Ship Cruising Travel Showcase”
Finalists: National Travel Group, “Cruise Beyond Ordinary”
Bicton Travel and Claremont Travel, “Sapphire Princess Calls Fremantle Home 2027/28”
Large Network Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Winner: Travel Associates, “The Travel Associates Film Festival”
Finalists
Cruiseabout, “Cruise Mega Sail”
House of Travel, “Discover Cruise Guide”
RAA Travel, “It Pays to Cruise with RAA”
Hunter Travel Group, “2025 Holiday & Cruise Expo”
Flight Centre, “Luxury Cruise Campaign”
Agency/Agent Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Winner: My Cruises, “Explorations by Norwegian”
Finalists
Travel Associates, “The Travel Associates Film Festival”
Main Beach Travel, “Sail Beyond Ordinary”
Megan Catterall, LUXE by itravel, “Grand Sakura Rolls Royce & Bentley”
Imagine Cruising, “European River Cruising”
Roger Koller, Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel, “Tyrrells & Henschke Wine-Makers Cruise”
Cruise Deals NZ, “Pacific Island Hopper”
Media Award Australasia
Winner: Lee Tulloch, The Australian “Greenland Immersion”
Finalists
Jocelyn Pride, Luxury Travel “Wild Dining”
Michael Ferrante, The West Australian “Bear Essentials of Exploring the Arctic”
Andrea Black, Delicious “To the Outer Limits”
Amanda Woods, Mindfood “Sailing the Soul of India”
