Virtuoso announces 2025 Aussie ‘Cruise Icons’

Virtuoso has announced its 2025 Virtuoso Cruise Icons, a distinctive honour for advisors whose sales performance excels within the industry.

A group of 185 advisors from 13 countries worldwide have received the Virtuoso Cruise Icon designation, an impressive 27 per cent increase from 2024.

“The 2025 Virtuoso Cruise Icons set an extraordinary standard in their field, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition. The Icons are trailblazers, consistently surpassing benchmarks, creating momentum that strengthens the entire network and inspiring others to follow their lead,” said Virtuoso’s senior vice president, Global Member & Partner Sales, Cory Hagopian. “This distinction elevates their standing with our partners and reinforces their industry prominence with clients, serving as a badge of honour they can wear with pride.” 

This accolade recognises those who generate the top 1 per cent of the network’s cruise sales.

Australia’s 2025 Virtuoso Cruise Icons

• Kristen Cahill, Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel
• Megan Catterall, LUXE by itravel
• Natalie Cherry, Noosa Cruise and Travel
• Elizabeth Clarke, The Cruise Centre by Travelcall
• Fay Cohen, Wentworth Travel
• Michelle Cook, Noosa Cruise and Travel
• David Cooper, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre
•  Josephine DeMuth, Bayview Travel
•  Kyle Duffield, Home Travel Company
•  Mandy Dwyer, Main Beach Travel
•  Melinda Gregor, Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel
•  Byron Horne, Bicton Travel
•  Hollie Johnson, Main Beach Travel
•  Jo Kennedy, Kennedy & Turner Travel Associates
• Margot Knispel, Main Beach Travel
• Lisa Maddox, Spencer Travel Pty Ltd
• Hollie McCann, Bicton Travel
• Garry McLaughlin, First Class Escapes, an affiliate of LUXE by itravel
• Christine McIlroy, Travel Inspirations
• Julie McMillan, Bicton Travel
• Dave Oakes, an affiliate of Travel Masters
• Sally O’Brien, Mary Rossi Travel
• Kathy Pavlidis, Gannon & Turner Travel Associates
• Nadia Redman, Bicton Travel
• Robyn Sinfield, Home Travel Company
• Philip Smethurst, Bicton Travel
• Gemma Smith, Claremont Cruise & Travel Centre
• Greg Solomon, Main Beach Travel
• Mark Spurway, an affiliate of MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
• Gina Storey, Travelling Places
• Maria Theodosatos, Spencer Travel Pty Ltd
• Lee Van Dongen, Bicton Travel
• Vicki Williamson, an affiliate of MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
• Adrienne Witteman, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre
• Michelle Yates, The Travel Studio

 ‘Icon Impact‘

Since its creation in 2019, Virtuoso’s Cruise Icon program has seen a 363 per cent increase in advisors honoured with the designation. The program went global in 2023, and sales have continued to rise across Virtuoso’s various regions each year. The “Icon Impact” is undeniable: from 2023 to 2024, their Virtuoso preferred supplier cruise production saw an estimated 45 percent increase, reflecting significant growth in the US and Canada.   

In addition to industry clout and further reinforcing Virtuoso Cruise Icons’ position as leaders within the luxury travel industry, this prestigious status provides advisors with quarterly collaboration sessions designed to foster growth and networking, access to invaluable insight and best practices within the network’s Cruise Community and a private dinner during Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s preeminent worldwide gathering.  

Exclusive travel opportunities

Icons also gain access to exclusive travel opportunities, such as the inaugural season of PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Le Commandant Charcot through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the boreal winter. Hosted by Samuel Chamberlain, PONANT EXPLORATIONS CEO of Americas, the 2024 Cruise Icons embarked on an exhilarating journey through the St. Lawrence River’s icy landscapes from February 22 to March 6, 2025. Beginning in the historic district of Old Québec and ending in the natural harbour of Saint Pierre, this expert-led adventure showcased breathtaking polar landscapes and rare cultural insights, accessible only to a select few.  

Many Virtuoso cruise partners offer exclusive amenities to Virtuoso travel advisors, enabling affiliated advisors, including Virtuoso Cruise Icons, to provide unique benefits to their clients that distinguish them from the competition. Through the Virtuoso Voyages program, they can access over 450 select cruises each year across 13 different cruise lines. This program includes a dedicated onboard host and offers a choice of additional benefits ranging in value from $500 per couple to several thousand dollars, depending on the sailing.