Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has revealed the finalists for the 20th Cruise Industry Awards ahead of a sold-out celebration in March.73 finalists have been chosen from across Australia and New Zealand and will be in the running to win one of cruising’s highest honours when the industry comes together for its biggest party in more than three years. Over 400 entries were received for this year’s awards with 18 categories to be judged, including 11 open to self-nomination or peer-nomination.Key categories include Agency of the Year, Cruise Consultant of the Year, Home-Based Cruise Agent/Broker of the Year, Rising Star, Cruise Champion, Promotion of the Year and a Media Award.
Joel Katz, Managing Director of CLIA Australasia said this year’s awards would recognise the determination and resilience shown by the travel agent community across Australia and New Zealand.“The past few years have given us challenges like never before, and yet the nominations for this year’s CLIA Awards show an incredible amount of passion and strength among our members,” Katz said. “Each of the finalists chosen for this year’s awards is a brilliant example of the tenacity and dedication that has kept our community united and put cruising back on a course to prosperity.”Hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell, CLIA’s 20th Cruise Industry Awards will be held at Luna Park Sydney on Saturday 11 March 2023.Cruise Industry Awards Finalists include:
Agency of the Year Categories
Large Cruise Agency of the Year
Australasia
Small Cruise Agency of the Year
Australia
Small Cruise Agency of the Year
New Zealand
Phil Hoffmann TravelHunter Travel GroupIgnite Travel GroupRAA TravelGoldman GroupAndrew Jones Travel
Pukekohe TravelYOU Travel OrewaYOU Travel BethlehemHouse of Travel OrewaThe Private Travel Company
Online Cruise Agency of the Year
Australasia
Clean CruisingCruise GuruOur Vacation CentreCRUISEDEALS.CO.NZ powered by HOOTCruise1st
Individual Categories
Broker of the Year New Zealand
Mobile/Home Based Agent of the YearAustralia
Cruise Consultant of the YearNew Zealand
Kristin Edgeworth, 360 Edge TravelSharon O’Brien, Live Breathe TravelLucy Marshall, The Travel Brokers
Megan Catterall, itravelRose Febo, TravelManagers AustraliaSarah Webster, Wayfinder Travel & CruiseMark Spurway, MTA – Mobile Travel AgentsKarryn Bartlett, TravelManagers Australia
Kay Rogers, YOU Travel BethlehemJanine Mallon, Zest4TravelDennis Payne, House of Travel OrewaKay Paulsen, CRUISEDEALS.CO.NZ powered by HOOTLynne Bennett, World Travellers Whangarei
Cruise Consultant of the Year
Australia
Rising Star
New Zealand
Rising Star
Australia
Ingrid Hay, New Farm TravelMartine Hero, Clean CruisingAmanda Taylor, My Cruises (Ignite Travel Group)Sheron Konig, Travel Associates RockhamptonJorden Krause, My Cruises (Ignite Travel Group)
Marise Barrett, helloworld StrandonHayley Thompson, YOU Travel ManlyErin Graham, Zest4Travel
Clarees Purkiss, Cruise Travel Centre Green HillsMadeleine McIntyre, My Cruises (Ignite Travel Group)Anita Dearle, Champagne Travel MandurahSarah Lee, Clean CruisingPaige Cameron, My Cruises (Ignite Travel Group)
Cruise Champion
Australasia
Cruise Line Champion
Australasia
Barry Downs, The Big Cruise PodcastBelle Goldie, itravel PenrithRobyn Sinfield, Home Travel Company
Christine Oliver, Holland America LineMel Watson, Silversea CruisesShaun Kavanagh, Princess Cruises
Promotion and Media Categories
Cruise Month Promotion of the Year
Australasia
Network Cruise Promotion of the Year
Australasia
Agency/Agent Cruise Promotion of the Year
Australia
Sarah Fenton, MTA – Mobile Travel AgentsHunter Travel GroupMTA – Mobile Travel AgentsMy Cruises
RAA Travel – Get on Board with RAA – Cruise Wave CampaignYOU Travel – UK & Europe on Sale 2022Flight Centre – Flight Centre’s Biggest Cruise CampaignHouse of Travel – Disney Magic at SeaTravel Associates – Luxury Cruise Campaign 2022
Cruise Away – Cruise Away TVRose Febo – TravelManagers Australia – Celebrating the return of Luxury cruisingMy Cruises – Virgin Voyages Exclusive Australia LaunchMegan Caterall, itravel – Long lunch with Silversea
Agency/Agent Cruise Promotion of the Year
New Zealand
Media Award
Australasia
Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel – Heritage Expeditions Always On CampaignYOU Travel Orewa – “Reconnect with Europe” escorted cruise tourCRUISEDEALS.CO.NZ powered by HOOT – Country Music Cruise
Andrea Black, Escape “Ready to set sail?”Andrew Conway, Signature Luxury Travel & Style “Pioneers of Sustainability”Michael Ferrante, The West Australian “Huge Landmark for Holidays at Sea”Brian Johnston, Traveller “River cruising guide: Best destinations, cruise companies and planning tips to go with the flow”
