March 9, 2025 – The leading lights of the Australasian cruise community have been named at the 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney, where hundreds of guests gathered at the weekend to celebrate the flourishing international cruise industry.

Held by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) at Sydney's Star Event Centre on Saturday, the gala dinner and presentation night was hosted by actor and television presenter Luke Jacobz and involved 15 awards for travel agencies and individuals.

CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said this year's awards reflected an increasingly diverse travel agent community in Australia and New Zealand.

“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,” Mr 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.”

“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.”

Top winners on the night 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.

A highlight honour was the induction into the CLIA Hall of Fame of Stuart Allison, who is now based in the UK as P&O Cruises Chief Commercial Officer. Mr Allison 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.

A full list of winners follows.

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Media information: Jon Murrie, jmurrie@cruising.org, +61 2 9964 9600

22nd CLIA Cruise Industry Awards Australasia

WINNERS

Agency Promotion of the Year – Australasia

Luxury Escapes

Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Australasia

Cruise Express

Rising Star – New Zealand

Melissa Duder, House of Travel Taupo

Cruise Champion – Australasia

Michael Middleton, Ignite Travel Group

Home-based/Mobile Cruise Agent of the Year – Australia

Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia

Samantha Renvoye, Clean Cruising

Cruise Agency of the Year, single location – New Zealand

House of Travel Kapiti Coast

Cruise Agency of the Year, multi location/brand – Australia

Ignite Travel Group

Network Cruise Promotion of the Year - Australasia

Travel Associates

Media Award - Australasia

Jocelyn Pride, Signature Luxury Travel & Style

Rising Star – Australia

Shane Black, SW Black Travel

*Cruise Broker of the Year – New Zealand

Robert Schroder, Mondo Travel;

Michelle Downey, Bucket List Travel

Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand

Natasha Warfield, Toussaint & Turner Travel Associates

Online Cruise Agency of the Year – Australasia

Cruise Guru

Cruise Agency of the Year, single location - Australia

Destination HQ

Hall of Fame – Australasia

Stuart Allison, P&O Cruises UK

*Joint winners

About the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's peak cruise industry trade association – the unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. On behalf of its members, affiliates and partners, the organisation supports policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment, promoting positive travel experiences for the more than 30 million passengers who have cruised annually. The CLIA community includes the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and a widespread network of stakeholders, including ports & destinations, ship development, suppliers, and business services. CLIA represents more than 90% of the world's ocean-going cruise capacity, as well as 54,000 travel agents and 15,000 travel agencies worldwide. The organisation's global headquarters are in Washington, DC, with regional offices located in North and South America, Europe, and Australasia. For more information, please visit cruising.org.au or follow @CLIAAustralasia on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn