Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has revealed the finalists for the 2016 Cruise Awards, making them some of the best cruise Agents in Australia and New Zealand.
Announced less than two weeks from the awards gala night, finalists were chosen for 19 categories including Cruise Agency of the Year and Cruise Consultants of the Year as well as the inaugural Plan a Cruise Month Agency promotion.
CLIA’s Managing Director, Joel Katz, said the Cruise Industry Awards were a great way for member cruise lines to recognise and reward Travel Agents “who are at the forefront of the industry’s impressive growth”.
“After a record year of cruising down under, we’re looking forward to a fitting celebration.”
Joel Katz, CLIA Australasia Managing Director
More than 500 Agents and industry members are expected to attend the 2016 Cruise Industry Awards at the Star Event Centre Sydney on Saturday 11 February.
In the meantime, here are the names of some of the best cruise sellers around Australia and New Zealand:
Cruise Agency of the Year – Australia
Bicton Travel, Perth WA
Cruiseabout, Kew VIC
Phil Hoffmann Travel, Glenelg SA
The Cruise Centre, Savenio QLD
Wings Away Travel & Cruise, VIC
Online Agency of the Year – Australia
Clean Cruising
Cruise Republic
Ozcruising
Cruise Guru
Home Based/Mobile Agent of the Year – Australia
Sarah Fenton – MTA Mobile Travel Agent
Derek Harwood – TravelManagers
Melissa Pointon – MTA Mobile Travel Agent
Carl Retschlag – TravelManagers
Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia
Deborah Long, Weston Travel & Cruise ACT
Martine Hero, Clean Cruising QLD
Helen McMullen, Cruise Holidays QLD
Phil Smethurst , Bicton Travel WA
Rising Star Award – Australia
Prue Herron, South Coast Cruise & Travel NSW
Tracey Jeffries, Albury Travel & Cruise NSW
Hayley Osbourne, Cruise Republic VIC
Agency Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Meridian Travel & The Cruise Gallery VIC – “Rockin’ the Mekong with Elvis”
Dream Maker Travel QLD – “Avalon Waterways cruise with Ian Healy”
Plan a Cruise Month Agency Promotion Award – Australasia
Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel – New Zealand
CruiseAway by Dreamlines – Australia
helloworld Rotorua – New Zealand
Cruise Agency of the Year – New Zealand
House of Travel Orewa
Cruiseabout Parnell
Helloworld Howick
House of Travel Motueka
Pukekohe Travel
Online Agency of the Year – New Zealand
Cruise Republic
iCruise
Lets Cruise
Broker of the Year – New Zealand
Debbie Bradford – NZ Travel Brokers
Mary Houghton – NZ Travel Brokers
Janine Mallon – Tasty Tours
Nicola Sorenson – NZ Travel Brokers
Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand
Bruce Blacklock, helloworld Lambton Quay
Samantha Fowler, Cruise Connections
Gerald Patterson, helloworld Howick
Gail Littin, Pukekohe Travel
Rising Star Award – New Zealand
Felicia Collins, Cruise Republic
Melanie Morrison, HOOT Cruises
Kirsty Stewart, House of Travel Hornby
Network Promotion of the Year – Australasia
iTravel (Australia) – “Come cruise with us”
Phil Hoffmann Travel (Australia) – “River Cruise Launch Events with APT”
helloworld (New Zealand) – “Set Sail”
Media Award
Brad Crouch, “One for the money” (Escape, News Limited)
Caroline Gladstone, “A World of Harmony” (Sun Herald Traveller, Fairfax)
Brian Johnston, “Sail of the Centuries” (The Age/SMH Traveller, Fairfax)