Cruise’s biggest night is back on the calendar, with CLIA opening nominations for the 23rd Annual Cruise Industry Awards. The 2026 event will bring the region’s top agents together at ICC Sydney on 7 March.
The awards are widely regarded as the highest honour available to cruise specialist travel agents in Australia and New Zealand. They celebrate the role agents continue to play in driving cruise demand and supporting the wider global industry.
New stage for cruise industry recognition
For the first time, the ICC Sydney Grand Ballroom will host the event, giving CLIA a larger stage to showcase the sector’s standout performers.
CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said the awards offer agents a unique opportunity to strengthen their professional profile and be recognised by peers.
“The CLIA Awards are a fantastic opportunity for members to boost their industry profile and gain important recognition for their creativity and expertise,” Katz said.
“Hosting the event in the ICC Sydney Grand Ballroom will give us a bigger stage on which to celebrate our industry’s brightest stars, so we’re encouraging all our members to get involved and have a chance to be a part of the show.”
Fourteen categories announced
This year, 14 awards will be handed out, with nine open to peer- or self-nomination. The categories include:
- Cruise Agency of the Year (Single Location/Brand) – Australia
- Cruise Agency of the Year (Single Location/Brand) – New Zealand
- Cruise Agency of the Year (Multi-location/Brand) – Australasia
- Online Cruise Agency of the Year – Australasia
- Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia
- Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand
- Home-Based (Mobile) Cruise Agent of the Year – Australia
- Cruise Broker of the Year – New Zealand
- Rising Star – Australia
- Rising Star – New Zealand
- Agency/Agent Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australasia
- Network Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australasia
- Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Australasia
- Media Award – Australasia
Each award will highlight the professionalism, expertise, and innovation of agents working across the region.
Why it matters to agents
The Cruise Industry Awards are not only a celebration but also a professional benchmark. Winning or even being shortlisted can deliver a business boost, adding credibility for clients and strengthening relationships with suppliers.
The event also attracts significant industry attention, with hundreds of travel agents, executives, and media attending. It offers agents a chance to network, raise their profile, and celebrate achievements alongside the broader cruise community.
Nominations are now open via the CLIA website and will close at 5pm AEDT on Friday 21 November 2025.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The CLIA Awards remain a fixture in the cruise calendar. For agents, it’s a chance to gain visibility in a competitive sector and strengthen industry connections, whether or not they walk away with a trophy.
