The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards took place at Sydney’s The Star Event Centre again on 8 March 2025, celebrating the industry’s best and brightest at a gala dinner and presentation night.
Well-known Australian actor and TV presenter Luke Jacobz hosted the 2025 CLIA Awards with 15 awards for travel agencies and individuals.
The 75 finalists were revealed in January, so it’s been an anxious wait to see who will sail away with 2025’s top accolades.
CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said the 2025 CLIA Awards reflected an increasingly diverse local travel advisor community.
“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,” he 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,” he said.
The full list of 2025 CLIA Awards winners are:
- Cruise Agency of the Year (Single Location) – AU – Destination HQ
- Cruise Agency of the Year (Single Location) – NZ – House of Travel Kapiti Coast
- Cruise Agency of the Year (Multi-Location/Brand) – AU – Ignite Travel Group
- Online Cruise Agency of the Year – ANZ – Cruise Guru
- Cruise Consultant of the Year – AU – Samantha Renvoye, Clean Cruising
- Cruise Consultant of the Year – NZ – Natasha Warfield, Toussaint & Turner Travel Associates
- Home-Based/Mobile Cruise Agent of the Year – AU – Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
- Cruise Broker of the Year – NZ – Robert Schroder, Mondo Travel & Michelle Downey, Bucket List Travel (joint winners)
- Media Award – ANZ – Jocelyn Pride, Signature Luxury Travel & Style
- Rising Star of the Year – AU – Shane Black, SW Black Travel
- Rising Star of the Year – NZ – Melissa Duder, House of Travel Taupo
- Agency Cruise Promotion of the Year – ANZ – Luxury Escapes
- Network Cruise Promotion of the Year – ANZ – Travel Associates
- Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – ANZ – Cruise Express
- Cruise Champion – ANZ – Michael Middleton, Ignite Travel Group
- CLIA Hall of Fame – ANZ – Stuart Allison, P&O Cruises
The latest CLIA Hall of Famer
UK-based P&O Cruises CCO Stuart Allison was inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame during the 2025 CLIA Awards for his longstanding leadership in the Australasian region, most recently as Princess Cruises Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, UK & Europe.
CLIA in Australasia Chair Peter Little said: “Over the past two decades, Stuart has been a driving force behind the expansion and success of the cruise industry in Australasia.”
“He is a visionary leader with an analytical mind and an unwavering passion for the sector and has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s cruise landscape, always looking ahead to the next opportunity.”
Katz added: “Stuart has been a key leader through times of enormous development and innovation, striving not only for his own brands but also for the wider Australasian cruise community.”
“As a member of our Executive Committee, he was a valuable supporter of CLIA and our membership through extraordinary times and we’re incredibly grateful for his guidance and the huge contribution he has made on behalf of our industry.”
Karryon congratulates all winners and nominees for their ongoing individual and collaborative contributions to the local cruise industry.
For more info, head to cruising.org.au
