Cruise recognises its top achievers

THE Australia and New Zealand cruise industry temporarily set aside recent challenges to honour its best and brightest over the weekend at the 19th Annual Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney (CW breaking news).

Hosted by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia at The Star, the gala dinner and presentation saw 19 awards bestowed during the night, including Julie Avery from Brighton Travelworld, who was named Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year.

Lorraine Van Veen from House of Travel Botany Junction walked away with the New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year award, while Jeff Leckey from House of Travel took out the Cruise Champion Australasia category, and Bicton Travel scored the coveted Large Cruise Agency of the Year Australia accolade.

CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said this year’s awards had a record number of entries, with 560 submissions received across Australia and New Zealand.

“This year’s winners reflect an increasing level of dedication among travel agents when it comes to engaging with their clients and developing their cruise business,” he said.

“Their passion for cruising is stronger than ever and a sign of the growing levels of expertise among cruise specialists right across the Australasian travel trade,” Katz added.

The evening’s biggest highlight arguably belonged to former Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry, who was inducted into the prestigious CLIA Hall of Fame, more details on page three.

Pictured are many of the cruise industry’s winners during the big occasion - to view all of the fun and excitement from the cruise industry’s night of nights, visit our Facebook page HERE.