Cruise industry sparkles

TOP achievers from across Australia & New Zealand were honoured on Sat at the Cruise Lines Int’l Association (CLIA) Australasia 17th Annual Cruise Industry Awards, including cruise pioneer Ted Blamey who joined the association’s Hall of Fame.

Blamey ( pictured right with CLIA chair Steve Odell) was honoured for his 30-year contribution to the industry including as president of Sitmar International, ceo of Ansett Retail/Traveland and chairman of Sydney Ports.

Top honours went to Bicton Travel in WA which was named Australia’s Gold Cruise Agency of the Year for the fifth year in a row, and to Kathy Pavlidis of Cruiseabout Kew in Victoria who won the award for Australian Cruise Consultant of the Year.

Other awards went to Kye Duffy of Our Vacation Centre, who was named Rising Star, and to Clean Cruising which was named Online Agency of the Year.

Pictured top are CLIA md Joel Katz and Phil Hoffmann Travel md Phil Hoffmann with Royal Caribbean Cruises’ director of marketing and sales Kathryn Valk & md Adam Armstrong AU/NZ.

Below, Travellers Choice ceo Christian Hunter with the group’s gm marketing Robyn Mitchell and The Travel Corporation Australia ceo John Veitch.

Bottom, the Viking Cruises team - Keira Smith, Jane Moggridge, Ramon Drew, Marianne McAllister and Erin Kramer.

See Cruise Weekly tomorrow for more awards coverage and FACEBOOK for more pics.