Widely regarded as the pinnacle of recognition for cruise-specialist travel agents in Australia and New Zealand, the prestigious awards will honour excellence across 14 categories, with nine open to self- or peer-nomination. Nominations are open now and will close on Friday 21 November 2025.
The winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala event on Saturday 7 March 2026, with the ICC Sydney Grand Ballroom providing a brand-new, larger stage for the region’s biggest celebration of cruise retail excellence.
“The CLIA Awards are a fantastic opportunity for members to boost their industry profile and gain important recognition for their creativity and expertise,” CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said.
“Hosting the event at ICC Sydney gives us a spectacular new platform to celebrate the industry’s brightest stars, and we’re encouraging all our members to get involved.”
The Cruise Industry Awards recognise the vital role that Australian and New Zealand travel agents play in the continued success of the global cruise industry, celebrating their professionalism, innovation, and contribution to a thriving cruise market.
The 2025 award 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
All nominees must be current CLIA travel agent members in Australia or New Zealand.
For full nomination details, visit https://www.cruising.org.au/CLIA-Events/Cruise-Industry-Awards
