It was the night when the men and women behind Australia and New Zealand’s cruise industry get the recognition they deserve.

More than 500 joined Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia in marking a record year of cruising at the 16th Annual Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney.

A total of 19 awards were handed out across nine categories with the top Australian award once again going to Western Australia’s Bicton Travel.

In addition to winning an unprecedented sixth Gold Agency of the Year award, Bicton founder Carole Smethurst was inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame.

Phil Hoffmann Travel Glenelg took out the Silver Award, marking the agency’s seventh appearance in the top three since 2008, while Cruiseabout Kew won Bronze.

CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell presented a special posthumous award to the late James Patrick from Wiltrans International for his Contribution to the Australasian Cruise Industry.

The award was accepted by James’ wife, Wiltrans Managing Director Diane Patrick.

“The Cruise Industry Awards bring together the industry’s brightest stars from across Australia and New Zealand in a fantastic celebration that recognises their outstanding achievements. Each year, the event continues to grow in stature in line with the impressive expansion of the industry, cementing the CLIAs as the cruise industry’s ‘night of nights’,” Mr Odell said.

The event featured an exclusive preview of award-winning musical The Bodyguard with Paulini Curuenavuli performing some of Whitney Houston’s best known songs.