How your travel bookings are changing as new cruise industry agents emerge

Cruise Lines International Association Australasia held its 22nd annual cruise industry awards in Sydney last night, and what emerged was the changing face of how you are buying your itineraries in 2025.

In front of hundreds of leading figures, CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz pointed out the changing face of travel agencies around Australia and New Zealand.

“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,” Mr Katz said.

The night saw the emergence of more group agencies like Ignite Travel Group, Travel Associates and Luxury Escapes.

It was a big night for Ignite. Michael Middleton of Ignite Travel Group, a ten-year-old diversified brand which includes My Cruises, was named Cruise Champion Australasia. Ignite Travel Group was also named Australasia’s Multi Location/Brand Cruise Agency of the Year.

Destination HQ was awarded Australia’s Single Location Cruise Agency of the Year, while House of Travel Kapiti Coast was named New Zealand’s Single Location Cruise Agency of the Year.

Stuart Allison, former head of Princess in Australasia, was named to be in CLIA’s Hall of Fame.

Allison, who is now based in the UK as P&O Cruises Chief Commercial Officer, was recognised for his longstanding industry leadership and his role in transforming the Australasian region into one of the world’s most dynamic.

Finally, the Wiggles took to the stage. The popular cast of Wiggly Friends will be on exclusive Wiggles Sailings with Royal Caribbean in 2025.

Full list of winners:

Agency Promotion of the Year – Australasia

Luxury Escapes

Network Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australasia

Travel Associates

Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Australasia

Cruise Express

Media Award – Australasia

Jocelyn Pride

Rising Star – New Zealand

Melissa Duder, House of Travel Taupo

Rising Star – Australia

Shane Black, SW Black Travel

Cruise Champion – Australasia

Michael Middleton, Ignite Travel Group

Joint Cruise Broker of the Year – New Zealand

Robert Schroder, Mondo Travel;

Michelle Downey, Bucket List Travel

Home-based/Mobile Cruise Agent of the Year – Australia

Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand

Natasha Warfield, Toussaint & Turner Travel Associates

Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia

Samantha Renvoye, Clean Cruising

Online Cruise Agency of the Year – Australasia

Cruise Guru

Cruise Agency of the Year, single location – New Zealand

House of Travel Kapiti Coast

Cruise Agency of the Year, single location – Australia

Destination HQ

Cruise Agency of the Year, multi location/brand – Australia

Ignite Travel Group