One month to go: CLIA agents get ready to celebrate

February 9, 2023 – The biggest cruise industry celebration of the year is now just one month away, and judges are making their final deliberations in preparation for the 20^th Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia.

A total of 73 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand will be in the running to win one of cruising’s highest honours on 11 March when the industry comes together for its biggest party in more than three years.

Eighteen awards will be presented at a gala celebration at Luna Park Sydney, each one a celebration of the determination and resilience shown by Australasian travel agents over recent years.

CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said the finalists had been chosen from more than 400 nominations received from all areas of the Australian and New Zealand cruise community.

“The judges have a tough job this year, every finalist is a testament to the tenacity our member travel agents have shown through a defining time for our industry,” Mr Katz said. “The persistence and professionalism shown by our members in this region helps show why passengers overwhelmingly turn to travel agents when they book cruise.”

CLIA’s 20th Cruise Industry Awards will be hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell at Luna Park’s Big Top, where hundreds of agents and cruise industry representatives will gather for a black tie dinner. The event will include a new line-up of performers to recreate the spirit of seagoing shows, staged alongside the harbour in Australasia’s gateway cruise port.

This year’s awards have been made possible by industry supporters including Headline Sponsor Qatar Tourism and Gold Sponsors Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises.

For the full list of finalists and sponsors visit 20th CLIA Cruise Industry Awards.