Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced the finalists for the 19th annual Cruise Industry Awards, to be presented at a sold-out event next month.

A total of 71 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand will be in the running to win one of cruising’s highest honours when the industry comes together for its biggest night of the year on Saturday 15 February.

A record 560 entries were received for this year’s awards, with 11 different categories open for self- or peer-nomination and awards included for both Australian and New Zealand nominees.

Key categories this year include Agency of the Year, Cruise Consultant of the Year, Home-Based Cruise Agent/Broker of the Year, Rising Star, Cruise Champion, Promotion of the Year, and a Media Award.

CLIA Australasia managing director Joel Katz said the awards celebrated the top achievers among the association’s travel agent membership.

“This year’s nominations show a genuine passion for the cruise industry, and that’s a big part of the success we’re experiencing in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

“The most energetic and engaged agents are also some of the most successful in Australia and New Zealand, so these awards are about recognising their commitment and the prosperity they help bring to the entire cruise community.”

Hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell, the 19th annual Cruise Industry Awards will be held at The Star in Sydney.

Check out the full list of finalists below:

Agency Promotion of the Year, New Zealand

Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel – ‘Love Long Cruises’

Cruise Sale Finder – ‘10 Years of Cruising’

House of Travel Papamoa – ‘Cruising with Princess’

Agency Promotion of the Year, Australia

Megan Catterall, itravel – ‘A Cruise for Rolls Royce Enthusiasts’

My Cruises – ‘My Cruises Amazing August’

Port Lincoln Travel & Cruise – ‘Princess Cruises Are In Town’

Network Promotion of the Year, Australasia

Flight Centre Travel Group – ‘Travel Ideas: Cruise Edition’

MTA – Mobile Travel Agents – ‘Designed Life Experiences’

Travel Associates – ‘Small Ship Cruising’

Helloworld Travel New Zealand – ‘River Cruising with Travelmarvel’

Cruise Month Promotion, Australasia

House of Travel – ‘Cruise Catalogue’

Bicton Travel – ‘Choose Cruise, Book & Win’

Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel – ‘What’s in Port 2019-2020 New Zealand Guide’

Sarah Fenton, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents – ‘Cruise Month 2019’

Media Award

Helen Anderson – “Big Chill” (Australian Gourmet Traveller)

Sally Macmillan – “Times and Tides: Day in the Life of a Cruise Ship” (The Sun-Herald – Traveller)

Susan Kurosawa – “The Spices of Life” (Weekend Australian – Travel + Indulgence)

Rising Star, New Zealand

Shannon Johnson – YOU Travel Feilding

Rebecca Honeyfield – Helloworld Travel Strandon, New Plymouth

Charlotte Chalman – House of Travel Lakers Gore

Jordan Sievwright – YOU Travel Taupo

Rising Star, Australia

Sianna Gesch – Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel

Tanya Bancroft – Cruisefinder

Lesleigh Ross – Clean Cruising

Bryan Andersen – My Cruises

Cruise Champion, Australasia

Jeff Leckey – House of Travel

Robyn Sinfield – Home Travel Company

Jean Summers – Clean Cruising

Stacey Ward – Phil Hoffmann Travel

Broker of the Year, New Zealand

Lee Johns – My Travel Broker

Kay Humphries – The Travel Brokers

Andrew Lennox – Flight Centre Travel Broker

Home Based / Mobile Agent of the Year, Australia

Gina Maitland – MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Jane Eastburn – Atlas Travel Centre

Robyn Sinfield – Home Travel Company

Tracy King – MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Cruise Consultant of the Year, New Zealand

Lorraine Van Veen – House of Travel Botany Junction

Helen Mahoney – Lets Cruise

Nicola Voullaire – House of Travel Kapiti Coast

Kay Paulsen – HOOT Cruises

Cruise Consultant of the Year, Australia

Grant Gibson – My Cruises

Julie Avery – Brighton Travelworld

Mike Clark – Phil Hoffmann Travel

Kirin Greenland – Clean Cruising

Online Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand

HOOT Cruises

Lets Cruise

Cruise Sale Finder

Online Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia

Cruise Sale Finder

Clean Cruising

Cruise Guru

Cruise1st Australia

Our Vacation Centre

Small Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand

Helloworld Travel Hobsonville

YOU Travel Orewa

Pukekohe Travel

House of Travel Botany Junction

Helloworld Travel Whangarei

Small Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia

Travel Associates Kew

Gregor & Lewis Bespoke Travel

New Farm Travel

Travel Centre Coffs

itravel Carlingford

Large Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand

YOU Travel Mount Group

Helloworld Travel Milford/Browns Bay/Henderson/Ponsonby

Helloworld Travel Lambton Quay/St Heliers/Mt Eden/Botany

House of Travel Papamoa Group

Large Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia

Phil Hoffmann Travel

Bicton Travel

Travelrite International

Goldman Group

Cruise Express