Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has welcomed its first intake of Masters candidates for 2025, taking 60 of the region’s top travel agents towards the association’s highest qualification.

CLIA LIVE has kicked off in Melbourne today with the first of eight travel agent training events across Australia and New Zealand, with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) delivering an expanded program for 2025.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Australasia announced Riverside Luxury Cruises has become the newest member of, elevating its brand within CLIA’s growing community of travel agents, cruise lines and industry partners.

Cruise line executive Stuart Allison was inducted into the industry’s Hall of Fame at the 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia, recognising his leadership role in the cruise sector for more than 25 years.

The achievements of Australasia’s top travel agents supporting the cruise sector were honoured at the 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards which took place in Sydney on Saturday night.

Actor and television presenter Luke Jacobz has been named as the host for this year’s 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards, set to take place on 8 March at The Star, Sydney.

CroisiEurope has joined Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia, with the new partnership set to showcase the French river cruise specialist to CLIA’s 6,000-strong travel agent membership across Australia and New Zealand.

A total of 75 finalists from Australia and New Zealand will vie for one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades at the 22nd Cruise Industry Awards for Australia, with CLIA revealing the list of those in the running.

CLIA travel agent members can now access an exclusive earlybird rate, as ticket sales opened for this year’s two-day Cruise360 Australasia conference.

New ships from high-end cruise lines are among those to be showcased next month as part of CLIA’s 2025 Ocean Debut Virtual Showcase.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has named Charles “Bud” Darr as its new President and CEO. Darr will succeed Kelly Craighead effective 3 February 2025. Craighead revealed her intention to resign from the organisation in September. Darr returns to CLIA having previously led maritime technical and regulatory affairsat the global cruise association

Tickets for CLIA Live 2025 have gone on sale, with the Auckland event already sold out.