The shortlist for the 2018 Cruise Stars Awards has been announced.
The awards – organised by Real Response Media – shine a spotlight on the brightest and best talent in the cruise holiday sector, with a focus on the ‘ones to watch’.
First conceived in 2016 as the Rising Stars Awards for under 35s, the success of previous years has led to the addition of new categories and a lifting of the age restriction.
Categories include sales, marketing and management across cruise lines and travel agents, and this year we are recognising and rewarding outstanding regional travel agents across the country.
Colette Doyle, editor of Cruise Trade News, said: “The Cruise Stars Awards pay tribute to all the hard-working agents who, day in, day out, are selling cruise to more people than ever before.
“They are a crucial part of why the industry is booming and are helping to expand the reach of cruising to new customers and a different age demographic.”
Finalists will attend a prestigious lunchtime event at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms on 16 November, with winners receiving industry-wide recognition, as well as the opportunity to be featured in Cruise Trade News during 2019.
Shortlist as follows:
Cruise Line Management Star
- Elaine Gillard – Crystal Cruises
- Nicki Lewis – Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Cruise Line PR & Marketing Star
- Natalie Billington – MSC Cruises
- Helena Gale-Hasleham – Scenic & Emerald Waterways
- Rebecca Jones – Cruise & Maritime Voyages
- Charlotte Mitchell – Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
- Terri Overett – Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Carly Perkins – Holland America Line & Seabourn
- Lewis Quigley – Scenic & Emerald Waterways
- Georgia Mae Tarrant – AmaWaterways
Cruise Line Rising Star
- Natalie Billington – MSC Cruises
- Chloe Bromige – Avalon Waterways
- Helena Gale-Hasleham – Scenic & Emerald Waterways
- Lucy Harris – Holland America Line & Seabourn
- Rebecca Jones – Cruise & Maritime Voyages
- Charlotte Mitchell – Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
- Terri Overett – Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Lewis Quigley – Scenic & Emerald Waterways
- Georgia Mae Tarrant – AmaWaterways
Cruise Line Sales Star
- Alyshia Bartlett – MSC Cruises
- Chloe Bromige – Avalon Waterways
- Louise Craddock – Oceania Cruises
- Lucy Harris – Holland America Line & Seabourn
- James Howlett – Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Laura Montalban – MSC Cruises
- Leah Williams – Oceania Cruises
National Travel Agent Sales Star
- Megan Bettis – ROL Cruise
- Poppy Outram – Bolsover Cruise Club
- Trevor Ridler – Baldwins Travel
- Matthew Sole – Kuoni
- Chloe Williams – Bolsover Cruise Club
New to Cruise Champion
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- Rebecca Allen – Ponders Travel
- Lee Ashton – TUI Bolton Superstore
- Mark Bilton – Kuoni
- John Ferguson – Thorne Travel
- Lindsay Forder – Cruise Direction
- Poppy Outram – Bolsover Cruise Club
- Matthew Sole – Kuoni
- Samantha Voce – Hays Travel
Regional Travel Agent Sales Star
London and Southeast
- Mark Bilton – Kuoni
- Daniel Hammond – GoCruise
- Trevor Ridler – Baldwins Travel
- Farley Shelkin – Dagenham Travel
Midlands and East of England
- Rebecca Allen – Ponders Travel
- Emma Short – Cruise 1st
North East
- Poppy Outram – Bolsover Cruise Club
- Chloe Williams – Bolsover Cruise Club
North West
- Lee Ashton – TUI: Bolton Superstore
- Laura Cuthbert – World Travel Holdings UK
- Jack Kay – Cruise 1st
Scotland
- John Ferguson – Thorne Travel
- Matthew Kerr – Barrhead Travel
Travel Agent Management Star
- Rebecca Allen – Ponders Travel
- Matt Fediw – Cruise Direction
- Beth Holland – ROL Cruise
- Anna Perrott – Travelbag
- Trevor Ridler – Baldwins Travel
- Lauren Wood – World Travel Holdings UK
Travel Agent Marketing Star
- Nathalie Avis – Bolsover Cruise Club
- Harish Mesuria – Forever Cruises
- Liz Sullivan – Eagle Travel
Travel Agent Rising Star
- Rebecca Allen – Ponders Travel
- Lee Ashton – TUI Bolton Superstore
- Megan Bettis – ROL Cruise
- Laura Cuthbert – World Travel Holdings UK
- Matt Fediw – Cruise Direction
- John Ferguson – Thorne Travel
- Lindsay Forder – Cruise Direction
- Daniel Hammond – GoCruise
- Matthew Kerr – Barrhead Travel
- Poppy Outram – Bolsover Cruise Club
- Anna Perrott – Travelbag
- Lauren Wood – World Travel Holdings UK
Find out more information about the awards and how to attend here.