Lines and agents came together for a jubilant Cruise Stars 2024 ceremony on Friday to celebrate the best and brightest talent from across the industry
The awards, hosted by Cruise Trade News, returned on Friday (13 December), with representatives from the likes of Riviera Travel, Virgin Voyages, Iglu and Bolsover Cruise Club joining a packed-out room at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms hotel in Central London.
Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruises and Barrhead Travel were among the biggest winners on the night after judges poured through the highest number of entries in the awards’ history. You can see the full list of Cruise Stars 2024 winners below.
A total of 19 gongs, including the new Editor’s Choice Award, recognised the accomplishments of sales, PR and marketing staff, as well as senior management and rising stars from across the cruise line and travel agent sectors.
Head to Cruise Trade News’ Instagram page for more pictures of the Cruise Stars 2024 ceremony
The ceremony began with a welcome drinks reception, before Real Response Media editorial director Lee Hayhurst and chief operating officer Lina Slater looked back on Cruise Trade News’ and sister title World of Cruising’s achievements over the last 12 months, among which was the launch of World of Cruising TV.
The show’s host Dean Wilson was then welcomed to the stage to reveal the winners of this year’s Cruise Stars 2024.
Among the most highly anticipated awards on the day were the Cruise Star of the Year, which was won by Virgin Voyages global training manager Luke Day, and National Travel Agent Sales Star, with Barrhead Travel’s Deborah Newton taking home the award.
“It feels absolutely incredible, said Day. “A huge thanks to all of our first mates [agents] and a huge thank you to Virgin voyages for giving me the platform to win an award like this. I’ve been part of the commercial team for Virgin Voyages for three years and this is a significant milestone and achievement. I’m over the moon.”
After picking up her award, Newton said it had been a “massive” year for cruise within the Barrhead Travel business. “We see a lot about the cruise lines and the larger companies, but today, we’re looking at individuals and the successes they’ve had in 2024.
“I just feel so overwhelmed that as an individual in such a huge industry that I’ve been selected.”
“Shocked, stunned and proud”
Homeworking Star of the Year went to Travel Counsellor’s Sarah Bolton, while Oceania Cruises’ Leah Williams won Trade Sales Star of the Year in the cruise line category.
The final award on the night was saved for the ceremony’s inaugural Editor’s Choice Award, sponsored by Marella Cruises, which was presented by Cruise Trade News deputy editor Will Payne.
“This year we received a record number of entries and it was an incredibly difficult task to pick the winners, given each and every applicant had truly embodied what it means to be a Cruise Star,” he said.
“As a result, we felt it was only right to introduce a new award to highlight one individual in particular who went above and beyond but was just pipped to the post on the judging day.”
Nicola Cowan from The Cruise Specialists became the award’s first-ever recipient, who was commended by the judges for showcasing exceptional organisational and creative skills, playing a pivotal role in developing dynamic cruise packages that greatly benefit the sales team.

When asked to describe how she felt having won the award, Cowan said she was “shocked, stunned and proud.”
“Awards like this are absolutely massive, she explained. “Being recognised despite being a member of the back office and not in sales… I’m absolutely blown away.
“I’ve been working in cruise for 14 years and it is such a diverse industry. I work with the most amazing people and I couldn’t have done anything without my girls.”
The fun didn’t end there, however. After guests were treated to a two-course lunch, England cricket legend Monty Panesar, who became a national hero during the country’s Ashes Series success over Australia in the mid-noughties, was invited on stage to share his favourite career highlights and to talk about the adversity he had to overcome on his journey to sporting stardom.
The night ended with a Christmas sing-along, led by Virgin Voyage’s Luke Day and Cruise Trade News senior commercial manager Nathan Emtage, with prizes dished out to those who impressed most on the mic.
A massive thank you goes out to the Cruise Stars 2024 sponsors: Celestyal, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Marella Cruises, MBM Executive Travel, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Riviera Travel and Virgin Voyages.
Your Cruise Stars 2024 winners…
Cruise line categories
Cruise Line Management Star, sponsored by MBM Executive Travel
Sarah Jane Walker, director of sales, UK, Virgin Voyages
Cruise Line Rising Star, sponsored by MBM Travel Executives
Elizabeth Dalby, senior marketing manager, Princess Cruises
Cruise Line PR & Marketing Star
Charlotte Humphrey, manager PR, UK & Europe, Princess Cruises
Cruise Line Sales Star
Jack Atherton, sales manager, UK, Virgin Voyages
Trade Sales Star
Leah Williams, sales support, Oceania Cruises
Trainer Star of the Year
Stephanie Adams, training & engagement manager, P&O Cruises
Cruise Star of the Year
Luke Day, global training manager, Virgin Voyages
Agent categories
Homeworking Star, sponsored by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Sarah Bolton, gold travel counsellor and cruise specialist, Travel Counsellors
Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Kyle Turner, cruise sales consultant, Iglu
Mentoring Star of the Year, sponsored by Princess Cruises
Kerry Cansdale, independent travel agent, Travel Counsellors
Travel Agent Star of the Year, sponsored by Princess Cruises
Hayley Hogan, cruise consultant, Mundy Cruising
National Travel Agent Sales Star, sponsored by Riviera Travel
Deborah Newton, travel consultant, Barrhead Travel
River Sales Star of the Year, sponsored by Riviera Travel
Hannah Callaghan, cruise consultant, Barrhead Travel
Travel Agent Management Star, sponsored by Virgin Voyages
Lisa Kemp, manager, Barrhead Travel
Regional Travel Sales Star (North of England and Scotland), sponsored by Virgin Voyages
Rebecca Baldwin, assistant manager, Hays Travel
Regional Travel Sales Star (South of England and Wales), sponsored by Celestyal
Paul Cranny, director, Paul Cranny Travel
Travel Agent Marketing Star, sponsored by Celestyal
Olivia Cairns, cruise specialist, Creative Travel Company
Above and Beyond Star, sponsored by P&O Cruises
Kimberley Chamberlain, branch manager, Hays Travel
Editor’s Choice Award
Nicola Cowan, product manager The Cruise Specialists