Cruise Stars 2026 shortlist revealed

The shortlist for Cruise Stars 2026 has been revealed, with tickets available to purchase for the awards ceremony on 11 December

The free-to-enter event, which celebrates individual talent from across the cruise industry, will be held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Central London.

New categories this year include Event Host of the Year, recognising individuals working for a travel agency or cruise line who plan, host or deliver exceptional face-to-face engagement for the travel industry.

Also new for this year is the Crystallised Moments Star, sponsored by Crystal, which rather than celebrating commercial success is instead dedicated to a travel agent who embodies the values of compassion, generosity and dedication.

Among the 22 awards in total are a variety of returning favourites, including Cruise Line Sales Star and the coveted Star of the Year award, while roving travel agents will also be celebrated with two regional gongs.

Tickets for the ceremony are going fast, so be sure to secure your place ahead of the ceremony on 11 December by following this link. All shortlisted finalists will receive a complimentary invitation to attend the awards ceremony. 

Cruise Stars 2026 shortlist

Shortlisted in agent categories

Crystallised Moments Star – sponsored by Crystal

• Caroline Holland - Retail Admin Support - Travel Counsellors
• Emma Wallace - Events Manager - Travel Counsellors
• Jessica Gardener - Owner - L&K Travel
• Karen Hambidge - Reservations Manager - Atlantis Travel

Homeworking Star of the Year

• Caroline Harris - Independent Travel Agent - Air and Ocean Travel
• Deanne Moses-Wright - Owner - Wheelie on the Waves / Premier Travel
• Leanne Urwin - Travel Advisor - Lulu Travels
• Sarah Bolton - Gold Travel Counsellor & Cruise Specialist - Travel Counsellors
• Vivian Brummitt - Founder - Holidays By Vivian

River Cruise Agent Specialist Star of the Year

• Deborah Vandenberghe - Cruise Travel Expert - Iglu Cruise
• Gemma Brice - Senior Sales & Product Executive - AG Cruises and Tours
• Josh Cotton - Owner - Cotton Travel
• Suzanne Hodgson - Sales Consultant - Designer Travel

Expedition Agent Specialist Star of the Year

• Laura Wing - Senior Specialist Travel Concierge - SixStarCruises
• Lizzy Watts - Travel Specialist - Perfect Cruises

Luxury Agent Specialist Star of the Year

• Alice Barry - Luxury Cruise Concierge - Bolsover Cruise Club
• Dan McMahon - Specialist Travel Concierge - SixStarCruises
• Kevin Anderson-Danvers - Cruise Travel Expert - Iglu Cruise
• Laura Wing - Senior Specialist Travel Concierge - SixStarCruises
• Moira Lumsden - Professional Travel Expert - Designer Travel

Retail Star of the Year

• Aimee Blakemore - Travel Advisor - TUI
• Amanda Shipley - Travel Advisor - TUI
• Jessica Gardener - Owner - L&K Travel
• Julie Gilbert - Travel Advisor - TUI
• Paul Cranny - Director - Paul Cranny Travel

Rising Star of the Year

• Caroline Coe - Personal Travel Concierge - Destinology
• Josh Golds - Product Owner - Iglu Cruise
• Kevin Akers - Homeworker - Travel Counsellors
• Mollie-Jo Green - Partnerships Manager - Panache Cruises
• Vivian Brummitt - Homeworker - Holidays By Vivian

Travel Agent Management Star

• Jane Robinson - Reservations Manager - First Class Cruise
• Krystle Johnston - Head of Sales - Destinology
• Lois Hendrick - Director - Loco Travel
• Pamela Kilpatrick - Senior Retail Manager - TUI
• Sarah Jones - Head of Operational Excellence – Iglu Cruise

Travel Agent Marketing Star

• Ben Anglesea - Marketing Manager - Perfect Cruises
• Jess Hartley - Marketing Manager - Paramount Cruises
• Macauley Zarrentino - Head of Marketing - Destinology
• Sam Mardhani - Product & Marketing Manager - Galaxy Cruises

Travel Agent Sales Star

• Abbie Wood - Cruise Expert - Bolsover Cruise Club
• Daisy Udy - Cruise Expert - Iglu Cruise
• Jessica Armitage - Cruise Expert - Bolsover Cruise Club
• Michelle Higson - Sales Consultant - Hays Travel
• Pete Wellman - Personal Travel Concierge - Destinology
• Sophia Rabaiotti - Senior Sales Specialist - Paul Cranny Travel

Travel Agent Star of the Year

• Edward O'Brien - Founder - Dawn2Dusk Travel
• Jessica Gardener - Owner - L&K Travel
• Michelle Higson - Sales Consultant - Hays Travel

Shortlisted in cruise line categories

BDM / Trade Star of the Year

• Alan Fincham - Business Development Executive - Virgin Voyages
• Amanda Love - Marella Commercial Manager - Marella Cruises
• Christopher McCloskey - Key Account Manager - Riviera Travel
• Dani Radford - Key Account Manager - Hurtigruten
• Daniel Short - Regional & Strategic Account Manager - MSC Cruises
• Gemma Ashworth - Strategic Account Manager - Riviera Travel
• Isla Wilson - Regional Manager - P&O Cruises
• Kal Sindhu - Sales Manager - Oceania Cruises
• Max Campos - Regional Sales Manager UK & Northern Europe - Aqua Expeditions

Cruise Line Management Star

• Amanda Docherty - Head of Trade UK & Ireland - Riviera Travel
• Claire Hills - Strategic Account Manager - Riviera Travel
• Lynsey Roberts - Business Manager of Regional and Partnership Development - P&O Cruises
• Matt Stuart - Sales Director UK & Emerging Markets - Hurtigruten
• Pippa Davies - Senior Customer Operations Manager - Marella Cruises
• Yas McKechnie - Director of Sales - Princess Cruises

Cruise Line Marketing Star

• Adam Scholey - Marketing Executive - Seabourn
• Heather Newman - Performance Marketing & e-Commerce Manager - Princess Cruises
• Sophie Barker - Senior Trade Artworker - Celebrity Cruises
• Tori McCrindle - Senior Marketing Manager – Cruise - Marella Cruises

Cruise Line PR Star

• Charlotte Humphrey - PR & Events Manager - Princess Cruises
• Carys Bedford – PR Manager - Viking UK
• Samantha Cuthbert - PR Manager - MSC Cruises

Cruise Line Sales Star

• Amanda Skilbeck - National Account Manager - MSC Cruises
• Danielle Kerton - Key Account Manager - Riviera Travel
• Gemma Ashworth - Strategic Account Manager - Riviera Travel
• Jo McGawley - Sales Manager - Princess Cruises
• Kelly Green - UK Sales Manager - Virgin Voyages
• Mark Godden - Key Account Manager - Oceania Cruises
• Pietro Molica-Lazzaro - Senior Croatia Travel Specialist - Unforgettable Croatia
• Stephen Joyner - Senior Sales Manager UK & EIRE – Crystal

Rising Star of the Year

• Chanelle Milligan - Contact Centre Manager - Princess Cruises
• Georgie Long - PR Executive - Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holly Glazer - Business Development Specialist - Crystal 
• Megan McCluskey - Senior PR Executive - MSC Cruises
• Michaela Russell - Commercial Analyst - Princess Cruises
• Will King - Business Development Manager - Celebrity Cruises

Star of the year

• Carrie Jordan-Dodd - National Account Manager - MSC Cruises
• Gemma Ashworth - Strategic Account Manager - Riviera Travel
• Gemma Wilks - Business Development Executive - Virgin Voyages
• Max Campos - Regional Sales Manager UK & Northern Europe - Aqua Expeditions
• Michael Young Richards - Key Account Manager UK & EIRE – Crystal

Shortlisted in the combined categories

Above and Beyond Star

• Deanne Moses-Wright - Owner - Wheelie on the Waves / Premier Travel
• Emma Wallace - Head of Events - Travel Counsellors
• Jasmin Day - Reservations Consultant - Crystal 
• Kelvin Dunk - Head of Sales UK & Ireland – Lifts To
• Max Campos - Regional Sales Manager UK & Northern Europe - Aqua Expeditions

Event Host of the Year

• Emma Wallace - Events Manager - Travel Counsellors
• Evie Philp - Sales Operation Executive - Princess Cruises
• Geraldine Nolan - HR Manager and Talent Acquisition Specialist – InteleTravel

New to Cruise Star Champion

• Kelly Pritchard - Independent Travel Agent - InteleTravel
• Lauren Wood - Head of Cruise - Destinology
• Scott Weston - Travel Advisor - InteleTravel
• Vivian Brummitt - Founder/Cruise Specialist - Holidays By Vivian

Trainer Star of the Year

• Maxine Crouch - Senior Training & Quality Executive - Princess Cruises
• Sophie Bambrick - Princess Cruises
• Stephanie Adams - Training & Engagement Manager - P&O Cruises