Cruise Trade News has crowned the winners of the 2019 Cruise Stars Awards at a ceremony at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London.

Following welcome drinks, lunch and a talk from inspirational guest speaker, Olympic rowing gold medallist and coach Tim Foster MBE, who spoke on behalf of the Cruise Stars charity partner, the Lord’s Taverners, the ceremony was in full swing.

AmaWaterways gave away a fantastic prize to the overall travel agent star winner – a seven-night 2020 European river cruise for two people, plus £1,500 in co-operative marketing funds for the winner’s agency.

For the overall cruise line winner, the prize, courtesy of Chewton Glen Hotel and Spa, was an overnight stay for two at the five-star country house hotel.

Real Response Media group editor Colette Doyle said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to all our winners and those who were shortlisted for the Cruise Stars Awards. The quality of the entries was extremely high and the judges had to ponder long and hard to decide the winners. We thank them for their time, expertise and input.

“These awards highlight individual achievements across the length and breadth of the UK and we are delighted to once again recognise the outstanding talent that runs throughout the cruise industry.”

This year the awards were proudly sponsored by AmaWaterways; Cruise & Maritime Voyages; Fred Olsen Cruise Lines; Holland America Line; Oceania Cruises; and Saga.

All winners will be featured in Cruise Trade News magazine in 2020.

Winners:

Cruise Line PR & Marketing Star

• Winner: Helena Gale-Hasleham, Scenic & Emerald Waterways
• Highly commended: Ellis Barker, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Cruise Line Sales Star

• Winner: Amanda Elgie, MSC Cruises
• Highly commended: Lucy Harris, Holland America Line/Seabourn

Cruise Line Management Star

• Winner: Victoria Snelgar, Cunard

Cruise Line Sales Team of the Year

• Winners: Lee Surman, Stuart Pearce and Nicola Singleton, Azamara

Travel Agent Marketing Star

• Winner: Tom O’Hara, Mundy Cruising

Regional Travel Agent Sales Stars

• London and the Southeast, winner: Trevor Ridler, Baldwins Travel
• Midlands and the East of England, winner: Poppy Outram, Bolsover Cruise Club
• North of England, winner: Marion Owen, Marion Owen Travel
• Wales and South West, winner: Paul Cranny, Paul Cranny Travel
• Scotland and Northern Ireland, winner: Lynn Guest from Cruise Beyond / Oasis Travel

National Travel Agent Sales Star

• Winner: David Pettigrew, Cruise1st
• Highly commended: Daniel Hammond, GoCruise & Travel

New to Cruise Champion

• Winner: Mair Jones, Bordessa Holidays
• Highly commended: Maxine Smile, Go Cruise & Travel with Maxi

Travel Agent Management Star

• Winner: Karina Stott, World Travel Holdings UK
• Highly commended: Lee Ashton, Cruise1st

Cruise Line Rising Star (under 35s only)

• Winner: Ellis Barker, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
• Highly commended: Victoria Snelgar, Cunard

Travel Agent Rising Star (under 35s only)

• Winner: Karina Stott, World Travel Holdings UK
• Highly commended: Beth Hulett, Iglu.com

Overall Cruise Line Star

• Winner: Victoria Snelgar, Cunard

Overall Travel Agent Star

• Winner: David Pettigrew, Cruise 1st

Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry

• Winner: Carly Perkins, Holland America Line/Seabourn