The Cruise Stars Awards are back and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

The awards, organised by Real Response Media, celebrate not only emerging talent in the cruise industry and within the travel agent community, but also recognise regional achievements up and down the UK.

In this regular series of articles profiling the winners of last year’s Cruise Star Awards, we speak to Terri Overett, marketing executive at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

How did you feel about winning the PR & Marketing Star award?

I was incredibly honoured to receive the award. I’d convinced myself it wasn’t going to happen, as the other nominees were all so strong and held senior positions. It took a little while for it to sink in, but it was an amazing feeling that I will never forget.

What were the main factors contributing to your win?

I’m passionate about improving the user experience for our customers and those visiting our website, so my enthusiasm may have helped me to stand out, as well as the success of the projects I’ve been involved in since joining Fred Olsen. When we launched the new website last year, I worked many long days to ensure the site was stable. One day I worked 19 hours straight, with help from my colleagues and caffeine, of course.

What tips can you pass on to others in your position?

To keep pushing forward, even when things get tough and never to doubt your ability to do so. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone, as it’s these experiences that really help you to learn and become confident in your own talents.

What has been your best experience in the industry so far?

Overseeing the launch of the Fred Olsen website was a massive achievement for me – from inception through to delivery, I enjoyed every moment of it. Of course, there were challenges but this just motivated me to work harder to deliver the project on time. To see the positive results from it was the icing on the cake. More recently I’ve had a chance to work on some on-board product developments, with the opportunity to work on the ships and build relationships with the crew.

What innovations would you like to see in the industry?

I think the use of augmented reality could really help cruise lines sell a destination on top of the more typical use of copy, imagery and video. We rely on these media to show potential guests how sensational our itineraries are, but augmented reality would really help to bring it all to life.

How do you see your career progressing?

Digital development is my passion and field of expertise, so I would love to continue working and progressing in this area. As my career develops, I hope to lead a team and continue to improve user experiences by making use of the latest technologies.

Please visit www.cruisestarsawards.com to find out more information about this year’s event and how to enter.

The deadline date for entries for the next awards is 8 July and finalists will be invited to a glamorous ceremony in central London this November. Read about last year’s winners in each issue of Cruise Trade News.