There is little over one week left to enter this year's Cruise Stars, which will be held at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms on 11 December, with brand-new entries offering even more ways to win
The annual event will bring the industry together to celebrate the people setting the standard across the cruise sector.
All the awards are free to enter and all shortlisted finalists will receive a complimentary invitation to attend the London ceremony. Submit your entry today by clicking this link (deadline: 30 September).
For tips on how to write an award-winning entry, click HERE.
New for this year is the Crystallised Moments Star, sponsored by Crystal, which will celebrate an agent whose actions have has a lasting impact on others. It is not about sales or commercial success, the award aims to recognise those who embody the values of compassion, generosity and dedication.
On the new award, the line's VP trade sales, UK & EMEA Luke Smith said: “This award is our way of highlighting people in the industry who have done something, outside of sales – even Crystal sales – that is worthy of recognition.
"These are the people who surprise and delight guests, go the extra mile internally or externally, support their peers, generate awareness for issues, raise money for charities or anything else that benefits the people around them.
"We all know these people that do things that stop us in our tracks and make us think “wow”, these are the moments that crystalise relationships and matter to people and these are exactly the people we want to celebrate.”
Also new for 2026 are the Expedition Agent Specialist Star of the Year and River Cruise Agent Specialist Star of the Year, which will be awarded to agents who has established themselves as a leading specialist in each of those sectors.
Additionally, Event Host of the Year will celebrate an individual working for an agency or cruise line who has demonstrated excellence in planning, hosting and delivering exceptional events for the cruise and travel industry.
Other top awards include the Travel Agent Star of the Year award, which recognises an individual working for a travel agency who has made an extraordinary impact over the past year, whether it's through increased sales, employee training or executing a winning marketing message; and the Cruise Line PR Star, which celebrates exceptional public relations efforts by an individual within a cruise line, celebrating innovative and impactful campaigns.
Josie Klein, Cruise Trade News deputy editor, said: "Cruise Stars is a fantastic opportunity to recognise those individuals who embody what the cruise and travel industry is all about: excellence and innovation.
"This year's new categories allow for even more recognition within the industry, especially the Crystallised Moments Star, which is a really exciting addition to the awards roster."
Log in or create a free account to keep reading this article.
