CLIA Names 2025 Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Winners
Cruise Lines International Association announced the recipients of its 2025 Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards on April 24, 2025, during a Gala Dinner held as part of the Cruise360 conference in Fort Lauderdale. The annual ceremony brings together cruise line executives, travel advisors and industry partners to recognize outstanding leadership and innovation in the global cruise sector. This year’s honorees represent the breadth of talent driving growth and excellence across cruise sales, agency support and professional development.
Bud Darr, President and CEO of CLIA, praised the awardees for their visionary contributions. “The 2025 Hall of Fame Winners are travel industry leaders renowned for their extraordinary vision, passion for cruise and dedication to their clients,” Darr said. “We are proud to honor their innovative work and impressive contributions to the cruise industry.” His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration between cruise lines, agencies and individual agents in building consumer confidence and expanding market reach.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the evening’s most prestigious honors, was presented to two industry champions whose careers have shaped cruise travel. Alex Pinelo, Chief Sales Officer at AmaWaterways, was recognized for driving exceptional river cruise growth through strategic partnerships and visionary sales initiatives. Drew Daly, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne, received the award for his decades of leadership in the travel trade and his efforts to elevate cruise sales through extensive advisor training and support programs. Each honoree exemplifies the dedication and expertise that sustain CLIA’s mission to grow cruise as a preferred travel experience.
Oasis Travel Network was named Travel Agency of the Year, an award that highlights innovative and visionary leadership in promoting cruise travel and supporting affiliated advisors. Lee Smolinski, Chairman and CEO of Oasis Travel Network, accepted the accolade on behalf of the company’s 1,100 advisors. “This recognition from CLIA is a testament to the passion and commitment of our entire Oasis Travel Network,” Smolinski said. “Our advisors’ expertise and enthusiasm for cruise travel have been instrumental in our continued success.”
The Elite Cruise Counsellor of the Year Award went to Amanda Goddard, M.Ed., EEC, a CLIA Individual Agent Member who has achieved the highest level of certification and demonstrated exceptional sales performance. Goddard, a respected advocate for professional development, has mentored countless advisors and shaped agency best practices. “I am deeply honored to be recognized alongside such distinguished individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the cruise industry,” she said. “This recognition reflects the incredible teamwork and partnerships I have had the privilege to be part of throughout my career.”
The 2025 Hall of Fame Awards illustrate CLIA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across all facets of the cruise community. By honoring leaders in sales, agency management and individual achievement, CLIA reinforces the importance of ongoing education, strategic innovation and customer-focused service. As the cruise industry looks to future growth, these award winners will serve as role models for rising leaders and underscore the vibrant health of the global cruise market.
With the conclusion of the Gala Dinner, CLIA’s Hall of Fame inductees join a distinguished roster of past honorees whose work has driven industry standards and consumer trust. As travel advisors and cruise lines continue to navigate evolving market demands, the leadership demonstrated by this year’s awardees will help shape a dynamic, customer-centric cruise experience for years to come.
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