Ian Warren was both surprised and honoured to be announced as the winner of the CLIA Cruise Master Award for 2018, at the prestigious Agent Achievement Awards in London on 12th July 2018. The annual awards ceremony was hosted by Travel Weekly at a glittering event in the Park Plaza Westminster Hotel.

Ian has been a member of CLIA, and its predecessor ACE (Association of Cruise Experts), since 2009, and has made a point of getting involved in many of the conferences, ship visits and webinars available to members. He has also taken numerous training modules, in order to have the best knowledge he can. Being a Cruise Master is the highest level which can be attained by travel agents with CLIA, and there are now more than 100 CLIA Masters in the UK. Therefore to be named CLIA Cruise Master in 2018 was a great honour.

Who or What is CLIA?

CLIA UK & Ireland is a member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) , which is the world's largest cruise industry trade association. They have representation in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia.

CLIA puts great emphasis on travel agent training, as well as carrying out research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holidays with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members. CLIA's Cruise Lines and Executive Partner programmes include the industry's leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday experience for millions of passengers every year.

Travel Weekly is the UK’s market-leading publication for the travel industry, and boasts a presence in print, online and with a portfolio of events, including the annual Agent Achievement Awards.