Cruise industry leaders have paid tribute to pioneering Australian businesswoman Sarina Bratton AM as she steps down from the board of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Australasia after almost three decades of service.

Mrs Bratton is a past Chairman of CLIA in Australasia and founder of its precursor, the International Cruise Council of Australasia, which she helped establish in 1996. She is a recipient of CLIA’s Hall of Fame award and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant services to tourism, particularly the cruise industry, and to business.

At CLIA’s recent Annual General Meeting for Australasia, the regional leaders of key CLIA cruise lines thanked Mrs Bratton, who is the Global Strategic Advisor and Honorary Chairwoman Asia Pacific for luxury exploration line, PONANT.

“Sarina has been a standard-bearer for the Australasian cruise industry in ways that will have a lasting legacy for our community,” said CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz. “She is a genuine pioneer of cruising in this part of the world, a highly respected businesswoman, and the first woman to be a cruise line founder.”

CLIA Chairman in Australasia Peter Little thanked Mrs Bratton for her decades of service to the region’s cruise community.

“Sarina has been an important voice for cruising throughout the Asia Pacific region and a tireless advocate to governments and industry stakeholders in Australasia,” Mr Little said. “She has helped shape cruising in Australasia and has been integral to the creation of a strong and successful CLIA membership.”

Mrs Bratton has previously been Founder and Managing Director of Orion Expedition Cruises, Founder and Managing Director of Norwegian Capricorn Line, and Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific for Cunard Line. She has held board positions at numerous entities including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee, and Australian Trade Commission, among others.

Peter Little elected Chairman of CLIA in Australasia

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced the election of Carnival Senior Vice President and Country Manager Peter Little as its new Chairman in Australasia.

Mr Little takes over from Norwegian Cruise Line APAC Vice President & Managing Director Ben Angell, who has concluded his two-year term as the head of CLIA’s Australasian board.

CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said Mr Little would provide important stewardship at a time when the resurgent cruise industry was working hard to cement its long-term success.

“Peter is a respected industry leader who has been integral to the strength of the Australian cruise sector for many years,” Mr Katz said. “He has shouldered responsibility for a very broad and complex range of maritime operations throughout his career and commands a great deal of admiration from across the cruise fraternity.”

Mr Little said he was proud to step into the role of CLIA Chairman in Australasia at a time of enormous energy within the cruise industry.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed CLIA Australasia Chair,” Mr Little said. “The role of CLIA is crucial to steering the industry’s path to the future.  CLIA’s leadership and advocacy functions across the sector are vital to securing the benefits cruise tourism delivers across the economies of Australasia.”

Mr Katz thanked Mr Angell for his dedication to CLIA over recent years and paid tribute to his work as Chairman during a period of positive renewal.

“Ben Angell has brought his considerable energy and enthusiasm to CLIA at a time when our industry has shone like never before,” Mr Katz said. “He has not only presided over our organisation during cruising’s rapid revival in Australasia but has also taken a hands-on role in building the strength and membership of CLIA across this region. We are grateful for his guidance, and he will continue to play an important role in CLIA’s success into the future.”

As CLIA Chairman in Australasia, Mr Little leads an Executive Committee that also comprises Stuart Allison (Senior Vice President – Asia Pacific, UK & Europe, Princess Cruises), Ben Angell (Vice President & Managing Director, Norwegian Cruise Line APAC), Lynne Clarke (Chairman, MSC Cruises Australia), Deb Corbett (General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific, PONANT), Andrew Millmore (Executive Chairman, Travel the World Group, representing Windstar and Virgin Voyages), Gavin Smith (Vice President & Managing Director Australia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd), and Jason Worth (Vice President, International Sales, Oceania Cruises).