Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has kicked off its 2026 CLIA LIVE program in Christchurch, marking the first of eight training events designed for travel agents across Australia and New Zealand.
The Christchurch event, held on 16–17 March 2026, follows the success of CLIA’s inaugural South Island seminars last year. It brings together representatives from leading ocean, river and expedition cruise lines to showcase new initiatives and product developments to attending agents.
Approximately 50 CLIA members are expected to attend each day, highlighting strong industry engagement with the program.
National rollout nearly at capacity
Following Christchurch, CLIA LIVE will travel to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Auckland and the Gold Coast over the coming months.
Demand has been high, with most sessions already booked out. Limited availability remains for the Gold Coast event scheduled for 19–20 May.
All sessions are exclusive to CLIA members and cater to both newcomers to cruise and experienced consultants seeking to refresh their knowledge.
Focus on matching clients to cruise brands
CLIA Australasia Director of Membership and Events Marita Nosic said this year’s program centres on helping agents better understand the diversity of cruise offerings.
“Cruising is more diverse than ever, and each brand has its own distinct personality, style and guest profile,” Nosic said.
The 2026 theme, “Find the Perfect Cruise Match: Discover the Personality Behind Every Brand”, aims to equip agents with the insights needed to align clients with the right cruise experience — from ultra-luxury and expedition voyages to family-friendly and river cruising.
CLIA LIVE sessions provide a multi-line forum, allowing agents to hear directly from a range of operators while staying up to date with the latest industry developments.
