Cruise Adviser — September 2017

CRUISE ADVISER THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

SEPTEMBER 2017

GOOD MORNING

VIETNAM

Daniel Allen travels along the Mekong with Scenic

PLUS LUXURY BARGE HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE THE 10 BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS INTERVIEW: VIKING FOUNDER TORSTEIN HAGEN

WORLDWIDE RIVER CRUISES Europe • Russia • Asia • Africa Canals • Rivers • Seas

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September 2017 | Forward ED’S LETTER

Adventure doesn’t have to mean discomfort With a cruise, travellers who want to explore far-flung destinations GOOD MORNING in depth don’t VIETNAM have to abandon luxury or live out of a backpack for weeks. In fact, it’s the perfect way to enjoy something incredible and experience somewhere unique, without having to go out of your comfort zone – that is, unless you want to. With shore excursions that include helicopter rides, camping out on the Antarctic ice, or deep-sea diving, cruise lines offer plenty for thrill seekers, but they also offer plenty more for those who would rather just relax and take in the sights from the top deck.

We’ve dedicated our Midship section to adventure for this issue. In it, National Geographic writer Daniel CRUISE ADVISER THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

SEPTEMBER 2017

Daniel Allen travels along the Mekong with Scenic

PLUS LUXURY BARGE HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE THE 10 BEST ADVENTURE DESTINATIONS INTERVIEW: VIKING FOUNDER TORSTEIN HAGEN

Allen, no stranger to expedition, travels through Vietnam and Cambodia with Scenic on a Mekong cruise (p34) to see if ultra-luxury and adventure can go hand-in-hand, while Sam Ballard joins Viking Cruises in Tromsø to enjoy Scandinavian sophistication in the Arctic. He also speaks to the company’s irrepressible and thoroughly entertaining chairman, Torstein Hagen, on p14.

We also we check in with Coral Expeditions, the Australian small-ship expedition specialists, and pick 10 incredible destinations for adventurelovers on p46.

Elsewhere, Jeannine Williamson explores the rise in the popularity of barge cruises on p22, and we round up all of this month’s cruise news on p10. Don’t forget to consult our directory listings (starting p52).

As ever, thank you for reading and let us know your thoughts by emailing us on info@cruise-adviser.com.

THIS MONTH WHAT WE LEARNT

P11

VENICE IS A VERY POPULAR DESTINATION Some 28 million people visit the Italian city each year, 1.4 million from cruise ships

P46

48 CRUISE LINES NOW SAIL TO ANTARCTICA It’s so much easier to follow in the footsteps of Scott and Amundsen these days

P40

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KING CRABS ARE ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE These sea monsters have leg spans of up to two metres. On the plus side they are edible

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Contents MIDSHIP 30

34

InFocus: Coral Expeditions An in-depth profile of the Australian small-ship company which operates cruises to the Great Barrier Reef and the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea Mother of rivers Daniel Allen takes a trip

along the mysterious Mekong with luxury line Scenic, taking in the unforgettable sights and sounds of Vietnam and its neighbour Myanmar 40

Sky’s the limit Samuel Ballard boards Viking Cruises’ newest ship

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Viking Sky in Norway, and witnesses how the line’s ocean product is the perfect expansion of its already famous river ships 46

10 of the best The most adventurous cruise destinations, from the Galápagos to Botswana

THE MASTERPIECE COLLECTION We’ve included air to get you there.

Book your clients on a select 2018 Europe river cruise and we’ll include their airfare and private chauffeur home-to-airport transfers*. This, along with our all-inclusive amenities that are standard on every Uniworld luxury river cruise in Europe-like farm-to-table dining onboard, unlimited beverages and exclusive shore excursions turn our cruises from all-inclusive into fully-inclusive.

Onboard, onshore, and now, in the air. We’ve included it all.

SAVE 10% ON 2018 DEPARTURES. BOOK BY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2017^ 0808 168 9110 | UNIWORLD.COM

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*The Masterpiece Collection is available for bookings on select 2018 itineraries made between 13 June 2017 and 30 September 2017. Restrictions apply. ^Early Booking Savings requires deposit at time of booking. 10% Savings is based on the cruise-tour portion of bookings (including category upgrades and single supplements), after other applicable discounts are applied and do not apply optional pre and post extensions. Other restrictions may apply. Offer expires 30 Sept 2017.

For complete terms and conditions on all offers, please visit uniworld.com.

September 2017 | Forward

September 2017 | Section Name

FORWARD 3

Ed’s letter

10

News Crystal Cruises christens its first new-build river ship in Germany, Uniworld has a new ‘Guardian Angel’ and a special report on the much debated future of Venice

16

Interview The ever modest Torstein Hagen shares the secrets of Viking Cruises’ success on both the river and the ocean

20

Ship visit Cruise Adviser’s Bryan Johnson takes a look at Norwegian Jade at its Southampton homeport

21

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Rise of the barge Jeannine Williamson takes a barge holiday and discovers that they are more like a floating house party than a regular river cruise Destination focus A look at the Caribbean, which is about as close to paradise as it’s possible to get

spinach stuffing, courtesy of luxury river line Tauck

AFT 49

New crew All the latest staff news

50

Fam trips / incentives A round-up of the best agent opportunities

51

Directory All the cruise line contact details in one place

56

Recipe A mouthwatering chicken breast roulade, with a

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57

On the road We speak to the people who make your job easier. This month: Mark Schmitt from SeaDream Yacht Club

58

Final word How agents can protect their bookings – and their customers – from the effects of the sinking pound

Email info@cruise-adviser.com to share your thoughts

scouting expeditions on the sepik RIVER EXPLORE DEEP INTO A FRONTIER LAND WITH AUSTRALIA’S PIONEERING CRUISE LINE

EXPEDITIONS TO > Great Barrier Reef > Tasmania > The Kimberley > Cape York & Arnhem Land > Papua New Guinea > Spice Islands & Raja Ampat

7 NIGHTS MADANG > MADANG FROM AUD $4,990.00 PP CORAL EXPEDITIONS I Departure

Port

06 Feb 2018

Madang

13 Feb 2018

Madang

20 Feb 2018

Madang

27 Feb 2018

Madang

Coral Expeditions first explored the Sepik River nearly a decade ago. We were amazed at what we saw. We encountered a truly wild and unspoilt land - increasing in magnificence the further upriver we went.

In response to increaing demand to see more of Papua New Guinea, Coral Expeditions has planned a short series of four landmark expeditions for 2018.

Allowing the rhythm of the river to determine our schedule, we will pass through ancient rainforests and remote village untouched by time. You will experience the culture of the Sepik people and visit their Haus Tambarans, while looking out for local species such as the famed Bird of Paradise. A river cruise through this ancient land is a voyage of learning and discovery.

Aboard the boutique catamaran Coral Expeditions I, enjoy an intimate expedition atmosphere, small-batch meals, and the expertise of our expedition team.

FEATURES • 6 days on the Sepik River • Travel on the comfortable Australian-flagged Coral Expeditions I • All meals and excursions included • Optional charter flight from Cairns (additional charges apply)

+617 4040 9999 1800 079 545 reservations@coralexpeditions.com www.coralexpeditions.com

NEWS

Do you have a story for us? Email info@cruise-adviser.com

CRYSTAL CRUISES

First new-build river ship christened

Crystal Bach – the first of the line’s four new ships – is named at a ceremony in Rüdesheim in Germany Crystal Cruises has christened its first new-build river ship at a ceremony in Rüdesheim, Germany.

Crystal Bach – the first of four Rhine class ships – will join Crystal’s refurbished river vessel, Crystal Mozart, as the company embarks on the next stage of its expansion.

German soprano Anna-Maria Kaufmann christened the vessel in the presence of Edie Rodriguez, Crystal Cruises’ CEO and president, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Genting Hong Kong chairman and CEO and Colin Au, group president of Genting Hong Kong.

“The enthusiasm surrounding this groundbreaking ship has been tremendous already, and we could not be prouder to welcome her to

the award-winning Crystal river fleet,” Rodriguez said.

All accommodation on Crystal Bach will be above the water line and includes butler service as standard.

“Crystal remains committed to being the standard bearer for what is possible in luxury travel just as they have since they first embarked more than 27 years ago,” added Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. “We are proud to be part of and support this vision and look forward to continuing on this journey together.”

The ship will sail 10 and 14day cruises on the Rhine with calls in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. Crystal Bach will be joined by the Mahler, Ravel and Debussy.

NORWEGIAN

New ship will feature go-karts and laser tag Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, will feature a multilevel go-kart track on deck.

The 4,000-guest ship follows Norwegian Joy, which serves the Chinese market, in hosting the feature.

The electric cars, which run silently, can reach speeds of 50kmh.

The ship will also feature an openair laser tag course and an aqua park with two multi-story waterslides.

Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer said: “Norwegian Bliss will no doubt be our most incredible ship to date.

“We have elevated Norwegian Bliss’s onboard experience to new heights, bringing the best features from across our fleet, plus exciting new first-at-sea activities like the largest race track and new dining concepts to create the ultimate cruising experience.”

UNIWORLD

Victoria’s Secret model to front U by Uniworld U by Uniworld, the new millennialfocused brand by luxury river company Uniworld, has announced that Petra Nemcova, a former Victoria’s Secret model, will be the brand’s ‘Guardian Angel’.

Nemcova will join travel agents on board a preview sailing in October.

Ellen Bettridge, president & CEO of Uniworld, said: “Rather than follow the traditional ‘Godmother’ path for each individual ship, we’re paving our own way. Petra is an amazing representative of our new brand; she’s smart, ambitious and has a kind, adventurous spirit.”

See next month’s Cruise Adviser for an interview with Uniworld boss Ellen Bettridge.

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September 2017 | Forward

SPECIAL REPORT

How do we save Venice?

Anthony Pearce speaks to Galliano di Marco, director general of Venice Cruise Terminal, about plans to deal with the impacts of tourism in the face of protests As anyone who’s visited the Piazza San Marco in summer will attest, Venice can feel unbearably busy. There’s an intensity to tourism in the Italian city, and it’s not gone unnoticed by the fast-departing locals or Unesco, which granted the city World Heritage status in 1987. In May, it threatened to put Venice on its danger list – usually reserved for sites in warzones – because of the impacts of tourism on the environment, the city’s “building fabric and cultural context”.

Tourism may bring millions of pounds and thousands of jobs to the city, but Venetians are angry. This year, 18,000 people signed an unofficial petition to ban large ships from the lagoon; while groups such as No Big Ships continue to grow. Whether it’s down to pollution, overcrowding or gentrification, Venetians are leaving at an alarming rate: 50 years ago, more than 150,000 people lived in the city, just 54,000 do so now; 28 million people visit each year.

Aside from the queues outside the Basilica San Marco, cruise is the most visible sign of tourism in the city, and nearly every article on the Unesco warning came accompanied by images of cruise ships looming over the city.

But how much is cruise to blame?

When I sit down with Galliano di Marco, director general of the city’s imposing cruise terminal, which is large enough to host 10 ships, I’m surprised to hear him agree that Venice is overcrowded. “We do have an issue with the number of tourists – it’s too much,” he says, but is quick to point out that cruise represents only five per cent of total tourism. “Venice gets 28m tourists a year; we are down to 1.4m. When we talk about there being too many tourists, this is nothing to do with my passengers.”

The cruise lines, he says, agreed to self-limit themselves, and ships above 96,000GT no longer visit the city – meaning the number of cruise visitors has dropped. “The biggest ships cannot

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come to Venice – that’s why we’ve lost 500,000 customers,” he says. “We are losing passengers and money, but we realise this is something we have to do to give to the town.”

Di Marco says most tourists come by train, car and bus, but understands why Venetians “don’t like to see these big ships” in the Giudecca Canal.

His solution, which Unesco is in favour of, is to divert ships around the back of the city, down the Malamocco– Marghera channel, which has been used primarily by commercial ships.

Campaigners are pushing for a new terminal away from the city, but di Marco thinks this is the ideal solution.

Optimistically, he says it will be in place by 2020 or 2021 and will affect all ships over 40,000GT. A spokesperson for No Big Ships said it “opposes any dredging and excavations in our lagoon”, claiming that it places the city and the whole area at increased risk from the sea.

The battle, for now, continues.

September 2017 | Promotion

Columbus around the world 2019 Cruise & Maritime Voyages are offering an incredible buy one get one free offer on their Grand Round the World Cruise – a once-in-a-lifetime, 120-night circumnavigation of the globe Cruise & Maritime Voyages is inviting people to join Columbus and discover both the New World and the Old World on a 120-night Grand Round the World Cruise which is on sale now. CMV has introduced an exciting launch promotion on the cruise, which sets off from London Tilbury on the January 5, 2019. Based on an unbelievable buy one get one free campaign, fares start from a modest £7,999pp – that’s £15,999 for the first adult and the second adult, sharing a twin inner cabin, travelling FREE! On the Grand Round the World Cruise, guests can escape the winter from less than £67pp per night. Compare that with the cost of living here – utility bills, food,

entertainment and petrol – and you can see just what incredible value this represents.

There are also added value benefit incentives according to the cabin grade booked. They include up to £1,000pp onboard credit to spend; £480pp in onboard gratuities; complimentary beverage package with lunch and dinner; and special reduced all inclusive drinks package from only £5pp per night.

Guests on this voyage can truly relax, enjoy leisurely days at sea and carefree evenings as Columbus circumnavigates the globe. There will be a chance to discover paradise islands, breathtaking scenery and natural wonders contrasting

with vibrant cities and fascinating lifestyles, visiting a cornucopia of exciting destinations.

From the Caribbean, Columbus will transit the Panama Canal sailing via islands of the South Seas to New Zealand and Australia, before unveiling highlights of Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and India. Discover the ancient sites of Egypt and Jordan and transit the Suez Canal to the Holy Land from where Columbus sails along the Mediterranean, homeward bound.

Mid-sized Columbus was built for deep-sea ocean cruising and is the ideal ship for such an adventure.

With spacious lounge areas, comfortable accommodation and a wide range of facilities, Columbus is the perfect choice for those looking for a traditional British cruise experience.

For most of this cruise, guests will be able to enjoy warmer climes and therefore make full use of the expansive deck areas, swimming pools and whirlpools. The friendly, attentive crew will ensure they receive a high level of personal service throughout.

Launching details of the 2019 Grand Round the World Cruise that recently went on sale, Lisa Jacobs, Head of Trade Sales at CMV, said: “We are expecting a high level of early bookings and anticipate that

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Grand Round the World Cruise highlights the higher grade cabins and suites, along with single cabins, will sell out very quickly. With the average sale being around £20,000, commission earning potential for agents is enormous.”

Columbus will sail out via the Panama Canal and return via the Suez Canal. During this quite remarkable journey guests will visit the Caribbean, Mexico, South Sea Islands, New Zealand and Australia.

Adding some extra contrast guests can tick off many more places on their wish list including Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Egypt and Jordan.

CMV also offer shorter sector cruises and even the opportunity to mix and match with their voyage services to and from Australia and New Zealand on board Astor. These are sold as ‘cruise only’ enabling you to create bespoke holidays for your customers. Full details can be found in the new Winter Cruise Collection 2018/19. Order from: tradegate.co.uk or visit cruiseandmaritime.com

Polynesia Visit four Robinson Crusoe-like islands with dramatic waterfalls and timeless valleys as you luxuriate in a South Sea islands paradise.

New Zealand The cities of Auckland and Christchurch contrast with Picton, for the Marlborough Sounds and vineyards, and Tauranga, gateway to Te Puia – the centre of Mauri culture and geothermal wonders.

Australia Sydney’s iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the Whitsunday Isles and Great Barrier Reef await.

Japan In Tokyo, immerse yourself in one of the most populated cities on earth, while Kagoshima offers a more relaxing way of experiencing Japanese culture and heritage.

China In Beijing and Shanghai, the past is displayed in a wealth of temples and museums. Bustling Hong Kong will exhaust your senses.

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Vietnam Utterly compelling, Vietnam is a country of breathtaking beauty with a unique heritage. Discover Ho Chi Minh City, still referred to as Saigon.

Thailand The Buddhist temples and Grand Palace in Bangkok contrast with the stunning beaches of Ko Samui.

Singapore With its futuristic architecture and high-speed efficiency, Singapore is an oriental star. Step back and discover its rich history and culture.

India If you’re not tempted by an excursion to Delhi or Agra and the Taj Mahal, take in some of Cochin’s cultural legacy before visiting the intoxicating city of Mumbai.

Jordan Visit the lost city of Petra – estimated to date back to 6,000 BC – and Wadi Rum, where TE Lawrence found his destiny as Lawrence of Arabia.

September 2017 | Promotion

Cruise Nordic-style for all-inclusive comfort, exploration and fun Viking’s ocean cruises for 2017, 2018 and 2019 are on sale now, including Scandinavia and the Baltic, Mediterranean and Adriatic, the Americas, Caribbean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand Let’s start with the things that are most desirable about travelling by water: an exciting new destination almost daily; an elegant environment; stylish, spacious accommodation; delectable multi-course meals; impeccable service from a highly trained crew and inspiring entertainment. Take all of these pleasures and turn the dial of satisfaction up to maximum.

That’s what Viking Cruises has been working towards for the past 20 years, first with its river cruise ships and now with its recently launched ocean cruise ships. Its formula of stylish comfort, enlightening exploration and sophisticated fun has been carefully nurtured.

Standards have been raised to a superior degree, whether you choose to sail on one of Viking’s awardwinning ocean ships or state-of-theart river ships. One of cruising’s most powerful attractions is the array of destinations visited in one holiday, which is why Viking itineraries allow as much time as possible in ports – and a free excursion in almost every one to ensure you can explore without worrying about the cost.

As for the ambience, the Scandichic design is admirable for its copious comfort and attention to detail. Every stateroom on the ocean ships has a private veranda so you can relax and enjoy the views. Viking doesn’t believe alternative dining

should be chargeable, so The Chef’s Table and delicious Italian food in Manfredi’s carry no supplement. As for the service, you would expect pampering on any cruise, but on a Viking voyage you’re as likely to make friends among the amiable crew as you are with your fellow guests.

And the entertainment? Expect to move seamlessly from a classical trio playing in the lounge to the beat of a live band by the pool. Viking offers another compelling difference, and that’s the value.

Fancy some wine or beer with your lunch or dinner on board? It’s on the house. As is a great deal else – flights from the UK including selected regional airports for European cruises, onboard wi-fi, tea and coffee anytime and 24-hour room service.

There’s also free access to the wonderful LivNordic spa with its thermal suite, saunas, hydrotherapy and plunge pool and the first ever snow grotto at sea, so guests can learn how to chill Nordic-style. With another new ocean ship launching this year taking the total fleet to four, and each taking just 930 guests, Viking now sails to many incredible destinations – the sparkling Mediterranean, the historic Baltic, the majesty of Norway, the vibrant Caribbean, the wild landscapes of Alaska, the Americas, the exotic Far East and the ever-changing coasts of Australia and New Zealand.

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Wherever you choose to cruise, Viking focuses on bringing the destinations on board. From the delicious food and wine being served, to the music and artwork on display throughout the ship, every aspect is designed to reflect the regions through which you are travelling.

West Indies Explorer 11 days, 9 guided tours from £2,840 In Search of the Northern Lights 13 days, 6 guided tours from £3,995 Bangkok Bali & Beyond 13 days, 7 guided tours from £4,485

To find out more call 020 8780 7985, visit vikingcruises. co.uk, or email madefortrade@ vikingcruises.com, on Twitter @VikingTradeUK or online at madefortrade.co.uk

Inclusions

Enjoy it all, it’s all included: • Return scheduled flights from the UK • Private veranda stateroom • All delicious onboard meals in a choice of multiple dining venues • Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board • Free 24-hour room service • Speciality teas and coffees any time on board • Complimentary excursion in almost every port of call • Evening entertainment, lectures and port talks • Free wi-fi on board* • Free use of spa facilities • Pre-paid on board gratuities

Terms and conditions: Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to change. From prices are per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade state room available, departing on selected dates. Prices valid until September 30, 2017. Single supplements apply. *Restrictions apply. Please note port sequence may vary depending on departure date.

For more info, visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or phone.

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September 2017 | Forward

INTERVIEW

“We’re as close to perfection as possible” The ever-modest Torstein Hagen shares Viking Cruises’ secrets of success on both river and ocean The multi-billionaire founder of Viking Cruises is one of the most enigmatic figures in the world of cruise. Having started his company in 1997, it has gone on to become the biggest name in river cruise. We joined him on the launch of his third ocean ship, Viking Sky, to find out the secret of his success, what’s next and ask his advice for travel agents.

Cruise Adviser: Are there any changes on your new ship?

Torstein Hagen: There are very, very tiny changes on board this ship, but we do not talk about them. We say that every ship is exactly the same.

When you have something that’s

perfect, why would you change it?

Messing with perfection only creates imperfection.

What makes the ships so perfect?

We spent a lot of time thinking about it. People spend so much time saying what they’ll do in the cruise industry – they are always adding things on. Instead, we took things away. So, we should be known for what’s not included. Number one is no casinos. The second is no children.

The third is no umbrella drinks. No photographers. No art auctions.

No formal nights. No butlers. No smoking. No charge for beer and wine. No charge for alternative

restaurants. No charge for wi-fi.

No charge for the laundromat. No charge for the use of the spa – and our spa staff will not sell to you after a treatment. When you rule those things out you’re left with a quiet and peaceful cruise. Our customers like to explore physically and mentally and we like to do things to appeal to them.

What is your main focus?

We are destination focused. If people want to go to Scandinavia then they should go with us. They shouldn’t give it a second thought. Richard Branson’s slogan for Virgin Galactic is “space is Virgin territory”. We say: Scandinavia is Viking territory.

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September 2017 | Forward

What are the challenges facing Viking?

None. We just need to build enough ships!

What exactly would you class as ‘enough’?

We currently have three in operation, three under construction, two under offer and two extra optional ships. By 2020 we will be the biggest small-ship cruise line in the world. Our repeat booking rates are about 40 per cent.

Was there a fear that the ocean product would cannibalise your river product?

It was a fear and I think it probably has cannibalised it a little bit because it can only go one way, given our newbuild programme. That will reverse though. We’re as close to perfection with these ships as possible – in my not so humble opinion.

What do you think is the secret to your success?

There are three characteristics of a good company. You should be loved by your staff. You should be loved by your customers. And you should be hated by your competitors, but at least

respected. Then everything else will follow. And screw the shareholders.

Why did you launch the ocean line in the first place?

I’ve been in the cruise business since 1974. I was an adviser to Holland America in 1974. I ran Royal Viking Line in the 1980s. I was on the board of HAL until we sold to Carnival and have also been on the board of NCL. We started this company 20 years ago today, as a river operation. I’ve had two lifetimes in cruise. When I started, I was the youngest and now I’m the oldest. I’ve seen what happened and saw that there was a gap in the market. It was bloody obvious to me. The ships kept getting bigger and bigger and the industry said that the bigger you get the less you have to charge but you can fleece them when they get on board. I found that borderline immoral because you had a captive audience. When you add everything together with our ships you have a very fair price Tell us more about Egypt Egypt sells like hot cakes. People have fear and the Egypt fear lingers on, but those travelling have asked

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why they should let these people stop us. We first went there in 2011 when no one dared go. We did the same in Russia when it was a bit dicey. We contracted these ocean ships in 2011 when no one else dared place an order. The yards were falling over themselves to sign our orders.

We have always been a bit contrarian and that has helped us What about America?

We have a long-term plan for being on the Mississippi. We’re trying.

Protectionist legislation makes it difficult, but we might make it.

What advice do you have for travel agents wanting to sell more cruise?

A travel agent should sell the product his customer wants. The moment you put a spin on what the travel agent should sell you should start to worry.

If you are to be a trusted adviser you should sell what the customer needs most rather than what makes you the most money. If you get it right then the repeat business will follow. Agents should step up their level of aggressiveness. With digital marketing now there is so much more you can do.

September 2017 | Promotion

RIVER CRUISES

The Riviera Travel difference Riviera Travel’s commitment to outstanding value and quality, as well as its passion for customers has made it the UK’s leader in river cruise Outstanding cruise holidays Expect only the best on a Riviera Travel river cruise: the most luxurious ships; surprisingly spacious suites with everything you’d expect from a superbly appointed boutique hotel; a gastronomic journey sampling the finest cuisine; and first-class service.

Five-star experiences Riviera Travel’s experts bring to life Europe’s most fascinating destinations. They select every aspect of your cruise and ensure the itineraries are balanced, so there’s time to explore at a relaxing pace.

Fine culinary experiences Indulge in the finest cuisine throughout your stay on board, from early risers’ breakfast to

midnight snacks. Menus feature a selection of European specialties and international favourites, so there’s something to suit every palate.

Exceptional value guaranteed Riviera Travel’s luxury river cruise holidays offer incredible value for money and include everything you need: return journeys and transfers, your choice of beautifully appointed suites or cabins, meals on board, all land visits, guided tours, taxes and fuel supplements.

Price promise There are never any hidden surcharges, extras or fees to be added later, so the cost will not increase no matter what happens after you book.

To ensure everyone pays the same,

Riviera Travel do not inflate prices or offer artificial discounts, nor do they automatically include gratuities.

Award-winning reputation Since their inception in 1984, Riviera Travel has consistently won awards for outstanding service, industrybeating quality and exceptional value for money. They are the only brand to hold three Which? awards concurrently, including ‘Travel Brand of the Year’ in 2017.

Fascinating excursions included See the classic sights of Europe and the lesser-known places that are often more intriguing. Itineraries are thoughtfully balanced so there’s ample time to watch the world go by.

If you wish to immerse yourself in local culture, there are opportunities to delve in. The experienced team are passionate about bringing to life the places we visit – you’ll learn far more from them than you would from any guidebook. Should you need assistance, cruise directors and tour managers are always on hand and ready to go the extra mile.

The finest ships Riviera Travel’s fleet of five-star and four-star superior vessels are truly world-class. Primarily Swiss-built and operated, they are rated by Berlitz’s River Cruising In Europe guide as some of the finest river cruise ships to grace Europe’s waterways. All ships have an excellent ratio of crew to guests, and friendly English-speaking crew CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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an en-suite bathroom and shower, plush towels and complimentary toiletries.

All cabins are equipped with air-conditioning, a small desk, flat-screen TV, hairdryer, safe, telephone and complimentary wi-fi.

To make you feel at home, there are facilities for making coffee and tea.

will anticipate your every need in a manner that’s intuitive yet discreet.

Fully air-conditioned decks, easily accessed via lift or stairs, offer different vantage points of the surrounding scenery. Take in sweeping views from a panoramic observation lounge and bar, complete with sumptuous seating and plush carpets. Most vessels feature a sauna, steam room, pool, fitness suite, library, and even a hair salon or treatment room. Complimentary wi-fi is available on every ship.

Spacious suites and cabins Riviera Travel’s suites and cabins are among the largest on any river cruise vessels – the largest suite measures a generous 30 square metres, and 83 per cent of cabins feature a French or full balcony.

They’re well-appointed with all the facilities you’d expect from a luxury boutique hotel. Every cabin features a hotel-style bed, crisp cotton linen, your choice of pillows,

Onboard dining options and drinks packages From sumptuous breakfasts to superb buffet lunches and fine four-course dinners, menus feature international classics and regional specialities, prepared by professional chefs. There is a policy of informal free seating and smaller tables. The wine list includes an extensive range of local wines in addition to classic favourites. Most dietary requirements are catered for.

Enjoy first-class cuisine in the ship’s excellent main restaurant, or if you prefer a more intimate setting, the Stern Bar on most of our five-star vessels transforms into the ‘chef’s restaurant’ with seating for no more than 34 diners. Here, the chefs present their signature dishes made with the freshest seasonal produce.

For 2018 departures, Riviera Travel are offering an optional drinks package which represents superb value and includes a wide selection of drinks during lunch and dinner.

You can choose from a range of draught and non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks, juices and house wines.

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Riviera Travel cruises Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & the Dutch Bulbfields Five days from £899pp Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields Eight days from £1,449pp Rhine & Moselle Eight days from £1,199pp Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg Eight days from £1,099pp Medieval Germany Eight days from £1,199pp Rhine Cruise to Switzerland Eight days from £1,199pp

Cruise the Heart of Europe 15 days from £1,899pp The Blue Danube Eight days from £999pp Budapest to the Black Sea 15 days from £2,699pp The Douro, Oporto & Salamanca Eight days from £1,199pp Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence Eight days from £1,199pp The Seine, Paris & Normandy Eight days from £1,399pp Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets Five days from £699pp

September 2017 | Forward

SHIP VISIT

Simple and more effective?

Bryan Johnson samples Norwegian Jade at its Southampton homeport and hears how the now all-inclusive line can attract those new-to-cruise customers

While Norwegian Cruise Line’s recent move into the all-inclusive market may not be considered groundbreaking, its new product boasts simplicity and offers a streamlined version of the traditional sale needed to sell to your customers.

The line that keeps getting repeated is that it is are now “trying to compete with land-based holidays”. Norwegian is adapting, making its products more palatable for customers who may have baulked at both cruise and its associated costs.

When I spoke to Nick Wilkinson (General Manager, Northern Europe & MEA) and Christian Boell (Managing Director, EMEA) recently, each reiterated that they are trying to grow the market, instead of competing for existing cruisers.

“We are a floating resort, never thinking of ourselves as a cruise ship,” says Wilkinson proudly as we share a table in Le Bistro, one of Jade’s signature restaurants which offers

à la carte dining. It’s this attitude that positions Norwegian in the market alongside other premium and all-inclusive offerings for British holidaymakers, and with 18 per cent of holidays booked last year being allinclusive, it’s justified.

Le Bistro is one of the restaurants not in the all-inclusive, a strategical move to encourage reduced queuing at some of the more popular restaurants each night. I sampled the new product on board Norwegian Jade, homeported in Southampton.

I enjoyed a buffet lunch in the Garden Café, the courses ranging from charcuterie and salads, to speciality Asian dining, all included within the fare. I made my way to a seat beside the pool, sipping mojitos courtesy of The Great Outdoors. What I found most attractive was the freedom offered without the need to check the proverbial watch-clock of your finances. Drinks up to £15 are now included within the product.

While this may not suit everybody, it’s certainly a catered approach for the UK market that should help bring in sales. Norwegian has clearly done their homework by choosing to roll out the product in Germany, then the UK – two countries with a cultural preference for alcohol and no preference for unnecessary tipping.

Having gratuities included is a big drawing point for UK cruisers.

Although there are higher costs initially, Norwegian has presented UK agents with the opportunity to convert your standard package holidaymaker to cruise. Its easier to understand proposition should see them reap the rewards. In fact, the challenge is just as much yours: can a simpler proposal like Norwegian’s attract new-to-cruise customers?

Norwegian Jade offers 14-night cruises to Norwegian Fjords & Iceland, departing Southampton May 25 and Sep 3, 2018, starting from £2,249pp

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RIVER

Rise barges... of

the

Slower and smaller than their river counterparts, these small craft are like floating house parties, as Jeannine Williamson discovers

September 2017 | Forward “Just remember to tick the box so we know you’re ashore,” says Captain Roger Pagnin, pointing to a piece of paper containing a list of just 20 names. We head down La Bella Vita’s short gangway and step straight onto the Venetian waterfront where we’re moored next to a gleaming superyacht. After a 15-minute stroll we’re in St Mark’s Square.

With no port formalities, lengthy queues to disembark or even the need to carry key cards – the majority of La Bella Vita’s passengers don’t even lock their cabin doors – our experience on the hotel barge was a world away from the passengers who arrived on ocean ships and docked in the terminal on the outskirts of Venice.

It was also totally different from a mainstream river cruise.

A week earlier we’d joined the ship in Mantua to travel along the Bianco Canal running beside the River Po. A former working barge, La Bella Vita typifies the increasing number of vessels sailing European waterways; mostly in France, but also Italy, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland and the UK. Now totally transformed from its previous guise, aside from the original name Mery which remains on the hull for good luck, the hotel barge operated by European Waterways has eight compact but well-equipped cabins, two suites and a crew of 11.

It didn’t take long to get to know our shipmates, a crowd of welltravelled Brits, Americans and Kiwis.

Some had sailed on large ocean ships and found them too overwhelming, while others wouldn’t touch them with the proverbial bargepole.

There are misconceptions about barging, which often conjures up images of narrow boats in the UK. It’s important for agents to explain the differences to clients who may be imagining something fairly uncomfortable and basic. Similarly, hotel barging and river cruise are also dissimilar. For example, hotel barges typically carry six to 20 passengers, compared with up to 200 on river ships. They have a very high crew to passenger ratio and can be exclusively chartered for families and groups of friends.

Our cruise quickly took on the feel of a floating house party as we meandered from town to town through scenic areas such as the Unesco-listed Po Delta, which is home to thousands of flamingos. An open bar is included in the fare and, before lunch and dinner, we’d gather in the cosy bar for an Aperol Spritz or favourite personal tipple. Sitting at two large dining tables it was also like having a private chef as Andrea

Chin conjured up amazing meals accompanied by fine wines, which were lyrically introduced by the hostess. Focusing on local specialities and regional cuisine, Andrea stocked up along the way and each morning there were fresh-out-of-the-oven pastries from village bakeries.

The main barging player in the UK is European Waterways, which operates a fleet of 18 vessels including the Anjodi. Star of the BBC series Rick CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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September 2017 | Forward Stein’s French Odyssey, it transported him along the Canal du Midi on a voyage of culinary discovery.

European Waterways’ marketing manager, Chris Gant, explained: “Despite the growing popularity of cruising, particularly on river boats, hotel barge cruising is still a littleknown niche concept within the vast cruise industry. Surprisingly, we have been offering our exclusive floating hotels for nearly 40 years.

“Most hotel barges started life as cargo vessels but have been converted to offer luxury boutique accommodation for small groups of up to 20 passengers. This is cruising, but in a very different style to ships plying the big rivers or oceans.”

CroisiEurope has six hotel barges in its native France and passengers can expect a really immersive French experience with locally inspired cuisine and maybe even a game of boules on the towpath with crew members after dinner.

It’s worth noting canals are much less prone to flooding or drought as water levels can be controlled. So, armed with the right information, and the potential for switch-selling to travellers who enjoy European escorted land tours or might have tried other types of cruising, why not suggest your clients hop on a “slow boat” through Europe?

THREE BARGE CRUISES Six nights in Italy

Six nights in Burgundy

Six nights in Provence

European Waterways – La Bella Vita Mantua-Venice (or reverse), October 1, 2017 From £2,450pp

CroisiEurope – Jeanine Port-sur-Saone-Dijon (or reverse), August 2, 2018 From £1,861pp

Take in beautiful Italian Renaissance cities – with Venice as the icing on the cake. No other ship moors right on the Venetian waterfront so close to St Mark’s Square.

Float through the famous French wine region and take in Burgundy’s historic capital of Dijon, medieval castle at Champlitte and the Grand Crus Wine Route with a vineyard tour.

Belmond Afloat in France – Belmond Napoleon Route Tain l’Hermitage-Avignon (or reverse), April 15, 2018 From €6,127pp

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Cruise along the Rhône valley in the largest barge in the Belmond fleet, with excursions including a lavender distillery, olive mill and a visit to Arles.

September 2017 | Promotion

Introducing a brand-new ship to explore the end of the world This season, Australis launches its new expedition ship and a brand-new itinerary covering Cape Horn and some of the most remote parts of the Patagonian fjords in South America

Cape Horn is the most southerly point of land in the world and sits at the southern tip of South America. It’s where the Andes Mountains, which run the length of South America, are at their biggest and most dramatic, before they fall away into the ocean.

It makes for a breathtaking mix of snowcapped mountains, hanging glaciers, dramatic coastline and unique flora and fauna. Australis has been operating expedition cruises to the region for over 25 years, offering travellers from across the world a unique perspective on this landscape from the comfortable surroundings of a luxury expedition ship.

This season Australis is taking the experience one step further with the launch of their new state-of-the-art ship, Ventus Australis. Tailor-made for exploring the remote southern tip of South America, all aspects of the 210-passenger ship are designed to give Ventus Australis the extreme maneuverability required to navigate narrow fjords and channels, where no other cruise ships can access. On board, guests will find a smart, light décor, with all the comforts and amenities of a good hotel. Features will include a restaurant serving up delicious, locally-inspired cuisine, a panoramic bar with large windows to

watch the ever-changing landscape, and the Sky Lounge, where guests can enjoy a series of lectures from the onboard team of expedition staff.

To go with the new ship, there will be a brand-new itinerary for 2018.

The five-day, four-night Patagonian Explorer cruise journeys between Ushuaia (Argentina) and Punta Arenas (Chile) through some of the planet’s most remote places and incredible scenery. The ship begins by calling at fabled spots such as Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay, before cruising down the famous Beagle Channel. Later, there are visits to a number of stunning glaciers that guard the southern flank of the Fuegian archipelago, before exploring the legendary Strait of Magellan. Finally, the cruise stops by the boisterous Patagonia penguin colony on Isla Magdalena: a chance to see penguins in their natural habitat, without having to journey all the way to Antarctica.

Cruises by Australis provide the perfect experience for those who love expedition, or are regular cruisers looking for something different.

Comfort and cuisine on board are second-to-none

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and the price includes all food, most drinks, the insight from the expert expedition team and all of the landings along the way.

To get your clients there, Australis has partnered with Latin Routes, a leading UK tour operator who specialise in truly individual holidays to South America. They have created a unique holiday to perfectly complement the cruise, called Exploring the End of the World. This 15-night holiday starts in the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, before heading to Ushuaia for a couple of nights ahead of joining the cruise. After the cruise, clients can enjoy three nights close to the Chilean national park of Torres del Paine followed by two final nights in the cosmopolitan capital, Santiago.

Prices start from £5,285 per person including an exclusive 10 per cent discount on the cruise, flights, threestar to four-star accommodation, seven nights full-board, transfers and internal flights. All of their holidays can be tailor-made to your client’s preferences; for more information visit latinroutes.co.uk/patagonia or call one of the friendly Travel Specialists on 020 8546 6222.

Latin Routes was set up from scratch by directors Martin Johnson and Jessica Bain, and has grown to offer a wide range of tailor-made holidays to the whole of South America. Their team of passionate

Travel Specialists offer expert advice and unique insight based on first-hand experience. Agents can take advantage of dedicated on-the-road support including free training, marketing support and regular agent events to help enhance their knowledge of this wonderful continent. They also offer competitive commissions on the whole booking and complete price parity.

Visit their dedicated online training course, in conjunction with OTT, before September 22, 2017, and as well as learning more about South America, you will also have the chance to win a space on one of their two fam trips to Brazil and Argentina in 2017.

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Competition time!

To celebrate the launch of the new cruise and ship, Latin Routes and Australis cruises are giving away three luxury Australis travel bags exclusively to Cruise Adviser readers.

Made from smart brown suede, with exquisite buckle details, these are the ultimate travel accessory.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question below: What is the name of Australis’ new expedition ship launching in January 2018?

Submit your answer at info@cruise-adviser.com Good luck!

September 2017 | Forward

DESTINATION FOCUS

Caribbean

With its calm seas, clear skies and beautiful beaches – not to mention culture and cuisine – it’s paradise In 2016, 8.6milllion people took a cruise to the Caribbean – 35 per cent of the total market, making it the most popular cruise destination in the world. The Mediterranean may reign supreme when it comes to Brits, but the Caribbean is the bread-and-butter of the cruise industry worldwide.

This is where the theme-park-at-sea megaships, homeported in Florida, head to provide holidays where sun, relaxation and family fun rule.

Think of paradise and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean can’t be far off what you imagine.

The best time to visit is between mid-December and April when the weather is at its best. That is: hot, sunny and relatively dry, although the sea breeze stops the mercury from rising too high. The hottest weather is found in the south, such as in Trinidad and Tobago (an average temperature of 31C in January), while it’s much cooler in the very north, such as in Havana (21C).

Of course, prices are higher during this peak season, but you can cruise

outside of it. After April, the weather gets hotter, more humid and wetter, but the islands are much quieter.

Hurricane season officially runs between June 1 and November 30, but the high-risk period is usually mid-August to early-October.

There are more than 700 islands, islets, reefs and cays in the region, and how you experience it depends very much on the operator. Not only do the likes of Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line sail there, but so too do smaller ship operators, such as Viking Cruises (which sails out of Miami and Puerto Rico), Star Clippers and Seabourn. These smaller ships also tend to offer the more interesting itineraries, calling as lesser known ports – not that the headline acts, such as Cozumel and Grand Cayman, are anything to be sniffed at.

Cruise itineraries are generally divided by eastern, southern, and western options. To the east, cruises call at the likes of the Virgin Islands (St Thomas, St John and St Croix),

26

September 2017 | Forward the British Virgin Islands (Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Tortola), Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. St Barts, Antigua, Anguilla and Dominica are often called at by the smaller ships.

To the west, ships visit Cozumel and make stops in Honduras, Belize, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. In the southern Caribbean, you’ll find Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and the Grenadines.

In the Bahamas (although not technically part of the Caribbean, but often a stop on the way), you’ll find many of the biggest cruise lines’ private islands: Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line), Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line), Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line), Princess Cays (Princess Cruises), CocoCay (Royal Caribbean). On Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Caribbean, you’ll find Labadee (also Royal Caribbean).

The opening up of Cuba to cruise ships from America has also changed the dynamic of these itineraries, many of which will now call at Havana, and other Cuba ports, before heading south to Belize City and Cozumel.

The Caribbean is often sold as a destination to be enjoyed from the sun-lounger, but there is unique and diverse culture at every turn. “The Caribbean’s rich history is reflected in the architecture – plantations, great houses, forts perched on hillsides,

volcanoes and dense rainforest,” says Carol Hay of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation. “Anyone cruising across the Caribbean will have the opportunity to experience a plethora of cultures, exotic spicy foods; tropical juices; wildlife and marine life; authentic craft, performing arts, literary festivals; sailing regattas; deep-sea fishing; trekking on winding trails; or an afternoon of laughter infused cricket with the locals!”

The region is remarkably diverse, says Hay. “We have English, Dutch, Spanish and French speaking islands and countries,” she says. “This is fused with our African, Asian and

European cultures, which impact heavily on our local dialect, cuisine, rum and of course pulsating carnivals and festivals across the region.”

The calmness of the waters allows for a range of activities. “Guests can also make use of the watersports we offer as the beaches are warm and gently shelving and the ship will moor off-shore,” says Fay McCormack, general manager Star Clippers UK. “Star-gazing at night in unpolluted skies is another plus: guests can go up on the decks under the sails. In the morning, you can see the dramatic sunrise, then go dolphin watching from the bows of the ship.”

THREE CARIBBEAN CRUISES Seven nights from Barbados

Seven nights from Port Canaveral

12 nights from Miami

Star Clippers – Royal Clipper Barbados (round-trip), February 3, 2018 From £1,740pp

Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas Port Canaveral, Florida (round-trip), November 26, 2017 From £580pp

Seabourn – Seabourn Odyssey Miami, Florida (round-trip), November 23, 2017 From £2,999pp

This Grenadine islands cruise with the tall-ship specialists calls at tiny islands that other ships can’t get into.

This cruise includes a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private resort Labadee.

This trip on ultra-luxury line Seabourn includes calls at the Dominican Republic and British Virgin Islands.

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Where the waters of Skรณgafoss are delivered by nature and the grapes of Champagne are delivered by your dedicated sommelier.

Intimate ships

Award-winning cuisine

Open bars & fine wines

All suite

EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS Reservations: 0344 338 8610

seabourn.co.uk

email: salessupport@seabourn.co.uk

September 2017 | Midship

INFOCUS

Coral Expeditions With its three tiny ships, the Australian company provides unforgettable experiences for adventure-seeking travellers in the Asia-Pacific area There’s small ship cruise, and then there’s small ship cruise.

Coral Expeditions’ three ships, Coral Discoverer (72 guests); Coral Expeditions I (44); and Coral Expeditions II (42), are tiny by any body’s standards, offering adventure-seeking travellers the chance to visit destinations larger ships simply can’t navigate.

The Australian company, founded in 1983 and best known among Brits for its Great Barrier Reef cruises (the first itinerary it ever ran), promises to take guests to “the most beautiful, yet undiscovered, regions of AsiaPacific” – and doesn’t disappoint. Its new itinerary on Papua New Guinea’s Sepik river, which snakes through

swamplands and tropical rainforests, past mountains and by tribespeople, is virtually unique.

“We’ve been doing Papua New Guinea for a while,” says Elizabeth Webb, sales distribution manager at the company, “but we’ve just added an itinerary on the mighty Sepik.

Because of the shallow draft on our ships we’re able to get to areas that other cruise companies can’t go.”

These are true expedition cruises, aimed at discerning travellers who want to delve deep into a destination’s culture and history, Webb says.

“We’ll get out there and explore, with our expedition leaders and our guest lecturers, who are specialists in those areas. So we’re meeting with

the communities, looking at the flora and fauna and the indigenous rock artwork. Up in Papua New Guinea, the communities come out and meet us, and we go to visit the schools and take supplies, such as sporting equipment.”

The company’s most successful itineraries are on the vast, unspoiled (and, at times, tempestuous) Kimberly, where it operates two ships.

“We were the founders of exploring the Kimberly, which is still our biggest seller,” says Webb. “It’s the most desired, and most aspirational cruise – it’s on everyone’s bucketlist.” Heading off the beaten track has its challenges, she adds, but says Coral Expeditions is prepared for

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September 2017 | Midship inhospitable weather conditions, and will adapt a cruise as necessary.

“We’ve got our set itineraries, but we’ve got the flexibility [gained] from knowing the areas so well, as we’ve been visiting them for such a long time. If the weather doesn’t agree with us, we can change the itinerary, and we keep our guests informed.

We’ve got the contacts there to say, ‘Hey, we’re in the area! Do you mind if we come and see you?’”

The company also takes guests to Tasmania, Australia’s remote and beautiful southern island state, on its flagship Coral Discoverer. It’s a chance to breathe in what is claimed to be the cleanest air in the world.

Guests are generally older, 60-plus on average (apart from the Great Barrier Reef cruises, which attract families), and have taken cruises on other adventure lines before. Webb says that they welcomed a 95-year-old on board a few weeks ago, but points out that, as there are no lifts on the ships, guests need to be reasonably agile. The trips don’t have to be fullon adventure, though, particularly on the Great Barrier Reef. It’s here that Brits like to end their two or three-week holiday in Australia with a relaxing cruise to enjoy one of the world’s great natural wonders.

See directory, p51

THREE CORAL EXPEDITIONS CRUISES Seven nights on the reef

10 nights in the Kimberley

Seven-day expedition on the Sepik

Coral Expeditions II Cairns (round-trip), December 29, 2017 From AUD $3,395

Coral Expeditions I Darwin-Broome, July 13, 2018 From AUD $7,980

Coral Expeditions I Madang (round-trip), February 2018 From AUD $4,990

This voyage takes in the unique Horizontal Falls, described by David Attenborough as “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”.

Coral says an expedition of this nature cannot be planned to the hour, but promises insight into one of the world’s last frontier lands.

Guests can be safe in the knowledge this cruise to the endangered Great Barrier Reef is sustainable.

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WORLDWIDE ALL-INCLUSIVE EXPEDITION VOYAGES INCLUDED

ROUNDTRIP ECONOMY AIR SAVE £1,600 PER SUITE WHEN BOOKING BUSINESS CLASS AIR THROUGH SILVERSEA BOOK BY 30 NOVEMBER 2017

Lampi Island Bo Cho Island Frost Island Ko Surin Tai

Myauk Phyu Kyet Mau Island Phuket

Belawan Malacca Singapore

01 Dec 2017, 9 days SINGAPORE TO PHUKET Silver Discoverer

EXPLORER SUITE FROM £5,300pp Venetian Society guests enjoy an additional 5% saving Diving Expedition (for advanced divers approved prior to sailing)

25% single supplement for solo travellers SOUTH AMERICA

Callao

Paracas Ballestas Islands

SILVERSEA EXPEDITIONS’ ALL-INCLUSIVE LIFESTYLE

Arica Matarani Antofagasta Isla Pan de Azúcar Coquimbo

• Uniquely curated itineraries sailing to all seven continents and over 350 destinations • Highly qualified expedition team with experts in their field (marine biologists, ornithologists, historians and more) • Excursions and activities: Zodiac® cruising, hiking and snorkelling • Complimentary expedition gear: Parka*, wetsuits and snorkelling equipment • Speciality expeditions • Personalised service with a butler for all suites and the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the industry • Fine dining even in the most remote places of the planet • Comfortable amenities with the largest expedition suites at sea • Inclusive room-service, wine and spirits throughout the ship • One hour free WiFi per day for all guests.

Unlimited free WiFi for guests sailing in select suite categories.

• Exclusive partnership with The Royal Geographical Society

Valparaiso

11 Mar 2018, 10 days VALPARAISO TO CALLAO (LIMA) Silver Explorer

EXPLORER SUITE FROM £4,800pp Venetian Society guests enjoy an additional 5% saving

25% single supplement for solo travellers Vancouver Friday Harbour, San Juan Island Cypress Island, WA Lopez Island, WA Anacortes, WA Port Angeles, WA Astoria Olympia, WA Rainier, Oregon PACIFIC OCEAN

Eureka, CA NORTH AMERICA San Francisco

13 May 2018, 9 days VANCOUVER TO SAN FRANCISCO Silver Explorer

EXPLORER SUITE FROM £5,100pp 25% single supplement for solo travellers

For more information please call 0207 340 0700 or visit Silversea.com

* On select voyages.

Visit Silversea.com/terms-and-conditions for complete Terms and Conditions.

VIETNAM

Mother of rivers Daniel Allen joins luxury line Scenic in Vietnam to find out how a voyage along the Mekong offers colour, commerce and culture

September 2017 | Midship

With tendrils of morning mist still clinging to the surface of the Mekong, Cai Be market is in full swing. Women in conical straw hats (non la) paddle heaped mounds of fruit and rice on low wooden sampans, weaving their way between larger vessels, their sterns draped in flapping laundry.

Slow-moving barges laden with sand and shingle navigate around the floating melée, black-eyed prows low to the turbid water. In the distance, the delicate spire of a Catholic church rises somewhat incongruously above a mass of stilted houses. Good morning, Vietnam.

A short drive southwest of Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), the Mekong river is one of the world’s great waterways. From its source among the snow-clad peaks of China’s Tibetan Plateau, it flows over 4,350km before eventually emptying into the South China Sea. The Mekong’s vast, labyrinthine life support system makes the perfect place for a leisurely river cruise. The so-called “rice bowl” of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta presents travellers with a seemingly never-ending expanse of greenery. Most of the country’s fish, fruit and rice come from the region, and it shows: almost everywhere something is flowering, fruiting, or being harvested. Upriver, across the Cambodian border, Buddhist temples house young armies of shavenheaded, saffron-robed monks, while Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s thriving capital, retains a provincial intimacy.

The Mekong takes its name from the Thai and Lao mae nam, meaning “mother of rivers”. A voyage on its lower stretches today takes place on waters that still nourish some of Southeast Asia’s most captivating culture and scenery.

By mid-afternoon, Scenic Spirit – one of a growing fleet of luxury Mekong cruise ships – has moored outside the town of Sa Dec. Passengers are ferried ashore, past paddy fields and cattle egrets.

The market stalls of Sa Dec display the Mekong’s largesse in all its glory.

There are bowls of purple-shelled crabs and gigantic sea snails, pails of translucent shrimp and every type of

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September 2017 | Midship

fruit, vegetable and spice imaginable.

There are chickens and ducks and pigs and fried grasshoppers and river lobsters – a Noah’s ark of regional produce that is perused and purchased by local shoppers.

On the outskirts of Sa Dec, the socalled “Lover’s House” was once home to Huynh Thuy Le, son of an affluent Chinese family, who had a love affair with a 15-year-old French schoolgirl.

This young girl was Marguerite Duras, who used the experience to inspire the writing of her best-selling novel and subsequent film, The Lover. For those that have viewed Jean-Jacques Annaud’s masterpiece in Scenic Spirit’s on-board library of Indochinese-themed films, the experience is especially poignant.

Cruise ships on the Mekong are typically luxurious affairs, with an array of mod cons and multi-stop cultural programmes. Most sail northbound from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap (or vice versa). The best time to travel is between November and February, when the weather is cooler and the rainy season has finished.

Home to some of the most intensive agriculture on the planet, there is little left of the forest that once covered this region. This makes a visit to Tra Su, an 850-hectare wetland close to the Vietnamese city of Chau Doc, all the more rewarding.

The following day, propelled by Vietnamese women in blue tunics, a small group of Scenic guests patrol Tra Su’s dappled waterways and corridors of gnarled mangrove trunks, pushing their way through a living carpet of lilies and water lettuce. Dotted among the vegetation, an array of surprisingly tame birdlife – from black-crowned night herons to bronze-winged jacana and glossy ibis, this enchanted forest is an ornithologist’s utopia.

“This forest is a beautiful reminder of how vibrant life used to be right across the delta,” says Cuc, one of Tra Su’s small army of rowboat ladies.

“I’m glad this piece survived. Tourism can help to protect it.”

Crossing the border, Scenic Spirit arrives in Phnom Penh at dawn.

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September 2017 | Midship

Under a pastel-hued sky, a smattering of fishing boats put-put across a tranquil Mekong, their bodies and nets silhouetted against the river’s sun-kissed waters.

In Cambodia, the Mekong becomes noticeably quieter. Gone are Vietnam’s barges of rice and riverside wharves. Thanks to its traumatic past, when the country endured the mass killings of the Khmer Rouge regime, the country is far less developed than its southern neighbour.

Guests spend the morning on a tour of the sleepy Cambodian capital, but, with three-quarters of Cambodia’s population still rural, it is away from the big city that the country really comes alive. From impromptu monk’s blessings and ox cart rides to traditional handicrafts and children’s diving competitions, a journey on the Mekong offers a fascinating snapshot of contemporary Cambodian life.

While the people of the Cambodian countryside are invariably poor, Buddhist beliefs give them a gentle serenity. At Koh Chen, a small island in the Tonle Sap River around 30km from Phnom Penh, Scenic guests are welcomed into open-air silver workshops and boutiques. While there’s no pressure to buy, many choose to purchase an ornate bowl or stunning piece of jewellery.

The last major stop on the cruise is Wat Hanchey, a hilltop pagoda and temple complex near Kompong Cham. An important centre of worship during the Chenla Empire (550-800 CE), it boasts a heavily eroded, Chenla-era sanctuary in red brick, complete with well-preserved inscriptions in ancient Sanskrit.

As a gong clangs, a procession of young monks files into the wooden canteen, each clutching a plastic bowl. On a nearby terrace, a group of us admire the pagoda’s magnificent views of the Mekong. Broad and lazy, the river is wide here, and flanked by tobacco plantations and sugar palms.

Centuries ago, the Vietnamese called the Mekong “Cuu Long”, or the Nine Dragons (on account of its nine main channels). Today, both for comfort and cultural immersion, a waterborne voyage is the only way to experience their many moods.

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THREE MEKONG CRUISES 12 days with Scenic

Eight days with Avalon

Three nights with Pandaw

Ho Chi Minh City-Siem Reap January 28, 2018 From £4,140pp

Ho Chi Minh City-Siem Reap July 5, 2018 From £2,400pp

Ho Chi Minh City- Phnom Penh November 14, 2017 From $1,980pp

This all-inclusive, five-star cruise includes a visit to the temples of Angkor, one of the finest examples of ancient Khmer architecture.

Mekong cruises often include a call at Phnom Penh, from where guests can learn more about Cambodia’s bloody past at one of the killing fields.

On this four-day cruise, which starts in Ho Chi Minh City, guests get the chance to visit the Cai Be floating market as well as a tribal village.

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TROMSO

Sky’s the limit

Sam Ballard joins Viking Cruises’ newest ship Viking Sky in Norway and discovers that the river cruise line has made the transition to ocean cruise perfectly

September 2017 | Midship As we flew, at breakneck speeds, across the icy cool waters of the Barents Sea, I couldn’t help but smile.

We were on board Viking Ocean Cruises’ latest ship, the Viking Sky, shortly after the vessel had been christened in Norway, and were being shown just what one of the line’s most renowned shore excursions entailed: the King Crab Safari.

In short, the experience meant donning some pretty serious looking overalls, boarding a Rib boat and clinging on for dear life as we skidded across the water’s surface – to the whoops and cheers of the passengers hanging on. We fired past the beautiful, rugged terrain and made our way out towards the fishing nets where our catch awaited.

Having never seen a king crab up close and personal, I was taken aback by the sheer size of the monsters that were pulled out of the water. King crabs have been known to have leg spans as wide as two metres, and to suddenly be pretty intimate with one was slightly daunting. As was the prospect that the sea beneath us was “crawling with them”.

We were then taken to the shore and given a talk about the history of the crabs’ migration from Russia and told just how valuable their meat – widely regarded as a delicacy – was in foreign markets. They were then expertly ‘dispatched’, cut up and taken into a tipi where a large pot of boiling water had already been prepared over a roaring fire. We took our seats on benches around the flames and were handed a glass of prosecco as our guides cooked their catch and we warmed ourselves up.

It was the freshest seafood I have ever tasted, simply served with a piece of lemon and a chunk of bread.

Absolutely delicious.

Viking Ocean’s migration from the biggest river cruise line in the world to a serious player in the ocean cruise industry has been well documented. and we’ve covered it in these pages extensively. How the company has managed to take the aesthetic that it created on board its famed longships and transfer it to a vessel that can carry five times as many people is nothing short of genius. And the CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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September 2017 | Midship fact that the company will have a fleet of at least eight identical ships, according to its current order book, is testament to that. No wonder Torstein Hagen, the company’s founder and chairman, claims that the ships are perfect.

It could be argued that Viking Cruises is the world’s biggest exponent of hygge cruising – the increasingly popular Scandinavian concept of cosiness that can be enjoyed with friends or family in a convivial atmosphere. The entire ship focuses in on this. Take food, for instance. Whether it’s the incredible “home-made” waffles at Mamsen’s, named after the Hagen family matriarch, or lunch while looking out to sea on the Aquavit Terrace, next to the glorious infinity pool. It is all about making the most out of those precious holiday moments. Even the ship’s speciality Italian restaurant, Manfredi’s – where the ribeye needs to be tasted to be truly believed – is named after the chairman of rival Silversea Cruises, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio (there’s also a Tor’s Observation Lounge on board Silversea). Proving, perhaps, that friendship is even more important than business.

Our cruise on the Viking Sky saw us travel from Tromso, the selfproclaimed capital of the Arctic Circle, north to Honningsvåg, at the very tip of Europe, before heading south to the Lofoten Islands, Orkney, Shetland and Edinburgh. While on board we would also be experiencing one of the world’s greatest natural phenomena: the midnight sun. Not a bad trip by anyone’s standards.

Scandinavia is an incredible place.

The landscapes are like nowhere else on Earth. Vast, green and menacing.

With hardy local communities scattered across them that are always happy to see you. The air feels like it’s almost medicinal and, judging by how healthy said locals look, it probably is. Perhaps, there’s something to spending most of your year in either constant light or darkness.

For us outsiders, though, the midnight sun is like nothing else. It almost sneaks up on you. You’ll be enjoying your evening, having a few CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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September 2017 | Midship drinks after dinner and someone will point out that it’s 11pm – but the sky is still a brilliant blue. It’s disorientating, but standing out on deck in the early hours of the morning (yes, after a few more drinks), staring up at a cloudless azure sky, is something I will never forget.

As Viking grows its fleet it is going to be able to offer more and more of these types of explorative itineraries.

There is already a huge amount of excitement about the company debuting in Alaska in 2019 and embarking on its mammoth 141-day world cruise this December – a trip that has already sold out.

Our time on Viking Cruises passes all too quickly. I get a spectacular Swedish deep tissue massage in the ship’s palatial spa, which includes a snow room and an ice bucket for those who take their relaxation seriously. It’s free to use the spa’s

VIKING CONQUEST The christening of Viking Sky, Viking Cruises’ third ocean ship, marks a continuation of the company’s assault on the global cruise industry.

The event, which was held in Tromso, was watched over by Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen, along with Marit Barstad, his sister and the ship’s godmother, as well as dignitaries and hundreds of locals who were treated to a concert by the Arctic Philharmonic and an array of Norwegian stars.

The self-declared capital of the Arctic provided an epic backdrop to proceedings, which Hagen said was the most northerly launch of a cruise ship, ever.

The event was capped off by two real Vikings, who entered at the zenith of proceedings and handed

Barstad a decorative axe, which she used to cut the rope and smash a bottle of Norwegian aquavit (what else?) into the ship’s hull.

Hagen claims that every one of Viking’s ocean ships is a carbon copy of the others. He’s putting his money where his mouth is, too, with plans to make Viking

the biggest operator in the world within its category. Based on the events today, his confidence may not be misplaced.

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September 2017 | Midship

facilities, too, which is a rarity at sea. The wi-fi is also gratis – one of the many elements that has made Viking Cruises stand out among its premium competitors. The onboard gym is as good as my one on land – although even it can’t stop me putting on about a stone.

Viking Cruises has really caught hold of something with its ocean product. There are so many areas that are designed to enjoy those small moments that make life worth living. From The Living Room to Torshavn or the Wintergarden. Even the place names themselves evoke a serene sense of calm. Whether it’s enjoying a cocktail in the Explorer’s Lounge or some king crab on one of their excursions. If we can’t live like the Scandinavians then at least we can holiday like them.

It’s Hygge. Like cruising, but not as we know it.

THREE ARCTIC CIRCLE CRUISES 15 days from Norway to London

12 days under the aurora

32 days on the Northwest Passage

Viking – Viking Sky Bergen-London, June 30, 2018 From £4,490pp

Hurtigruten – Richard With Bergen to Kirkenes, February 12, 2018 From £1,193pp

Viking’s Into The Midnight Sun is an incredible journey that takes passengers from the most northerly point of Europe to Greenwich.

If you don’t see the northern lights on this 12-day cruise, Hurtigruten will give you another six or seven-day half-board voyage free of charge.

Crystal – Crystal Serenity Anchorage-New York City, August 15, 2018 From $21,855pp

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The incredible Northwest Passage Explorer follows in the footsteps of the world’s most famous explorers.

September 2017 | Midship

10 OF THE BEST

Destinations for adventure Some of the best and most remote places that cruise makes surprisingly accessible 1

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Cruise makes remote destinations remarkably accessible. Here we round up 10 of the best cruise calls for those looking for expedition and adventure.

1. Galapagos Islands. Celebrated for its biodiversity, this volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is arguably the greatest destination in the world for wildlife lovers.

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2. Antarctica. There’s no other way to truly explore the world’s greatest expedition destination than by cruise ship. Forty-eight different operators now sail there.

3. Myanmar. Since opening up its borders, this Southeast Asian nation, formerly Burma, has seen its tourism industry boom. Sailing the Irrawaddy

is the best way to explore the country, with the likes of Pandaw and Avalon offering itineraries.

4. Vietnam. The Mekong, which also flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia is the best way to explore (see p34).

5. Alaska. Dozens of cruise lines sail to Alaska and how you experience it CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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depends very much on the operator you choose. Regardless, this is a destination best explored by ship.

6. Amazon. River vessels and some smaller ocean-going ships traverse the Amazon, home to more species than any other ecosystem on earth.

7. Patagonia. This sparsely populated and mountainous region at the tip

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of South America is home to the magnificent Beagle Channel.

8. Egypt. Riviera Travel is the latest operator to announce Nile cruises, once a favourite of British holidaymakers. Despite the troubles, the river remains one of the greatest.

9. Svalbard. Found between mainland Norway and the North Pole,

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the Arctic archipelago has become a cruise favourite thanks to the aurora borealis and resident polar bears.

10. Botswana. The Chobe National Park – home to elephants, buffalo, lions, antelopes and hippos – is divided by the Chobe river. It might be one of the lesser known cruise destinations, but it beats a Jeep holiday.

Cool beers, fine chocolates, tasty treats and tipples… here’s a cruise with all the essentials!

Flavours of Amsterdam 4 nights from £633

Receive

£100 of shopping vouchers

Sailing November 9, 2018 aboard Saga Sapphire Including: Return chauffeur service to Southampton, up to 250 miles each way, or free car parking • Optional travel insurance provided by Cigna Insurance Services (Europe) Limited and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required – cover is subject to medical questions§ • A choice of wines at lunch and dinner • All gratuities on board • 24-hour room service • Complimentary Wi-Fi, and much more…

Itinerary includes: Southampton, England • Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Belgium • Amsterdam, Netherlands • Southampton, England.

Call FREE on 0800 074 8021 or visit saga.co.uk/agents Become a Saga expert, visit sagaexperts.com Find us on social media Saga Trade Team §A reduction of £36 applies if you do not need the optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights.

Fare is per person for the lowest grade Inside cabin available, was correct at the time of going to print and is subject to change. Cruise code: SA359. To claim your vouchers, simply email incentives@saga.co.uk with booking details. Applicable to bookings confirmed between August 1 and September 30, 2017. Saga holidays are for anyone aged 50+. A travel companion may be 40+. Terms and conditions apply. NHA-SC7310.

September 2017| Aft

NEW HIRES

Royal Caribbean announces two new appointments

Amanda Weir gets new role at Riviera Travel Riviera Travel has appointed Amanda Weir as agency sales support.

Formerly based in the operations department where she worked in tour manager relations, Weir will provide support to the trade in her new role.

“We are so pleased to have Amanda joining the team and know that she will bring a lot of support to our travel agents when it comes to events, training and enquiries,” said Joseph Grimley, head of agency sales.

New head of marketing at Voyages to Antiquity Royal Caribbean International has announced the appointment of Guy Farrow as key account manager for the UK & Ireland, and of Sophie West as regional sales manager to cover the Midlands area.

Farrow joins the cruise line from FMCG equipment pooling business, CHEP, where he worked in account management. He will report into Amanda Darrington, sales director for UK & Ireland, and will be responsible for key agents across the country.

Darrington said: “Guy brings with him a unique insight from outside the travel industry in personalised account management that will help identity the strengths of each individual business.”

West joins Royal Caribbean from an FMCG sales background and boasts more than five years’ experience working in national and regional sales for Burton’s Biscuit Company.

She will report to Sarah Weetman, head of retail for UK & Ireland.

Uniworld appoints Theona Nechita as new inside sales development executive Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has appointed Theona Nechita as its new inside sales development executive.

Her new role will involve supporting Uniworld’s on-the-road sales team, and maintaining key relationships with the trade, acting as the new point-of-contact for partners, as well as planning trade events and roadshows.

Nechita joins Uniworld from luxury hotel brand The Dorchester

Collection where she worked as a sales executive.

She will report to David Chidley, Uniworld’s national sales manager.

Chidley said: “Theona is such a great addition to the Uniworld sales team, and we’re really looking forward to maintaining and building our trade relationships with her assistance.

“Theona’s enthusiasm for the role and passion for the luxury travel industry made her the perfect person for the role.”

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Richard Tarrant has joined singleship operator Voyages to Antiquity as the new head of marketing.

Tarrant joins the company from Titan Travel where he worked as head of marketing communications and offline marketing manager.

He will report to managing director, Jos Dewing, who said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Richard to the Voyages to Antiquity team.

His impressive track record within the travel sector brings valuable experience to our business.”

September 2017| Aft

FAM TRIPS / INCENTIVES

Uniworld, Hurtigruten and Star Clippers run joint roadshows

Three specialist cruise lines are running a joint agent roadshow in Scotland this October.

Uniworld, Hurtigruten and Star Clippers will run events in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness on October 3, 4 and 5 respectively.

Dave Chidley from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, said: “Of course we appreciate how busy agents are, and how hard it can be for them to get out of the store, but we also want agents to have the opportunity to fully understand our products and the unique

experiences that we offer. So we’ve teamed up with our friends at Hurtigruten and Star Clippers and will be hitting the road with a series of enjoyable and informative events in Scotland. It’s a really wonderful example of the industry working together to create something that will be worthwhile and fun for agents to attend.”

To book your place on the roadshow, agents should RSVP to uk.events@hurtigruten.com including their name, agency, Abta number and contact details.

Silversea to give away Amazon Fire tablets Travel agents can win one of 10 Amazon Fire HD tablets with the Silversea Advocates programme.

“We are pleased to recognise hardworking travel agents through our Silversea Advocates programme,” said Connie Georgiou, Silversea’s head of trade sales and partnerships, UK and Ireland. “This month’s latest gadget reward, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet, is our way to show how we truly appreciate their efforts and devotion to Silversea.”

All winners will also go into a draw to win one of 10 places on a VIP fam trip at the end of 2017.

Club Royal announces Miami as fam destination Royal Caribbean is to take 15 agents to Miami as part of its next Club Royal fam trip, which includes a stay at the five-star Loews Miami Beach Hotel and a private yacht dinner.

To win a place agents must finish in the top 10 on the competition’s leaderboard. Points can be earned by playing games online. There will also be scratchcards available.

Agents can register to take part now. The competition closes on September 27.

CroisiEurope runs Africa incentive CroisiEurope is giving agents the opportunity to sail on its new southern African cruise with a new incentive.

The 16-passenger African Dream will sail along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers on a four-day cruise-safari.

Guests will then enjoy a five-day stay CroisiEurope’s five-star Cascades Lodge.

To be in with a chance of winning a sailing on the African Dream, travel agents have book six guests onto the vessel before 15 December. As an extra incentive, CroisiEurope is offering a £350 discount for every double cabin booked.

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DIRECTORY Got a cruise query? Let us assist you.

The cruise adviser directory provides you with the vital contact details for all major cruise lines operating in the UK – meaning trade sales support is never more than a phone call away

CRUISE LINES!

Information missing or out of date?

Email info@cruise-adviser.com

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A-Rosa Lucia Rowe, head of sales UK and Ireland 078 4202 6013 l.rowe@a-rosa.de

Amadeus River Cruises Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 080 0035 6411 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk

AmaWaterways Jamie Loizou, sales, marketing and digital director 033 3305 3902 jamieloizou@amawaterways.com

American Cruise Lines Susan Shultz, director of sales +1 203 453 6800 susan@americancruiselines.com

American Queen Steamboat Company Katrina Weston, general manager 01223 568 904 k.weston@aqgsa.com

APT Touring Kate Ashman, sales and commercial specialist 01494 736 147 agentclub@aptouring.co.uk

Atlas/Kompas Predrag Krivokapic, president +1 954 258 8531 / +385 9 1975 1735 sales@atlas-croatia.com

Aurora Expeditions Talia Schwartzman, sales executive +61 2 9252 1033 agents@auroraexpeditions.co.uk

Avalon Waterways James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@avaloncruises.co.uk

Azamara Club Cruises Lori Scanella, business support executive 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com

Carnival Cruise Line Luke Smith, senior partnership manager 020 7378 4660 carnivalsalesuk@carnival.com

Celebrity Cruises Isabelle Charlton / Victoria Shipp 01932 834 379 (option 2) salessupport@rccl.com

Celestyal Cruises Andreas Genthe, country manager sales +30 216 400 9633 a.genthe@celestyalcruises.com

Choosing Cruising Robbie White, managing director 07740 368 379 robbie@choosingcruising.co.uk

Coral Expeditions Jan Jepsen, UK and Europe representative 07702 714 150 jan@intouchrep.com

Cosmos James Mortimer, agency sales executive 020 8315 4585 agencysales@cosmostours.co.uk

CroisiEurope Gabrielle Alam, head of sales and marketing UK 020 8328 1281 resuk@croisieurope.com

Cruise & Maritime Voyages Lisa Jacobs, head of trade sales 0844 414 6140 lisa.jacobs@cruiseandmaritime.com

Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

Cruising Excursions Simonne Fairbanks, chief operating officer 0800 091 8274 traveltrade@cruisingexcursions.com

Cunard Line Natasha Richardson, director of sales operations 023 8065 7259 natasha.richardson@carnivalukgroup.com

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Belmond Alexis Viols, director of sales – Road to Mandalay and Belmond Orcaella +66 2 267 4881 2 Ext 19 alexis.viols@belmond.com Tom Dumbrell, sales manager – Afloat in France 020 3117 1408 tom.dumbrell@belmond.com

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Hebridean Island Cruises Lisa White, reservations manager 01756 704 704 lisa.white@hebridean.co.uk

Heritage Line Andreas Schroetter, director of sales and marketing +84 120 395 2242 dosm@heritage-line.com

Holland America Line James Scott, business development representative 0844 338 8600 james.scott@hollandamerica.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 0844 338 8600 lucy.harris@hollandamerica.co.uk

Hurtigruten Anthony Daniels, head of sales 020 8846 2666 anthony.daniels@hurtigruten.com

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Disney Cruise Line Juliet Holden, account executive 080 0171 2317

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Emerald Waterways Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk

eWaterways Emma Wild, head of sales 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.co.uk

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Far Horizon Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 0800 035 3189 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Becky Smith, trade support manager 01473 746 164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk

Fred Olsen River Cruises Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 0800 021 3172 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk

French America Line Kevin Griffin, director 020 7723 2450 kcgriffin@frenchamericaline.com

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Intrepid Travel Andrew Turner, senior business development manager 080 8274 5719 ukbdm@intrepidtravel.com

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Katerina Line Dea Baretincic, sales manager +385 51 603 409 dea@katarina-line.hr

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Latin Routes Jessica Bain, director 020 8546 6222 info@latinroutes.co.uk

Leger Holidays Ashley Dellow, head of retail sales 01709 385 811 retail.sales@leger.co.uk

Lindblad Expeditions Jacinta McEvoy vice president global sales +1 212 261 9000 jacintam@expeditions.com

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G Adventures Jerrine Barnett, new business development manager 07432 429 836 / 020 7243 9870 ext. 9948 jbarnett@gadventures.com

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Aishling McLoughlin, sales representative UK & Ireland 07921 223 176 aishling.mcloughlin@hl-cruises.com

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Pearl Seas Cruises Susan Shultz, director of sales +1 203 458 5280 susan.shultz@pearlseascruises.com

Ponant Stephen Winter, international sales director +33 6 4803 7931 swinter@ponant.com

Poseidon Expeditions Alexandra Prokopyeva, sales and marketing 0870 068 9142 sales@poseidonexpeditions.com

Ports Direct Karl Lapage, managing director 0843 0843 003 karl@portsdirect.co.uk

Princess Cruises Victoria Snelgar, sales operations manager 023 8065 6613 victoria.snelgar@princesscruises.co.uk

Pullmantur Simon Chambers, operations manager 0800 021 3180 simon.chambers@fredholidays.co.uk

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The Majestic Line Marie McGhee, sales manager 01369 707951 info@themajesticline.co.uk

MSC Cruises Victoria Taylor, sales operations manager 020 7092 8182 ukinsidesales@msccruises.co.uk

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Noble Caledonia Agency sales 020 7752 0000 agencysales@noble-caledonia.co.uk

Norwegian Cruise Line Jeremy McKenna, head of sales UK and Ireland 07408 805 216 jmckenna@ncl.com Karen Kundi, partnership relations manager 023 8124 5242 kkundi@ncl.com

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Oceania Cruises Priti Mehta, head of sales UK and Ireland 023 8024 8604 pmehta@oceaniacruises.com

One Ocean Expeditions Debra Taylor, new business development 07956 852 197 debra@toucanmoon.com

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Quark Expeditions Pushparaj Shetty, senior distribution manager +1 416 645 8248 push.shetty@quarkexpeditions.com

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises Caroline Moody, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com Anna Salter, business development executive 023 8068 2283 agencysales@rssc.com

Royal Caribbean International Trade support team 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com

Riviera Travel Darren Mussell, agency sales assistant manager 01283 744 307 agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

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P&O Cruises Natasha Richardson, director of sales operations 023 8065 7259 natasha.richardson@carnivalukgroup.com

Pandaw Marco Rosa, vice president sales and marketing 07973 876 967 marco@pandaw.com

Paul Gaugin Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

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Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 012 9345 0726; 078 3465 2135 edwina.coppock@titantravel.co.uk

Travelsphere & Just You Polly Poulton, national account manager 01858 588 406 polly.poulton@Travelsphere.co.uk

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Saga Travel Sukina Fagg, national account manager 080 0074 8021 sukina.fagg@saga.co.uk

Scenic Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk

Seabourn James Scott, business development representative 084 4338 8600 james.scott@seabourn.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 084 4338 8600 lucy.harris@seabourn.co.uk

SeaCloud Anja Ringel, vice president, international markting and sales +49 40 3095 9217 aringel@seacloud.com

SeaDream Yacht Club Mark Schmitt, sales director 07904 068 407 mschmitt@seadream.com

Shearings Michael Bowers, national sales manager 01942 823 449 sales.support@shearings.com

Silversea Sales support 020 7340 0700 salesuk@silversea.com

Star Clippers Danielle Dudley, UK sales manager 077 6585 2116 danielle@starclippers.co.uk

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Uniworld Boutique River Cruises David Chidley, national sales manager 07408 855 544 dave.chidley@uniworld.com

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Variety Cruises Chris Lorenzo, managing director, Seafarer Cruises 020 8324 3114 info@seafarerholidays.co.uk

Victoria Cruises Tom Antonucci, sales manager +1 212 818 1680 tom@victoriacruises.co.uk

Viking Cruises Andrew Schweitzer, regional sales manager (south) 07825 986 996 andrew.schweitzer@vikingcruises.com Jenny Wade, regional sales manager (north) 07966 995 012 jenny.wade@vikingcruises.com

Volga Dream Brooke Daniels, UK sales manager 0800 021 3186 brooke@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Voyages to Antiquity Michelle Daniels, head of groups and partnerships 01865 302 2565 m.daniels@voyagestoantiquity.com

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Tauck Kathryn Coles, UK and Ireland sales manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk

Thomson Cruises Andrew Isherwood Commercial support team 020 3451 2762 commercial.support@thomson.co.uk

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Wendy Wu Tours Adam White, trade support and marketing executive 020 7939 9560 adam.white@wendywutours.co.uk

Windstar Cruises Sales team (The Cruise Line) 0800 852 7248 windstarUK@cruiseline.co.uk

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THREE CRUISES FOR FOODIES 10 days in France

RECIPE

In the galley This month’s recipe: a mouthwatering chicken breast roulade courtesy of Tauck Tauck – MS Emerald Paris-Lyon, October 27, 2017 From £3,895pp Food lovers will love this Taste of France trip: a seven-night Rhône cruise after a stay in Paris where there’s a dinner at Fouquet’s and a pastry class exclusively for Tauck guests at École Lenôtre.

Seven nights to Norway

Cruise & Maritime Voyages – Columbus London Tilbury (round-trip), September 25, 2018 From £829pp

Ingredients 160g chicken breast 50g spinach 30g shallot confit 110g chicken 50ml cream 10ml egg white 30g turnips (cut into 2cm sticks) 30g potato (cut into 2cm sticks) 20g carrot purée 10g microgreen shoots

For more recipes, see cruise-adviser.com/tag/recipe

Method 1. Using a rolling pin, flatten the chicken breast. Make sure you do not make any holes in the fillet while doing this.

2. For the farce (stuffing), mix the cream, egg whites and spinach and spread the mixture over one side of the flattened chicken breast.

3. Roll the chicken into a baton shape, ensuring the stuffing is inside the baton only. Wrap in plastic and foil and then steam.

4. After steaming, uncover and sautée until well cooked.

5. Steam carrots and blend with seasoning until puréed.

6. Cut potatoes and turnips into sticks and cook.

7. Serve chicken batons, turnips and potatoes standing up with carrot puree and micro green shoots.

This itinerary from ex-UK specialists CMV is the first cruise with a 100 per cent vegan menu that we’ve heard of.

Also includes a wellness programme.

10 days in the Mediterranean

Oceania Cruises – Riviera Barcelona-Lisbon, June 6, 2018 From £2,229pp Oceania claims to have the finest food at sea – and what better place to experience it than in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal. The Jacques restaurant is particularly good.

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ON THE ROAD

Mark Schmitt, UK sales director, SeaDream Yacht Club We speak to the people who make your job easier.

This month: SeaDream Yacht Club’s UK sales director What does your job entail?

Everything and anything. As sales director for the UK at SeaDream Yacht Club, my main responsibilities are to increase the number of signed charters from the UK market, as well as to support agents with sales growth through training, awareness, marketing and events.

What’s the best thing about being on the road?

It has to be the people. I am constantly travelling around meeting all the wonderful agents we work with on a day-to-day basis. Nothing beats spending time on the road in the beautiful English countryside on a summer day.

How long have you worked in the travel industry?

July 2017 marked my 16th year working in travel. I began my career at Trailfinders way back in 2001, working in all of their London branches before leaving in November 2013 to seek out some new opportunities. I then worked at The Sandra Leach Company (now SLC Representation) before joining SeaDream Yacht Club in June 2015.

What’s the worst?

Definitely the M25. You can never predict the traffic!

Favourite place to visit?

Chester. Fantastic city, great agents and host to my favourite sandwich shop The York Roast Co. What do you listen to in the car?

I switch between Radio 2 for entertainment and 5 Live for sport.

One thing you couldn’t live without on the road?

Has to be the satnav.

What is your favourite thing about SeaDream Yacht Club?

The top of the yacht bar, known as the heart of the yacht. This is where guests can dine al fresco with a different backdrop for dinner each evening, or enjoy a drink postdinner with fellow guests. The social atmosphere is the real essence of SeaDream Yacht Club.

And what’s the biggest myth surrounding SeaDream?

Our clients aren’t all lottery winners!

With lead in price of £2,763 per person for a seven-day Barbados voyage, all-inclusive, we are fantastic value for money.

If agents want to find out more, what should they do?

Contact me on 0790 406 8407 or e-mail mschmitt@seadream. com. For our reservations team, contact 0800 783 1373 or e-mail info@seadream.com.

Sail on a SeaDream seven-night Barbados round trip leaving on Saturday, November 4, 2017 with prices starting from £2,993 per person based on based on double occupancy. Price is a fully inclusive yachting fare based on double occupancy excluding flights and transfers. For more information or to book please visit mundycruising.co.uk or call 020 7399 7670

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September 2017 | Aft

FINAL WORD

Agents must learn to fight sinking pound As Morgan Stanley predicts sterling-euro parity by next year, Sam Ballard suggests ways in which you can help protect both your customers and your own sales The announcement by Morgan Stanley, an investment bank, that predicted sterling-euro parity by early next year will be a wake up call to many consumers and businesses.

It tells them where Brexit is going to hit them hardest: their pocket.

The pound was trading at €1.31 the day before the Brexit vote in June 2016 and has been on almost uninterrupted downward spiral since.

For British tourists this means fewer euros in their pocket and concerns when travelling within the Eurozone. However, while the outlook is by no means rosy, there are some ways that your clients can try to shield themselves from the worst of sterling’s woes.

The most obvious way is by booking with a cruise line that takes sterling on board. The list includes the likes of Thomson, P&O, Cruise & Maritime Voyages and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. By booking with these

operators, skittish clients can rest assured that they won’t be hammered by a sudden drop in the sterling-euro exchange rate while they’re away.

Commenting on the advantages of booking with a sterling cruise line, Michele Andjel, director of communications for Carnival UK, said: “P&O Cruises operates in British sterling and all holiday, onboard spending and shore excursion costs are in pounds so our guests are shielded from currency fluctuations and can budget with peace of mind knowing the great value for money with a P&O Cruises holiday which includes accommodation, entertainment, round the clock age specific children’s clubs and dining.”

Clients can also look into booking other elements of their package before they embark on their cruise.

Booking drinks packages and shore excursions early on is another way that your customers can try and shield

themselves while they’re away. It’s a way to give them peace of mind while also increasing your own sales.

Whether you voted Remain or Leave in the EU referendum, few will argue that the UK isn’t going to be a turbulent place to live for the next couple of years – and likely beyond.

As our politicians try and untangle more than 50 years of legislation and our diplomats attempt to thrash out trade deals, most of us have no choice but to buckle ourselves in.

For travel agents that means having to justify potential price increases from operators who are more exposed to the strength of foreign currencies.

It also means looking at ways that these costs can be narrowed.

Do your homework and make sure you have an answer to problems your customers are likely to ask about. It won’t be easy, but if one thing is for sure in these uncertain times it’s that we’re all going to need a holiday!

COMING NEXT TIME Understanding millennials

U by Uniworld

Carnival Cruise Line

We tell you how to crack the market that everyone is talking about in our How to Sell section.

Gary Buchanan speaks to Uniworld’s boss about its new venture – one that’s fronted by a former Angel.

We take a closer look at the biggest cruise line in the world and find out why it has gone trade only.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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*Where applicable

20 YEARS

OF EXPLORING

THE WORLD IN COMFORT

1997 - 2017

Easy

to please with Viking Cruises Keeping the customer satisfied is what it’s all about. And so it’s good to know that when you book with us you won’t just be meeting your clients’ expectations, you’ll be exceeding them. State-of-the-art river and ocean ships, super-friendly service, exceptional cuisine, an inspiring choice of itineraries and everything from wine and beer with lunch and dinner to daily excursions included in the price, make Viking Cruises easy to sell and hard to beat.

Eight-day river cruises from £1,145pp Eight-day ocean cruises from £1,490pp For business development opportunities call Jenny on 07966 995 012 or Andrew on 07825 986 996 For agency sales call Kelly on 0208 780 7968 @VikingTradeUK

madefortrade.co.uk

Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to change. Single supplements apply. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.