Cruise Adviser – June 2019 by Cruise Adviser

V I R G I N V O YAG E S | A - R O S A A L VA | N O R W E G I A N FJ O R D S

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

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Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other river Anthony Pearce joins Viking Cruises on the peaceful and beautiful Elbe

For more information or for reservations please call 0207 340 0700, visit silversea.com or email salesuk@silversea.com On select voyages. Terms & Conditions apply. Visit www.silversea.com/terms-and-conditions for complete Terms and Conditions.

June 2019 | Forward EDITOR’S LETTER

New experiences, but still close to home Cruise has one of the highest retention rates in the travel industry, which means there is often a been-there, done-that attitude among cruise guests. On board you will find guests on their eight, ninth and tenth cruise, sometimes having tried out a few different brands along the way, who have ticked off all the usual blockbuster ports of call. It’s one of the reasons why cruise lines have had to look farther afield to offer new and exciting itineraries – but that doesn’t necessarily mean heading to far-flung places, as this month’s cover feature proves. Sailing with Viking, Anthony Pearce takes in the sights of the Elbe, including Dresden, Meissen and Wittenberg. This innovative itinerary pairs a five-night sailing with hotel stops in Prague and Berlin at either end, on a river that is far quieter than the likes of the Rhine and Danube (page 32). In this issue, we also have an interview with Tom McAlpin, who, as president and CEO of Virgin Voyages, is tasked with launching Richard Branson’s new cruise line. Find out how Virgin will be working with agents on p24. Conference season is well and truly under way – Sam Ballard takes in the Clia Summer Conference in Portsmouth and Southampton (p16) and Advantage’s Conference in Cadiz (p10), while we have all the latest news (from p9), incentives (p14) and fam trips round-ups (p15), plus Jane Archer looks at the lucrative world of group bookings (p38). We’re also introducing a brand-new regular feature, Know Your…, which will decode different parts of the industry. We start with river cruise balconies. We hope you enjoy reading and good luck selling!

THIS MONTH WHAT WE LEARNT

P12

SHORT ITINERARIES SUIT NEW-TO-CRUISE A mini-cruise can appeal to clients who are unsure whether cruising is for them

P24

VIRGIN IS OUT TO DISRUPT THE INDUSTRY Virgin Voyages’ CEO defines the brand as ‘rebellious luxe’ – a different way of cruising

P38

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THERE REALLY IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Although time-intensive, group cruise bookings can be particularly lucrative for agents

There’s an itinerary for every client in the beautiful Norwegian fjords (p44)

Contents MIDSHIP 32

Ebbing along the Elbe Anthony Pearce joins Viking Astrild for a leisurely sailing along this perpetually peaceful European waterway Strength in numbers Jane Archer dives into the lucrative world of group cruises, which, with a little

time spent, can pay big, rewarding returns 40

A budding operator Emily Eastman heads to Porto for the launch of A-Rosa Alva, part of the river cruise line’s expansion that includes two new eco-friendly vessels and greater UK market presence

How to sell: Norwegian Fjords Jane Archer shares her expert guide to the Norwegian fjords – a year-round destination that is ideal for both ex-UK and fly-cruise trips setting off from a number of regional ports and airports Turn over for more CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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June 2019 | Forward

FORWARD 3

Editor’s letter

News Spirit of Discovery completes conveyance; Poseidon Expeditions marks 20 years of polar voyages; Advantage Travel Partnership reveals its plans for members; and AmaWaterways presents it revolutionary new ship

Incentives & New hires A round-up of all the latest incentives and agent news, plus the latest staff updates

Clia Conference Interviews, news, insights and figures from the latest Clia Conference

Ship visit: G Expedition Sam Ballard has a look on board G Adventures’ only vessel, G Expedition, a small ice-class ship that voyages to both the Arctic and Antarctic

Interview: Tom McAlpin The Virgin Voyages boss on what agents can expect from the new cruise line Ports of call: Seattle The gems of the Emerald City are worth discovering ahead of an Alaska cruise

Mark Ronson DJs at Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Night (p24)

AFT 49

Directory All the cruise line contact details in one place

Know your… This month, it’s river cruise balconies

Gamesroom While away your lunch break with the cruise adviser crossword or sudoku, or try your hand at our quiz

Lookout Can you see yourself in our selection of photos from the latest industry events?

Final word Sam Ballard on the benefits of collaborative working Email info@cruise-adviser.com to share your thoughts

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NEWS

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

SAGA

Spirit of Discovery completes conveyance Saga’s first purpose-built ship officially begins journey towards Dover Saga and shipbuilder Meyer Werft has completed the conveyance of Spirit of Discovery, from the Papenburg shipyard along the River Ems to the open sea. Following her departure, Spirit of Discovery was towed along the Ems, from Papenburg to Emden, passing Friesenbrücke (Weener) and the Jann Berghaus bridge (Leer), before arriving at the Ems barrier and passing through to arrive at Emden

sea lock. It marks the official start of the ship’s journey towards its home port of Dover, England. Spirit of Discovery will undergo technical and nautical sea trials until mid June. Saga will take official delivery of the ship on June 20 before it arrives in Dover prior to its official naming ceremony, on July 5, 2019. It will sail from Dover on its inaugural cruise A British First, on July 10.

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Nigel Blanks, COO, Saga Cruises said: “Our major milestones for Saga Cruises and Spirit of Discovery are now coming thick and fast and it is amazing to see her complete her conveyance towards the North Sea. “This ongoing journey sees everyone at Saga Cruises pioneering the future of British boutique cruising, creating a host of unique, new experiences, both ashore and at sea, and providing a fresh new concept in the global cruising market.Our thanks go to the impeccable team at Meyer Werft for all their ongoing work on our iconic, stunning new ship.” Spirit of Discovery will sail with a maximum of 999 guests and with 523 crew. Meanwhile, it has been announced that Saga Holidays managing director Maria Whiteman is to leave the operator at the end of the summer after two years. She will join student travel specialist, Next Generation Travel, on October 1.

June 2019 | Forward POSEIDON EXPEDITIONS

The line marks 20 years of polar expedition cruises Poseidon Expeditions, which celebrates 20 years of polar expedition cruise this year, recently hosted agents and press on board M/V Sea Spirit in Plymouth.Guests were offered an overnight stay on board and a host of informative sessions detailing the various expeditions and itineraries the cruise line has to offer.

The line’s commitment to preservation of natural habitats is a selling point for eco-conscious customers. It offers refillable water pouches on board, complies with IAATO regulations and hosts lectures on board teaching cruisegoers how to engage responsibly with local wildlife. Guests can also

take advantage of zodiac wildlife experiences, kayaking, and even camping on the ice. There are three cruises a year during the summer months on board 50 Years of Victory, the nuclear-powered icebreaker, during which guests can enjoy a glass of champagne 90 degrees north – the polar North Pole.

ADVANTAGE TRAVEL PARTNERSHIP

Advantage reveals plans for members at conference Advantage Travel Partnership has announced a number of new initiatives at its 2019 Conference. Regional communities, apprenticeship programmes and repackaged cruise and air fares were among the new plans announced. The consortia also revealed that it would be running a census with its members. The regional community initiative will launch in autumn with the aim of offering a more personalised service to Advantage members. The communities will take the form of monthly conference calls hosted by local business development managers and suppliers; webinars; in-person training; and dinners. There will also be new Facebook pages set up and a buddy system to ensure new Advantage members are able to realise all of the benefits of membership.

Paula Lacey, Advantage Travel Partnership’s commercial director, said: “As a membership organisation we understand the need for members to feel they are part of something special and have the opportunity to create relationships with not only the centre but other businesses in their area to discuss local issues and challenges, and share knowledge with people who may be experiencing the same challenges.” Meanwhile, Advantage Holidays, the consortia’s tour operator service, is to launch repackaged fares with its cruise and airline partners. The new fares will be supported by technology that allows members to customise ocean cruises with flights and accommodation. Luxury and river fares will be added next year. For apprenticeships, Advantage has partnered with Travilearn and

TrainingStation to offer a solution to both business and leisure members. The new offering provides members with the tools to attract apprenticeships, including one-onone coaching through classroom teaching and self-study online learning modules. The scheme will offer two qualifications: Travel Consultant Standard (in partnership with TrainingStation) and Pathway to Business Travel Professional (in partnership with Travilearn). Neil Armorgie, global product director at Advantage, said: “This initiative is the first of its kind in business travel and follows membership demand for quality staff and training. The solution with Travilearn will allow a tailored approach… [that] follows on perfectly from the e-learning solutions we launched in November 2018.” CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

June 2019 | Forward AMAWATERWAYS

Co-founder’s vision for ship is realised

The new AmaMagna, brainchild of the line’s co-founder, launches AmaWaterways has today released the first internal images of its revolutionary new ship – AmaMagna – on her inaugural voyage from Vilshofen an der Donau, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. The brainchild of AmaWaterways’ president and co-founder Rudi Schreiner, AmaMagna surpassed the expectations of guests on embarkation day by offering the highest level of luxury and generous personal space of any ship on the rivers. The first-ever photos of AmaMagna’s public spaces showcase the design and décor of a multi-level

lounge and the Main Restaurant, which features floor-to-ceiling windows. They also provide a first look at the outside exercise space and new dining venues – the Al Fresco Restaurant and Jimmy’s, the latter of which is named in honour of the late Jimmy Murphy, one of AmaWaterways’ original co-founders and co-owners.

Schreiner said: “Dreams are fuelled by an individual’s passion but usually accomplished through the creativity and hard work of many. “This ship represents a labour of love for so many people who contributed groundbreaking ideas, as well as a lot of hard work that was done by the team to bring my dream project to reality.”

HURTIGRUTEN

CMV

SEABOURN

Expedition line to use green, sustainable fuel

Columbus to set sail on fourth world cruise

New expedition ship itineraries go on sale

Hurtigruten has signed a multideal with Norway-based Biokraft to supply climate-neutral liquified biogas (LBG) and power ships with fuel made from dead fish and other organic waste. The expedition line and Biokraft have entered into a seven and a half year deal. The partnership includes near-daily delivery of biogas produced from organic waste to Hurtigruten ships, the first cruise ships in the world to be powered by fossil-free LBG. “This is a large and significant move for Hurtigruten, for Biokraft, for green solutions in the global shipping industry and, most importantly, for the environment,” said Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has announced its fourth world cruise on Columbus. Departing from the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury on January 6, 2021, Columbus will circumnavigate the globe for 120 nights visiting some 24 countries and 38 ports of call, transiting the Panama Canal and sailing a total of 34,770 nautical miles around five continents. The cruise is available from just £8,999pp. The cruise takes in the Azores, the Caribbean, South Pacific, Australia, cruising under the Sydney Bridge, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. It includes the Seychelles, Kenya, with an option to go on safari, South Africa and Brazil, with a call into Rio de Janeiro.

The itineraries for the inaugural season for Seabourn’s first ultraluxury purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Venture, launching in 2021, are now open for sale. Between July 2021 and April 2022, Seabourn Venture will visit destinations in the Arctic and Antarctica, as well the Amazon, Caribbean, Central and South America and more. The new itineraries include 25 voyages ranging from seven to 22 days, offering guests numerous opportunities to discover diverse wildlife, enjoy the scenery, get close to nature and learn about the history and culture of each region. Select voyages can be combined to create sailings of up to 30 days.

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June 2019 | Forward

OPINION

CRYSTAL RIVER CRUISES

The importance of shorter itineraries Janet Parton, sales director, Avalon Waterways

For those new to cruise, short on time, cash conscious or eager to capitalise on a bank holiday weekend, shorter cruise itineraries are a must. Short cruises offer agents the opportunity to introduce cruising to a new audience – those usually eager to book city breaks or quick getaways, or holidaymakers keen on exploring new destinations. The beauty of cruising is that it allows you to have multiple holidays in one, and the excitement of exploring numerous cities and towns with the ease of only unpacking once. Compromising on holiday duration does not mean compromising on

“Compromising on holiday duration does not mean compromising on experience. It’s our job to showcase the flexibility of a mini-cruise” experience. While many customers would not hesitate to book a long weekend to a European city, they may think twice about doing the same on water. It is our job to educate and showcase the flexibility and affordability of a mini-cruise, making it an enticing option with numerous benefits. From meals and entertainment included in the fare, to the opportunity to visit multiple destinations with ease, a short cruise takes the hassle out of rapid travel.

At the Clia conference it was announced that cruising is responsible for 10 per cent of the UK travel industry, with two million passengers from the UK and Ireland. While these are impressive figures, there is still plenty of potential to increase the audience size and number of cruises taken. For those customers who might not think a cruise is for them, a shorter itinerary can be a more cost-effective way of dipping their toe in the water, while using up less of their precious annual leave in the process. Shorter cruises still allow guests to experience attentive service, unparalleled views, cutting-edge design, phenomenal cuisine – and that’s all before they’ve even got off the ship and into ports to explore! It’s not just ocean cruise lines that have a raft of shorter cruises to choose from. Avalon Waterways has introduced a choice of four-, five- and six-day taster river cruises on the Rhine, Main and Danube for 2020. Such itineraries are perfect for timestarved travellers. They also provide entry-level price points with the same top-quality service offering. If you are wanting to be a bit more sales savvy, then shorter itineraries offer opportunities to top and tail the cruise experience with land extensions. Shorter itineraries allow agents to package their own offerings for holidaymakers wanting to go away for longer than a few days, making it a flexible and enticing itinerary – something that can be beneficial to both the customer and sales agent. From seasonal events to family celebrations, the need for ‘me time’ or the chance to explore somewhere new, the trend for shorter itineraries is growing and it pays to think creatively about how best to sell the ‘short break on water’ experience.

Crystal Mozart to depart fleet Crystal Mozart, popularly known as the Queen of the Danube, will depart the Crystal fleet for a Genting Cruise Lines’ (under Genting Hong Kong, Crystal’s parent company) venture that will be announced at a later date. The departure will see Crystal River Cruises’ fleet of luxury ships become the youngest in the industry when the line launches its 2020 season next spring. With the departure of Crystal Mozart, the average age of Crystal River Cruises’ remaining ships – identical new-builds Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel – will be under two years, having launched in 2017 and 2018. Crystal Mozart will sail its last Crystal voyage on December 2, 2019, from Vienna to Budapest. Tom Wolber, Crystal’s president and CEO, said: “Crystal Mozart set the stage for Crystal River Cruises’ debut as its inaugural ship in the summer of 2016, and we are pleased to see her carrying onward with Genting Cruise Lines.” Crystal guests currently booked aboard previously scheduled Crystal Mozart 2020 sailings will be accommodated on similar Danube itineraries offered by Crystal Mahler or Crystal Ravel. Wolber continued: “Crystal River Cruises’ ships are not only the newest in the industry, they are the only to feature all-suite, all-balcony accommodations with every room category situated above the water line and offering Crystal’s signature personal butler service. While the new ships’ itineraries vary, our guests and travel advisers will now find a uniform ship experience across the full fleet.” CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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June 2019 | Forward

INCENTIVES & NEW HIRES

Win one of ten ‘Best of British’ prizes with Cruise & Maritime

Silversea launches Caribbean incentive Silversea has launched a new incentive for travel agency partners and their clients on Caribbean sailings departing in November and December 2019. Agents will receive £100 worth of reward points on select Caribbean bookings made between May 15 and June 30, 2019 and guests will receive a complimentary shore excursion in every port.

Agents to choose when to reap Explore rewards

Cruise & Maritime Voyages is offering agents the chance to win one of ten ‘Best of British’ prizes as the line celebrates its tenth anniversary. The prizes are all from leading British brands: a Fortnum & Mason Hamper worth £100, a pair of Vivienne Westwood earrings, a threecourse Sunday Roast for two at Gordon Ramsey’s Savoy Grill in London, a

Perfect Pimm’s Hamper Pack, a Radley Liverpool Street Handbag, an Elemis Moment of Calm Collection, a Cath Kidston Tea for Two set, a Jo Malone Reed Diffuser and a Links of London silver ballpoint pen. To be in with a chance of winning, make a booking during June and send your name, ABTA number and the booking reference to CMV.

Explore is offering UK travel agents the chance to earn a free trip when they book five passengers or more on an Explore tour. The operator is rewarding loyal agents with the chance to choose a trip and departure date to suit them. Ben Ittensohn, head of global sales at Explore, said: “We are really excited to lead the way in agent incentives and Explore’s new reward system puts agents first by offering them their choice of trip on their chosen date… this new incentive puts agents in control.”

Coral Expeditions expands its international distribution team with a new London sales office and appoints new UK sales manager Coral Expeditions has opened a UK sales office in London and appointed Amy Sharpe as UK sales manager. Following the successful launch of its fourth vessel, Coral Adventurer, the line has opened its new sales office, which reflects the demand for expedition cruise in the UK market. Sharpe will work with international sales manager Elizabeth Webb, who is leading Coral’s ongoing expansion into global markets as it grows its expedition fleet and sailing schedule.

“Over the past 18 months, Coral Expeditions has experienced exponential growth with over $25 million in forward bookings for the new Coral Adventurer and a range of new partnership initiatives,” said Webb. “We have identified the UK as a key international market for FIT, group and charter expeditions and we are thrilled to have Amy on the ground to lead our sales efforts.” Sharpe has spent the past eight years working in the expedition sector in the UK, so has first-hand

experience of the rapid growth in demand for small ships and niche cruise products. “I am delighted to have joined the Coral Expeditions team to lead the future growth of the UK market,” said Sharpe. “Having recently been on board the brand new Coral Adventurer, I know that this is a product that discerning travellers will love due to its expedition capabilities and onboard comfort. It is quite unlike any other products in the market.” CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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June 2019 | Forward

CLIA CONFERENCE

Branson puts in an appearance as Virgin Voyages readies for launch Sam Ballard reports from this year’s Clia conference, which saw a surprise showing from the Virgin boss, plus insights from other industry insiders Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Voyages, made a surprise appearance at the 2019 Clia Conference in the line’s latest bid to woo travel agents. The event, which was the largest travel agent conference in the country, came under the theme of Next Generation. Lisa Lutoff Perlo, CEO of Celebrity Cruises, Larry Pimentel, CEO of Azamara Club Cruises, and Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages also spoke at the event. Approximately 500 travel agents attended this year’s conference, as well as around 250 suppliers, with the sessions taking place in Portsmouth’s Guildhall, while the trade fair and gala dinner were held in Southampton.

During an onstage interview McAlpin hinted that Virgin Voyages would be “changing the norms” when the Scarlet Lady, its first ship, launches in 2020. He said: “Why do you have to get up at 6am on the day you disembark? Why do you need to leave your luggage outside your door the night before?” The Virgin Voyages boss then told the audience that Branson had recorded a video especially for the conference. After a couple of seconds the video crashed and the entrepreneur walked into the room. During an interview, Branson was asked about his passion for the environment, where he revealed that Scarlet Lady would have dispensers for reef-friendly sunscreen on board.

He also imparted some business advice for delegates: “Stay true to yourself, your reputation is all that you have in life. Never do anything that will damage the reputation of your company or yourself. “It’s important that when your staff go to the pub at night they can be proud of who they work for.” Elsewhere during the conference, Larry Pimentel advised agents that they must take time to educate themselves “as not every ship is created for every traveller”. He described the industry as undergoing a “renaissance” and referred to travel agents as “value interpreters”. When it comes to selling holidays to luxury travellers, he advised those

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June 2019 | Forward

in the room that: “You don’t go to the world’s most expensive restaurants and order from the bottom of the menu. Don’t do that.” Pimentel also revealed that the company’s land and cruise packages were performing well, with between 38 and 42 per cent of passengers who take such holidays having never been on a ship before. During the family cruise segment of the conference, Ben Bouldin, associate vice president and managing director of Royal Caribbean International, and Iain Baillie, vice president of international sales at Carnival Cruise Line, spoke onstage. “We have been so focused on millennials, but the fact is that millennials now have children,” Bouldin said. “A cruise ship gives you a great opportunity to spend quality time together as a family. There aren’t many ships where the activities aren’t all-encompassing.” Baillie added: “Eight-hundred thousand children sail every year on Carnival Cruise Line. That’s double what it was a decade ago. The value is significantly greater than what you would find on a land-based holiday.” Lisa McAuley, managing director of Gold Medal and Travel 2, also revealed that Cruise Plus would be running its first-ever cruise multi-fam during which 26 agents will be split into four groups to experience either ocean, luxury, river or expedition cruising. To be in with a chance of winning agents must make a booking before June 29. Delegates at the conference also got the chance to tour either Celebrity Edge or MSC Cruises’ Preziosa, while the event was rounded off with a tour of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Clia also revealed that its next Cruise 360 event will be held in Malta this October. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

June 2019 | Forward

NEW SHIP

“I love the space and design throughout the ship…” Travel agents react to Celebrity’s innovative 3,000-guest ship Celebrity Edge as it makes its European premiere in Southampton alongside the Clia Conference Celebrity Cruises has welcomed 1,000 travel agents on board Celebrity Edge for its three-day European premiere in Southampton. The 3,000-guest ship, which launched late last year, called at the UK on its way to its maiden European season where it will complete seven and 14-night sailings out of Barcelona and Rome. Speaking to cruise adviser, Clare Stirrup, Celebrity’s director of sales, said: “Celebrity Edge is gamechanging for the cruise and holiday industry. It really is a revolutionary ship. It’s transforming luxury travel and we are setting a new standard in cruise holidays.” Well-publicised innovations include the Magic Carpet, the brightly coloured appendage that

adds an external space to different decks during the day and can be used for tendering; Eden, a day and night time venue that boasts the biggest window at sea; and internal balconies, which, once raised, can add about 25 per cent more internal floor space to the cabin. Travel agents on board the European premiere were asked to download an app that asked them a question at ten different zones around the ship – including the Magic Carpet and Roof Garden. Those who completed the task and took a selfie could win prizes ranging from suite upgrades to Beats headphones. The agents on board included a selection of Celebrity’s top sellers and those who had been chosen by the line’s sales team.

Scott Anderson, general manager of The Luxury Cruise Company, said of Edge: “I love the space and design throughout the ship. The top-end suites definitely hold an appeal to the luxury customer.” Stirrup added: “It’s all about surprise and delight for our trade partners. We don’t want them to take anything that we do for granted. This event gives agents the chance to touch and feel Celebrity Edge – giving them more confidence when it comes to selling Edge-class cruises.” Celebrity Apex, the second Edge-class ship, will be named in Southampton in 2020 – followed by an ex-UK mini season of five cruises. “We will be releasing details of how agents can get on Celebrity Apex in the next few weeks,” said Stirrup.

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June 2019 | Forward

SHIP VISIT

New small-group expedition itineraries offer adventures from pole to pole Sam Ballard has a look on board G Adventures’ only vessel, G Expedition, a small ice-class ship that takes guests on voyages to both the Arctic and Antarctic With capacity for just 134 guests but boasting an expedition team of 14, the G Expedition is a small ship that packs a punch. The vessel is currently the only ship in G Adventures’ expedition fleet, and as the small-group specialist continues to lead the way in purposeled travel, it is no different on board its small, ice-class ship. During a short call in Edinburgh, travel agents and members of the media were invited to have look around, with the crew having made local headlines that morning after embarking on a litter-pick nearby. (“They’re clearly not used to ships getting involved with that kind of thing,” says Susan Adie, who heads up the ship’s expedition team.) The G Expedition was completely refurbished in 2009 and now takes G Adventures’ guests on voyages in both the Arctic and Antarctic, from 15-day Norwegian fjords and Arctic discovery

cruises (from £7,199 per person) to 22-day Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica sailings (from £8,199 per person). The ship is in Scotland as it passes from pole to pole. SHIP SHAPE G Expedition Launched: 2009 Class: Ice Class Decks: Six, with three decks for accommodation

Capacity: 134 guests in shared en-suite cabins, plus crew and expedition team

With a large and knowledgeable expedition team, this smaller ship can take guests right to the heart of remote destinations

On board, the G Expedition benefits from a gigantic boot room while every passenger gets a complimentary pair of wellies and a destination guide. There’s also a fleet of zodiacs, as well as canoes for pre-bookable excursions.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Accommodations are not fancy, but guests don’t come on G Adventures cruises to relax in their cabins. Entrylevel (category 1 and 2) staterooms sleep between three and four guests – mostly same-sex strangers sharing. Interestingly, G Adventures’ entrylevel prices are based on sharing a room with others, as opposed to quoting the price of a room based on a booking of two people. Other facilities and amenities on board include a gym, sauna, library and pub. The ship also hosts a vast expedition team. During a welcome session we are introduced to experts in ornithology, geology and pretty much anything else you would like to know about while on board. During the ship tour we also meet the grizzly Terence ‘Scobie’ Pye, a legend in his own right, who was awarded the Fuchs Medal for outstanding service to the British Antarctic Survey back

June 2019 | Forward in 1978. The team is led by Adie, who has been an expedition leader for the past 30 years. When asked what the difference between G Adventures and other expedition cruise lines is, Adie, whose official title is G Adventures’ expedition leader, told cruise adviser: “It’s all about what’s at the heart of our expeditions. We are a conscious company and that comes through in everything we do, whether it’s the initiatives we run through our Ocean Health Fund, such as the Galapagos Whale Shark Project, or Save The Albatross. We are a company with purpose and that matters to our passengers and our crew.” G Adventures has raised more than $400,000 (approximately £316,000) over six years for its Ocean Health Fund, which sits under its charitable foundation

Planeterra. As many know, 93 per cent of G Adventures’ passengers come into contact with one of its social impact initiatives, which are generally created to help either women, the environment, indigenous communities or youth. The Ocean Health Fund, as the name suggests, is focused on protecting the sea. G Adventures’ marine style of travel (which includes G Expedition) has grown by 12 per cent year-on-year, only being outpaced by the National Geographic partnership. While in Scotland, the company revealed that it is going to be adding pre- and post-cruise stays in Edinburgh to G Expedition voyages from 2020. The three-day experiences will include walking and whisky tours, taking guests deep into the Scottish Highlands.

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June 2019 | Forward

INTERVIEW

“It’s getting what you want when you want it” Sam Ballard sits down with Virgin Voyages’ Tom McAlpin and Stacy Shaw to talk about what agents can expect from the new line, which is launching next year If there’s one brand that has got people talking, it’s Virgin Voyages. From flying agents out to New York to having Sir Richard Branson appear at the Clia Conference, they are putting a lot of effort into getting the trade on side. We met Tom McAlpin, CEO & president, and Stacy Shaw, vice president of sales & business development, before the company’s Scarlet Night – a star-studded event which saw Mark Ronson DJ to agents and industry – to find out more. You’ve mentioned that Virgin Voyages passengers will have a particular ‘mindset’. For agents looking at their existing database, can you expand on this? Tom McAlpin: “It’s people who

have an attitude of wanting to see something different. They want to do something fun. The term that we use – rebellious luxe – helps to define what we’re looking for. It’s a different way of cruising. It’s not marble as far as the eye can see and it’s not stuffy white-glove service. It’s getting what you want when you want it. You can be free and casual and have a good time – but still have a quality experience. It’s never nickel and diming. We include a lot – we think wifi is a basic human right. Fitness classes are included, basic drinks, although not alcohol, gratuities are included.” Stacy Shaw: “These are people who want authentic experiences and like to go off the beaten path a little

bit. You won’t find these people on the really touristy street going into the trinket shop, but you might find them three streets back trying to find that cool local restaurant.” Does this mean you are looking for past cruise passengers? TM: “We’re looking for both. We’re trying to create an experience that is different to any cruise line. We would not be doing this if it wasn’t a great industry. But there are a lot of people who are looking for something different. We will get first-time cruise passengers, too. We’ve got shorter itineraries, more flexibility, more things to do. We’ve taken inspiration from cities like London, LA and Miami to create this experience.”

Tom McAlpin talks at last month’s Clia conference (inset) and renderings of new ship Scarlet Lady

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

June 2019 | Forward SS: “We tend not to put people in boxes. We spoke onstage about parents, right? When they go on their family vacation they might want to go to Disney or sail on Royal Caribbean, but when they want some time on their own, they’re really excited about Virgin Voyages.” TM: “Parents need a vacation too!” Could you give me any more details about the agent event next year? SS: “It’s early days yet, but we’re going to have as many agents on board as we can; the best way for people to get on board is to engage with us and of course to sell.” At the Clia Conference you mentioned that leaving your luggage outside your cabin the night before you depart was one of the ‘norms’ you would question. Can you shed any more light on that? TM: “We challenge everything. I’m not sure we can change all of those things, but sometimes it’s about pushing a little bit. We want to make everything fun, simple and quick and take all the hassles out of it.” SS: “We’re both from the industry, but we’re in the minority at Virgin Voyages. About 35 per cent of our company have experience with the cruise industry – the rest come from outside. We’re now dissecting every bit of the industry and putting it back together.” Agents are wary after Virgin Holidays switched the trade off – how do you allay those fears? TM: “We don’t get that question from them. We’ve invested in FirstMates. com. We’re launching a new business – why wouldn’t we engage with the trade? It’s not about one ship. It’s about four ships now and more in the future. We are all in.” SS: “We spent a couple of years talking to travel agents to find out what their pain points were, to build our sales strategy. It is entirely built on what they’ve told us. We’re in a completely different industry from the other Virgin brand and we have our own way of doing things. We’ve had nothing but excitement from the UK trade about what we’re doing.”

Mark Ronson DJs at last month’s Scarlet Night in London

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Did you know?

2020 Viking Danube Waltz river cruise on sale from £1,195pp 8 days, 6 guided tours March to November 2020

In supreme comfort, sail the elegant Viking Legend or Viking Prestige from Passau to Budapest and discover the celebrated landscapes, cities and towns of Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. Wander through the beautiful streets of Passau. Glide through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley. Learn to dance in Vienna. Discover Slovakia’s charming capital of Bratislava, and enjoy an overnight stay in Budapest, where you can relax in its restorative thermal waters. Viking’s Danube Waltz is a journey your clients will love. Spring from £1,195pp. Summer from £1,395pp. Autumn from £1,195pp.

Call now on 020 8780 7985 or visit vikingcruises.co.uk Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to availability and change. From prices are per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available, departing on selected dates in 2020. Prices valid until 30 June 2019. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction. *Restrictions apply, and applies to on board ship use only. Gratuities included on board ship only. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.

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June 2019 | Forward

PORTS OF CALL

Seattle The gems of the Emerald City are worth discovering ahead of an Alaska cruise, says Sam Ballard There are few cities in the world that can offer as much as Seattle. From uber-cool hipster hangouts to nationally recognised cultural institutions – not to mention access to some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world – it’s got it all. The city, which lies on the United States’ Pacific Northwest, has traditionally played second fiddle to the more northerly Vancouver when it comes to a departure port for Alaska cruises. However, things are changing. In 2019, 213 cruises will depart from Seattle, transporting about 1,204,170 passengers to Alaska. That compares to just 119,770 passengers across 36 vessels in 2000. It’s little wonder, therefore, that the city is doing everything it can to try and get cruise passengers to spend an extra day or two in town before or after their sailing. The cruise season traditionally runs from April through to October, with seven major cruise lines offering seven to 14-day round-trip cruises: Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Oceania and Royal Caribbean

International. This year both Norwegian Joy and Ovation of the Seas debuted in Seattle, adding more, newer tonnage to the city’s fleet. But why should you book your clients in for a stay in Seattle? For starters, Seattle has direct routes from a number of major carriers, including British Airways and Virgin. Its downtown is also one of the most walkable of any city in America. The historic Pike Place Market, where seafood vendors famously hurl fish at each other, is a short distance away from the more recognisable (and arguably less fun) boutiques. It’s also where you’ll find the world’s first Starbucks – you’ll know it by the queue snaking out of the door. If your client wants a more unique Starbucks experience, tell them to visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. It’s the first of its kind and includes lots of experimental Starbucks concepts – from a bar to a bakery. The Space Needle, which dominates the city’s skyline, is another major attraction. Built for the 1962 World Fair, its observation deck offers unmatched views of the city below. The whole thing

June 2019 | Forward – including the famous revolving restaurant – is undergoing a much overdue renovation, which will include replacing the wire and steel that currently covers the viewing platform with more modern glass and steel. Everything, barring the restaurant, has remained open throughout the work. If museums are your clients’ thing then Seattle has that covered, too. MoPop, the city’s museum of pop culture, offers a unique insight into two of the city’s most famous sons: Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, both of whom left their mark on the city – in the case of Hendrix, quite literally, as the Frank Gehry-designed museum has been created to look like one of his smashed guitars. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of Hendrix memorabilia, as well as a huge tower of guitars and archival pieces from Star Trek and Star Wars. The Chihuly Gardens are a great example of Seattle’s artist community. The magical area – which spans a gallery and its surrounding grounds – celebrates the work of Derek Chihuly, one of the world’s most foremost glass artists. His pieces of interconnected multicoloured glass can be found around the world – there’s a huge chandelier in the V&A in London – yet this is where you will find the bulk of his work. The psychedelic works are

a mix of Alice in Wonderland and Dr Seuss: brilliantly bonkers. Another popular tourist attraction, and a must for anyone with any interest in flight – is a tour of the Boeing factory, about 25 miles north of Seattle. The building, which is the largest in the world by volume, is where the company builds its wide-bodied 747, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliners. During a tour of the factory – after you’re threatened not to take pictures by a man with a gun – guests are taken up to a series of viewing platforms to see the aircraft at various stages of construction. There are aircraft as far as the eye can see, bearing the logos of some of the world’s most famous airlines.

However, the allure of Seattle is down to more than what’s within the city borders. Seattle sits within Washington – one of the most diverse states in the United States. There are glaciers in the Canadian-bordered north, deserts in the east, rainforests in the west and vineyards to the south. This makes for a big outdoors culture, and hiking and walking are popular among locals and tourists alike. The state boasts national parks, active volcanoes and towering mountains, the latter of which dominate the skyline. Whatever it is your client is looking for, they can’t go too wrong with a couple of days in the Emerald City.

THREE SEATTLE CRUISES Scenic Alaska

Seattle to Vancouver

Seattle Gold Rush

NCL – Norwegian Joy Seattle round-trip, August 3, 2019 From £809pp cruise-only

Royal Caribbean – Ovation of the Seas Seattle-Vancouver, September 13, 2019 From £985pp cruise-only

Holland America Line – Koningsdam Seattle-Vancouver, May 24, 2020 From £2,799pp cruise and overland

Guests embark in Seattle for this seven-night sojourn to the captivating wilderness of Alaska, where they can explore the Juneau Icefields and Glacier Bay National Park, as well as Icy Strait.

The innovative Ovation of the Seas offers great features and entertainment as guests sail from Seattle to Vancouver, taking in the amazing landscapes and abundant wildlife of Alaska’s Inside Passage.

From Seattle, guests take a 14-day trip via Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska and through the Canadian territory of Yukon en route to Vancouver – a bustling west coast metropolis surrounded by water and mountains. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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What sets Holland America Line apart - Elegant, perfectly-sized ships Spacious staterooms, many with private balcony Nearly one crew member for every two guests Fine dining with casual to formal options The Asian inspired Greenhouse Spa and Salon â&#x20AC;&#x153;Explorations Centralâ&#x20AC;? destination expertise

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BBC Earth â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frozen Planetâ&#x20AC;? Experiences Regional culinary demonstrations Full days ashore to explore destinations independently or via immersive tours

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DEPARTS: 14 Sep 2019+

DEPARTS: 8 Sep 2019+

DEPARTS: 26 Sep 2020

Eurodam

Westerdam

Eurodam

DEPART:

ARRIVE:

SEATTLE SEATTLE VISITS: Cruising Stephens Passage, Juneau (Alaska), Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria (Vancouver Island). + Departs every Saturday

DEPART:

SEATTLE

ARRIVE:

SEATTLE

VISITS: Cruising Inside Passage, Ketchikan (Alaska), Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Seward, Coach transfer to Denali National Park for two nights, McKinley Explorer rail to Anchorage, Seattle (overnight). + More departure dates available

â&#x20AC;˘ Two nights in Denali

DEPART:

FLY/CRUISEPLEASE ASK

ARRIVE:

SEATTLE FT LAUDERDALE VISITS: Victoria (Vancouver Island), Vancouver, San Francisco, San Diego, Manzanillo (Mexico), Huatulco, Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala), Corinto (Nicaragua), Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica), Daylight transit Panama Canal, Oranjestad (Aruba).

â&#x20AC;˘ Early Booking bonus available

WAYS TO BOOK

POLAR Online: via www.hollandamerica.co.uk and click on partnerships Reservations by Phone -

Contact the Sales Team on salessupport@hollandamerica.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS All lead fares are cruise only or fly/cruise from London airports. Fly/cruise fares include a pre-cruise hotel night and transfers. Please ask for regional supplements. Fares listed are in GBP Sterling, per person based on double occupancy and include Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses. Please ask for full terms and conditions.

ELBE

Ebbing along the Elbe

Anthony Pearce joins Viking Astrild for a leisurely sailing along this perpetually peaceful European waterway, taking in Prague and Berlin among the ports of call

June 2019 | Midship It’s day three of our cruise on the Elbe and, for the first time, another ship passes us by. To describe this river – which we join on the CzechGerman border – as quiet is a bit of an understatement. “If the Rhine and Danube are motorways,” our captain quips, “then this is a quiet country road.” It’s true that European river cruise has exploded in popularity, but on the Elbe you really wouldn’t know it. The Elbe can only be sailed by the likes of our home for the week, the low-draft Viking Astrild, one of Viking’s two ships sailing it. It’s a notoriously temperamental river – waters are frequently either too low or too high to sail. Based on the design of the celebrated Viking Longships, the Astrild is smaller by one deck and 46 cabins. It carries a maximum of just 98 guests at double occupancy (compared to a regular Longship’s maximum of 190 guests), and our cruise is completely full. We get to know many of the guests over the week, most of whom are American, save for a few Brits. This itinerary has been tweaked to offer a five-day cruise with hotel stays in Prague and Berlin at either end. Viking used to sail further down the Elbe, but lower water levels meant regular late changes to the itinerary – never good – so it put together this quite innovative itinerary, which offers a surprising amount of diversity given the two cities are only 500km apart – just four hours by train. This being the start of the season the weather is, as is often the case in Europe in March and April, a little patchy. I get sunburnt one day; the next, I’m reaching for a hat and scarf; then the umbrella – and that’s just in Prague. In the city, Viking puts us up in the five-star Corinthia (Kongresová 1655/1), one of the few high-rise buildings in the city, and runs a shuttle service to and from the Old Town every half hour (although the Vyšehrad underground station is so close it’s basically attached). It’s good to have a few nights here: the capital of the Czech Republic remains one of Europe’s beautiful

Clockwise from top: Guests can add nights in Berlin; Prague’s Church of Our Lady before Týn; Dresden Castle Museum; Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam

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June 2019 | Midship cities, made up of cobbled lanes, grand medieval squares, Gothic churches and Renaissance palaces. While its tourist-heavy Old Town offers countless architectural delights, including the famous Charles Bridge and the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn with its astronomical clock, the New Town offers a more realistic insight into Czech life. Here you can enjoy some of the world-famous Czech lager for as little as £1.50 and hearty, simple dishes such as goulash at similarly wallet-friendly prices. Across the river you will find Prague Castle, which dates back to the ninth century. Said to be the largest ancient castle in the world, it attracts more than 1.8 million visitors annually. Visible from across the river, the complex was once the home of the Kings of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperors; today it houses the Czech president, and also contains the magnificent St Vitus Cathedral, built over 600 years. Letná Park, which offers views of the city, including seven of Prague’s bridges (one of which is the impressive Charles Bridge), is also worth taking in. After leaving Prague, we join the ship in Děčín, in the north of the Czech Republic and once part of the Sudetenland, given to Adolf Hitler’s Germany in 1938 as part of the Munich Agreement. From there we sail to Bad Schandau, a pretty German spa town in Saxony. Viking includes a tour each day (as well as offering optional, more extravagant excursions), and today we head to Bastei, a rock formation 194 metres above the river in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, which is also home to the impressive Bastei Bridge, built into the rock in 1851. The area is known as Saxon Switzerland, named by two Swiss artists as it reminded them of the dramatic landscape of their home country. It makes sense when you see it; it’s a mystery that it isn’t more famous. That evening we sail to Dresden, a city I last visited a decade ago and which has changed considerably since. Decimated in February 1945

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June 2019 | Midship by allied bombings, which killed 25,000 people, the city has been slowly and lovingly rebuilt, mostly since the fall of communism in 1990. The city was once known as the Jewel Box because of its baroque and rococo – or ‘late baroque’ – city centre, and the project to restore it is a story of endurance: each year, Dresden edges closer to its former glory. The head chef on board our ship, Patrick, who grew up and lives in the city, gives us the chance to learn more about the region’s overlooked cuisine. It’s as hearty and potato-heavy as you might expect, but no less delicious for it. In fact, the food and wine all week is exemplary. From Dresden, we take in Torgau, where Soviet and American troops met while liberating Europe in 1945; Meissen, famed for its porcelain, red-roofed houses and hilltop Gothic cathedral (so beautiful is the town, Viking’s room key card across its fleet bears its image); and Wittenberg, where Martin Luther taught, preached and posted the Ninetyfive Theses to the All Saints’ Church in 1517. One of the clever things about the itinerary is the chance to take in Potsdam after we leave the ship in Wittenberg on the way to the German capital. It breaks up our coach journey and gives us the chance to explore Potsdam’s lively, charming town and remarkable architecture. There’s the Cecilienhof Palace, built in the style of an English Tudor manor house, which hosted the Potsdam Conference in 1945, where the Soviets, British and Americans planned a postwar world; as well as Sanssouci, the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, built in breathtaking rococo style. Later that day we check into the beautiful Grand Hyatt in Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz, and head out immediately to explore. Many of Berlin’s most recognisable sites, such as the impressive Brandenburg Gate; the restored Reichstag parliament, featuring Sir Norman Foster’s now-iconic glass dome; and Museum Island, home to the

The impressive Bastei rock formations in Saxon Switzerland, a picturesque area in Germany

Berlin Cathedral and the neoclassical Altes Museum, are relatively close together, so many walking tours will take in these in a morning. For history buffs there are, of course, few cities that compare: Berlin is elevated and burdened by its history. Whether it’s Karl Friedrich Schinkel’s imposing Prussian architecture, Weimar Republic-era Bauhaus, Albert Speer’s Nazi neoclassicism or Soviet brutalism, every building tells its own story. It is a city that has been forced to address this history and has done so in subtle, intelligent and moving ways. Take the stolpersteine, brass cubes inscribed with family names and dates of Jewish people murdered by the Nazis, found on pavements throughout the city. Or

the memorial that marks the site of the Nazi book burnings outside Humboldt University (Bebelplatz), a glass window set into cobblestones, giving a view of empty bookcases large enough to hold the total of the 20,000 burnt books. Or the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Cora-Berliner-Straße 1), designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold. Made up of 2,711 concrete slabs of different heights over a sloping 19,000 square-metre site, the memorial is said to provoke uneasiness as you enter it and represent an ordered system that lost touch with reason. For those wanting to learn more, the Topography of Terror (Niederkirchnerstraße 8), built

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

June 2019 | Midship on what was the SS headquarters during the Third Reich, provides an unflinching and detailed examination of the period. Outside the museum is also one of the best places to see a stretch of the Berlin Wall, although the most popular place to see the construction that divided the city from 1961 until 1989 is the East Side Gallery (Mühlenstraße 3-100), a 1,316-metre-long stretch of the Wall where artists from across the world have painted murals. Checkpoint Charlie, a Cold War-era border check, is worth seeing, but, with its uniformed ‘guard’, feels a little tacky in comparison to the city’s other, more subtle markers of history. But there is much beyond Berlin’s historical sites, too: the neighbourhoods of Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg are bursting with creativity and culture, including in the art galleries, the city’s famed nightlife and its burgeoning restaurant scene. Some of the best new restaurants are to be found in Mitte – central Berlin, but north of Museum Island – such as Katz Orange (Bergstraße 22), Lokal (Linienstraße 160) and Pauly Saal (Auguststraße 11). It’s also worth seeking out Turkish and Vietnamese food throughout the city.

THREE CRUISES ALONG THE ELBE Elegant Elbe

Christmas on the Elbe

The Elbe and German waterways

Viking – Viking Astrild Berlin-Prague March 11, 2020 From £1,995pp including daily tours

CroisiEurope – MS Elbe Princesse Berlin-Dresden December 20, 2019 From £1,062pp

Saga – Johannes Brahms Berlin-Copenhagen May 10, 2020, From £1,999pp including cruise, flights, transfers and excursions

From the modern chic of Berlin to Potsdam’s rococo whimsy and the Gothic exuberance of Prague, this leisurely ten-day trip includes landbased stays and a five-day cruise.

Give your clients a Christmas to remember – this cruise, which ends on Boxing Day, takes in Europe’s charming markets and the cities of Magdeburg, Wittenberg and Meissen.

Guests on this nine-night Saga voyage will discover the delights of Pomerania, explore historic cities and enjoy a two-night stay in colourful, cultural Copenhagen.

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GROUP BOOKINGS

Strength in numbers Jane Archer dives into the lucrative world of group cruises, which can pay big, rewarding returns

June 2019 | Midship There can’t be many agents who have not heard cruise lines urge the retail sector to book more groups. It’s a good way for everyone to make money, but also an area many agents shy away from, believing it to be timeconsuming, which it is, and difficult, which is doesn’t have to be. There are two ways to get into the groups market. One is to take allocation on a cruise – either an ocean or river ship – and then sell the cabins to clients who have nothing in common other than they book through the same agent. The other is for agents to come up with an idea for a special interest cruise and then either market it to clients on their database, or approach local community clubs that share the same pastime. “Groups are a great way for agents to target a new audience,” says Viking UK head of sales Neil Barclay, “whether it’s friends and family or speaking to local groups to encourage like-minded people to cruise together.” The key is to work with cruise lines that make organising a group easy. “It has to be simple,” says Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ head of sales Mike Hall. “We have people to sort everything out. Group business is lucrative but untapped. The successful agents are those who are busy in their local community.” Hall says CMV recently hosted a 160-strong group of gardening enthusiasts on a round-Britain cruise organised for Gardeners’ World readers by Edinburgh-based Connoisseur Travel. “We provided three bespoke garden excursions and they included them in the cost of the cruise,” he says. “It was so successful they are talking about doing two next year.” Holland America Line senior marketing manager Carly Perkins says persuading agents to book groups is a “work in progress”. “They can choose onboard credit for clients, or take bonus commission, so the rewards are great, but it is a big commitment for them,” she says. AmaWaterways UK managing director Stuart Perl says one of the best ways to get into the groups market is for an agency owner to contact clients and invite them to

Clockwise from top: Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is popular among cruisers; AmaWaterways guests cycle along the Danube; CMV's Columbus sets sail

join him or her on a cruise. It makes the customer feel valued, builds relationships and adds to the bottom line. “Even if there is no theme, it is likely they will go,” he predicts. Perl acknowledges that agents are often too busy to host a group trip. In that case, he suggests they tap into their own social circles or local clubs to create a themed cruise. Options with AmaWaterways might include keep-fit and wine groups as all their European river ships (not on the Douro) have full-time wellness instructors, and there are more than 60 wine-themed cruises a year hosted

by wine experts with included tastings and vineyards visits. Fred River Cruises looks after several brands that offer a variety of themes agents can sell into, including classical music and golf with Amadeus River Cruises, and history and food with American Cruise Lines. Pandaw has river cruises in Vietnam, Laos, India and Myanmar that are a good match for clients interested in history and culture. Across the cruise industry, the options for group travel are limited only by an agent’s imagination. They could take wildlife lovers on a Holland CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

June 2019 | Midship

America Line cruise to Alaska or an Azamara Club Cruises’ voyage around South Africa. Seabourn’s wellnessthemed voyage in Australia with Dr Andrew Weil next February would be great for spa-goers. A fitness cruise on a big ship with a state-of-the-art gym works for members of a leisure centre. CMV and Fred Olsen are popular with bridge groups. A Rhine cruise is a perfect fit for oenophiles; the Danube ideal for a U3A history group. Fred River Cruises’ Sukie Rapal suggests everything from yoga and meditation to garden and theatre

groups. “It doesn’t have to be big numbers – maybe just 10 or 20 people – and it’s not daunting as we are here to help,” adds Rapal, who heads up the company’s river cruise division. Go Cruise agent Martin Hay ‘stumbled’ into selling groups some nine years ago when he was approached by a travel adviser from Age Concern who had been let down and needed help organising a cruise for a group of 23. He now arranges up to 12 group bookings a year. His biggest, a Danube river cruise with Shearings, was for 115 people

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and took hundreds of hours to organise. In the pipeline is an art and history cruise on the Seine in France. “It is challenging and timeconsuming but also rewarding both professionally and financially,” he says. “Some customers are referred by past clients but you have to be prepared to go out and find business.” His top tip for agents? “People rely on group leaders so you must spend time and make sure you get it right.” Organising a group can take a year or more so booking early to get the best rates and ensure there's time to market and sell the cruise is vital. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Travel Village Group chief executive Phil Nuttall is organising his first group – a one-week cruise round-trip from Bordeaux on Uniworld River Cruises’ Bon Voyage next June that he and Holiday Village managing director Paula Nuttall will be hosting. More than 20 past clients, both ocean and river cruisers, have booked and he is expecting more. “It’s been a lot of work but something I’ve wanted to do for some time,” says Nuttall. “It’s not about the money, but about building relationships.” The primary aim of the cruise is for Phil and Paula to spend time with their clients, but as it coincides with a Bordeaux wine festival their guests will be able to visit that as well as joining the wine-themed excursions. Working with cruise lines that reward group organisers well is crucial if agents are to maximise their return. Hay says Fred Olsen and CMV are his go-to lines for groups when planning an ocean cruise, while he turns to Amadeus and Shearings for the rivers. Norwegian Cruise Line, Silversea and CroisiEurope are among other group-friendly companies, offering group discounts, extra commission and free places for tour managers. AmaWaterways pays an extra 2.5 per cent commission and will hold cabins for a £50 per-cabin deposit. It also offers free places for tour managers once nine people are booked. Holland America Line offers complimentary dinner in a speciality restaurant and a cocktail party.

A-ROSA

A budding operator Emily Eastman heads to Porto for the launch of A-Rosa Alva, part of the river cruise lineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansion that includes two new eco-friendly vessels and greater UK market presence

June 2019 | Midship A-Rosa River Cruises christened its newest ship, A-Rosa Alva, in a ceremony on the river Douro in the Portuguese city of Porto last month, marking the trade-only line’s latest offering as it continues to send ripples through the river cruise market. Among those in attendance was Yvonne Catterfeld, godmother of the new vessel. The German singer and actress has been an A-Rosa brand ambassador since 2014. Although the 126-guest A-Rosa Alva is the smallest ship in the line’s growing fleet, it is not short on amenities, from a well-equipped spa to a swimming pool on deck. Ports of call include Porto, Régua, the scenic waterways of Pinhão and the idyllic village of Barca d’Alva – an itinerary launched in response to rising demand from the UK trade for the Douro in particular. A-Rosa Alva’s city stops also answer market demand, with A-Rosa revealing that city trips by ship are becoming increasingly popular among 26-55 year olds. In his christening speech, CEO Jörg Eichler said: “The christening of the A-Rosa Alva further demonstrates the rise in popularity of contemporary European city-to-city holidays. Six

years ago, we started to invest in product innovation, marketing and sales and we have thus started to change the entire river cruise sector. “River cruises have developed in recent years to become a more SHIP SHAPE A-Rosa Alva Launched: April 2019 Decks: Four, including a sun deck with pool

Capacity: 126 passengers (double occupancy)

Small but perfectly formed, this river ship has everything guests could need as they enjoy the enchanting landscapes of the Douro.

experience-led holiday for the entire family.” Family holidays are a key segment for the line, which saw a 67 per cent increase in the number of children on board its ships between 2016 and 2018. This dramatic rise is in part thanks to A-Rosa’s policy of children up to 15 years old travelling for free. The line makes clear which of its cruises are best for families, as well

The A-Rosa team and Alva crew gather with members of the media to celebrate the ship’s launch

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as those that are great for nature or seeing multiple cities. Expanding in the UK market The UK market represents a key opportunity for A-Rosa. Select 2020 sailings are already on sale with Newmarket Holidays, and agents will soon be able to book packages with Shearings Holidays. The line is providing support to its UK partners from its new UK sales and marketing office in Cardiff. The office is part of a broader push to expand operations in the UK and will equip the line with essential resources to build brand awareness within the trade and expand its business-to-business network. Lucia Rowe, managing director of A-Rosa River Cruises UK & Ireland, says: “Our investment in our UK office and the creation of new sales and marketing roles clearly demonstrate our commitment to the UK market. The team will be working hard to build our brand with travel agents, making them understand the A-Rosa difference and our multigenerational offering. We will of course continue to work with our tour operator partners, both in joint marketing activities for agents, but also with educationals.

June 2019 | Midship We plan to host as many agents as possible on our ships to ensure that they get to experience our products first-hand. Looking ahead, we are committed to staying 100 per cent trade-focused, growing our partner network and educating agents about our groundbreaking new ship that introduces a concept to Europe’s rivers that we haven’t seen before.” As part of its commitment to sustainability, A-Rosa is pioneering eco river cruise with a new ship with onboard technology that reduces the line’s environmental footprint. Due for delivery in spring 2021, the ship will feature innovations including battery propulsion for sailing emission-free into and out of cities and revolutionary airbubble technology that reduces fuel consumption. As with all ships in the fleet, the vessel will have a shore power connection that enables overnight charging. Sustainability is central to the design, as A-Rosa works to protect and preserve the rivers and cities it travels through. The ship is designed to appeal to families and multigenerational parties by incorporating a host of family-friendly facilities, including large family cabins sleeping up to five guests, a separate children’s pool, a kids’ club and a dedicated children’s area in the restaurant.

For adults, there will be an enlarged spa and wellness area. The 140-cabin ship will sail primarily on the Northern Rhine – the first on the river to feature four decks. A second eco-ship follows in 2023. Eichler said the new ship “heralds the future of travel on the rivers – both in terms of use of space and sustainability”. He added: “Today’s guests have growing expectations

when it comes to the environment and sustainability and these innovations will help us on our journey towards meeting these.” Rowe concluded: “I expect this new concept to be hugely popular with UK customers and we look forward to working with the UK trade going forward to educate them on all that the ship will have to offer and how and who to sell it to.”

THREE DOURO CRUISES Douro Explorer

Secrets of the Douro

Portugal’s River of Gold

A-Rosa – A-Rosa Alva Porto round-trip May 6, 2020 From £1,765pp all inclusive

Emerald Waterways - Emerald Radiance Porto round-trip, June 27, 2020 From £2,745pp including flights

Viking River Cruises – Viking Helgrim Lisbon-Porto, April 11, 2020 From £2,295pp including flights, gratuities and a hotel stay in Lisbon

Guests on board this sailing from Porto will enjoy the line’s all-inclusive package – which covers flights – as they cruise from Porto, visiting Barca d’Alva, Pinhão and Régua en route.

From Porto, this cruise takes in the picturesque Douro Valley and visits Salamanca in Spain, whose old quarter is Unesco-listed. Some excursions are included in the price.

This ten-day trip pays homage to the history and beauty of the Douro, taking guests on an experiential journey through Portugal’s culture, cuisine and landscapes. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

June 2019 | Midship

HOW TO SELL

Norwegian fjords

SELLING TIP – Go in summer for long days when the sun barely sets, and in winter for the northern lights

Jane Archer is the authority on all things cruise. This issue, she looks at itineraries to the Norwegian fjords – a popular destination for cruise customers all year round

No-fly

p46

No-fly families

p47

Fly and cruise

p48

The Norwegian fjords are a great year-round destination, with summer cruises in search of the midnight sun and winter sailings seeking out the aurora borealis, when the night sky fills with dancing colours. The British are the second largest source market when it comes to cruising the fjords (the Germans top

the league) and the numbers are growing fast, up from 164,000 in 2017 to just over 200,000 in 2018, according to marketing organisation Cruise Norway. The scenery is the big attraction, but numbers from the UK are boosted by the sheer number and range of ships that cruise there from our

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shores. Whether clients are on a budget, want to take the kids, are happy to see a couple of fjords or plan to sail the entire Norwegian coast, there is a cruise to suit. We look at what’s on offer for the older market and families who want to sail from the UK, as well as focusing on three departures from Northern Europe.

June 2019 | Midship

No-fly The Norwegian fjords are a favourite with mature cruisers who want to sail from the UK on ships geared to the British market and enjoy a relaxing holiday admiring the scenery (think snow-capped mountains and deep fjords) and visiting waterfalls, cathedrals and museums. No-fly departures are mostly in the summer months and might be for a week, a fortnight or more. However, there are also a few ex-UK sailings in winter, when the days are short and the weather is chilly, but there’s a good chance of spotting the northern lights.

Budget Who? Cruise & Maritime Voyages When? August 21, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £849pp cruise-only CMV has a fleet of ships that hold 850 to 1,400 passengers and sail adult-only low-cost cruises for the UK market from regional ports including Newcastle, Hull and Bristol. This cruise – roundtrip from Tilbury on Columbus – calls into Flåm, Bergen and Eidfjord, and includes scenic cruising in the Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord.

Spend Who? Fred Olsen When? September 20, 2019 How long? 13 nights How much? From £1,699pp cruise-only Fred Olsen owns four ships that hold between 799 and 1,325

passengers and offer no-fly cruises from Dover, Southampton and regional ports around the UK. This round-trip from Liverpool on Black Watch crosses the Arctic Circle and visits the Lofoten Islands. There are calls into Kristiansand, Tromsø and Leknes, as well as plenty of scenic cruising.

Splash out Who? Saga Cruises When? February 21, 2020 How long? 16 nights How much? From £2,669pp cruise-only One of the last sailings on Saga Sapphire before it leaves the line, this cruise goes in search of the northern lights with a guest astronomer on board. Sailing from Southampton to Dover, it visits six ports and is accompanied by experts from marine conservation charity Orca to look out for whales and dolphins. Prices include drinks with meals, gratuities and all dining. Clients must be aged 50 or over.

SELLING TIP – Convenient ex-UK cruises depart from a number of regional ports around the country

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June 2019 | Midship

No-fly families Children are probably not going to be too bothered about the scenery in Norway, but they’ll have great fun on days ashore going in search of glaciers, riding funiculars, kayaking through the valleys, hiking up mountains, getting up close to huskies and learning about Arctic wildlife. Suggest a family-friendly cruise line offering ex-UK departures so there are activities to keep children entertained on sea days and to avoid the cost of flying.

American fjord fest Who? Princess Cruises When? August 22, 2020 How long? 14 days How much? From £1,699pp cruise-only Families are in for a treat on this cruise, a round-trip from Southampton that visits nine ports and ventures all the way to Honningsvåg, from where there are excursions to the North Cape. It’s on Crown Princess, a 3,080-passenger ship with two-bedroom suites for families, kids’ and teen clubs and a variety of restaurants.

British all-inclusive Who? Marella Cruises When? August 24, 2019 How long? Eight nights How much? From £936pp cruise-only Marella is bringing its adult-only ship Marella Explorer 2 to the UK in 2020, so parents wanting

an all-inclusive holiday to the fjords need to get in fast this year. This cruise is on Marella Explorer, which has kids’ clubs, pools and sports. It is sailing round-trip from Newcastle, with calls including Bergen, Geiranger, Hellseylt and Olden. The price includes all drinks and gratuities.

Big ship British Who? P&O Cruises When? August 1, 2020 How long? Seven nights How much? From £749pp cruise-only This cruise is on Iona, P&O Cruises’ new 5,200-passenger ship launching next April. Like all of the line’s vessels, it’s aimed at the British market but breaks P&O tradition by doing away with fixed dining. New partnerships with local chefs will bring the taste of Norway on board. The cruise – roundtrip from Southampton – includes calls into Olden, Bergen and Geiranger. Prices include gratuities.

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SELLING TIP – Norway is a notoriously expensive country, so a cruise can be a very cost-effective way to visit

June 2019 | Midship

Fly and cruise Clients happy to fly to Northern Europe can choose more port-intensive cruises to the fjords on cosmopolitan lines that attract a mix of nationalities. Fly-cruises are available in summer and winter, and mostly cater for all ages (Viking passengers must be 18 or over), with everything from easy sightseeing tours to kayaking, hiking and seaplane excursions. Those travelling with Hurtigruten in winter can add snowmobile safaris and ice-fishing to the range of things to do.

Expedition style Who? Hurtigruten When? November 25, 2019 How long? 12 days How much? From £1,610pp cruise-only Hurtigruten has operated working ships along the Norwegian coast for more than 125 years and is so sure passengers will see the northern lights on its 12-day cruises (Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen) that it is offering a free one-way sailing if they don’t. This voyage, on Trollfjord, has an expedition team and astronomer on board.

American style Who? Holland America Line When? May 24, 2020 How long? Seven days How much? From £1,199pp cruise-only Holland America appeals to more mature travellers interested in seeing the

world in comfort. This cruise – a round-trip from Amsterdam – is on Nieuw Statendam, the line’s newest and largest ship, which is themed around music and art. There are calls at Eidford, Alesund, Geiranger and Bergen, and scenic cruising in Sognefjord and Geirangerfjord.

Scandinavian style Who? Viking When? July 28, 2020 How long? 12 days How much? From £4,290pp including flights In just four years, Viking has expanded to ocean cruise, grown its fleet to six vessels and become a market leader in the premium sector. This cruise, which travels from Copenhagen to Bergen, is on Viking Sky, and pairs stops in Germany, Denmark and Sweden with six days in Norway as well as an overnight stay in Oslo. Prices include drinks with meals, dining, one tour per port, gratuities and wi-fi.

SELLING TIP – With kayaking, hiking and fast boats among the activities, the fjords are great for active families

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June 2019 | Aft

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 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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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June 2019 | Aft Celebrity Cruises Katherine Hulatt, trade support 01932 834 379 (option 2) salessupport.uk@rccl.com

A-Rosa River Cruises Simon McDermott, business development manager 07340 719746 simon.mcdermott@arosa-cruises.co.uk

Celestyal Cruises Marios Polydorou, senior manager sales +30 216 400 9631 m.polydorou@celestyalcruises.gr

Amadeus River Cruises Natalie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mahoney, head of sales 0800 035 6411 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Coral Expeditions Amy Sharpe, UK sales manager 020 3934 7170 UKSales@coralexpeditions.com

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

Cosmos Janet Parton, sales director 020 8315 4545 agencysales@cosmos.co.uk

American Cruise Lines Hannah Logan, product manager 0800 035 0237 sales@americancruiselines.co.uk

CroisiEurope John Fair, sales director 020 8328 1281 jfair@croisieurope.com

American Queen Steamboat Company Rupert Thomson, managing director 01223 568 904 r.thomson@aqgsa.com

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

APT Touring Jessica Shelton-Agar, national sales manager 01494 736 147/07584 057 341 jessica.shelton-agar@aptouring.co.uk

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

Aurora Expeditions Talia Schwartzman, sales executive +61 2 9252 1033 agents@auroraexpeditions.co.uk Craig Upshall, sales director UK/Europe 07824 305 232 craig@auroraexpeditions.co.uk

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

Avalon Waterways Janet Parton, sales director 020 8315 4545 agencysales@avaloncruises.co.uk

Cunard Line Victoria Snelgar, business manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sales operations 07773 253 279 victoria.snelgar@cunard.co.uk

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

Disney Cruise Line Juliet Holden, account executive 080 0171 2317 juliet.holden@disney.com

Belmond Yann Guezennec, worldwide director of sales & marketing, trains & cruises 020 3117 1395 yann.guezennec@belmond.com

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

Carnival Cruise Line Luke Smith, head of UK & international sales 020 7378 4660 carnivalsalesuk@carnival.com

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June 2019 | Aft European Waterways Mark Robinson, sales and reservations manager 01753 598 555 sales@europeanwaterways.com

Lucy Harris, business development representative 0344 338 8600 lucy.harris@hollandamerica.co.uk

E-Waterways Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

Hurtigruten Anthony Daniels, UK general manager 020 8846 2666 anthony.daniels@hurtigruten.com

Exotic Heritage Group Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

Intrepid Travel Andrew Turner, head of industry sales 080 8274 5719 ukbdm@intrepidtravel.com

Far Horizon Hannah Logan, product manager 0800 035 3189 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk

JTA Travel Dave Green, managing director 0121 508 5567 dave.green@jtatravel.co.uk

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Geoff Ridgen, head of sales 01473 746164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk

Fred Olsen River Cruises Hannah Logan, UK Sales Manager 0800 035 3189 hannah@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Katerina Line Olivera Lesinger, head of UK & overseas +38 5 51 603 409 olivera@katarina-line.hr

G Adventures Stuart Darnley, national sales manager 07964 983 842 sdarnley@gadventures.com

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

Great Rail Journeys Lindsay Dixon, head of trade sales 01904 527 180 lindsaydixon@greatrail.com

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

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Aishling McLoughlin, sales representative UK & Ireland 07852 488 471 aishling.mcloughlin@hl-cruises.com

Lotus Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

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

Heritage Line Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

The Majestic Line Louisa Grant, cruise co-ordinator 01369 707951 louisa@themajesticline.co.uk

Holland America Line James Scott, business development representative 0344 338 8600 james.scott@hollandamerica.co.uk

Manatee Amazon Explorer Joanna Paslawska, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

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June 2019 | Aft Marella Cruises Andrew Isherwood, commercial support team 020 3451 2762 commercial.support@tui.co.uk

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

MĂśvenpick Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

Ponant Stephen Winter, international sales director 0800 980 4027 swinter@ponant.com

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

Poseidon Expeditions Alexandra Prokopyeva, sales and marketing 020 3808 7787 sales@poseidonexpeditions.com

National Geographic Expeditions Simon Chambers, operations manager 01473 242 636 sales@fredholidays.co.uk

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

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

Princess Cruises Mark Lowman, manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sales operations 023 8065 6531 mark.lowman@princesscruises.co.uk

Norwegian Cruise Line Nick Wilkinson, regional vice president business development UK, Ireland, Israel, Middle East & Africa 023812 45241 nwilkinson@ncl.com

Pullmantur Cruises Dave Chidley, agency sales manager 0800 021 3180 sales@fredholidays.co.uk

Oceania Cruises Lisa Clarkson, national accounts manager 07809 351 545 LClarkson@OceaniaCruises.Com Agency Sales, 0345 505 1920 AgencySales@OceaniaCruises.Com

Quark Expeditions Christiane Bach, business development manager +1 416 645 8248 christiane.bach@quarkexpeditions.com

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

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

P&O Cruises Brodie McIntosh, trade engagement manager 023 8065 5780 brodie.mcintosh@cunardpocruises.com

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

Pandaw Hannah Logan, product manager 020 8396 7320 uk@pandaw.com

Rocky Mountaineer Steven Harris, regional sales director 07970 519 164 sharris@rockymountaineer.com

Paukan Cruises Marco Rosa, UK representative 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

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

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

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June 2019 | Aft Travel2 Colin Currie, head of sales 07891 257 160 colin.currie@travel2.com

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

Travelsphere & Just You Sarah Weetman, head of trade sales 07748 843 244 sarah.weetman@travelsphere.co.uk

Scenic Lewis Quigley, trade marketing executive 0161 233 1988 lewis.quigley@scenic.co.uk Seabourn James Scott, business development representative 0344 338 8610 james.scott@seabourn.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 0344 338 8610 lucy.harris@seabourn.co.uk

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

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

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

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

Victory Cruise Lines Dave Chidley, agency sales manager 0800 038 1665 sales@fredholidays.co.uk

Silversea Sales support 020 7340 0700 salesuk@silversea.com

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

Uniworld Rachel Healey, national sales manager 07408 855 544 rachel.healey@uniworld.com

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

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

Volga Dream Hannah Logan, product manager 0800 021 3186 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Tauck UK country manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk

Voyages to Antiquity Amy Sykes, partnerships manager 01865 302 2565 a.sykes@voyagestoantiquity.com

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

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

Touchdown | Travel Industry Services Robbie White, head of cruise product 020 8607 3805 rwhite@touchdown.co.uk

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June 2019 | Aft French balconies KNOW YOUR...

River cruise balconies Our new regular column sets out to decode some common industry jargon On a recent river cruise, cruise adviser spoke to a guest who complained that they thought they’d booked a walk-on balcony, but instead their cabin had a French balcony, which is easily the most common type on European waterways. It can be confusing – you’ll notice lots of different names for similar types of products. River cruise lines have innovated to the extent that their ocean-going cousins are starting to take notice: Celebrity Edge’s Infinity Verandas are straight out of the river cruise playbook, allowing the benefits of a balcony without sacrificing space. Broadly speaking, however, there are only a few different types of balcony cabins. We help decode them here in the first of a new series…

It’s rare that you find French balconies called French balconies nowadays, but their replacements basically do the same job: they are balconies with a railing, meaning you can’t walk out on to them. Avalon Waterways calls them Open-Air Balconies, Uniworld goes for Full Open Air Balconies; while Riviera opts for the more traditional Juliet Balcony. With river ships constricted by width, these are the most commonly found: they don’t eat into the cabin and aren’t wasted space when the weather is bad.

Full balconies

Twin balconies

Full balconies, walk-on balconies, verandas… whatever you want to call them, these are the same as the balconies you get on ocean cruise ships, albeit a little bit smaller and level with the side of the ship (rather that protruding from it). Viking offers them on its Longship fleet, and they come with a small table and chairs – when the sun is out, there is no better place to be. It’s worth mentioning Scenic, which, with its innovative Sun Lounge system, allows guests to convert an area of their cabin into a full balcony by opening a connecting door and pressing a button so that a window lowers. The area can therefore be used in both good and bad weather, but still feels like a balcony.

AmaWaterways boasts twin balconies on many of its ships – that means a French balcony with a sitting area as well as a full walk-on balcony adjacent to it. Viking offers something similar in its Explorer Suites, which are situated at the stern of the ship.

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June 2019 | Aft THINGS TO DO

GAMESROOM

Each month, we bring you a selection of things to do on your lunch break or journey to the office

CROSSWORD See the next cruise adviser in July for the answers

MAY SOLUTION

ACROSS

DOWN

7. Platoon director (6,5)

1. Essay (11)

8. Sharp end (5)

2. Largest Mediterranean island (6)

9. German philosopher Immanuel (4)

SUDOKU

See the next cruise adviser in July for the answers

3. Ignored (4,3)

11. Speak (3)

4. Inquire of (3)

12. Large teapot (3)

5. Cruise destination in 13 Down (4)

6. In the spotlight (6,5)

10. In place (7)

13. Weeding implement (3) 14. Harbour nudgers (4) 16. Namely (2,3) 18. Flexible dining hours at sea (4,7)

13. Mid-Pacific volcanic island (6) 15. Technical whiz (4) 1 3

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1 2

17. Tyre pressure measure (1,1,1)

6 5

7 9

MAY SOLUTION

June 2019 | Aft

QUIZ See bottom of page for answers

1. Machines Like Me is the new novel by which author? 2. What was the last song to win the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK? 3. Clia’s Cruise360 will be held in which European capital later this year? 4. Zizou is the nickname of which footballer? 5. Wittenberg was the hometown of which theologian and reformer? 6. CocoCay is a private island belonging to which cruise line? 7. Seattle’s iconic Space Needle was built in which decade? 8. Which author wrote crime novels under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith? 9. The John Wick trilogy stars which actor? 10. Shine Rewards is a trade rewards system belonging to which cruise lines? 11. Victoria Falls are on which river? 12. What is the capital of Albania? 13. Who directed the live-action remake of Aladdin? 14. What is the world’s largest inland body of water? 15. Torgau is a stop on which river?

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Ian McEwan 2. Katrina and the Waves – Love, Shine a Light (1997) 3. Valletta 4. Zinedine Zidane 5. Martin Luther 6. Royal Caribbean International 7. 1960s 8. JK Rowling 9. Keanu Reeves 10. Cunard and P&O Cruises 11. Zambezi 12. Tirana 13. Guy Ritchie 14. Caspian Sea 15. Elbe

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June 2019 | Aft

LOOKOUT

All the pictures from the latest cruise events 1-3. cruise adviser partnered with Silversea in a recent trade initiative to grow the cruise line’s base of travel agent partners. As part of the Silversea Ambassador programme, agents were invited to attend the Clia Conference 2019 as guests of the cruise line, with some mouthwatering additions including a three-course meal at The Pig, Brockenhurst; a Silversea-branded Helly Hansen Expedition jacket, a cookery class, courtesy of The Kitchen at Chewton Glen Hotel, and three nights’ accommodation for the duration of the conference. Our cruise adviser agents – Gary Hudson, ASmallWorld Travel; Kay Williams, Premier Travel; Darren and Diane Treslove, Go Cruise; and Nikki Alexander, Travel Counsellors – were treated to locally sourced and foraged options from the New Forest branch of The Pig and their culinary skills were put to the test in learning how to cook a Goan chicken curry. 4. Agents from Cruise1st, cruise.co.uk, eTravel, Virgin Holidays, TUI and Iglu join Royal Caribbean International on a Club Rewards’ ‘Lap of Luxury’ trip to Dubai.

5. Agents join Nicky Yates, Scenic and Emerald Waterways sales manager, central north, on an EmeraldPLUS excursion to the Unesco World Heritage-listed Kinderdijk Windmills as part of their fam trip down the Rhine on board the Emerald Star.

6. The Cunard team and agents enjoy dinner in the Britannia Restaurant on board Queen Mary 2. The ship called at Guernsey and Bruges on the fam trip.

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June 2019 | Aft

FINAL WORD

The joy and advantages of working together Post-Clia Conference, Sam Ballard reflects on the benefits of collaborative working, which the cruise industry currently – and perhaps uniquely – enjoys May is always a busy month for the cruise industry, but it seems like this year it was a particularly frantic one. What with the biggest – and in my opinion, best – Clia Conference taking place down in Southampton and the European premiere of Celebrity Edge, I’m sure there are a few of us whose loved ones will be glad when we spend a bit more time at home. While it might be little consolation to our partners, it struck me during the gala dinner at Clia that the cruise industry is very much a second family to many of us. It speaks volumes that competitors will have dinner with each other – and, more often than not, enjoy a drink afterwards too. Can you imagine the British Airways senior management having a drink with Virgin Atlantic? Or the CEO of Jet2 discussing strategy with TUI? It

wouldn’t happen, and more’s the pity. I’m not saying that competitors should share secrets or discuss their trading in-depth, but there is undoubtedly something to be gained by working in a more collaborative environment with people outside of your own organisation. The cruise industry is unique. Perhaps it’s because cruise only accounts for a small part of the wider travel industry. The entire sector benefits when individual companies can put their competitiveness aside and work together for the common good. It takes a great deal of foresight to realise that if the cruise industry raises its profile then everyone wins – competitor and you. It also means that – through the great work that Clia does – we are better placed to combat the external headwinds that will be coming our way over the next few

years. Whether that’s emissions and environmental issues or Brexit, there is a tremendous amount of innovation at work behind the scenes to push the industry forward. Through Clia, and the combined efforts of cruise lines, those efforts are magnified. As we move forward there is little sign that these external threats are going away any time soon. At the time of writing, the prime minister has announced her resignation, the European Elections have seen power drift away from traditional parties into the hands of populists on the right and left, and Brexit – rapidly becoming the defining issue of a generation – shows no sign of coming to a conclusion. In these uncertain times it is all the more important that we work together as an industry. We will all benefit if we do.

COMING NEXT TIME Food special

How to sell: Alaska

Ports of call: Monaco

Adam Coulter joins Silversea while Rebecca Barnes hops on Ponant to sample the cuisine – plus we detail the very best restaurants at sea

Jane Archer shares her expert tips on selling cruises to this incredible and remote part of the world in our unique How to Sell guide

We head to one of Europe’s most exclusive ports of call: Monaco, home to the rich and famous and known for its sun-drenched, yacht-lined harbour

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Sky

Say hi to

Princess Cruises launches agent competition to join first sailing of new ship

Princess Cruises has launched a competition for agents to win a place on the preview voyage of its newest ship, Sky Princess. Winners of the #SayHiToSky competition will join a four-night sailing departing on October 16, 2019 from Trieste, Italy to Athens, Greece, including a call at Kotor, Montenegro. The trip includes return flights, overseas transfers and a variety of complimentary onboard activities. The 3,660-guest Sky Princess is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. It will be a sister ship to the three newest vessels in the Princess Cruises fleet: Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess.

Sky Princess will boast new features including topdeck ‘Sky Suites’, the largest balconies at sea, with 270 degree views and a private viewing area of the outdoor ‘Movies Under The Stars’ screen. The ship will also feature Ocean Medallion, which is replacing the cruise card on all Princess ships and provides onboard enhancements such as keyless stateroom access; a streamlined embarkation and disembarkation process; and the ability to order food and drink on a mobile phone or smart device from anywhere on the ship. Following its launch, Sky Princess will sail a short season in the Mediterranean before heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a series of seven and 14-day Caribbean voyages.

To be in with a chance of winning, agents simply need to make a Princess Cruises booking between May 1 and June 30, 2019 on any Princess voyage. They should then submit the booking reference to

surveymonkey.co.uk/r/skyprincess

Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email by July 5, 2019. For full terms & conditions, visit our Competitions & Promotions page on onesourcecruises.com

Are you a luxury agent? You’re invited to

THE CRUISE ADVISER LUXURY BREAKFAST 2019 We’re hosting our luxury partners and a select group of luxury agents for a morning of training and networking at the exclusive Soho House, White City. Agents will get a chance to network with luxury suppliers and benefit from our speakers offering sales advice and tips on identifying luxury customers, pitching with confidence, and more.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 09.00-12.30 WHITE CITY HOUSE, TELEVISION CENTRE, 101 WOOD LN, WHITE CITY, LONDON W12 7FR Spaces are limited, email info@cruise-adviser.com for a chance to attend

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