Cruise Adviser – March 2019

MSC BELLISSIMA | ST PETERSBURG | SMALL SHIP CRUISE

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

M A R C H 2 019

Rhône ranger

Anthony Pearce sees another side of France on a Uniworld river cruise

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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 31 March 2019. Single supplements apply. Please note on selected cruises a visa may be required and is at the passengers own expense. *Restrictions apply. Gratuities included on board ship only. For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.

March 2019 | Forward EDITOR’S LETTER

THIS MONTH

Cruise through the heart of France

WHAT WE LEARNT

One of France’s greatest assets is its diversity – from the chalk cliffs and the beaches of Normandy down to the azure waters of the French Riviera, with fascinating metropolises, sprawling vineyards and the snow-capped French Alps in between. Although, clearly, no single cruise can take in all of its landscapes, the Seine, Loire and Rhône each offer a way of exploring such scenery while getting Rhône to grips with French life. River cruises in the country ranger are increasingly popular in the country, with the Rhône, which runs through southeastern France, and empties into the Mediterranean sea at Arles, now Europe’s third most popular river for cruise (behind the big two of the Rhine and Danube). It’s no surprise: guests take in Burgundy (on the Saône, one of the river’s tributaries), the gastronomic capital, Lyon, and Avignon, the magical Provençal city that graces this month’s cover. As Anthony Pearce writes on p30, enjoying the river on Uniworld’s boutique SS Catherine makes for a truly special experience.

Elsewhere in this magazine, cruise expert Jane Archer shares tips on getting families on to cruises with our unique How to Sell section (p45), Sam Ballard explores the rising popularity of small ship cruises (p41) and Sara Macefield gets an exclusive look at Princess Cruises’ Ocean Medallion.

Will this technology prove to be a game-changer for the industry? Read her review on p36. We hope you enjoy reading – and good luck selling.

P24

MSC BELLISSIMA | ST PETERSBURG | SMALL SHIP CRUISE

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

MARCH 2019

Anthony Pearce sees another side of France on a Uniworld river cruise

ZOE CAN SPEAK SEVEN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES MSC’s clever new digital assistant can also understand 30 different accents.

P28

ST PETERSBURG IS PERFECT FOR CRUISE 25 different cruise lines are calling at the revolutionary Russian city this year

P36

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OCEAN MEDALLION OPENS DOORS Princess Cruises’ latest wearable technology does a whole lot more besides

The rise of small ship cruises (p41)

Contents MIDSHIP 30

36

The French connection Anthony Pearce joins Uniworld for a river cruise on the Rhône and Saône – joining together the beautiful cities of Lyon and Avignon Opening doors Sara Macefield tries out Princess Cruises’ new Ocean

Medallion, the wearable technology that is set to be a game-changer for cruise 41

Small wonders As cruise ships get bigger and bigger, some people are looking in the opposite direction for more authentic experiences. Sam Ballard

looks at the big appeal of small ship cruise 45

How to Sell: family cruises Jane Archer looks at the best cruises for families, from the activity-loaded mega-ships to smaller vessels Turn over for more CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

4

INTRODUCING THE BRAND NEW FIVE-STAR MS GEOFFREY CHAUCER

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March 2019 | Forward

FORWARD 3

Ed’s letter

8

News MSC Bellissima launches in Southampton; Viking Cruises places orders for two new ships; Clia announces new luxury and expedition showcase; plus, there’s Janet Parton’s monthly column

17

New hires The latest staff updates from across the cruise industry

20

Fam trips / incentives We round up all the latest incentives and agent news

24

Interview: Gianni Onorato As MSC Bellissima is named in a lavish ceremony at Southampton, Sara Macefield talks to MSC’s chief executive Gianni Onorato about Zoe, their new digital assistant

28

Ports of call: St Petersburg Jane Archer profiles the revolutionary Russian city that is a must-visit destination on any cruise in the Baltic

Zoe, MSC Cruises’ digital assistant (p24); stunning St Petersburg (p28)

AFT 49

Directory All the cruise line contact details in one place

54

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

56

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

58

Final word Sam Ballard on how new launches prove the industry is in rude health Email info@cruise-adviser.com to share your thoughts CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

6

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MSC CRUISES

MSC Bellissima launched in lavish Southampton ceremony

Storm Freya disrupts but doesn’t ruin the event, during which Pierfranco Vago, MSC’s executive chairman, reiterated the line’s commitment to the UK market MSC Cruises has officially launched its latest ship, MSC Bellissima, at a slightly improvised ceremony in Southampton.

The proceedings, which had been taking place in a giant marquee next to the ship, were halted as the winds of Storm Freya descended on the Hampshire port. Before then, the star-studded evening, which was being hosted by the TV presenter, Holly Willoughby, had seen performances by Andrea Bocelli and his son, Mateo, as well as a heartstopping rendition of Cirque du Soleil’s exclusive onboard show.

The 2,500 guests did not get a chance to see Nile Rodgers, who had been due to perform towards the end of the ceremony.

The event was moved inside to Bellissima’s promenade where Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC’s executive chairman, conducted the christening with the company’s fleet-wide godmother Sophia Loren. Attendees were able to see the Champagne bottle smash by watching the giant LED screen that lines the ceiling of the promenade.

During his speech, Vago said that the company held the ceremony in Southampton because of the importance of the British market.

MSC Bellissima, which can hold up to 5,686 passengers, is the largest cruise ship to be launched in Southampton.

“Southampton is a new home for us, a place we want to build roots and put down ties,” he said.

Bellissima is the first MSC ship to have Zoe, the industry’s first digital assistant, in every cabin on board.

The technology can answer questions in seven languages.

Earlier in the day, MSC announced a partnership with the celebrity chef Raymond Blanc.

“I am truly looking forward to collaborating with MSC Cruises on some exciting projects, including the development of one of my signature dishes for the Elegant Dinner menu,” he said. “We have a shared passion for the guest experience, and together we will create some truly memorable moments for diners on board.”

Turn to page 24 for an interview with MSC’s Gianni Onorato about Zoe

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

March 2019 | Forward ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Navigator gets $115m upgrade

New facilities added to the ship as part of the Royal Amplified programme Royal Caribbean International has revealed the $115 million upgrades it has made to Navigator of the Seas.

The renovations to the ship – which was originally launched in 2002 and upgraded in 2014 and usually operates itineraries from Florida – include adding the longest waterslide at sea; Riptide, the industry’s only head-first mat racer water; and To Dry For, the first standalone blow-dry bar at sea.

“We have really dialled up the adventure and Caribbean vibes in ways that will make Navigator of the Seas the ultimate getaway to take from Miami,” said Michael Bayley,

president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

“Independence and Mariner of the Seas, the first two modernised ships in our Royal Amplified programme, have quickly become standout hits, and Navigator builds on this momentum with a combination of new, exciting features and signature Royal Caribbean offerings that will

surprise and delight guests cruising with us for the first time and those who have holidayed with us before.”

Navigator will sail nine and fivenight Caribbean itineraries from March to May 2019 before heading to the Bahamas for three and fournight itineraries which include calls at Royal Caribbean’s new private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

VIKING

NORWEGIAN

DISNEY

Cruise line sponsors Egyptian exhibition

NCL rolls out new Cruise Norwegian app

Taking the Mickey back to Greece in 2020

Viking Cruises will be the presenting sponsor of the London leg of the Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh world tour.

Produced by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and IMG, the exhibition features the largest collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures ever to travel outside of Egypt, and will open at the Saatchi Gallery on November 2, 2019.

The London engagement, presented by Viking Cruises, will be the third stop on the exhibition’s 10-city world tour following previous residencies in Los Angeles and Paris, and is part of the celebrations for the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Norwegian Cruise Line has rolled its new Cruise Norwegian app across its fleet of 16 ships.

The app features a ‘pre-cruise’ mode, which allows guests to book onboard activities, dining reservations, shore excursions and entertainment, as well as accessing their itinerary and mobile check-in and e-documents for boarding.

When used on board and connected to a ship’s wi-fi, the app offers guests a “best-in-class connected experience”, according to NCL. It allows guests to continue making reservations, book lastminute excursions, view ship activities, send messages and make unlimited onboard calls for a onetime fee of $9.95 per person.

Disney Cruise Line will return to Greece after five years in summer 2020, the line has announced.

An expanded European season on Disney Magic, will see the line operate three Mediterranean voyages departing from Rome.

During one 12-night and two nine-night cruises, guests can take in the likes of Piraeus (for Athens); Katakolon, near ancient Olympia; and the islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Crete.

Two of the sailings include a new port of call in Messina, Italy and the third features a return to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Additional new ports of call include Gdynia, Poland; Nordfjordeid, Norway; Plymouth, England; and Zeebrugge, Belgium.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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December Preview Edition | Section Name Promotion

EXPEDITION CRUISES

Live the life of an explorer in total luxury on Crystal Endeavor The incredible new expedition cruise vessel – complete with helicopters, a submersible and a Nobu Matsuhisa restaurant – launches in 2020 and is set to sail the infamous Northeast Passage There are certain accomplishments in history that mark out the pioneering spirit of mankind.

Whether it’s conquering Everest, landing on the Moon or crossing the Antarctic, these feats, which were once deemed impossible, have been made infinitely more conquerable by the actions of those before us. Their much-fabled journeys into the unknown have cleared the way for others to follow in their footsteps. It’s one of the reasons why holidays to remote corners of the world are so popular.

Crystal Cruises – long a pioneer in the luxury travel sector – is now preparing to enter the expedition travel arena with a ship that will set new standards in expedition travel, and help shine a light on corners of the world that only a select few have ever seen.

Crystal Endeavor – named after Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour, upon which the explorer was said to have discovered Australia – will be Crystal Cruises’ first purpose-built expedition cruise ship.

The vessel, which will launch in 2020

from Tokyo, will be able to carry just 200 guests – all of whom will stay in suites and have butler service. Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa will have one of the six dining options on board, while amenities include two helicopters and a submersible, allowing for exploration high above or deep below the ocean’s surface. Crystal’s passengers may be modern day explorers, but they certainly won’t be facing any of the hardships that those before them suffered.

The ship’s hull, which is Polar Class PC6, can handle the iciest of waters at

Ultra-luxury expedition yacht Crystal Endeavor will sail Antarctica, the Arctic and Japan

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Crystal Endeavor The world’s largest and most spacious luxury expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor, will boast a sleek design, built to PC6 polar class specifications, six dining options, a two-storey solarium, two helicopters and one submersible. It will explore the farthest reaches of Earth, from the Arctic to the Antarctic and far-away lands in between, including Japan, Taiwan and Russia.

certain times of the year. One of the most exciting outcomes of this has been the announcement that Crystal Endeavor will be sailing the infamous Northeast Passage in 2021. The opportunity to do so rarely, if ever, presents itself.

The expedition, which will take place from August 18 to September 15, will depart from the Russian port of Anadyr and head for Tromsø in Norway, travelling through the High Arctic – the area to the north of Russia that is virtually touching the top of the globe. There are calls at evocative sounding places such as Murmansk, the largest city in the Arctic; Uelen Village; and Arkhangelsk. Few human settlers call these places home – they are more the domain of polar bears, Arctic foxes and whales.

GUEST CAPACITY

200

DINING OPTIONS

6

Some of the highlights of this oncein-a-lifetime journey include Wrangel Island, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and one of the last places on Earth where woolly mammoths roamed; Franz Josef Land, a former military outpost now home to a population of polar bears; and Severnaya Zemlya, an archipelago so remote it was only added to global maps in the 20th century.

There will also be plenty of opportunities for zodiac landings and navigation of ice floes. On board, expedition guides, scientists and destination experts will talk guests through the journey with engaging seminars focusing on the unique nature and history of the region.

“The Northeast Passage is precisely the type of bold expedition for which

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

1111

TONNAGE (GT)

20,000

Crystal Endeavor is designed, with her PC6 designation and the ability to manoeuvre through medium first-year ice, offshore dynamic positioning, zodiacs and virtually all other gear necessary for such intrepid exploration,” said Tom Wolber, president & CEO of Crystal. “In addition to these technical amenities, she’ll accommodate guests in the highest standard of comfort and luxury, even as they travel to the most remote destinations.”

If you’ve got a customer who has seen and done it all. A customer who is constantly looking for the next thrill. Look no further than Crystal Endeavor – an expedition cruise ship like no other.

For more see crystalcruises.co.uk

March 2019 | Forward CUNARD

P&O CRUISES

Spa offering on new ship Iona revealed

The line’s brand new flagship will include a salt steam room and destination themed treatments P&O Cruises has revealed details of the spa offering on Iona, the line’s brand new flagship that launches in May next year.

The cruise line said the ship will have the most luxurious wellness facility in its fleet, which includes a salt steam room, destination themed treatments and infinity whirlpools.

The addition of the salt steam room marks a first for the P&O Cruises fleet. Salt therapy is a top spa trend and just on 45-minute treatment in the salt room offers health and relaxation benefits.

Also making its debut is the ‘experiential retail boutique’ – a specialist spa shop dedicated to skin, body and hair care. Another new feature in Iona’s Spa will be a range of destination-themed treatments.

These locally-inspired therapies will bring the destination into the spa.

P&O said that guests can choose from the Nordic Cleanse (a detoxifying

treatment incorporating acupressure back massage and a warming body and face mask) or the Baltic & Ice Massage (a deep tissue massage using warm and cool stones). Both of these treatments have been inspired by the Nordic heritage of hot and cold therapies.

P&O Cruises president, Paul Ludlow, said: “Our new spa on Iona will be ideal for those looking to make the most of their ‘me-time’.

From a restorative steam in our new salt room, to the relaxing qualities of a Nordic-inspired massage, guests will certainly feel the benefits while relaxing in this stylish space. The views of the ocean from the spa will add to the soothing experience, as specialist staff help guide our guests through a tempting menu of transformative treatments.”

P&O Cruises also announced that Glasgow born Captain Wesley Dunlop will command Iona.

Line-up of interior designers announced Cunard has announced the team of designers that will create the interiors for its new ship, which is set to join the fleet in 2022.

Simon Rawlings (David Collins Studio), Terry McGillicuddy (Richmond International) and Sybille de Margerie (Sybille de Margerie Paris) are already working with the ship’s creative director, Adam D Tihany.

“The calibre of talent we have brought together for this project will bring to life our vision of creating a truly world class ship,” said Simon Palethorpe, president, Cunard. “Working alongside the legendary Adam D Tihany, the team is working hard to ensure that every aspect of our new ship is exciting and forward-looking, yet unmistakably Cunard.”

Tihany added: “We have assembled a dynamic, passionate team of talented creatives whose unique design sensibilities and innate understanding of the Cunard brand will move the dial forward while recapturing the beloved spirit of Cunard travel in this next generation cruise liner.”

Cunard’s fourth ship, which is yet to be named, will be built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.

VIKING

Deal agreed for two more ocean ships Viking Cruises has agreed a deal with the Italian shipyard Fincantieri for two further ocean ships, due to be delivered in 2024 and 2025.

The deal is on top of the six ships that Viking ordered in March 2018 and the two expedition ships it ordered in July 2018.

Fincantieri has now built 20 vessels for Viking – a record for the number of ships being built by a shipbuilder for one shipowner.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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March 2019 | Forward

OPINION

CLIA

The appeal of off-peak cruise Janet Parton, sales director, Avalon Waterways

As we sprint towards the end of the financial year, we naturally take a bird’s eye view of sales spikes across the past 12 months. But what can we do as sales agents to actively entice the avid traveller to consider cruising out of season?

The opportunity to encourage those with the budget and/or inclination to take an additional trip offers as many rewards for our guests as it does for the sales team.

Off-peak cruising offers an exciting array of options and opportunities, from guests’ preferred cabin class being more readily available, to wider itinerary choices.

“The early winter sun is a strong selling point for out of season cruise” But what about those who are new to cruise? Here are a few top tips to encourage customers to consider an out of season cruise, be it that their preferred itinerary is sold out in peak season or the cruise is beyond their preferred price range, there are plenty of reasons to attract out of season cruisers.

Off-season travel often means better prices. During peak season, flights, hotels and cruises are all at a premium as desirability to travel to specific destinations runs high.

For those new to cruise, an off-peak cruise can offer a more accessible price point for exploring a new type

of holiday. This is also true for solo travellers. With greater capacity available, solo supplements are often reduced at these times, making it a much more cost-effective way to holiday alone.

Cruising out of season also enables greater ease of movement and improved maximisation of time as cities and towns are often quieter.

With less tourists enjoying the sights, cruisers exploring a city within a limited time-frame will queue less, saving valuable time to explore the destination.

The same goes for immersing themselves in the local culture and gaining a sense of the community.

Off peak, more locals remain in their own city, town or village. This may make them more readily available to interact with, given their abundance and less tourists to cut through. Local bars and restaurants may also have a more authentic and leisurely feel about them, too.

Holidaying out of season also means out of school holidays. For those without school age children, beaches and tourist attractions typically offer a calmer atmosphere – a quieter and more relaxing version of its peak season self. November is a great month to travel as it doesn’t have any UK school holidays within it.

In recent years, we have seen a noticeable rise in autumn and spring travel as travellers make the most of milder temperatures – pleasant weather for city sightseeing! While the days might be shorter and cooler, the allure of early winter sun is also a strong selling point for out of season cruise.

From comfortable temperatures and quieter crowds to a greater sense of uncovering a hidden gem, off-peak cruising has a lot to offer established cruisers and also those who are new to cruise.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Luxury events announced

Clia UK & Ireland has announced it will host a series of Luxury and Expedition Cruise Showcase events this October, visiting three UK cities in three days.

It will host the Luxury and Expedition Cruise Showcase on October 8 in Belfast, October 9 in Manchester and October 10 in Norwich. Clia said that travel agents will have the chance to meet luxury and expedition cruise lines face-to-face in the first part of the evening. The showcase will also include a panel discussion, giving agents the opportunity to hear and learn from industry experts.

Andy Harmer, Clia UK & Ireland director, said: “We are thrilled to announce that for the first time this year, along with speed training, our Luxury and Expedition showcase events will include an expert panel discussion.

“Over recent years we have seen a significant increase of interest in luxury and expedition cruises, so it is important that travel agents feel knowledgeable and confident when selling these types of cruises. The panel discussion will give agents a deeper insight into luxury cruises and expedition cruises, how they differ from other cruise holidays, the guest experience and how to attract the right customers.”

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March 2019 | Forward

NEW HIRES

Ellie Webb named as new Princess Cruises sales manager

Cunard strengthens sales team with new roles Cunard has promoted Victoria Snelgar to the role of business manager overseeing regional partnership development. For the past year she has led the line’s sales operations team.

Meanwhile, Amy Williams has been promoted to the role of senior business manager and will focus on developing existing trade relationships before Cunard’s fourth ship goes on sale in 2020.

New head of UK trade sales for Hurtigruten

Princess Cruises has announced the appointment of Ellie Webb as sales manager for its agent-facing regional business team.

Webb, who was previously regional operations manager for P&O Cruises, starts in the role this month and will look after five territory managers across the UK. She will report to Rachel Poultney, Princess Cruises’ sales director UK & Europe.

She said: “I’m both thrilled and humbled to be a part of the highlyregarded team at Princess Cruises.

There are exciting times ahead for the brand and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Poultney added: “Ellie is adept at managing regional teams and I know she has exciting plans to grow Princess Cruises through our agent partners.”

Mark Walter has been named head of UK trade sales at Hurtigruten.

He has 33 years’ experience in the travel industry and was previously the national key account manager at the expedition line and now steps up to lead the UK sales team, reporting into the UK & Ireland general manager Anthony Daniels.

“We are confident Mark will drive the sales team to new levels especially in the lead up to the launch of our first hybrid ship, the Roald Amundsen,” said Daniels.

Fred River Cruises appoints Lucy Hone as new business development manager responsible for developing the brand recognition of the company’s operators Fred River Cruises have appointed Lucy Hone as their dedicated business development manager.

She will be responsible for developing the brand recognition of the variety of tour operators within the Fred River Cruise portfolio, including Amadeus River Cruises, American Cruise Lines, Pandaw, Volga Dream and Far Horizon.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have joined the Fred River Cruise team,” said Hone. “It’s an incredibly exciting time as the popularity of river cruise

is at an all-time high. It’s the perfect opportunity to work alongside the team to raise the profile of our brand portfolio and bring them to the forefront. I’m particularly looking forward to working alongside the retail branches to strengthen the positioning of river cruising in-store.”

“Longer term, I’m looking to build upon my trade experience to further develop our river cruise fleet and further cement Fred River Cruises’ presence as leaders within the river cruising market.”

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Hone most recently worked as a sales manager for Uniworld and has more than 40 years experience in the travel industry.

Steve Williams, managing director of Fred Olsen Travel and Fred River Cruises added: “We’re absolutely delighted to be welcoming Lucy to the team. Her experience speaks for itself and to add someone of Lucy’s calibre to the team shows the strength of the brand and demonstrates our commitment to developing our business through the trade.”

December Preview Edition | Section Name Promotion

Sail in luxury to Scandinavia or Spain – straight from the heart of London Avoid airport queues and luggage limits – Silversea’s newly upgraded ships sail directly from the capital to cool Copenhagen and beautiful Barcelona, among many other destinations There are few more iconic moments in cruise than sailing under Tower Bridge, one of London’s defining landmarks. With Silversea guests can enjoy that pleasure in absolute luxury.

Silver Wind is one of a handful of cruise ships able to sail underneath Tower Bridge, one of the benefits of a small ship cruise, which opens up ports that larger ships can not reach.

The ship is joined by Silver Spirit, forming Silversea’s programme of cruises that sail to or from London.

Guests can also join the luxurious vessels at London Tilbury, where the

Thames meets the North Sea in Essex, and London Greenwich.

On Silver Wind, guests can sail to and from Tower Bridge, taking in Copenhagen, Denmark’s ultra-cool capital; Oslo, the forward-thinking and beautiful capital of Norway; as well as Gothenburg, Sweden’s arty second city. Departing on June 9, the 13-day cruise takes guests back to where they started. With no airport queues, limits on luggage or need to arrive extra early, guests hop on, check in and begin their holiday immediately – enjoying the luxurious

surroundings of this intimate, beautifully appointed ship.

From London Tilbury, Silver Spirit also connects the English capital with Copenhagen, but this time, on a 15day cruise, taking in the fjords of Norway, home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe before heading to Tromsø and Honningsvåg in North Cape, land of the midnight sun. The cruise includes calls at Flåm, Geiranger and Bergen, the colourful city known as the Gateway to Fjords.

Silver Spirit also sails south towards the Bay of Biscay and the western

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Silver Spirit With one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the business and eight luxury dining options, including La Terrazza and Seishin, Silver Spirit offers one of the most complete cruise experiences available.

Spacious decks leave room for relaxation and its suites – which include the huge Grand Suite and Owner’s Suite (pictured) – are among the most luxurious at sea.

GUEST CAPACITY

CREW CAPACITY

608

Mediterranean, connecting London Greenwich to France, Spain and Portugal, with a 14-day sailing that takes in stops in Honfleur, St Malo, Bordeaux, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz and Malaga before finally ending up in Barcelona, one of Europe’s great cruise ports.

On August 24, sailing from Tower Bridge, Silver Wind combines a British Isles cruise with an exploration of Iceland on a 12-day itinerary that takes in Belfast, Derry, Stornoway and then Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital, where guests depart. On the way, it calls at Seyðisfjörður, a beautiful 19th century Norwegian village on the east coast, which is

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regarded by many as one of Iceland’s most picturesque towns; and Heimaey, on the isolated Westman Islands.

Project Invictus In July last year Silver Spirit underwent an extensive dry dock renovation, which saw the ship cut in half and a brand new 14.9m midsection being inserted into the superstructure.

As well as expanding the outdoor areas, this created 34 more suites and increased capacity to 608. The makeover has brought the décor and dining in line with the flagship Silver Muse, launched in 2017.

Among the ship’s new amenities are the Zagara Spa, Tor’s Observation

TONNAGE (GT)

39,519

Library and the Dolce Vita Lounge.

Also new is the Arts Café, an inviting new space that offers guests the chance to enjoy art exhibitions and a selection of reading material in a distinctively stylish environment with both indoor and outdoor seating.

At the end of last year, Silversea also carried out an extensive refurbishment of Silver Wind. It’s all part of Project Invictus – a long-term plan to grow and improve Silversea’s already luxurious fleet of ships.

For more information and up to date fares and exclusive offers visit Silversea’s website at silversea.com or email salesuk@silversea.com

Silver Wind

GUEST CAPACITY

298

CREW CAPACITY

222

TONNAGE (GT)

17,400

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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After a major upgrade of its suites, dining venues and public spaces in December 2018, Silver Wind is looking better than ever with all carpets, upholstery and other soft furnishings in an overall colour palette of warm earth tones. The ship boasts four luxurious dining options: The Grill, La Terrazza, La Dame and The Restaurant, which was completely renovated during the upgrade.

March 2019 | Forward

INCENTIVES

Earn £100 per booking with Paul Gauguin Cruises

Carnival offers points for bookings in March Agents can earn 20 points per booking throughout March with Carnival Cruise Line’s latest Loyalty Rocks Club incentive.

The points have the equivalent value of £20 and can be exchanged for everything from high street vouchers to holidays, gifts, experiences and more.

To register for the Loyalty Rocks Club, visit loyaltyrockscub.com.

Cash incentive from Crystal Cruises

Throughout March, agents booking any Paul Gauguin Cruises’ 2019 cruise will earn a £100 lifestyle voucher. There is no limit to the number of bookings, so the more cruises agents book, the more money they can earn. All bookings must be made before March 31, 2019.

The small ship operator has one ship – MS Paul Gauguin – on

itineraries from Papeete in Tahiti around the islands of French Polynesia in the South Pacific.

Turn to page 41 for our feature on the increasing appeal of small ships for people looking for a more authentic cruise experience.

For reservations call Paul Gauguin Cruises on 020 7399 7691 or visitpgcruises.com.

Crystal Cruises is offering agents £50 per booking throughout March.

Agents can earn cash on any 2019 summer sailing on ocean, river or yacht. Summer sailings are those departing between April 1 and September 30, 2019.

There is no limit to the number of bookings, but they must be made before March 31 to qualify.

For more information and reservations call Crystal on 0207 399 7601 or visit crystalcruises.co.uk.

Seabourn announces series of Global Partner Appreciaton Events around the country to share the line’s latest news and sales tools with agents Seabourn has announced it is running its Global Partner Appreciation Events for the second year running.

They will be an opportunity for trade partners to meet with Seabourn’s sales team and learn about the new tools and assets.

“We call these Partner Appreciation Events because they are designed to show how much we value our travel agent partners,” says Wendy Lahmich, Seabourn’s director of sales UK & Ireland. “This year we are extending the locations from Bournemouth

right up to Glasgow, and we’ are truly excited about sharing Seabourn’s news, immersive videos and sales tools with agents across the UK. “The events have had an incredible response, therefore we encourage travel advisors to book their place as soon as possible by emailing salessupport@seabourn.co.uk.”

The schedule is as follows: Monday, March 11 – The Packhorse Inn, Moulton, Newmarket

Tuesday, March 12 – Hampton Manor, Birmingham (waitlist only) The Soho Hotel, London Wednesday, March 13 – Blythswood Square, Glasgow (waitlist only) Highcliffe Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth (waitlist only) Thursday, March 14 – Harbour Hotel, Bristol Tuesday, March 19 – Everyman Cinema, Walton on Thames Wednesday, March 20 – Everyman Cinema, Altrincham Stoke Place, Gerrard’s Cross CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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ZIPLINE The ultimate thrill-spot for families to hang out and score an unbeatable view, as they soar 1,600 feet above the island.

March 2019| Forward

INTERVIEW

“It’s all about making life for our guests easier…”

As MSC Bellissima is named in a lavish ceremony at Southampton, Sara Macefield talks to MSC’s chief executive Gianni Onorato about Zoe, a new digital assistant When MSC Cruises’ latest ship MSC Bellissima sailed into Southampton on March 1 for a star-studded naming celebration, it was the first time its newest (and most expensive) crew member had the chance to show off her skills to an expectant audience.

I’m talking, of course, about Zoe, hailed as the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant, which was waiting in every cabin to answer questions that guests may have.

As MSC’s chief executive Gianni Onorato admitted, she wasn’t able to demonstrate the full range of her knowledge and abilities as the launch event wasn’t like a normal voyage. So guests couldn’t expect details of shore excursions or port calls, but if they asked Zoe about the ship, this latest high-tech piece of kit was able to regale them with useful information in seven different languages.

It’s a technological revolution, not just for MSC, but the cruise industry at large and as Onorato explained, this is only the beginning.

“We are investing in innovation in hardware and software to enhance the guest experience and we are always looking to employ the latest cutting-edge solutions,” he said.

Zoe has been primed to understand up to 30 different accents and cope with more than 800 of the most commonly asked questions, giving advice on life aboard and ashore.

Passengers who ask this cylindrical assistant to check their cruise account will find that the details appear on their TV screen, while questions about shore excursions will prompt further information to automatically run on the cabin TV. MSC bosses are now looking to further develop Zoe’s skills for MSC Grandiosa (which launches in November) to be more proactive.

“Perhaps she would suggest that passengers may want to try the spa, or if a light bulb breaks she could call the electrician,” Onorato explained.

“It’s all about making life for our guests easier and to make them

The Zoe digital assistant is similar in appearance to an Amazon Echo

feel comfortable. We want to show guests who are less familiar with such technology that it is easy to use.”

For anyone suspicious of Zoe’s presence, there will be collateral material in each cabin explaining how the device works and guests do not need to use the technology if they are not comfortable with it.

Onorato also had reassurances for any crew members who might worry that Zoe could lead to staffing cuts: “This will benefit the crew because it will help them to do their job.”

While Zoe is the focal push of the line’s MSC for Me digital platform that was introduced with MSC Meraviglia in 2017 via interactive touchscreens around the ship and in-cabin interactive TV, other enhancements will also be rolled out with the launch of MSC Bellissima.

For the first time, passengers will be able to download the MSC for Me app in advance and once aboard will be able to try the new family and friends locator and chat facility.

MSC bosses are confident that these enhancements will give the line a firmer foothold in the UK market.

Speaking of the Southampton christening by screen legend Sophia Loren, Onorato added: “This shows the UK market that we are committed.

We have grown from a Mediterranean company into a global one and the UK is such a big market, but has not been a big focus for us before.

“Now it has and we need to show the travel agent community and consumers that we are here and want to grow in this market.

“MSC Bellissima is a further sign of our commitment. We are here and we are not going to walk away,” he stressed.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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CLIA is here to help you cut through the cruise information, terminology, trends and opportunities; and help you grow the cruise side of your business.

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March 2019 | Forward

PORTS OF CALL

St Petersburg Jane Archer profiles the revolutionary Russian city, the highlight of any cruise in the Baltic Murder, mystery, revolution: three reasons why St Petersburg is top of the stops when it comes to cruising the Baltic. There are more: lavish palaces, grand boulevards, one of the world’s greatest art museums.

No wonder ships stay in port for two, sometimes three, days so passengers can get just a taste of everything the Russian city has to offer.

It is possible for passengers to explore the city alone but the language barrier is off-putting and the need for a visa a pain. Travellers have to apply in person at VFS Global’s offices in London, Manchester or Edinburgh to be fingerprinted – and fork out from £101.40 each for the permit.

As a result, most clients settle for visa-free tours booked either with their cruise line or licensed operators such as the UK’s Cruisingexcursions. com and Russian companies Red October (redoctober.ru) or SPB Tours (spb-tours.com). These are invariably cheaper than the cruise lines’ excursions and include either set tours or private outings that can be adapted to the clients’ interests.

Most cruise ships dock at Marine Façade, a huge port a little way

outside the city that opened about six years ago to cater for the everincreasing growth in vessels visiting St Petersburg. The port has seven berths and it’s not unusual for at least five to be occupied on any one day.

This year, more than 25 cruise lines, including the likes of Seabourn, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking and P&O Cruises, have 263 cruise calls scheduled, up from 247 in 2017.

Although it is fun to explore alone, first-time visitors are probably well advised to join a guided tour as there is so much to learn about the city.

It was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and became the capital of Russia until the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, when Lenin moved the government to Moscow. When the First World War broke out in 1914 it was renamed Petrograd (Petersburg was too German), became Leningrad after Lenin’s death in 1924 and only reverted back to St Petersburg in 1991.

After the Second World War, it was awarded the title of Hero City by Stalin for holding out against a two-and-ahalf-year blockade by German troops, during which more than one million people died, mostly from starvation.

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March 2019 | Forward The list of things to see and do is exhaustive and exhausting. Visitors can admire priceless bejewelled eggs created for the tsars in the Fabergé Museum, see the sights from a canal boat (it’s not known as the Venice of the North for nothing) and go underground to admire beautiful metro stations with marble columns, chandeliers and themed décor.

There’s no rest in the evening, either, as cruise lines offer cultural excursions to the opera or ballet, or recreated imperial events at one of the city’s palaces.

The Hermitage is the top stop for most people, full of so much priceless art and so many palatial rooms that tours take a few hours, even with a guide to pick out the best bits (including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt, Michelangelo and more).

There is also the ornate blue-andwhite Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo, about 30km outside the city, which is loved for its spectacular Amber Room, and Peterhof, Peter the Great’s summer palace, with its stunning cascade of golden fountains.

And then there are all the tales of murder and intrigue to uncover.

Guides will point out the Mikhailovsky ‘Castle’, where conspirators did away with Tsar Paul in 1801 so they could put his son Alexander I on

the throne, and take visitors to the elaborate Church of the Spilled Blood built where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.

Tours also visit the Yusupov Palace, where Rasputin was poisoned and shot, and the Peter and Paul Fortress, where the remains of the last tsar, Nicholas II, and his family were interred after they were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

Those interested in revolution can visit the Battleship Aurora, which fired the shots that signalled the start of the October Revolution that overturned a 300-year-old monarchy and created the Soviet Union, read more at the Museum of Russian Political History and stand in Senate Square, where a revolt against Tsar Nicholas I in 1825 is acknowledged as the first Russian rebellion.

THREE ST PETERSBURG CRUISES Baltic Radiance

Secrets of the Baltic

Scandinavia and Russia

Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Seven Seas Explorer Stockholm-Copenhagen, July 29 From £6,299pp including flights

Saga Cruises – Saga Sapphire Dover (round-trip), August 7 From £2,630pp cruise-only

P&O Cruises – Britannia Southampton (round-trip), July 6 From £1,749pp cruise-only

Military and diplomatic experts will be lecturing on this 15-night cruise, which spends two days in St Petersburg and gives passengers a sneak peak at the treasures stored away from public view in the Hermitage Repository.

Tales of emperors, assassinations, a home visit and evening of classical music at the Hermitage are among optional tours during a two-day stay in St Petersburg on this 14-night nofly cruise from the UK.

Unlimited free excursions make Regent a good choice. This 10-night voyage allows three days to explore St Petersburg and also visits Riga in Latvia and Klaipeda in Lithuania.

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RHONE

The French connection

Anthony Pearce joins Uniworld for a luxury river cruise on the Rhône and Saône – joining together the historical and beautiful cities of Lyon and Avignon

March 2019 | Midship For as far as the eye can see: vineyards. The sun is beaming down and we’re stood at a crossroads in Puligny-Montrachet, a commune in the Côte-d’Or department of Côte de Beaune, not far from the Saône, a tributary of the Rhône; here, wine production isn’t just big business, it’s life. The area is home to one of the world’s most famous vineyards, Montrachet, a Grand cru vineyard for white wine made of Chardonnay, but it’s just one of many exceptional Burgundy wine producers near by.

We’re here with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises on a Rhône river cruise that will take us from Lyon, up to Beune on the Saône, and then back down through France’s second city on the way to Avignon and Arles.

While it may seem slightly peculiar, beginning in Lyon and then returning just a day later, it allows the chance to explore the city in something like the depth it deserves. Smaller and more intimate than Paris, Lyon may not possess the world-famous tourist attractions of its more-visited rival city, but its buildings, streets and parks can match it for beauty – and, without the crowds, the tourist traps and frequent terrible weather, it can often be more enjoyable. Thanks in no small part to the legendary chef Paul Bocuse, the godfather of French cuisine, Lyon is often considered the gastronomic capital not just of France, but the world. The food here is superlative, whether you’re looking for haute cuisine or peasant food.

Bouchons – wood-panelled, rustic taverns particular to Lyon – serve hearty, honest and usually superb food and are found across the city.

We opted for a lunchtime trip to the La Tête de Lard (13 Rue Désirée), just north of the Museum of Fine Arts, where my poor French meant I inadvertently ordered lamb brain (surprisingly delicious). Le Garet (7 Rue du Garet) may be the best-known bouchon in the city, but Lyon is full of them: they’re cheap, fun and offer a real slice of Lyonnais life, as well as some strangely delicious dishes.

Of course, one of the best things about river cruise is how centrally ships dock in towns and cities. Unlike their larger ocean counterparts,

Clockwise from above: Viviers; the Musée des Confluences in Lyon; the interior of SS Catherine

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March 2019 | Midship which can often be upwards of an hour from the main attraction (Civitavecchia for Rome is a perfect example), the river cruise port is usually just a short stroll from each city’s centre. In Lyon, we dock next to the Lumière University Lyon 2, a 10-minute walk from the Place Bellecour, the city’s huge, tree-lined public square, home to flower stalls and small art museums, and from which the 15th century Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste is visible, perhaps Lyon’s best-known landmark.

In the city, we go in search of its famed secret passages, known as traboules, originally created in the 4th century for the city’s many silk weavers hoping to avoid rain showers, but later used by the resistance during Nazi occupation. Uniworld, which includes all but the most extravagant shore excursions, offers a tour of these hard-to-see passages, with behind-locked-door access to many that are hidden away in buildings.

Signs with a blue lion or gold flower on the wall mark each spot, but you’re advised to go with a guide – these are difficult to spot on your own.

That evening, before leaving Lyon on its way to Burgundy, the ship docks at La Confluence, near the meeting point of the Rhône and Saône, the fast-changing industrial area of the city, home to new nightclubs, venues and restaurants housed in former warehouses. Here, we’re able to take in the Musée des Confluences, a science centre and anthropology museum built in a jaw-dropping deconstructivist style. Maybe it’s just me, but you can sometimes get cathedral fatigue exploring medieval cities on European river cruises, so a quick stop to enjoy some modern architecture is a welcome surprise.

Rise of the Rhône Sat on the top deck of the SS Catherine, a glass of wine in hand, sailing through the French countryside, it’s easy to see why river cruise is a market that has grown hugely in the UK in recent years.

Since 2012, the numbers have risen from 130,000 total guests to 210,000 in 2017, with European itineraries CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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March 2019 | Midship now representing almost 90 per cent of all cruises. But while the Rhine and the Danube remain the Big Two when it comes to continental offerings (making up nearly 60 per cent), the Rhône in France, the next largest share, for my mind offers the best river cruise experience.

With a locally inspired menu and wine list, a French cruise director and a ridiculously ornate interior, Uniworld’s SS Catherine is designed for well-heeled guests who don’t want to just see France, but truly experience it. With an often-deserted onboard pool, a spacious stateroom with an adjustable Juliette balcony, and the decadent Leopard Bar, the ship is truly a luxurious proposition.

The ‘boutique’ in Uniworld’s name is there for a reason, each of its ‘super ships’ are unique, tailored around the river they sail. Joie de Vivre – which sails the Seine, docks next to the Eiffel Tower and boasts a Parisian-style café – does this to the greatest effect. In fact, many of the guests on board our sailing, most of whom are American, have already seen this ship: they had booked back-to-back cruises, paring the Seine and Rhône.

Luxury river cruise is becoming a crowded market place, but Uniworld’s above-and-beyond service, food and excursions have set it out among the crowd. Of course, this sort of experience doesn’t come cheap (prices for this cruise start from £2,099pp), but for clients who are looking for a luxurious holiday in Europe, this is as good of an experience as you can get on land.

Clockwise from below: Hospices des Beaunes; Pont Saint-Bénézet in Avignon; Tournon; the Montrachet vineyards; the Roman amphitheatre in Arles

Beautiful Beaune In Beaune, a walled town in the centre of France’s Burgundy winemaking region, we wander cobblestone streets and take in the Hospices de Beaune, a former charitable almshouse founded in 1443, before taking a tour of the surrounding countryside, which is almost exclusively made up of vineyards. The Route des Grands Crus, a 60km route that runs along the foot of the Côte d’Or escarpment, from Dijon in the north to Santenay in the south, is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Following a return to Lyon, the ship heads south down the Rhône, CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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March 2019 | Midship taking in Tournon (Tain-l’Hermitage), Viviers, Avignon and Arles. As we arrive in Viviers, the heavens open, bringing to an end what felt like endless sunshine, and the town quickly floods. Fortunately, there’s a long enough pause in the rainfall to stop for an éclair, wander the cobblestone paths and head to its highest point to admire the view – terracotta rooftops pan out towards the Rhône as mountains tower in the distance. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, and a town you’d probably never visit if it wasn’t a river cruise stop.

The following day sees a morning spent exploring the walled city of Avignon, including the magnificent Palais des Papes and the halfcollapsed Pont Saint-Bénézet. Later, we head out on an excursion: a kayaking trip down the Gardon river.

The rain the day before has quickened the current, but today the weather is glorious, and once we get the hang of the steering, it’s a hugely relaxing and enjoyable experience that takes us under the Pont du Gard, an elevated Roman aqueduct. It’s easily the highlight of the cruise.

Our journey concludes in Tarascon the following day, where we join a coach to Arles, known for its remarkable Roman ruins.

The city, which houses an ancient amphitheatre, is perhaps best known for the influence it had on Vincent van Gogh, who painted hundreds of works there, including Sunflowers and The Yellow House. The city, like Avignon, has a remarkably Mediterranean feel – we trade in the peppery red wines and meaty stews for crisp whites and grilled fish.

In fact, perhaps more than anything else, this cruise highlights the diversity of France as a destination, in terms of its geography, culture, history and gastronomy. Although the Loire may be France’s longest river, Rhône cruises allow a deep exploration of the country.

Opening up cultural-powerhouse cities, quaint villages, bucolic charms and superb food and wine, these cruises provide an incredible way to see France in a luxurious and relaxing way – there’s perhaps no better way to see it.

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TECHNOLOGY

Opening doors Princess Cruises’ new Ocean Medallion does just that‌ and whole lot more. Sara Macefield sails on Caribbean Princess and uses the wearable technology that is set to be a game-changer for cruise

March 2019 | Midship I’m cursing as I approach my cabin – juggling a cup of coffee in one hand with a plate of biscuits raided from the buffet in the other – because I can’t remember where I’ve put my key-card.

It’s that age-old dilemma we’ve all encountered, but just as I’m figuring out how to find it without dropping my precious cargo, the door automatically unlocks itself, simply leaving me to nudge it open with minimal effort.

Later, while revelling in the balmy, bubbling waters of the ship’s hot tub, I decide to order a rum punch, so tap the request into my smartphone, and within a few minutes a barman arrives holding aloft the exotic cocktail.

Welcome to the world of Ocean Medallion, the ambitious initiative being rolled out by Princess Cruises that promises to transform the cruise experience for guests with a package of holiday-enhancing features.

At its heart lies the medallion itself – a small disc the size of a 10p piece that guests carry around with them and use in much the same way as a key card, which in its simplest format carries out the same functions – accessing staterooms and doubling as a payment device around the ship.

My chance to try it came in January aboard Caribbean Princess which was the first ship to debut Ocean Medallion last September after a delayed start following developmental issues.

It has since been introduced on Regal Princess – where it has now totally replaced key cards – and later this year will be rolled out on Royal Princess, Crown Princess and the line’s new ship Sky Princess, which launches in October, before eventually going fleet-wide.

Initial feedback from passengers has been favourable, with the most popular function being the automatic cabin access, made possible thanks to a device by each cabin entrance that reads each passenger’s medallion and automatically unlocks the door.

I took to wearing mine in a bangle-style bracelet – one of the natty accessories passengers can buy if they don’t want to rely on the complimentary lanyard it comes with at check-in. Other alternatives include a clip and a necklace, but with items costing up to $65, you need to be keen.

The new Ocean Medallion works alongside a series of smartphone apps to make your cruise more seamless and enjoyable. It can be worn as a bracelet or necklace

But this wearable technology really comes into its own when combined with a series of six related apps that can be downloaded to a phone or alternative mobile device: Ocean Ready – passengers download details of their passport, credit card and a photo at home before departure, which speeds up embarkation.

Ocean Now – enables food and drink to be ordered from around the ship using dropdown menus, with waiters

guided by the guest’s picture and location details which pop up on the server device.

Ocean Compass – the wayfinder app which helps passengers navigate the ship. A ‘ShipMates’ feature also enables them to locate friends/family and invite others to become ShipMates.

Play Ocean – use this to set up an ‘Ocean Tagalong’ – your own avatar in the shape of a seahorse, turtle or butterfly fish. You can take part in CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Games Under the Stars sessions on the giant movie screen on deck, using your smart device as a game controller, or play games on smaller portals around the ship and join an interactive digital scavenger hunt that sends players to screens at different locations.

Ocean Casino – aimed at anyone who fancies a flutter at slots, poker, roulette or wants to log into a live bingo game.

Ocean View – lets users stream TV shows from their stateroom.

Princess claims Ocean Medallion is a game-changer that will give it a USP among guests, with UK & Europe vicepresident Tony Roberts hailing it as a “unique paradigm shift” from what is currently available.

Yet the line is not alone in developing such technology with Royal Caribbean and MSC hot on its heels with similar offerings.

However, Princess president Jan Swartz asserted that Medallion Class

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– comprising Ocean Medallion and Medallion Net wifi which is claimed to be the best at sea – was the most advanced, offering more personalised experiences for passengers.

“Medallion Class is not about technology or one-off investments.

It is about delivering all-round guest service and also supports our crew in treating every guest like a VIP,” she stressed.

“Things magically happen for our guests, as they can get on our ships as quickly as possible, cabins are always ready, there is keyless entry and they can sit in the Piazza and order food and drink.”

Swartz said that, on the two ships where Ocean Medallion was operating, there had been significant increases in guest satisfaction scores.

“It has exceeded my expectations and I believe, in time, it will redefine how vacations are enjoyed globally,” she predicted.

“In the end it will be a key driver in converting many more people around the world from taking a land-based vacation to taking a holiday at sea.”

Such benefits make it even more crucial that agents are aware of what this new technology facilitates, something that Princess plans to focus on this year with its largest-ever ship visit season with more than 1,000 places across 18 UK ports of call.

These mainly involve Crown Princess, which becomes Medallionactivated from July, and is spending the summer sailing around the UK from Southampton, while Regal Princess, which is already Medallionactivated, will also call at British ports.

“It’s all about how we bring the experience alive for agents to better tell their customers,” stressed Roberts.

“Anyone visiting Crown Princess from July will get an exclusive preview of the Medallion Class experience, showcasing its features.

Princess has recently added a new Medallion Class module to its Princess Academy training programme, but Roberts promised more developments in the pipeline.

“In the coming months, we will announce an exciting opportunity for agents to truly become Princess Cruises brand experts,” he added.

4 - 31 MARCH 2019

BENEFITS FOR YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS! You and your clients may enjoy the following benefits when you book their Seabourn cruise during March!

S U I T E S AV I N G S FO R YO U R C L I E N T S

Complimentary Suite Upgrades* Book a Penthouse or Premium Suite and they’ll receive up to $1,000 Shipboard Credit per Suite*

PLUS

B O N U S C O M M I S S I O N FO R YO U

Book a Penthouse Suite, receive £200 per Suite bonus commission* Book a Premium Suite, receive £375 per Suite bonus commission*

PLUS

W I N A S E A B O U R N C R U I S E FO R T WO !

For each booking made during March, enter for a chance to win!

Email salessupport@seabourn.co.uk with your contact information and the guests’ booking number. Please quote ‘Win a Seabourn Cruise’

PLUS E N H A N C E D G R O U P A M E N I T I E S (G A P)

Receive shipboard credit and bonus commission amenities for groups set up during March^

Seabourn Academy offers invaluable tips on selling ultra-luxury. It’s easy to complete in your own time, and there are so many

Receive our news FIRST insider for travel advisors Sign up for our regular ‘Seabourn Insider’ today by emailing salessupport@seabourn.co.uk

rewards for you – including a £50 Love2Shop voucher and Molton Brown Goodies.

Visit seabournacademy.com

CONTACT YOUR SEABOURN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM CALL 0344 338 8614 | EMAIL: SALESSUPPORT@SEABOURN.CO.UK

*Partner Appreciation Event Terms and Conditions apply, please ask for details. Offers are per suite, and for the first two guests in a suite. ^Group terms and conditions apply.

SMALL SHIPS

Small wonders As cruise ships get bigger and bigger, some people are looking in the opposite direction for more authentic experiences. Sam Ballard looks at the big appeal of small ship cruise

March 2019 | Midship Whether it’s Royal Caribbean’s sixth Oasis-class ship, Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras or even P&O’s Iona – it seems like the trend for large cruise ships has never been greater.

This year alone, Norwegian Cruise Line (Encore), MSC (Grandiosa) and Costa (Smerelda) are all launching their largest ships to date. However, while there’s no doubt the trend for bigger ships is growing apace, there is also a pull in the other direction.

It’s little wonder why. While the sheer variety of what’s available on a mega-ship cannot be competed with – whether it’s a Beatles tribute act in a mock Cavern Club or having the option to eat in dozens of different restaurants – they tend to suffer when it comes to what’s happening off a ship. In short, the bigger the ship, the more infrastructure a destination needs to handle it. Only the most developed ports – and therefore a minority – can handle ships with 6,000 guests plus a few thousand crew. It also means that each individual passenger’s experience will be shared with a lot of people – leading to some criticism of lines swamping a destination when multiple ships call in one day. With experiences suffering – and ships showing no sign of shrinking – lines with megaships have began either developing their current private islands (Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day) or even buying their own (MSC’s Ocean Cay). That way they can better control the experience for their guests.

However, this isn’t for everyone and has left a major part of the market open: small ships. What they lack in choice on board they make up for in itineraries. Put simply: they call at ports that the bigger ships can’t get into. That means less visited ports, with fewer people and more authentic experiences. A perfect example is Paul Gauguin Cruises, which specialises in cruises around the Pacific islands on board its one vessel – the tiny Paul Gauguin. That connection with a local area has led to a more authentic experience, according to Elaine Gillard, senior sales and marketing manager for the line in the UK. “Cruising the islands of the South Pacific is so much about the people

and the culture that these islands offer up,” she explains. “With just 332 guests, the Paul Gauguin is not only the perfect size to ensure the islands aren’t overwhelmed with visitors, it is the perfect build to cruise into the lagoons that surround these beautiful locations. Small ship cruising really ensures an authentic experience in this bucket-list destination.”

That intimacy with a destination is something that larger ships simply cannot offer – they’re not physically capable, nor is it their ambition to.

There is also a sense of community on board smaller ships which is more akin to the feeling in your local – rather than the floating cities that some lines specialise in. When it comes to intimacy few lines can offer CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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anything like that of Intrepid Travel, the small-group adventure tour operator which is targeting cruise as a major growth area for the business going forward.

Filippos Venetopoulos, Intrepid Travel’s general manager for adventure cruise, explains: “We see adventure cruise as a huge opportunity. Clients are looking for an

authentic and sustainable alternative with a focus on truly exploring the destination. Our small ships carry up to 50 passengers, allowing us to access those smaller ports and islands the large ships can’t reach.

“We had 23 departures in 2018 and we’ll have 66 this year, with 100 planned for 2020. Our new Asia cruises got off to a great start this year

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and received fantastic feedback from customers and agents.”

Another line that is offering more unusual small ship cruises is Star Clippers. The company, which has ships modelled on classic sailing clippers, is inversely all about the ship – unusual for a small ship operator – with the theatre of its masts and sails offering a real selling point to potential travellers. The fact that the ship can enter smaller ports is an added bonus.

“Star Clippers’ guests like sailing with us because they know that our historically-styled clippers can enter ports and harbours inaccessible to large cruise ships,” says Fay McCormack, general manager at Star Clippers UK. “This gives them a greater sense of independence and adventure, because they can explore on land without thousands of other guests allowing for a more authentic environment.

“They also enjoy the more intimate spaces on board the ships, with the central Tropical Bar providing a convivial social point with friendly, familiar bar staff and like-minded guests. While Star Clippers’ ships are far from small, guests consider our ships to be more akin to vast, private yachts rather than floating hotels.”

Ian Warren, an agent with GoCruise, agrees when it comes to the sense of community on smaller ships.

“Despite the recent move to building much larger ships, there is still a good demand from clients for smaller cruise ships. Often, but not always, these are the more mature cruisers, and they like smaller ships for a number of reasons, including the fact that they can get to know members of the crew and other passengers.

Other benefits include the smaller ports that the ships can get into, and the much quicker embarkation and disembarkation. In my view there will always be a demand for small ships, offering a more traditional cruise experience.”

However, without the economies of scale that the big ships offer – small ships are often the domain of the luxury lines. If you are only going to offer a few restaurants, you may as well have one of them backed by a

March 2019 | Midship Michelin-starred chef – or three in the case of Thomas Keller, who has a restaurant on board Seabourn. For Lynn Narraway, Seabourn’s UK boss, the chance to travel with a small community of like-minded travellers is where the company really shines.

“Seabourn’s ships are designed to offer guests an intimate, elegant ambiance, which encourages sociability – our guests love to get to know their fellow travellers,” says Narraway. “Seabourn also offers very high levels of personal service, so that staff will get to know guests, and their preferences very early in the cruise. The personalisation extends to enrichment and activities – for example our ‘Seabourn Conversations’, where experts from the worlds of arts, history, Unesco, the natural world and beyond, will not only talk to guests, but dine and socialise with them – extending the ‘conversation’ over the length of the cruise.”

Another luxury line that operates on small vessels is SeaDream Yacht Club. The company’s UK sales director, Mark Schmitt, cites the level of service, as well as the lesser-known ports of call they serve as being a prime reason why the company has connected so well with its clients.

“Our customers love sailing with SeaDream Yacht Club (small yachts) thanks to our unprecedented levels of

luxury and service. Our itineraries are designed to call at the intimate ports and harbours in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Cuba that larger cruise ships cannot reach. Along with our amazing, award-winning cuisine, SeaDream Yacht Club is a once in a lifetime, every time experience.”

Whatever the end of the market that you are selling into, remember there is something out for everyone.

And if your client is particularly keen on seeing a destination – and potentially a quieter, less developed part of it – chances are that it will pay to get them on a smaller ship.

THREE SMALL SHIP CRUISES 15 nights in Vietnam

Seven nights in Greece

10 nights in the South Pacific

Intrepid – Panorama II Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City, May 7, 2019 From £3,360pp

Star Clippers – Star Flyer Piraeus, Port of Athens (round-trip) June 8, 2019 From £1,490pp

Paul Gaugin – MS Paul Gaugin Papeete (round-trip), October 2, 2019 From $6,395pp with flights from LA

This 15-night voyage sails along the coast of Vietnam from north to south, taking in the beautiful Ha Long Bay, lively Nha Trang and the old town of Hoi An, destinations seldom seen by anyone but local fisherman.

Sail the Aegean in style on this Mamma Mia cruise on the elegant Star Flyer. It takes in a number of the gorgeous Greek islands, as well as the Turkish town of Dikili with its acropolis.

This leisurely cruise takes in the Society Islands, Bora Bora, the private paradise of Motu Mahana and the Tuamotu Archipelago and its underwater ecosystem. Grab a snorkel mask or dive tank and see it up close for yourself.

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SELLING TIP – Advise clients to book the biggest cabins they can afford. A family of four in an inside cabin is too close for comfort – literally

HOW TO SELL

Family cruises

Jane Archer looks at the best cruises for families, from the kid-friendly activity-loaded mega-ships to smaller vessels that could appeal to more adventurous teens

Family-friendly ships

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Small ships

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River ships

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Millions of youngsters already go on cruises each year, but still a huge swathe of the population – and possibly agents who only dabble in cruise sales – brand holidays at sea as only being for old people.

On the contrary, they are fantastic for children and teens – they are a perfect chance for them to get a taste

for travel in a safe environment where they can have their own freedom (a big attraction for children who are kept on a tight leash at home) while making friends with youngsters from around the world.

Big resort ships offering non-stop entertainment for all ages are the obvious choice for families, and

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importantly have plenty to appeal to mums and dads too, but don’t assume that all youngsters are the same. For example, some teenagers might be attracted to a small ship or river cruise holiday where they are treated like adults and can discover more unusual places and learn about different cultures.

March 2019 | Midship

Family-friendly ships With everything from go-karts and bungee trampolines to laser tag and rope courses, the best family-friendly ships offer so much fun that parents invariably struggle to get their offspring ashore on port days. These ships are big and have kids’ and teen clubs offering non-stop activities for all ages, as well as hair-raising water slides and swimming pools where youngsters can splash around with their new friends. When deciding the budget, clients should consider what exactly is included and look out for any special prices for children.

On a budget Who? MSC Cruises Where? Mediterranean When? August 26, 2019 How long? Seven nights How much? From £1,129pp This cruise is a good intro, visiting favourite ports around the Western Med including Cannes, Barcelona and Palma. It is on MSC Seaview, a large ship with water slides, a zipwire, 4D cinema, flight simulator and play areas, as well as plenty of bars and eateries for where youngsters can refuel without parents in tow.

Selected activities cost extra.

Splash out Who? Disney Cruise Line Where? Western Caribbean When? August 31, 2019 How long? Seven nights How much? £2,465pp Mickey, Minnie and the rest of the Disney gang will be fellow travellers

on this made-forfamilies cruise from Port Canaveral on Disney Fantasy that includes a day in Castaway Cay, the cruise line’s private island. The ship has a water coaster and pools for all ages, kids and teen clubs, character parties, pirate nights and more.

Activities are included.

No-fly families Who? Royal Caribbean International Where? Mediterranean When? August 10, 2019 How long? 14 nights How much? £1,649pp There is a lot to be said for avoiding airports to reduce stress levels when going on holiday, especially when you’ve got kids on tow. This Royal Caribbean cruise sails round-trip from Southampton to Spain and Portugal on Independence of the Seas, where kids can try everything from bouncy trampolines and ice-skating to laser tag and a surf simulator. All activities are included in the price.

SELLING TIP – Highlight the non-stop complimentary kids and teen clubs. Many landbased resorts charge for similar features

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Small ships Just as adults’ tastes change, so children moving into their teens can tire of kids’ clubs and long for something more experiential. Enter family cruises on small ships. These vessels tend to be more inclusive, but offer little or no kids’ entertainment. Instead, the itineraries are port-intensive, so there is more time for families to explore ashore. Suggest parents steer clear of museums and encourage their teens to plan the days out around what appeals to them.

Luxury Who? Seabourn Where? Mediterranean When? August 15, 2019 How long? Seven days How much? From £3,199pp Seabourn is known for allinclusive luxury rather than families, but there is no reason why one should preclude the other. This French Riviera cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Barcelona might have some families on board but won’t have any organised entertainment so is best suited to youngsters who have outgrown kids’ clubs.

Casual Who? Celestyal Cruises Where? Greece When? August 5, 2019 How long? Seven nights How much? From £1,169pp Celestyal is popular with families for its informal cruises around Greece

and Turkey and offers limited entertainment for young children.

This Idyllic Aegean sailing has everything from mythical beasts to exploding volcanoes to fire youngsters’ imaginations. Fares include soft and alcoholic drinks, gratuities and three excursions.

Adventure Who? Paul Gauguin Cruises Where? South Pacific When? August 14, 2019 How long? 10 nights How much? From £5,280pp including flights between Los Angeles to Papeete This cruise, visiting the Society Islands and Tuamotus, would be the trip of a lifetime for adventurous youngsters.

It’s on the Paul Gauguin, a small ship with all-inclusive fares that carries its own team of scuba instructors.

This departure includes a Moana Explorer programme of excursions, activities and treasure hunts for youngsters aged seven to 17.

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SELLING TIP – Happy children means happy parents. Get the youngsters hooked and let them do the selling job on their parents

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River ships River cruise is on course to be the next big thing for family holidays as companies tweak their product to attract a younger generation. River ships are small and, with a few exceptions, activities on board are limited, but these holidays are all about discovery outside the vessel. Most river cruise lines welcome young children, but think mostly in terms of young adults looking for more out of life than an Instagram following or late-night disco.

Educational Who? Pandaw Where? Vietnam and Cambodia When? July 20, 2019 How long? Seven nights How much? From £2,015pp.

This river cruise, from Siem Reap in Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, will be an eye-opener for British teens. They’ll travel in sampans and tuk-tuks, and learn a Cambodian KFC isn’t quite as appetising as at home (think Khmer Fried Cricket). It’s amazing for those with a taste for adventure; as a bonus, under 18s cruise for free on this departure.

Family-friendly Who? Uniworld Where? Danube and Prague When? July 29, 2019 How long? 10 days How much? From £3,699pp. Includes flights Uniworld has a Generations selection of

Active

cruises in Europe with excursions and activities to appeal to families.

This holiday, pairing two nights in Prague with eight days on the Danube, has a Segway ride in Vienna, a treasure hunt in the Wachau Valley and Bavarian kids’ fashion show. Children aged four to 17 qualify for 25 per cent off the cruise price.

Who? Emerald Waterways Where? Rhône When? August 10, 2019 How long? Eight days How much? From £1,745pp. Includes flights Emerald Waterways’ river ships have indoor swimming pools (not on the Douro), cinemas, bikes to hire and itineraries with plenty of energetic excursions organised by dedicated activity managers. This cruise, from Arles to Lyon in France, has guided hikes through vineyards and cycle rides along the river, all included in the price along with drinks with meals and tips.

SELLING TIP – Sell the value. It is easy to budget in advance given accommodation, food, most activities and entertainment are included

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DIRECTORY Got a cruise query? Let us assist you.

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

CRUISE LINES!

Information missing or out of date?

Email info@cruise-adviser.com

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A-Rosa Lucia Rowe, UK managing director 078 4202 6013 l.rowe@a-rosa.de

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

Amadeus River Cruises Natalie O’Mahoney, head of sales 0800 035 6411 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Celebrity Cruises Katherine Hulatt, trade support 01932 834 379 (option 2) salessupport.uk@rccl.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlas/Kompas Predrag Krivokapic, president +1 954 258 8531 / +385 9 1975 1735 kompas@kompas.net

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

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

Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk Cruising Excursions Simonne Fairbanks, chief operating officer 0800 091 8274 traveltrade@cruisingexcursions.com

Avalon Waterways Janet Parton, sales director 020 8315 4545 agencysales@avaloncruises.co.uk Azamara Club Cruises Lori Scanella, business support executive 01932 834 379 salessupport.uk@rccl.com

Cunard Line Victoria Snelgar, business manager – sales operations 07773 253 279 victoria.snelgar@cunard.co.uk

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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

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Heritage Line Amy Sharpe, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

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

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

European Waterways Mark Robinson, sales and reservations manager 01753 598 555 sales@europeanwaterways.com E-Waterways Amy Sharpe, 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, managing director 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

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

Expair Tours Marco Rosa, managing director 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

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

Far Horizon Hannah Logan, product manager 0800 035 3189 sales@fredrivercruises.co.uk Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Mike Evans, head of sales 01473 746164 cruise.sales@fredolsen.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Manatee Amazon Explorer Amy Sharpe, sales and marketing 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

Paukan Cruises Marco Rosa, managing director 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

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

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

MĂśvenpick Cruises Marco Rosa, managing director 07973 876 967 marco@plateauinternational.com

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

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

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

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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 – 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 and Africa 023812 45241 nwilkinson@ncl.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Touchdown | Travel Industry Services Robbie White, head of cruise product 020 8607 3805 rwhite@touchdown.co.uk Travel2 Colin Currie, head of sales 07891 257 160 colin.currie@travel2.com

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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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silversea Sales support 020 7340 0700 salesuk@silversea.com 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

T

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

Tauck UK country manager 080 0810 8020 tauckreservations@tauck.co.uk Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 012 9345 0726; 078 3465 2135 edwina.coppock@titantravel.co.uk

W

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

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

53

March 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 April for the answers

FEBRUARY SOLUTION

ACROSS

DOWN

6. Californian beachfront city (6)

1. Short holiday (3,3)

7. Remedy (4)

2. Foremost features of old sailing ships (11)

8. Bean curd (4)

3. Officers’ area afloat (11)

9. DIY ciggie (4-2)

4. Youth (11)

10. When there’s no other choice (2,9)

5. Remarkable thing (4)

12. Destitute (2,4)

SUDOKU

See the next cruise adviser in April for the answers

8

11. Largest land (6)

3

5

1

13. Dickens heroine (4)

8

2

9 8

16. Southwest Indian port (6)

7

9

4

2

5

6

2 4

3

5

4

14. Born Free lioness (4) 15. Skidded (4)

9

3

2 3

1

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7 FEBRUARY SOLUTION

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5 8

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CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

54

QUIZ See bottom of page for answers

1. What is the largest country in Africa?

2. Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson is the real name of what pop star?

3. Singer Mark Hollis, who died last month, fronted what 1980s group?

4. What is the capital of Belarus?

5. Which cruise line’s first Excellence-class ship will be called Smeralda?

6. Which Swedish author wrote the Millennium trilogy?

7. Which of these rivers runs entirely through France – Loire, Rhône or Rhine?

8. Iona will be the largest ship built for which cruise line?

9. Hokkaido is one of the islands that make up which country?

10. Movies Under the Stars features on what cruise line?

11. What is the capital of Ethiopia?

12. Who is the Roman god of love?

13. The AEC Routemaster is a type of what?

14. What is the French word for water?

15. La Vecchia Signora is the nickname of which Italain football club?

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Algeria; 2. Katy Perry; 3. Talk Talk; 4. Minsk; 5. Costa Cruises; 6. Stieg Larsson; 7. Loire 8. P&O Cruises; 9. Japan; 10. Princess Cruises; 11. Addis Ababa; 12. Cupid; 13. Double-decker bus; 14. Eau; 15. Juventus

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

55

March 2019 | Aft

LOOKOUT

1

All the pictures from the latest cruise events 1. Royal Caribbean spread the love and choccies on Valentine’s Day. Here is north west RSM Caroline Rice with the team at Hays Travel, Maghull…

2. …and also at Thomas Cook in Lord Street, Liverpool 3. Rose Lalley from The Sovereign Cruise Club, one of P&O Cruises’ Shine Rewards Club winners 4. Cruise Nation agents Jackie Burt and Charlotte Emanuel promoting Princess Cruises’ Love Boat offers…

5. …as are Mandy Evans and Rachel Davies from Thomas Cook, Llanelli

2

3

4

5

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

56

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March 2019 | Aft

FINAL WORD

New launches prove cruise is in great shape Remarkable new ships – such as MSC Bellissima – show that the industry is resilient and dynamic enough to weather the Brexit storm, says Sam Ballard As I sit here and write out this column, MSC is preparing to christen its brand new ship MSC Bellissima.

It looks like it’s going to be one hell of a party – from Holly Willoughby presenting to Sofia Loren playing the role of godmother – and why shouldn’t it be? The UK cruise industry is in great shape and this, after all, is the first launch of the season. And in Southampton no less.

This year will see another tranche of remarkable ships coming to the market. From MSC’s much-talked about Bellissima – which is capable of holding up to 5,686 guests – to AmaWaterways’ AmaDouro and Saga’s first ever new-build, the Spirit of Discovery. We’ll also be seeing Celebrity Edge coming to the UK for the first time in May – with the Festival of Edge – a chance for the UK trade to get on board and test out the Magic Carpet and see if those infinite verandas really do live up to the hype.

It’s also highly likely that we’ll be hearing a lot more about the big ships that are coming in 2020, which looks like it’ll be yet another blockbuster year. From Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady to P&O Cruises’ Iona – the biggest ship that the British line has ever launched. These are two events that are bound to get more people talking this year.

Different ships for different types of guests, but all in one industry.

Speaking of industry, one of the most interesting things about Bellissima is that MSC have taken their famous Mediterranean hospitality and amplified it. At the launch event, travel agents, media and delegates will be joined by executives from other cruise lines.

A bold and confident move, but one that shows just how welcoming and inclusive the cruise industry really is. To talk the talk is one thing but MSC is walking the walk.

These announcements are bellwethers for our sector. They are proof that, while external factors such as Brexit are bound to have an effect, the industry is resilient and dynamic enough to weather the storm. Regardless of how Brexit unfolds, the world will (hopefully) continue to turn and life will go on.

With that, customers will still want to go on holiday – that includes all of those people who are currently in ‘wait and see’ mode.

We hope you enjoy whatever launch events you are lucky enough to be invited to – and if you are one of the 50 agents who won a place on board the trade launch party for MSC Bellissima through the competition we ran in cruise adviser, we hope you had a great time with Craig David.

Keep your eyes peeled for more great competitions as we continue through what promises to be a vintage year for the cruise industry.

COMING NEXT TIME The different side of the Med

Azamara in Havana

How to sell to millennials

The Mediterranean isn’t all seven nights between Barcelona and Rome. We take a look at the lesser known spots

Sam Ballard gets on board Azamara Journey for a cruise that includes an overnight stay in the capital of Cuba

Jane Archer explains the ins and outs of selling cruises to millennials – as the industry tries to get them on board

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

58

F EAT URES | R O OM SERVICE MEN U | SHORE EXCUR SIONS

Explore

GLOBE

ISSUE ONE

Issue One

PREVIEW EDITION

December 2016

D E C E M B E R 201 6

WATERMARK YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST HOLIDAYS IN THE WORLD

WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K WHY ARE CRUISES M A K I N G WAV E S ?

SAILING SOLO O F F T H E B E AT E N T R AC K

FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY

Give back with trips that support the local host communities

Roam Russia

Discover the grand delights of St Petersburg and Moscow year-round

New routes

Low-cost carriers are mapping their way in long-haul airspace

WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS

Solus

I SS UE 0N E

thevillagepost Amazing Grace Introducing Tauck’s new ship on the mighty Rhine

Turning the tide An in-depth look at MSC Cruises’ forthcoming Seaside

Issue two

A world of luxury We consider the benefits of all-inclusive river cruising

–

–

–

–

SECRETS OF THE DOURO Explore the wonders of Porto with our new itinerary for 2017

MEET THE FLEET Introducing a trio of new ships: Emerald Radiance, Liberté and Destiny

RAISE A GLASS Enjoy the world’s finest wines during our new cruise on the Rhône

WHICH RIVER ARE YOU? Find out which Emerald Waterways cruise best suits your personality

thetravelvillage

Travel industry insights / September 2018

Soak up the colour, culture and energy of Argentina’s pulsing capital – an unforgettable introduction to the sensual appeal of Latin America

Stepping lightly

ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS

EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

thecruisevillage

Buenos Aires

CRUISE & MORE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

EMERALD EXPLORER

Eastern promises Sailing Asia’s majestic Mekong with APT Touring

thevillagepost American Queen A music-themed tour of the Deep South on the mighty Mississippi

Fire and ice Explore the Galápagos and Antarctica with our handy guide

Issue three

Capital concerns Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest with Scenic on the Danube

All around the world These epic cruises and flights will take you across the globe

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issue 3

issue 2

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Issue three

Page 1

ISSUE TWO Issue two | Section Name

H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O L O T R AV E L

FROM THE TEAM

SOLUS

AT

INDIAN SUMMER WE EXPLAIN WHY THE COUNTRY IS BACK ON THE MAP FOR SOLOS

THE ABTA MAGAZINE GUIDE TO

THE ABTA MAGAZINE GUIDE TO THE

THE ABTA MAGAZINE GUIDE TO

MURCIA

CARIBBEAN

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1

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THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

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ISSUE THREE

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H E L P I N G YO U S E L L S O L O T R AV E L S E P T E M B E R 2018

OC TO B E R 2 01 8

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HIGH LIFE

ON THE HIGH SEAS The dazzling rise of luxury cruise

Fields of Bali

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T H E Y E A R I N R E V I E W | TO K YO | C L I A R I V E R CO N F E R E N C E

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

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N O V E M B E R 20 1 8

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D E C E M B E R 2018

CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

AU R O R A E X P E D I T I O N S | R I T Z - C A R L TO N | C R Y S TA L R I V E R C R U I S E S

Anthony Pearce explores the Caribbean with Viking Cruises

HOW TO MAKE A CRUISE

EVEN BETTER

EXPRESS YOURSELF WHY RAIL HOLIDAYS ARE IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN

The added extras that can transform your clients’ holidays

INFOCUS: G ADVENTURES DISPELLING SOLO TRAVEL MYTHS COACH TOURING IN AUSTRALIA

ISSUE FOUR

FE ATU R E S | R O O M SE RVICE M E N U | SHO R E E XCU R SIO N S

ISSUE TWO

GLOBE

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

YO U R O N B OA R D M AGA Z I N E

M A R C H 2 01 8

JA N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 20 1 8

GLOBE

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Sue Bryant sails on Celebrity Edge, the much hyped new ship that could change the future of cruise

A NIGHT ON MSC’S BRAND NEW SHIP BELLISSIMA

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

PARADISE FOUND We return to the Caribbean with P&O Cruises and find it very much open for business after last year’s hurricanes

PLUS HOW TO SELL: EX-UK PORTS OF CALL: COPENHAGEN WAVE: SPECIAL OFFERS ROUND-UP

EMPIRE OF THE SUN A TRIP DOWN MEXICO WAY 02

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IM067100025 - CreaStudio 1901004 Copyright: Shutterstock - Alexandre Sattler - Micky Hoyle

• Visit beautiful Chobe National Park, home to an abundance of wildlife