Cruise Trade News - November 2013

ISSUE 44 | November 2013 | £3.75

All Leisure Holidays’ Colin Wilson is

Making Waves SPECIAL REPORT

New ships and predictions for 2014 With this issue: 2014 River Cruise Preview

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| CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 44 | NOVEMBER 2013

WE LC O M E | CTN

With the January ‘wave’ peak selling period fast approaching it will be fascinating to see what tactics will be employed by the major cruise lines to entice 2014 bookings.

T

he forthcoming new year selling season will be of particular interest given the changes at the top of three of the major cruise brands in the UK. There is a new managing director at Royal Caribbean International and new marketing directors taking the helm at both P&O Cruises and Cunard Line.

All have taken up their positions having held careers outside the cruise sector, with Stuart Leven joining Royal Caribbean with a hotels and airline background, Angus Struthers at Cunard from TripAdvisor and Christopher Edgington at P&O Cruises from Gala Coral Group.

Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises are to operate as separate entities under the Royal Caribbean Cruises umbrella in the UK and Ireland, each with their own local managing directors We have already seen changes to the pricing structure at P&O Cruises and sister Carnival UK brand Cunard with the removal of Vantage and Getaway fares for sailings from next spring.

There’s little doubt that lines were left with no option but to discount heavily this year in an effort to ensure ships sailed full, and that will be a cycle senior management teams across the sector will be anxious to avoid in 2014.

Published by Cruiseworthy Media 10 Tadorne Road, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5TD, United Kingdom.

Keith Ellis: Publisher/Managing Editor keith@cruiseworthy.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1737 812411 Mob: 07802 256275

Letter from the Editor The encouraging factor now compared with a year ago is that cruise companies are beginning to detect consumer confidence returning and that can only help the availability of disposable income to be spent on next year’s holidays.

The issue for the sector is to persuade consumers to book cruises rather than land-based holidays – and this is where fresh thinking may well play an important part in re-inventing the promotional messages required to trigger that all-important early business.

To help agents capture their share, an exclusive 2014 river cruise preview is published together with this issue of Cruise Trade News.

There are many compelling reasons to encourage clients to opt for an ocean or river-based holiday and we hope CTN can play a part in helping to convert those sales.

Phil Davies Editor travjournalist@hotmail.com

Trudy Redfern: Commercial Director trudybanksr@gmail.com Mob: 07766 426627 Phil Davies: Editor travjournalist@hotmail.com Tel: +44 (0) 1747 828695 Jane Archer: News Editor janearc@aol.com Giles Ellis Creative: Design & Production Tel: +44 (0) 1444 480491 studio@gileselliscreative.com

CONTENTS

4-9 Cruise Industry News 10-11 River Cruise News 12-13 Columbus Day

Conference report 14-15 Making Waves with Colin Wilson, All Leisure Holidays 16-17 All Leisure Holidays Cruise Update 19-26 Looking Forward to 2014 28-29 New to Cruise – Smoking at Sea 30 Industry Opinion with CLIA’s Christine Duffy 31 Independent Voice with agent Scott Anderson 36 Marie Celeste Material in this publication is the copyright of the title publisher and may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

Annual subscription (six issues) £22.50, including UK postage. Single issue £3.75 post free. Details from the publisher’s office above.

NOVEMBER 2013 | ISSUE 44 | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | N EWS

Life of Riley As the year draws to a close there is much to look forward to in the coming months, and I don’t just mean the Christmas break and New Year parties.

Major trade push planned by Regent Regent Seven Seas Cruises is embarking on a charm offensive to woo agents with its most ambitious trade promotion programme yet, writes Sara Macefield.

With the unveiling of new-look Seven Seas Voyager following a $25 million refit, planned revamps to its two sister ships and the arrival of Seven Seas Explorer in spring 2016, the line is keen to strengthen ties with UK retailers.

“The UK is growing much faster than the US and is our largest market within Europe,” said Frank Del Rio, chairman and chief executive of Regent parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. “We are making an investment in people and marketing dollars, and getting out to travel agents.”

Regent’s first trade marketing manager, Ben Smith, took up his role in October, overseeing agent relations and driving tradefocused initiatives including a new agent ambassadors programme, due to be launched next spring, which will reward sales staff for bookings.

This month sees the launch of Regent’s

Regent in 2014 The South Pacific and South Africa are notable highlights of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 2014 programme as two of the line’s ships return to the regions towards the end of the year.

Seven Seas Mariner returns to the Pacific islands following a gap of five years, with four itineraries that include the line’s first turnaround voyage from Tahiti.

Seven Seas Voyager will sail a 30-night Dubai to Cape Town cruise that includes a

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latest direct-mail promotion which centres on a till receipt listing activities, such as gratuities and shore excursions, that cost extra on most lines but are included on Regent sailings.

The Voyager refit included updating penthouse suites and public areas, and similar revamps are now planned for Seven Seas Mariner next spring and Seven Seas Navigator in spring 2015.

The following year marks the arrival of Explorer, which Del Rio claimed would set new standards for the luxury cruise sector, with the 738-passenger ship boasting one of the highest space and crew-to-guest ratios in the industry.

New features include a speciality Asian restaurant and an owner’s suite of more than 3,500 sq ft including two bedrooms, an outdoor water garden and butler service.

Del Rio said: “It will be the most luxurious ship ever built. We have a budget much larger than those who have built luxury cruises before.”

number of overnight stops and maiden port calls including Maputo in Mozambique and Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

Regent is offering more than 60 sailings next summer, featuring 17 new ports of call and overnights in 19 locations. Voyager will be based in Northern Europe, while Mariner will sail the Mediterranean with new port calls including Antibes in France and Syros in Greece.

Seven Seas Navigator will cruise Alaska from May to August, before sailing north to spend the autumn catching fall colours as it cruises between New York and Montreal.

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The cruise industry is looking stronger than ever and there are now many more reasons for customers to book a cruise at any time of the year.

This year there are some great winter sun cruise options available for clients looking for a short-haul Christmas getaway, and now is a perfect time to take advantage of some last minute deals and offers to help to draw in the customers.

A cruise to the Canary Islands offers sun and temperate climates all yearround, giving customers the opportunity to escape to sea during the winter months and we have added Morocco to our itinerary to entice those culturehungry cruisers.

By doing your research and keeping up to date with the offers available during the next few months there are plenty of opportunities to capitalise and increase your bookings.

With Wave Season soon approaching it is a good time to start planning for families looking to book their next summer holiday.

As ever, cruise lines have produced some great training materials to help you to get to know their products, which is now more important than ever as the number of ships and lines continue to rise.

Getting to know your customers is an important part of the selling process as matching the right customer to the right ship has never been more vital to ensure a positive cruise experience.

If we’re looking ahead I can’t ignore that we are soon to be launching our latest ship Norwegian Getaway in January. To celebrate we have put a onenight mini cruise out of Southampton itinerary on sale.

Taster cruises are a good way to persuade new-to-cruise customers to try out a cruise holiday and what better way to do it than on a brand new ship?

Until next time, Francis Riley Vice President and General Manager International Norwegian Cruise Line

N EWS | C TN

Kuoni cashes in on cruising Kuoni is cashing in on the continuing popularity of cruising by introducing an expanded collection of cruise-and-stay holidays featuring itineraries with a selection of upmarket lines.

The holidays, available to book this month, are mostly packaged around lines including Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard, Crystal, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Compagnie du Ponant.

Previously Kuoni has offered only a specialist selection of cruise holidays including Orient Express in Myanmar and voyages in

Antarctica and the Galapagos.

The new selection features in a Kuonibranded Celebrity Cruises’ brochure as well as in a cruise section of its website and the second-edition of the operator’s Worldwide programme.

Packages include an 11-night holiday combining a seven-night cruise in the Caribbean on Celebrity Silhouette with a fournight stay at the Gotham Hotel in New York with helicopter tours from £2,704 per person including fights, transfers and all gratuities.

A 23-night holiday in Australia includes

three nights at the Crowne Promenade Perth, a 17-night voyage on Celebrity Solstice and three nights at the InterContinental Sydney from £3,960 per person.

A selection of ex-UK cruises includes Celebrity voyages to the Fjords in summer and QM2 transatlantic crossings from Southampton to New York.

Kuoni UK managing director Derek Jones said: “We have thousands of loyal customers, many who book with us time and again, so we want to introduce new customers who may not have previously considered a cruise option to the market.”

HAL runs 11 Dover departures Holland America Line is offering 11 cruises from Dover next year, including seven weeklong Norwegian Fjords itineraries, two 14-night Baltic cruises, and two Midnight Sun voyages.

New for 2014, the line also has an early DDay cruise on Eurodam – a 12-night sailing from Civitavecchia to Copenhagen on April 29 that visits Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar before heading to Normandy in France ahead of the 70th anniversary in June and then into Scandinavia.

In Asia, HAL has three voyages on Volendam that include first-time visits to Myanmar and overnight stays in Yangon for excursions to Bagan or Mandalay.

On September 28, 2014, Rotterdam sets sail on an 83-night circumnavigation of Africa, with calls including the Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Morocco and Oman. The no-fly cruise sails round-trip from Southampton and costs from £7,649 per person.

Meanwhile, the line has axed all its eastern Mediterranean cruises for 2014 in response to the on-going political unrest in Egypt.

Noordam will instead be cruising in central and western Mediterranean in spring and summer 2014. Passengers booked on the cancelled cruises have been allowed to switch to the same cabin grade on another 11 to 14day cruise without incurring an extra charge.

All cruise lines have now pulled their calls to Egypt, including voyages in the Red Sea, in line with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice against travel to many parts of the country.

MSC Cruises has replaced its winter Red Sea cruises on MSC Armonia with a season in the Canary Islands.

Seabourn new ship order Seabourn has ordered for a new ship to replace the capacity it is losing with the sale Seabourn Pride, Legend and Spirit to Windstar.

Details of the new vessel have not been revealed.

But Seabourn president Rick Meadows confirmed it will be ‘modelled’ on the line’s

450-passenger Odyssey-class ships.

The ship will be built at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2016.

Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend will be transferred to their new owners in April 2014, April 2015 and May 2015, respectively.

Cruising Excursions.com has opened an office in Germany as it expands its brand of lowcost day trips for cruise passengers across Europe. The company has also set up dedicated websites for German, French and Dutch speakers offering tours with guides that speak the selected language. Planning the company’s Euro moves are, from left, Cruising Excursions general manager Simonne Fairbanks, managing director Simon Purchase and business development manager Graham Chuter.

NEWS | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | N EWS I N B R I E F Pam Conover has resigned as chief executive officer of SeaDream Yacht Club and will leave on December 4 following the consolidation of the organisation and decision making in Norway. Owner Atle Brynestad will assume the role of CEO. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa has emerged from a multi-million euro dry dock that has updated 156 suites and the ship’s public areas. There are new carpets and lounge furniture in the atrium, while the suites have a new colour scheme and more modern chairs. A new late breakfast in Restaurant Dieter Müller is now available.

Windstar Cruises will be sailing in Southeast Asia and Arabia for the first time next year. The voyages will be on the 212passenger Star Pride, one of the three Seabourn vessels that have been bought

by Windstar. The Asia season starts in October 2014 with a cruise from the Mediterranean to Dubai, then on to Singapore.

Royal Caribbean Cruises has upgraded the global reservation system used for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises to deliver faster, more targeted searches with any promotions automatically added. A new module and vodcast on the changes will be added to the company’s Cruising for Excellence training programme.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises, already known as the world’s most inclusive cruise line, has added wi-fi to the list of included benefits for passengers. Starting winter 2014-15, passengers in concierge-class and higher suites will receive up to 500 minutes complimentary.

Crystal imposes speciality dining fee A $30 per person charge is being introduced

by Crystal Cruises for passengers who dine more than once in speciality restaurants on Crystal Serenity and Symphony from January.

The ultra luxury line blames the new rules on passengers who make multiple pre-cruise bookings in the Italian restaurant Prego or the Asian Silk Road so others cannot get a table.

Under the new arrangement, passengers can still book a table in each restaurant ahead of their cruise, but each cabin and suite can only make one complimentary reservation.

Further visits have to be booked on board and will be charged at $30 per person. The same fee applies to eat at the sushi bar in the Silk Road.

Passengers pre-booking a table for more

than two people will have to give the names of the other diners to prevent the others in the booking making separate reservations.

Crystal has also teamed up with Imagine VIP to create ‘bucket list’ events for passengers such as weddings, birthday and retirement parties, and signed up former MP Edwina Curry, broadcaster Sue MacGregor and novelist Kathy Reichs as guest speakers for 2014.

Curry will be joining a 21-night Temples and Safaris cruise from Singapore to Cape Town on Crystal Serenity on March 10, now on sale with a complimentary three-night pre-cruise land tour that visits Bangkok and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. MacGregor and Reichs will be on the next sector, also 21 nights, sailing from Cape Town to Southampton.

Regal Princess early launch Princess Cruises has added two more maiden cruises for new ship Regal Princess, which is launching two weeks earlier than originally scheduled.

The vessel was due to enter service on June 2, but will now start sailing on May 20, on a one-week cruise from Venice to Piraeus, the port for Athens with calls at Corfu, Mykonos and an overnight in Istanbul.

A new six-day cruise from Piraeus to Venice includes calls at Kusadasi, Santorini, Katakolon and Dubrovnik.

The two cruises can be combined into a 13-day Grand Adventure or added to the original one-week maiden cruise from Venice to Barcelona departing on June 2.

The ship will then embark on a summer series of 12-night Grand Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona to Venice and vice-versa.

The 3,560-passenger Regal Princess is a sister to Royal Princess, which launched in June this year, sharing features such as a large piazza-style atrium, a glass-bottomed SeaWalk that extends 28 feet over the side of the ship, poolside cabanas and a TV studio.

Hurtigruten has unveiled a one-off 12-day holiday that combines a cruise along Norway’s coast with a tour of the country’s northern province of Finnmark that includes a visit to a Sami tent and concert by local performers. The tour departs on March 25, 2014 and costs from £1,855 per person cruise-only.

Countryfile presenter John Craven is talking about his life and career during a one-week Caribbean cruise on Star Clippers’ Royal Clipper departing January 25 and on sale as a nine-night cruise-andstay holiday with two nights in the Tamarind in Barbados. Prices lead in at £2,459 per person cruise-only.

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Norwegians dig in for charity: Norwegian Cruise Line has been digging deep for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, helping to transform a muddy garden into a play area for five-year-old Ciana, who has a rare form of the disease, and her three-year-old sister Lexi.

The team of Norwegian volunteers included vice-president and general manager international Francis Riley, centre back.

| CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 44 | NOVEMBER 2013

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CTN | N EWS

Med base for Viking Ocean Cruises Viking Ocean Cruises is to keep its first ocean-going ship in the Mediterranean yearround in response to ‘overwhelming demand’ for maiden cruises in spring and summer 2015.

The destination-focused cruise line, a sister to Viking River Cruises, is the first new cruise company to launch for more than a decade. It will begin sailing in May 2015 with its first vessel, the 928-passenger Viking Star, to be built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri.

A second as-yet-unnamed vessel is on order for delivery in 2016, and conditional orders and options for four more ocean vessels are also in place.

Viking Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen said customers have “responded enthusiastically” to the maiden cruises, which have been designed to allow passengers maximum time in port, often with late evenings and overnight stays.

He added that the new winter cruises

would allow passengers to experience Europe’s cities during the quiet season, “the way the locals do”.

Viking is offering a seven-night Romantic Mediterranean winter cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia with calls including Toulon, Corsica and Monte Carlo, and a one-week Mediterranean Getaway voyage from Civitavecchia to Barcelona visiting Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, Tunis and Palma.

Both itineraries can be combined in a 15day Mediterranean Explorer cruise round-trip from Barcelona. A two-week Grand Mediterranean Tour, also round-trip from Barcelona, includes calls at Monte Carlo, Toulon, Corsica, Valletta in Malta and Algiers in Algeria.

The new ship will have outside cabins only, all with balconies, with 14 Explorer Suites that have two rooms and wrap-around verandas.

There will be two swimming pools, one with a roof that can be shut in cold weather, a spa with a ‘snow grotto’ and a choice of places to eat including a Chef’s Table, Italian Grill and World Café.

An on-board cookery school will enable passengers to learn to prepare regional dishes.

Hapag-Lloyd ships top Berlitz rankings Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ newcomer Europa 2 has been named top ship in the world by the Berltiz Cruising & Cruise Ships guide for 2014.

It is one of only two vessels to have achieved a high enough score to be in the most exclusive five star pus category in the book, alongside the German line’s ship Europa.

It is the first time since 1989 that two ships belonging to the same company have achieved the top rating since the former Royal Viking Line ships Royal Viking Sea and Royal Viking Sky. Seabourn dominates success in the combined small and boutique ships categories, with six vessels out of the top 20, namely Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Legend, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Pride.

In the small ships category, five of the top 10 cruise ships are Silversea vessels.

Of the top 10 large resort ships rated by Berlitz, five of belong to Celebrity Cruises.

The three top-rated Large Resort Ships are all Cunard Line ships, Queen Mary 2 (Grill Class), Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.

Costa creates ‘slow cruises’ Costa Cruises, one of the last cruise lines to offer fixed two-sitting dining, has introduced a new sub brand allowing passengers to dine when they want.

The new Costa neoCollection features two ships, the 1,248-passenger neoRiviera, previously operated by Iberocroceros as Grand Mistral and 1,578-passenger Costa neoRomantica, the former Costa Romantica.

Both ships will be offering new ‘slow’ cruises, giving passengers more time in port, combined with more personalised shore excursions with groups of no more than 25 people, menus designed with the assistance

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of the Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo and hand-picked wines on sale by the glass.

As part of the new slow cruise concept, the line has launched new one-week voyages in the Middle East on Costa neoRiviera that offer fewer ports and multiple overnights.

The seven-night Emirates in Style cruises sail round-trip from Dubai and call at Muscat in Oman and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Excursions include a traditional horse show in Sharjah, a camel dairy farm and race-track in Dubai and a night in the desert in Abu Dhabi.

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Wine on the waves Wine tour specialist Arblaster & Clarke has chartered sailing ship Sea Cloud for an eight-night voyage around Italy, Croatia and Greece next August.

Tim Clarke, one of the joint founders of the company, will be accompanying the cruise, from Venice to Piraeus, the port for Athens.

The operator is the only UK company to charter the 1931-built ship in 2014.

The cruise includes on-board tastings of wines from Susak, Puglia and Monemvasia and a day out in Katakolon with a traditional Greek lunch and a visit to Olympia. There are also excursions to beaches, villages and Greek tavernas.

Prices start at £5,849 per person cruiseonly including wine with meals, wine tours and tastings, gratuities and return airport transfers.

N EWS | C TN

Baltic cruises score highly Three-quarters of passengers who cruise the Baltic are likely to return again, with two out of three keen to go back for a city break, new research shows.

Cruise Baltic also found that nine out of 10 passengers are satisfied or very satisfied with their voyage in the region, while 88% are likely or very likely to recommend the area to friends.

The poll, taken in August from cruise passengers representing more than 40 countries, found visitors were impressed by the welcome they received, the city attractions, shore excursions and weather.

Cruise Baltic director Bo Larsen said such positive visitor satisfaction levels were

Azamara to Oz in 2015 Azamara Club Cruises will visit Australia for the first time at the end of 2015 with a 14night voyage.

The Christmas itinerary from Bali to Cairns

by Azamara Quest visits Darwin, Cooktown and Port Douglas.

The cruise, departing on December 22, is one of several highlights of the line’s 2015 season, which also includes a return to Antarctica and the Falkland Islands, visited on a 17-night cruise from Buenos Aires on January 10.

There is also a 12-night voyage from Rio

important for the future growth of cruising in the region. Some 4.3 million cruise passengers cruised the Baltic this year, with around 2,573 cruise calls.

Cruise Baltic was formed in 2004 and now represents 10 countries and 28 destinations in the Baltic, with Skagen in Denmark the newest to join.

The port is in the north of the country, where the North Sea and the Kattegat meet, and is looking to attract more cruise ships by expanding an existing berth from 170 metres to 200 and adding a new 450-metre mooring.

The new facilities are due to be open by spring 2015.

de Janeiro to Buenos Aires and back on February 7 and a five-night cruise from Nice on May 21 that includes Monte Carlo for the Grand Prix.

The line’s ships will also be in Edinburgh for the British Open in July 2015 and in Amsterdam in August for the Sail Amsterdam festival held once every five years.

Maiden port calls include Argostoli and Delos in Greece, Tarragona, Almeria, Alicante and Huelva in Spain, Stornoway in Scotland and Cobh in Ireland.

Each Azamara cruise, except transatlantic crossings, includes an ‘AzAmazing Evening’, wine with dinner, selected complimentary alcoholic and drinks and gratuities.

Event co-ordinators Kate Smith and Les Yates, from Liverpool Cruise Terminal, toast Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which has seven cruises from the port on the 700-passenger Discovery next year. CMV praised the port’s fast check-in and disembarkation facilities, and good local transport connections. Clia UK & Ireland goes to Liverpool, pages 12/13.

P E O P LE O N TH E M OVE

A cruise industry outsider has joined Royal Caribbean International as UK and Ireland managing director.

Stuart Leven previously worked for InterContinental Hotel Group, Thistle and Guoman Hotels, Choice Hotels Europe and KLM. He will work alongside Jo Rzymowska who will lead Celebrity Cruises the UK and Ireland.

Both newly created roles follow RCL Cruises creating three dedicated businesses for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises for the UK and Ireland.

Additionally, Dominic Paul is taking on an expanded role as vice president, international, reporting to Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Adam Goldstein.

Paul was previously responsible for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He now adds Latin America, Asia Pacific and the Caribbean to his remit for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. He continues in his role as managing director of RCL Cruises.

The three cruise brands are recruiting for additional sales and marketing staff created by the move to dedicated teams for each line, which will be in place by January.

Azamara Club Cruises, former head of sales and marketing has taken over from long-standing Crystal Cruises boss Gregg Michel.

Edie Bornstein has joined the Los Angeles-based ultra-luxury line as its new president and chief operating officer.

Michel joined Crystal in 1988 and was promoted to president and chief operating officer in 2001.

Bornstein was previously with Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard, Seabourn and Amadeus where she was instrumental in the implementation of automation solutions for the cruise industry.

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CTN | N EWS I N B R I E F River Cruise Line has added six itineraries for 2014 including two four-day cruises from Bruges to Antwerp on April 5 and 8 that include either an excursion to the Floralia spring flower show or a visit to Ypres, In Flanders Fields museum and Tyne Cot cemetery. Prices start at £329 per person including coach and ferry travel.

US operator Tauck has dropped single supplements on all category 1 cabins throughout 2014, cutting up to $600 per person off the cruise price for solo travellers.

Tauck is also reducing the price of category 4 and 5 cabins for single passengers, knocking up to $1,000 off the fare on 28 departures.

European Waterways expands barge offering European Waterways has expanded its hotel barge programme for 2014 with the addition of the eight-passenger Absoluut 2.

Available for charters only, the vessel will be cruising the Canal du Bourgogne in Burgundy between Dijon and Vandenesse.

The company has also added the sixpassenger Clair de Lune, sailing the Canal du Midi in the South of France and a six-night cruise in Bordeaux on the eight-passenger Rosa (pictured).

An eight-night voyage through Belgium and Northern France on the 12-passenger Panache will mark 100 years since the outbreak of World War One. The sailing, departing on May 18, 2014, includes visits to the Menin Gate in Ypres at 8pm for the sounding of the Last Post, the site of the first day of the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916, and the clearing in the forest of Compiègne where the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918.

As well as a new brochure, European Waterways has issued a DVD featuring short videos that show the hotel barging experience.

Prices start at £2,290 per person for six nights on La Bella Vita in the River Po Valley, or £14,000 for a whole-boat charter of the six-passenger Nymphea in the Loire Valley.

Prices are cruise-only including meals and drinks, tours and use of on-board bicycles. Agent commission starts at 10%.

In Scotland next year, European Waterways has new tours from the eightpassenger Scottish Highlander, which operates six-night cruises on the Caledonian Canal between Muirtown and Banavie.

They include visits to the ruins of the13th-century Inverlochy Castle, the site of two violent battles, and a private whisky tasting at the long-established Glen Ord distillery, located in the Highlands west of Inverness.

Hebridean issues 2014 rivers programme Hebridean Island Cruises has published an all-inclusive river cruise programme on the 85passenger Royal Crown for 2014.

The company has four departures, two on the Rhine and Moselle sailing from Amsterdam to Remich in Luxembourg and vice-versa, on May 31 and June 7, and two on the Danube, sailing from Vienna to Bucharest in Serbia on September 13 and Bucharest to Budapest on September 20.

Highlights on the Danube include cruising through the Iron Gates Gorge and a horse-riding display in Hungary on the September 20 departure. A private Chopin concert in Koblenz is included as part of the June 7 Rhine cruise.

Prices start at £2,565 per person on the Rhine and £2,655 per person on the Danube, including return flights (or rail travel on the Rhine/Moselle), transfers, excursions, alcoholic and soft drinks, and gratuities.

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Avalon expands themes Avalon Waterways is offering beer-tasting and golf-themed cruises on the Danube next year to meet growing demand for holidays linked to hobbies or special interests.

The holidays, cruising seven-nights from Vienna to Passau followed by three nights in Munich, depart on July 7 and October 13 respectively. The golf cruise includes three excursions to courses; the beer-themed cruise features on-board tastings and lectures, visits to three breweries and a food-and-beer paired dinner.

The company is also offering a new foodthemed voyage on the Seine, sailing round-trip from Paris on October 28, with cookery demonstrations, cider and wine tastings and a visit to a distillery, and a wellness cruise on the Danube.

The latter, sailing seven nights from Budapest to Nuremberg on July 14 with three nights in Prague, includes stretching and yoga classes each morning, lectures on healthy lifestyles and a visit to the Gellert Baths in Budapest.

Prices start at £2,909 per person including flights, transfers, tours and gratuities.

R IVE RVI EW N EWS | C TN

Myanmar debut for AmaWaterways AmaWaterways is making its debut in Myanmar next autumn with the launch of the 76-passenger river cruise vessel on the Ayeyarwady.

It will be the company’s third new river cruise vessel next year, with the 164passenger sister ships AmaSonata and AmaReina launching on the Danube and Rhine respectively.

Both will feature a heated pool with swimup bar, cabins and suites with split

inside/outside balconies, a speciality restaurant and coffee house, a new feature for AmaWaterways that is also being added to the AmaPrima and AmaCerto.

The line has also expanded its themed cruise selection for 2014, with a ‘chocoholics cruise’ on the Danube, from Vilshofen to Budapest on April 28, hosted by chocolatier Norman Love, and a knitting-themed voyage, also on the Danube, departing December 27 next year hosted by textile expert Barry Klein.

On the Seine, new D-Day excursions from Arromanches, linked to the 70th anniversary of the June 6 Allied landings, visit Gold and Juno beaches, the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, the Memorial Pegasus and the British Cemetery in Ranville, the first French village to be liberated in 1944.

There is also a new option to stay two nights in Marseilles at the end of a seven-night cruise on the Rhône between Lyon and Arles.

CroisiEurope barges in CroisiEurope is expanding in the hotel barge sector in France by launching three purposebuilt 24-passenger vessels next year.

The French cruise giant entered the barge market this year with the 11-berth La Jeanine, which has been sailing in Alsace and Burgundy. Next year the vessel will operate four-day cruises on the Canal Saint-Martin through Paris and six-night itineraries in Burgundy, sailing from Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune to Dijon.

Its place in Alsace, sailing the Marne-Rhine canal, will be taken by Madeleine, one of the trio of new barges, with departures on June 6,

July 4 and August 29, priced from £1,550 per person cruise-only including all drinks and excursions.

The other newcomers are the Anne-Marie, which will be sailing in Provence along the Rhône between Avignon and the port of Sète, and Raymonde, cruising from Chalons-enChampagne to Paris through the Champagne region on the Canal Latéral à la Marne.

Clients choosing the latter cruise will visit towns such as Château-Thierry and Meaux, tour the Champagne Route, have a tasting session at a Champagne house and sample Brie de Meaux cheese.

RIVER VIEW NEWS | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | N EWS Clia UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer.

Pooling Knowledge

Liverpool staged the second annual Clia UK & Ireland Columbus Day conference.

JANE ARCHER REPORTS Cruise companies are failing to sell the benefits of a cruise versus a land-based holiday, the boss of Celebrity Cruises warned agents.

Michael Bayley, president and chief executive officer, said once people try a cruise for the first time, they will come back but the message about the ‘phenomenal’ experience is not getting through.

“Cruise brands end up as a commodity sold on price. We need to understand how to better promote cruising, how to target the brands at different markets,” he told the conference.

Bayley added that Celebrity is focusing on selling the destination experience in 2014 with new seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean and improved on-board food and wine offerings.

Clia UK & Ireland chairman Jo Rzymowska, who becomes UK and Ireland managing director of Celebrity in January, told

agents to remember that destination is the prime reason to take a cruise.

“When choosing a cruise they are looking to you for passion, expertise, service and value. Sell on price and you’ll lose on price,” she warned.

Clia president and chief executive officer Christine Duffy admitted the industry needs to learn to communicate better in the wake of the Costa Concordia shipwreck and Carnival Triumph debacle, when passengers were stranded on the ship without power for five days.

She said: “We are under a harsher microscope. We can’t just stay quiet. We have to provide the tools for agents to respond to questions from clients.”

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sales and marketing director Nathan Philpot criticised the industry for its obsession with youth, when most cruise clients are retired.

“Some 37% of cruisers are aged over 65, 11% are aged 26-44, yet we market to youth,” he said. “Are we promoting the image of cruise that we feel more comfortable with, or the image… that is relevant to the cruise audience?”

Graham Sadler, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Wendy Lahmich, Holland America Line.

From left: Phil Davies, STA Travel; Peter Ruck, Go Cruise; Lucy Hone, Hurtigruten; Phil Nuttall, The Cruise Village.

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| CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 44 | NOVEMBER 2013

LU X U RY C R U I S E E X P O | C TN

Picture by Ant Clausen

Record breaking Liverpool The number of cruise ship calls in Liverpool has quadrupled in seven years, from 13 in 2008 to a record 52 next year.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Cruise & Maritime Voyages have the largest number of calls, with 10 and seven departures respectively this year, while Thomson Cruises will be making its debut in 2014 with two round-trip sailings from the port and a mini cruise from Liverpool to Newcastle.

Europa 2, Ruby Princess and MSC Magnifica will also be visiting for the first time, while Queen Victoria will be overnighting at the port in May as Cunard celebrates the 100th anniversary of Aquitania’s maiden voyage. It will be the first time a Cunard ship has stayed the night in

Liverpool for almost 50 years.

Celebrity Cruises will be staying overnight in the city next year for the first time so passengers on Celebrity Infinity can visit the British Open Championships at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July.

Liverpool’s growth as a cruise destination follows the opening of the Pier Head Cruise Terminal in 2007, allowing ships on day visits to dock in the city instead of an old, unpopular terminal overlooked by a scrap heap at Langton Dock.

The city council last year agreed to pay back some of the money used to build the terminal and in return was given the green light to allow lines to operate turnaround cruises from new terminal.

Terminal plan for Cunard building The historic Cunard building on Liverpool’s waterfront is to be acquired by the council to be turned into a cruise terminal.

The move means cost savings for the council and also gives the city a landmark new terminal to replace the current temporary structure which can only handle up to 1,200 passengers comfortably and has a lifespan only until October 2014.

The new facility is also expected to position the city as one of the UK’s must-visit cruise ports.

The building, constructed between 1914 and 1917, was Cunard’s worldwide headquarters until the 1960s, and also used as a terminal with waiting rooms, a booking hall and luggage storage area.

From left: Louise Craddock, Oceania Cruises; Stuart and Jane Goldsmith, The Travel Academy; Alex Farquharson, Oceania Cruises.

From left: Simon McDermott, Hurtigruten; Paula Jackson, Seafarer Holidays; Ken Charleson, Hebridean Island Cruises.

NEWS | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | MAK I N G WAVE S

Making Waves

Having a strong agency background is paying dividends for All Leisure Holidays group PHIL DAVIES REPORTS sales director Colin Wilson.

I

t's safe to say that no other cruise company other than the one running the Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery brands can match the retail experience of its senior management team.

For All Leisure Holidays has reassembled the enviable talents that drove Lunn Poly to become the UK's most successful agency chain around a decade ago.

Led by Ian Smith as chief executive and involving his leading lieutenants from the former 800-branch multiple, All Leisure cannot be accused of not understanding what agents want and how to work effectively with them.

It is no coincidence that one of the former agency giant's retail directors Colin Wilson is at the sharp end of working with the trade as group sales director. In a former life he was responsible for a network of 250 Lunn Poly shops, so has an unrivalled appreciation of the needs of agents.

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It is this background that is making the niche small ship cruise company a growing force in the trade sector in a period when some other lines have sought a more direct approach.

Trade sales may make up only around a third of overall All Leisure cruise bookings, but Wilson is determined to raise

“We’ve made it very clear that the trade is very important to us, primarily because we see it as an acquisition channel” the profile through expanded distribution via high street agents, having already gained strong support from cruise clubs and major retailers.

He is convinced the group's portfolio of escorted touring brands, such as Travelsphere and Just You, ideally complement the cruise arm, which also incorporates Hebridean Island Cruises and

| CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 44 | NOVEMBER 2013

chartered river cruise vessels under the Swan Hellenic brand.

The passenger profile tends to be retired and well travelled individuals who appreciate the opportunity to visit unusual destinations in the company of experienced lecturers and guides as well as other likeminded people.

They appreciate a more traditional style of cruising on ships, which although not claiming to be luxurious, are friendly and expertly run.

A bonus for consumers and the trade alike is that all excursions and gratuities are included on Swan Hellenic's ship Minerva and its chartered river cruise boats, while tips come as part of the fare on the more casual Voyages of Discovery ship, MV Voyager.

This equation means greater earning potential for agents given the various components bundled into the up-front price of each cruise. And this is one of the key messages Wilson and his team on the road is keen for agents to take on board when considering cruise options for their clients.

Single sales team

Speaking after just over a year into the role, which includes responsibility for trade

MAK I N G WAVE S | CTN distribution and a call centre, Wilson says the most crucial task was to create one sales team across the group’s suite of brands, both cruise and tour operating.

“It was clear we could represent all the brands with one trade marketing team, so we created the All Leisure Group agency sales team. That was then restructuted at the beginning of this year so we moved from the model of having three account managers to having one group national account manager – Julie Franklin – with three full-time sales executives on the road,” he says.

“It meant we have someone dedicated to account management, with head offices and the specialist cruise clubs having a single clear point of communication. We then have three people on the road who can fulfill all the activity that has been agreed.”

Looking back, Wilson says: “We had great relationships in place with the big cruise distributors but we had neglected the high street. My view was that we could get the best of both worlds; we could continue to account manage the big cruise distributors but there was still a huge amount of untapped opportunity on the high street. With three execs pounding the street, I felt we could tap into that sector as well.”

The revamp came because, as a niche player seeking to draw more newcomers to cruise, the company sees the trade as essential to what Wilson describes as “new business acquisition”.

He says: “We’ve made it very clear that the trade is very important to us, primarily because we see it as an

acquisition channel. With the demographic of customer we’ve got, being an older, better travelled customer, there is absolute evidence that they still value the consultancy style relationship and are more likely to use high street agents or homeworkers. That’s why we need to influence the decision makers, travel agents.”

Cross-selling

He admits that the approach is also influenced by the fact that acquisition costs via direct channels are not cheap and there are great opportunities to cross-sell between brands under the All Leisure umbrella.

“When we created the team we looked at the top seller for touring and they did

“On commissions, ten per cent is the starting point, rising to 14 per cent, and we’re always happy to have override conversations with anybody”

nothing for cruising. The demographic of the customer is incredibly similar in terms of profile, what they want from a holiday and age so it makes sense to say to those retailers: ‘You deliver for us in one sector, we can help you deliver in another’.”

On commissions, ten per cent is the starting point, rising to 14 per cent “and we’re always happy to have override conversations with anybody,” says Wilson.

“It’s unequivocal, there’s no point talking about a reduction as our trade

ALL LEISURE – ALL RESEARCH All Leisure is embarking on a “massive” research project to find out what customers want from its two main cruise brands.

While appealing to passengers aged 50 and over – older with Swan Hellenic – there is a need to draw in new clients.

Passengers will be asked what they want to see from their cruise as the company moves forward with the traditional ‘country house hotel’ style of the revamped Minerva for Swan Hellenic – which marks its 60th anniversary next year – and the more contemporary Voyages of Discovery.

Both brands achieve high repeat factors of as much as 60 per cent, but therein lies a problem, according to Colin Wilson.

“We’ve got to introduce new customers to both brands, we’ve got to continue to differentiate both to the consumer and the trade,” he stresses.

“The levers we are pulling with the trade is the inclusive nature of the product, so from a commissionable point of view Swan Hellenic as well as including gratuities, also includes all the excursions, so travel agents are getting commission on the whole

strategy is different from other people.”

There was also the major decision to close offices in Burgess Hill in West Sussex and move lock, stock and barrel to the former Page & Moy base in Market Harborough in Leicestershire earlier in the year.

The task not helped by the fact that on the day of the move in May, MV Voyager experienced engine problems and was forced to abandon one cruise and cancel two others.

“The hiccups happened the day we moved. Nobody could have prepared is for it. To say it was testing is an understatement,” recalls Wilson.

The ship has now completed a summer charter to a Belgian company and it returned to the fold in September.

The trade accounts for about 30 per cent of sales and the company is keen to grow volume via agents, including plans to link regional domestic flights via Southampton airport to connect with cruise departures from Portsmouth next summer.

“We are talking with a number of retailers about packaging up from their local airports, because their strength is their local market. I’m convinced it will bring us new customers because we’ve not really worked hard enough to make it easy for them. If we are to work on that regional basis it absolutely has to be with the trade because it will work far better than with direct channels.”

Plans are afoot for the regional promotion to kick in for the January peak selling period followed in April by the launch of 2015/16 programmes featuring a number of new destinations.

package. With Voyages, gratuities are included.

“We have got to alert agents to the earning potential but the real difference will come with product differentiation. The guest lecture programme and the enrichment that brings on both brands, together with the itineraries, are the key points of difference.

“The biggest sin for us would be to get a new customer on one of our ships and for them not to sail with us again.”

A focus on destinations is paramount, with Japan being introduced by Voyages of Discovery this winter almost selling out as soon as the brochure was published.

“We have to stand out by having itineraries that are absolutely not the norm and offering an experience that is very different from anybody else because how else do you compete,” says Wilson.

He is also anxious to break the cycle of last minute discounting across the cruise sector by introducing strong early booking offers.

“We have to get the business in early because we do not have the same on board send ratio as some of the bigger guys have.

Develop the product, sell earlier and with a better yield is what we are obsessed with. I’d like to see more points of difference between us and other small ship operators.”

MAKING WAVES | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | MAK I N G WAVE S

Voyages of Discovery, breakfast on pool deck

Small ship discovery cruising at its best

A

ll Leisure Holidays offer meticulously planned cruises to fascinating destinations with their small ship discovery cruise companies Hebridean Island Cruises, Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery. Accompanied by renowned guest speakers, guides and port lecturers, passengers will enjoy added insight into the many ports of call on offer in a superb range of itineraries across the globe in 2014/15.

VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY

There’s a genuine warmth in the welcome from the crew and staff of Voyager, a friendly, stylish and comfortable ship that is a haven of relaxation away from the stresses of modern life. And with no more than 540 passengers, it’s easy for your customers to meet like-minded people to share experiences with, and enjoy a more personal service from our attentive crew.

From relaxing in a quiet corner, dancing, keeping fit and swimming, to attending a lecture or art class or enjoying a spot of pampering in the health and beauty centre, life on board Voyager can be busy and exciting or totally relaxed.

Ashore there’s the opportunity to explore some of the most fascinating places on earth accompanied by experts who will enrich every experience with in-depth insight into the local history, culture, geography and wildlife.

Our experienced planners ensure that Voyages of Discovery crew

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| CRUISE TRADE NEWS | ISSUE 44 | NOVEMBER 2013

our cruises visit off-the-beaten-track destinations – fascinating places that others might pass by, while more established holiday spots are viewed with a fresh perspective. We stay in port longer so each destination can be fully explored, and our carefully selected shore excursion programme is exciting and varied, giving passengers plenty of choice, and the chance to see what they’ve always wanted to see, in places they’ve always dreamed of visiting.

Voyager will spend summer 2014 sailing to northern Europe from Portsmouth. The ship will head to South Africa, India and the Indian Ocean in winter 2015.

SWAN HELLENIC

For 60 years Swan Hellenic has been perfecting the art of small ship discovery cruising, leading the way to some of the world’s most intriguing destinations in the company of renowned guest speakers.

From the moment of arrival at the

MAK I N G WAVE S | CTN

The promenade, Swan Hellenic

departure port or airport you can rest assured that your customers will be well looked after by our long-serving, experienced Swan Hellenic staff who will accompany them as they travel aboard Minerva in the company of just 350 likeminded passengers.

Our country house-style flagship sails to cities of music, culture and art, sites of ancient civilisations, remote villages, iconic coastlines and inspirational landscapes.

During leisurely days at sea, there is the chance to absorb in-depth talks and browse our extensive library. Once ashore there’s the opportunity to discover an inclusive shore excursion programme which has been carefully planned to ensure every aspect of each cruise is delivered to the highest possible standard.

As each day comes to an end, passengers retire to tastefully furnished cabins, where thoughtful finishing touches include dressing gowns, slippers and a range of complimentary L’Occitane toiletries ensuring a relaxed evening when thoughts can drift to tomorrow and another wonderful day of exploration.

Minerva departs Portsmouth for seven round-trip sailings in summer 2014, visiting the Baltic, Norway and the North Cape and including a special D-Day 70th Anniversary Cruise before setting sail to the eastern Mediterranean to celebrate her roots. The ship will head east to Asia calling at some Minerva library

Hebridean Princess

of the world’s most exotic and untouched destinations in winter 2014/15.

HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES

Hebridean Princess is a delectably small and exclusive ship purpose-built for the Western Isles, sailing mainly from its home port of Oban. As the smallest luxury cruise ship afloat, it effortlessly accesses the remotest islands, lochs and bays beyond the reach of larger vessels.

Perfectly complementing the wildly beautiful Scottish scenery through which it cruises, Hebridean Princess offers the unrivalled comfort and refined service of a floating country house with a maximum of 50 guests in the tradition of the halcyon days of cruising.

The epitome of good taste, an understated elegance pervades the entire ship in a carefully chosen décor of coordinating furnishings, fabrics and colours.

From the lounges to the Columba Restaurant and the 30 spacious, individually designed cabins, the ambience on board is redolent of a bygone era.

Our crew-to-guest ratio of almost one to one ensures exceptionally high standards. A knowledgeable guide accompanies all our cruises, and they are always there to provide information and a helping hand.

Unobtrusive and friendly service, with that personal touch and constant attention to detail, set the five-star Hebridean Princess apart from other cruise ships – quite simply it is unique and in a class of its own.

Julie Franklin (pictured top left) Group National Account Manager 07595 792630 Polly Lyons (pictured bottom right) Sales Executive – South 07787 005775 Sue Cragg (pictured top right) Sales Executive – North, Scotland and N. Ireland 07760 768995

MEET THE TEAM Our new dedicated agency sales team is delighted to work alongside you and, of course, to assist you in any way we can. We’ll adapt our working styles to fit around the way you work and we’re ready to take your call today. We’re always available for training, events and discussions on how we can help you grow in the specialist cruise market.

Hayley Anderson (pictured bottom left) Sales Executive – Midlands 07785 344010 Sarah Weetman Group Trade Marketing Manager 01858 588170 Sheri Riddlesworth Trade Marketing Executive 01858 588524

Did you know…

Our holidays are perfect for groups and we have a dedicated group’s team available to help with your enquiries. Whether it’s your family, friends or members of a social club you can take advantage of our unrivalled range of benefits.

Call our Groups Manager Glen Thomas on 01858 588300

Advertorial Promotion in Partnership with CTN | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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That was the year that was January: QE2 is sold to a Singapore-based investment group to become a floating hotel. MSC Cruises announced it was retiring the MSC Melody.

Norwegian Cruise Line pulled all its Egypt calls for the rest of the year.

February: Royal Caribbean International unveiled the name of its next-generation ships and cut the steel for the first, Quantum of the Seas. A fire on Carnival Triumph knocked out all power, leaving the vessel adrift in the Gulf of Mexico for five days.

March: Itineraries on Carnival Dream and Carnival Legend were disrupted when the ships lost power. Celebrity Cruises raised prices in four speciality restaurants – the third increase in three years. P&O Cruises launched its first summer flycruises in the Mediterranean.

April: Royal Caribbean revealed a host of firsts for Quantum of the Seas, including bumper cars, simulated skydiving and inside cabins with virtual balconies.

Carnival announced a £200 million spend on safety enhancements.

May: Voyages to Antiquity cancelled its 2013/14 Asia season due to bad weather in the South China Sea the previous winter. Viking Cruises unveiled details of its new ocean-going ship, Viking Star, launching in May 2015.

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June: The Duchess of Cambridge christened Royal Princess in a gala ceremony. Flooding in Europe forced river cruise companies to change or cancel departures.

July: Regent Seven Seas Cruises confirmed an order for its first new ship for 10 years. Compagnie du Ponant christened one ship and announced an order for another, to enter service in spring 2015.

August: Disney Cruise Line and Cunard banned smoking on balconies, Celebrity cancelled the remainder of Celebrity Millennium’s Alaska season due to mechanical problems.

September: Costa Concordia was righted in a $500 million salvage operation. Royal Caribbean banned smoking on balconies. Silversea added a third ship, Silver Discoverer, to its expedition fleet.

October: Holland America Line became the latest company to offer an all-inclusive beverage package and cancel Egypt calls.

QE2 Holdings announced the QE2 will be transformed into a floating hotel at a Chinese shipyard. Princess announced a new maiden voyage for Regal Princess due to an early delivery.

November: Clia UK & Ireland took its River Cruise Expo to Cologne for the first time.

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LO O K I N G AH E AD TO 2014 | CTN

What’s in store for 2014?

Was that number 13 always going to blight this year and make it one to forget for the cruise industry?

T

rue, there have been some high points but overall this has been a difficult 12 months for the cruises lines (see box), marred by fires, power failures, the inevitable outbreaks of norovirus and a continued focus on Costa Concordia as the anniversary of the shipwreck was marked and the vessel itself was finally righted in a multi-milliondollar salvage operation.

Rioting flared up in Egypt again, making that country a no-go area, and lines have been forced to reduce fares to record low levels as consumers learned to wait until the last minute before booking a cruise.

Finding a way to break the downward spiral is one of the major challenges facing cruise companies in 2014, especially as capacity keeps increasing

with new ships entering service but only the odd one now and then being retired.

For 2014, another four ocean-going ships are being launched, including the first of Royal Caribbean International’s highly-anticipated new Quantum class vessels and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway, between them adding around 16,500 more berths when they are full.

Read on to discover more about the new ships, as well as the 2014 crop of river cruise vessels and exciting up-and-coming places to cruise next year.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2014 | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | LO O K I N G AH E AD TO 2014

Cruise line Predictions “When I joined the travel industry, my manager told me: ‘Ships are like upsidedown hotels with the public rooms at the top and all the rooms below.’ Times have changed, but like hotels, there is more choice. New ship builds and innovations keep cruising in the public eye, and all the while that cruise lines continue to evolve their products, cruising will widen its appeal. The industry needs to focus on choice, demonstrating there is a right ship and a right cruise for everyone. The inclusive nature of a cruise and the value it represents compared with a land-based holiday has always been a driving USP for cruising. Cruise lines still need to repeat that ‘inclusive’ message and continue to add value to their propositions.”

Mike Hall, head of marketing, Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

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“My Christmas wishes could easily be the same as last year, but – like a contestant in a beauty pageant – I will cry ‘world peace’! As a cruise line that wants to help people to discover the world, the Suez Canal is key to opening up great destinations and amazing experiences, so the sooner that political tensions relax within the region, the better. Consumer confidence is returning and, after five years of economic uncertainty, we may begin to see money appearing from ‘under the mattress’ and being invested in enjoying life – let’s hope so.”

Nathan Philpot, sales and marketing director, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

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“After a year of ‘cautious optimism’ from the UK trade, I am looking forward to seeing the result of everyone’s hard work in 2014 and record passengers travelling on the rivers of the world once again!

River cruise numbers to Europe grow year after year, with innovations in product, and a high number of repeat passengers. For 2014 I believe destinations in Asia, particularly the Lower Mekong will further increase in popularity. Other new and exciting products are coming online in both lesser and more well-known destinations, including the Mississippi, on my personal wish list for next year to experience first hand!”

Melissa Hackney, regional manager UK and Europe, APT Group.

LO O K I N G AH E AD TO 2014 | CTN

“2013 – what a year! Am I the only one who is wondering where it went!? As the ‘green shoots’ finally start to show for our national economy, the good news is that the cruise sector, particularly the higher end, appears to be ahead of the game.

Clients are already booking further ahead and (crucially) paying higher prices that are more reflective of the quality product they are buying - proof that cruising, now more than ever, offers exceptional value for money. I for one am cautiously optimistic for what 2014 may hold.”

Bernard Carter, managing director, Oceania Cruises.

“As we look forward to 2014 with the backdrop of recovery in the economy and consumer confidence rising, the outlook feels very positive, with customers once again starting to plan their holidays early.

The early-booking message has never represented better value, with cruise lines offering attractive promotions to encourage customers to book their holiday in advance. It'll be an exciting year ahead and a great time for Princess to capitalise on these green shoots as we launch Regal Princess.”

Paul Ludlow, UK director, Princess Cruises.

“I predict that 2014 will be another hugely successful year for river cruising, as awareness continues to grow and more unique and exciting itineraries are launched, giving customers the chance to explore even more destinations across the globe. The river cruise on my wish list next year? Most definitely the Irrawaddy.”

Wendy Atkin-Smith, managing director, Viking Cruises UK.

“S - Special wishes for a very happy 2014.

E - Earnings (high) and no discounting.

A - A prosperous year for all our colleagues in the travel industry.

B - Buoyancy – both sales and ships.

O - Outstanding growth within the UK cruise market.

U - Universal peace and harmony.

R - Returns on all your investments.

N - New ships - and more opportunities on the horizon.”

Lynn Narraway, managing director UK & Ireland, Seabourn.

“Looking ahead to 2014, I think we can expect better revenues in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean as a result of less capacity in these areas next year – we are already seeing this across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises - and continued growth in cruise passengers on the back of new launches. There is still work to do to in the Caribbean, but everyone is very upbeat. From a brand perspective, Celebrity wining and dining is going from strength to strength. Oz Clarke’s wine cruise was very popular. More Oz? Watch this space!”

Michael English, head of sales, Celebrity Cruises.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2014 | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | LO O K I N G AH E AD TO 2014

Agent Pr “Munching through a new breakfast cereal this morning (contem-plating its constituents), I pondered that more and more clients enjoy a cruise as part of their itinerary rather than as the whole holiday.

However, ATOL restrictions prevent agents without an ATOL licence being as creative as we could be. The present solution is to use tour operators to package the cruise, flights and accommodation based on an itinerary designed by us. After a few more mouthfuls (mango and oats), my prediction - based on pure optimism! - is that cruise companies will expand their product to include a flexible range of flights, hotels and transfers at realistic prices. In doing so (pineapple), they will open up a new revenue stream and increase profitability. Consumers will still get flexibility at a realistic price and agents will receive realistic commission from cruise lines (nuts!).”

Ann Anglesea, director, Delmar World.

“Dear Santa, for Christmas please may I have the following: * That all the bad stuff in the economy is behind us. We don’t want to hear words like credit crunch, sub-prime or euro crisis in 2014. A steady but sure recovery of the world economy would make my turkey taste so much better. * Please have a word with our cruise line partners.

Ensure they are realistic with their turn-of-year pricing and ask them to work closely with us retailers so we don’t have as much stock going into the lates market as 2013. * Pray that we see no natural disasters or third party acts that will jeopardise 2014 being a prosperous year for all involved in the UK cruise market.”

James Cole, managing director, World Travel Holdings UK.

“I believe 2014 will continue to see growing demand for travel agents, and particularly those that specialise. As well as the expertise, there is growing awareness of the importance of the financial protection offered by reputable agents. There has been dramatic growth in the top end of the cruise market and this will continue in 2014. Increasing competition means that there could be more added-value offers.

Our business model is built on demand for cruise and stay and this is something that will continue to grow, particularly when working with top-end accommodation and transport providers.

Finally, I predict that customers will be planning more in advance in 2014 and feel more confident about spending more on that special holiday.”

Robin Deller, managing director, Imagine Cruising.

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edictions

“Looking into my crystal ball, I think the luxury lines will continue to flourish next year by offering ever more exotic itineraries. I also see substantial growth in the luxury expedition cruise sector, mainly thanks to Silversea. On these ships and other smaller luxury ships, the clientele are becoming more conscious of the impact their cruise has on the local environment and its inhabitants and this will increase further in 2014. Personally, I would love to see a ban on elderly Englishmen wearing socks with sandals on all luxury ships, showing that they have become more aware of their environment and the impact they are having on it. While we are at, allowing pool stewards to Taser serial sunbed blockers might also be worth a try...!”

Stefan Shillito, managing director, The Sovereign Cruise Club.

“We have seen some strong performances from our cruise partners so far for 2014 and we’d like to see this continue. We would also like to see a return to sensible pricing, with cruises sold well in advance instead of at reduced pricing close to departure. It sends the wrong message to the consumer and impacts on the agents’ revenue.

Cruising is pitched at the mid to upper end of the market; discounting devalues the product. Looking ahead, we would like to see more innovation in value-added benefits. Our message to cruise lines? Be daring, try something new, capture the consumers’ imagination. Oh and provide free on board wifi.”

John Sullivan. commercial manager, Advantage Travel Centres.

NOVEMBER 2013 | ISSUE 44 | CRUISE TRADE NEWS |

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CTN | LO O K I N G AH E AD TO 2014 Royal Caribbean – Quantum of the Seas

New ships

Four ocean-going cruise ships will be entering service in 2014.

JANE ARCHER REPORTS Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Getaway

In brief: Launches January 2014; holds 4,000 passengers.

What’s new: Norwegian Getaway shares a number of key features with sister Breakaway, which launched in 2013, including water slides, a ropes course and ice bar. But while Breakaway is New York-themed, Getaway will have more of a Miami/Cuban/Latin feel in terms of its bars and restaurants, which include the Sugarcane Mojito Bar. The ship will have a new dinner and magic show in place of the Cirque-like antics on Breakaway, a Grammy Experience and Broadway show Legally Blonde.

Sample cruise: Getaway will be sailing seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami. From £1,414 per person including flights on March 1. www.ncl.co.uk

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In brief: Launches November 2014; holds 4,180 passengers.

What’s new: Royal Caribbean is back with a new class of ship and more unbelievable firsts including a skydiving simulator, bumper cars, roller skating and inside cabins with virtual balconies. At the back of the ship, Two70º is a huge lounge with panoramic views by day that becomes an entertainment venue by night.

Sample cruise: Quantum of the Seas will be sailing eight to 12-night Caribbean cruises from New Jersey. From £769 per person cruise-only for an eight-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on January 3, 2015. www.royalcaribbean.co.uk

Costa Cruises – Costa Diadema

Princess Cruises – Regal Princess

In brief: Launches May 2014; holds 3,560 passengers.

What’s new: Regal Princess is a sister ship to Royal Princess, which launched in June 2013, and the message is that it will have different colour schemes but most of the same features. Highlights on Royal Princess include a glass-bottomed SeaWalk that extends 28 feet over the side of the ship, pool-side cabanas in the adultonly Retreat and Sanctuary, a TV studio and Chef’s Table Lumière private dining experience.

Sample cruise: Regal Princess will be sailing 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises between Barcelona and Venice. From £1,349 per person cruise-only on June 19. www.princess.com

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In brief: Launches November 2014; holds 3,693 passengers.

What’s new: This will be the biggest ship flying the Italian flag, at 132,500 tons and holding 4,947 passengers when full. The ship will have Costa’s trademark Samsara Spa (this one on three decks with an outdoor area) but otherwise has been redesigned so venues have more of a sea view, in line with current new-build trends. New features include a pizzeria, Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant, Bavarian-style Birreria and a Portobello Market shopping area.

Sample cruise: Costa Diadema will be sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Savona. From £459 per person cruiseonly on November 10. www.costacruises.co.uk

LO O K I N G AH E AD TO 2014 | CTN

New river cruise boats

With at least 25 new vessels launching next year, demand for river cruising shows no signs of slowing...

AmaWaterways – AmaSonata, AmaReina

In brief: These 164-passenger ships will be sailing the Rhine and Danube. They have cabins with split balconies (half outside, half in) so passengers have somewhere private to sit whatever the weather, pools with swim-up bars and a reservation-only speciality restaurant, Erlebnis.

Sample price: From £2,061 per person for a seven-night Danube cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen departing May 21. www.amawaterways.co.uk

Avalon Waterways – Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Illumination, Avalon Impression

In brief: Another three Panorama-class vessels enter service next year, sailing the Rhine and Danube, taking the total to five launched since 2010. Poetry II holds 128 passengers; Illumination and Impression hold 166. Each has two decks of cabins with wallto-wall glass doors that open two-thirds the width of the room to create an inside balcony.

Sample price: From £2,545 per person for a 10-day cruise from Amsterdam to Remich with two night in Paris, departing July 27. www.avaloncruises.co.uk

Aqua Expeditions – Aqua Mekong In brief: Amazon specialist Aqua Expeditions is expanding into Asia with this new colonialstyle river boat. It has 20 outside suites, all with panorama windows and balconies, a plunge pool and private cabanas, and will be sailing one-week cruises on the Mekong between Siem Reap in Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Sample price: Not yet available. www.aquaexpeditions.com

Pandaw Expeditions – Kindat, Kalaw In brief: These two small sister vessels each hold 40 passengers and have shallow drafts so they can sail year-round between Mandalay and Bagan, with two or three nights in each city on the boats either side of one or twonight cruise.

Sample price: From $950 per person for seven nights’ cruise-only in July. www.pandaw.com

Tauck – Inspire, Savor In brief: Launching on the Rhine and Moselle (Inspire) and Danube (Savor) next year, these two new vessels will be 443 feet long (24 metres longer than Tauck’s other four ships) and hold 130 passengers. They will have more big suites and lower-deck cabins with a raised seating area.

Sample price: From $4,790 per person cruise-only for a seven-day cruise from Regensburg to Vienna and two nights in Vienna departing July 12. www.tauck.com

Viking River Cruises – Viking Gullveig, Heimdal, Buri, Lif, Delling, Eistla, Bestla, Alsvin, Ingvi, Hermod, Idi, Kvasir In brief: Another 12 of Viking’s Longships enter service in 2014. Heimdal and Buri are cruising the Rhône, the rest are sailing the Rhine and Danube. Each holds 190 passengers, has an indoor/outside Aquavit lounge, and cabins and suites with full-size balconies.

Sample price: From £2,945 per person for a 15-day cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam departing July 26 including flights and shore excursions. www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

Viking River Cruises – Viking Hemming, Viking Torgil In brief: The Hemming and Torgil are scaleddown versions of Viking’s new Longships so they can fit through the locks on the Douro in Portugal. They will hold 106 passengers and have other Longships features such as cabins and suites with balconies and the Aquavit lounge.

Sample price: From £2,145 per person in July for a 10-day cruise including two nights in Lisbon including flights and shore excursions. www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

Uniworld – SS Catherine In brief: The SS Catherine will continue the flamboyant décor that Uniworld adopted a couple of years ago. The vessel, which will be cruising the Rhône in France, holds 159 passengers and has balconies that can be turned into sun lounges, an indoor pool and Leopard Bar-style nightclub.

Sample price: From £2,149 per person for a seven-night cruises between Lyon and Avignon on November 9. www.titantravel.co.uk

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Scenic Tours is launching a new river cruise line, Emerald Waterways, next year. It will operate two new vessels initially, Emerald Sky and Emerald Star. Parent company Scenic Tours is also adding two new vessels – Scenic Gem, which will sail the Seine (a new route for the company) and Scenic Jade, cruising the Rhine, Main and Danube.

The company sells mainly direct but is starting to work with selected agents.

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Reasons to cruise How can you tempt well-cruised clients back on board? Jane Archer suggests some reasons to set sail in 2014.

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Anniversaries

une 2014 is the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings that marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War and cruise lines including Fred.

Olsen and Cruise & Maritime Voyages have special itineraries to mark the event.

Swan Hellenic has a 13-day Reflections of France D-Day cruise departing Portsmouth on June 4 that also remembers the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War in August 2014 with a visit to Ypres and the In Flanders Fields Museum. A service of remembrance will be held off the Normandy beaches on June 6.

Prices from £1,995 per person including shore excursions and gratuities.

Holland America Line has a 12-day DDay anniversary cruise in April and May as Eurodam repositions from the Mediterranean to the Baltic.

Azamara Club Cruises’ 11-night Memories of WWII voyage departs Lisbon on June 3, 2014 and will have president Larry Pimentel and his wife Sandi on board. From £2,867 per person including flights, drinks and gratuities.

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Barge holiday specialist European Waterways is marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War with an eight-night cruise through Belgium and Northern France departing May 18, 2014 that includes a visit to the clearing in the forest of Compiègne where the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918.

River cruise companies sailing the Seine, including AmaWaterways and CroisiEurope, have special excursions to the Normandy beaches and D-Day museums throughout next year. Avalon Waterways has a World War One-themed cruise in April.

Next August is also the 100th anniversary of the Panama Canal, which is a good reason to go, but it is also going to be one of the last chances to see the canal before it is expanded to allow larger ships to pass through. Holland America Line is marking the anniversary with 28 full and partial transits on six different ships between now and spring 2014. Cruise-only fares range from £589 per person for 10 days to £1,704 per person for an 18-day voyage.

LO O K I N G AH E AD TO 2014 | CTN

On the rivers

Myanmar is next year’s hot ticket for river cruisers as more companies launch vessels on the Ayeyarwady, providing accommodation and sightseeing for tourists who want to visit the country but are hampered by a shortage of hotels and ground transport.

Viking River Cruises launched with one vessel – the Viking Mandalay starts sailing in January 2014 – but it sold out so fast that the company has chartered a second ship, the Viking Sagaing. The company’s Memories of Mandalay itinerary includes three nights in Bangkok, two nights in Yangon and a 10-night cruise between Mandalay and Pyay (Prome).

AmaWaterways, Austrian-based Amadeus by Lüftner Cruises and Sanctuary Retreats will also all be launching vessels on the river in 2014. Prices from £1,669

per person cruise-only for three nights on Sanctuary Retreats’ Ananda in December.

Myanmar specialist Pandaw Expeditions will have two new 40passenger vessels, Kindat and Kalaw. Each will be sailing a new seven-night itinerary that stays two or three nights in Mandalay and Bagan at the start and end of the holiday, with one or two nights cruising in between.

Go wild in Africa

Voyages to Antiquity is heading east for the second time in winter 2014/15, but rather than just sailing to Asia in the wake of so many other specialist cruise lines, the company is starting the season with three voyages that include a three-day safari in Kenya.

Departures are on November 20, December 7 and 18 including safaris in Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks in trucks that each hold just six people so everyone can have a window seat. From £3,750 per person for a 25-day cruise-tour including flights, shore excursions and gratuities.

New for 2014, AmaWaterways has a 14-day Rivers and Rails holiday combining big game spotting while cruising the Chobe River on the 28passenger Zambezi Queen with visits to Cape Town, the Victoria Falls and three nights on Rovos Rail, the luxury train, travelling from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg. From £7,182 per person cruise-only (but including internal flights) departing March 14.

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CTN | N EW TO C R U I S E

A helping hand for agents trying to convert clients to cruise.

THIS ISSUE

smoking at sea As more cruise lines crack down on where passengers can light up, agents need to add smoking to the list of things they should ask clients about before advising them on which cruise to choose.

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moking rules started to be tightened a few years ago with bans on lighting up in public areas and cabins, forcing passengers who wanted a puff into casinos, dedicated smoking rooms, onto their balconies or to outside areas at the top of the ship.

But just as smoking is now widely banned in indoor public spaces on land, so cruise lines are snuffing out even more of the places where passengers can light up.

It’s great news for the growing band of

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non-smokers, but a drag for those who enjoy their nicotine fix and selling smokers onto a ship where they are made to feel like pariahs is not the best way to elicit future sales.

Disney Cruise Line ignited the latest round of policy changes this summer by announcing it was banning smoking on balconies from November 15, with a $250 fine for anyone breaking the new rule.

Cunard, P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean International swiftly followed suit, also forbidding smoking on balconies.

Seabourn, one of the last lines to allow passengers to light up in cabins, is outlawing that practice next year, and also banning smoking in suites with French balconies on its three small yachts.

Although there are cleaning and safety issues at play here – one person died when fire, believed caused by a lit cigarette, broke out on a balcony on Star Princess in 2006 – cruise lines say the latest policy changes are in response to passenger complaints about the smell of smoke

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drifting across to their balconies.

In a recent survey by review site Cruise Critic, 54% of respondents said smoking should be banned from balconies, while 24% said it should be extinguished from all areas of cruise ships.

Luckily for smokers, a total ban seems unlikely for some years yet – times are too tough for companies to risk losing clients by stubbing out smoking altogether – and there are still several cruise ships that are more smoker-friendly.

Passengers sailing with Holland America Line, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines can still smoke on their balconies.

Silversea, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Norwegian are among several that allow smoking in casinos or cigar rooms. Hapag-Lloyd, Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises likewise allow smoking in designated interior lounges.

TOP TIPS

Travelyields managing director David Selby suggests five top tips to help you sell more cruises in 2014.

Seeing is believing: Ensure as far as possible that everyone on the front line has been on a ship. It’s so much easier to sell the concept of cruising first hand, rather than from brochures or from online content.

Spot the prospects: Entice those that are still not sure with a short cruise (three or four night) as a taster, or perhaps a cruise-and-stay holiday which combines a cruise with a traditional holiday.

Play the generation game: You can get great child prices in June and September when most kids are still at school, so this is a great time for three generations (grandparents, parents and pre-schoolers) to go together.

Look to the rivers: River cruising is set to grow. It is less than 10% of the size of the ocean cruise market in this country, and yet two-thirds of river cruisers have been on an ocean cruise.

For regular ocean cruisers, river cruising can be a wonderful new experience.

Target special-interest groups: Cruise lines offer all sorts of itineraries that cater for particular interests, such as dancing, rambling, gourmet and golf. Take time to see what is in your area and be proactive in promoting to your audience.

A to Z OF FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS CTN’s A-Z of cruise ports continues with P-R P is for Piraeus: This is the port for

The new smoking rules Cunard: Banning smoking on balconies from April 28 on Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2, and from May 9 on Queen Elizabeth.

Seabourn: Banning smoking inside cabins in February next year. Passengers will also no longer be allowed to smoke on the French balconies on Seabourn Legend, Pride and Spirit.

P&O Cruises: Banning smoking on balconies starting with Ventura on March 26. The new policy then extends to Azura (April 4), Oceana (April 5), Arcadia (April 13), Oriana (April 18), Aurora (April 24) and Adonia (April 29).

Royal Caribbean International: Banning smoking on cabin balconies from January 1, except in Asia. Passengers caught breaking the new rule face a $250 fine.

MSC Cruises: New rules on MSC Divina, now based in Miami, restrict smoking to the cigar lounge and port deck of designated outside decks. On other MSC ships, it is also allowed in the casinos and one dedicated lounge.

Athens, about 12km away from the city.

Clients who want to go to Athens alone can walk to the railway station (about 25 minutes but there are also buses and taxis) and take a train to the city. The train service is regular and cheap, with announcements in English.

Monastiriki, Thision or Akropoli Stations are all good for the Acropolis, the main attraction, and also for visiting the Acropolis Museum and Plaka, which is packed with souvenir shops and restaurants. All cruise lines have Athens excursions; for those who have been already, many also have trip to the Corinth Canal and ancient Mycenae.

More at: www.greece-athens.com

Q is for Québec: This Canadian port city is on the St Lawrence River and a little piece of North America that will always be Gallic.

French is the official language (but English is widely spoken), measurements are in metric and life revolves around pavement cafés, baguettes and bicycles. Ships dock at La Vieux Port; from there walk or take the funicular to the Haute Ville, or Upper Town, with its citadel, narrow streets and restaurants. Attractions include Chateau Frontenac, which claims to be the world’s most photographed hotel, and the Plains of Abraham, outside the city walls, where the British beat the French for control of North America in 1759. For a day out, the Montmorency Falls, 30 metres higher than Niagara, and rural Ile d’Orleans are favourites.

More at: www.quebecregion.com R is for Rio de Janeiro: As one of the

venues for the 2014 World Cup and the host of the 2016 Olympics, Rio is in big demand right now. The port is a favourite on South American cruise itineraries, with some ships even timing their visit to coincide with Carnival. Ships dock at Pier Maua, walking distance from downtown Rio and about 20 minutes by taxi from Copacabana beach, the most famous stretch of sand in the world along with the city’s Ipanema Beach. Both are worth a visit, but first-timers should also take a trip to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for views across the city. A cog railway goes up Corcovada; the Christ the Redeemer statue is at the top. More at: www.visitbrasil.com

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CTN | I N D U STRY O P I N I O N

CLIA Cruises into 2014

As CLIA prepares for 2014, the strong demand for river cruises continues, says Christine Duffy

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he year may be drawing to a close, but CLIA remains as busy as ever and we are looking forward with anticipation to 2014.

With recent successful events such as Columbus Day, the Luxury Cruise Expo and National Cruise Week now behind us, river cruising takes centre stage as we approach the River Cruise Convention in Cologne, Germany on November 17-18.

River cruising is growing spectacularly,

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particularly in Europe where it enables travellers to explore its cities, culture and countryside on a more intimate level. It was therefore no surprise to see the UK river cruise market grow by 14% last year.

With more ship visits than ever before, the River Cruise Convention will, for the first time, take place on water, on board the MS RheinEnergie - a floating conference centre.

On the second day, ship visits will be offered by six river companies: Amadeus

by Lüftner Cruises, Riviera Travel, Shearings, CroisiEurope, The River Cruise Line and Uniworld.

This is a key event in the industry calendar and a vital opportunity for CLIA to promote the river cruise industry and the wide and growing range of options it offers to consumers.

Many new river cruise itineraries are being offered in 2014, from new cities in Belgium, to battlefield cruises to coincide with the anniversaries of the World Wars, and new tours in destinations further afield such as Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Several river cruise lines are introducing

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new ships next year including Luftner Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, Uniworld, The River Cruise Line, AmaWaterways and Riviera Travel.

Looking across the cruise industry as a whole, 2014 will also see the launch of many new ocean cruise ships. These include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway, Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess, Costa Cruises’ Costa Diadema and Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas.

The inauguration of these river and ocean ships clearly demonstrates the major investment the cruise industry is continuing to make in the passenger experience.

With 20 new ocean cruise ships worth over €10 billion currently being constructed across Europe’s shipyards, this is set to continue well into the future.

2014 will be a year of even greater choice for consumers with so many new cruise options and vessels being introduced, both on the world’s waterways and oceans. We have good reason to be extremely excited and confident about the year ahead.

Christine Duffy is chief executive of Cruise Lines International Association

I N D E P E N D E NT VO I C E | CTN

New ships should be the launchpad for sales

Make the most of new ocean and river cruise vessels being introduced in 2014 to generate bookings.

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BY SCOTT ANDERSON General manager of The Luxury Cruise Company

ooking forward to 2014 and there is raft of new ships being launched.

Agents can take advantage of the press coverage and piggy-back on the cruise lines’ own marketing by generating interest for their own agency or homeworking business.

Norwegian Getaway, sailing out of Miami, is the second of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway class.

Personally, I think these are their best ships with innovative features and no curved cabins!

The new ship is departing from Southampton on January 16, 2014 to New York. No doubt there will be plenty of UK coverage in the press and media – take advantage of that with a local newspaper campaign, promoting yourself or your company as experts on the ship, maybe offering a taxi transfer or rail tickets down to Southampton?

Regal Princess, sister ship to Royal Princess, will no doubt create a buzz due to its royal connections when it launches in May 2014.

Why not set up a group with Princess Cruises and package in a hotel and car parking at the airport? I’m sure many of your existing clients watched the naming ceremony by The Duchess of Cambridge back in July. You can set your website up

to stream the video of the naming ceremony to share with new clients to whet their appetite.

There is a flurry of new river boats launching too in 2014 from Viking River Cruises, AMA Waterways, Avalon Waterway and Uniworld.

River cruising is, as I am sure you are aware, the highest growing area in cruise, and the river cruise operators are responding with new ships, offering new features and itineraries.

Ensure your knowledge is up to date (both product and destination), and learn the best airports to fly your clients into and out of so you are ready to offer advice.

Many clients that take a river cruise have also cruised on an ocean going ship, however another large section of river cruise passengers have never cruised before, so look at your database of clients that enjoy escorted tours, city breaks, culture and history.

In the luxury market, Silversea has two new products. Silver Galapagos has recently completed its first Galapagos cruise to rave reviews. This is a high-ticket priced cruise that you can earn good commission on. Knowing that it’s backed

by Silversea gives you the confidence that it will be a top-notch experience with the very best on board lectures and expedition guides.

Only 100 people at any one time are allowed on the islands and landing sites.

Silversea has bought all the permits so it will just be the line’s 100 guests at any beach landing or destination – how’s that for exclusivity?

Additionally, Silversea has just developed a new expedition product.

Launching in spring 2014, Silver Discoverer will offer luxury expedition cruises around the Russian Far East, Indonesia, Australia and the most isolated archipelagos of the Pacific. Perfect for your clients that have “been there, seen that”.

Other big launches that you can capitalise on include Quantum of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International and the Costa Diadema from Costa Cruises.

Quantum will feature many new innovations that are sure to generate press and web interest, so ensure you mail or eshot your database with the latest offers.

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CTN | MAR I E C E LE STE

From two cows to t he Fab Four and Rod t he Mod Have you heard the one about the two cows?

You certainly would have done if you were at Columbus Day in Liverpool and listening to the talk by Celebrity Cruises’ boss Michael Bayley.

There he was telling us all about investment, safety, shareholder returns and other such exciting topics, when all of a sudden he switched to the two cows’ joke.

Not just a gentle aside, but the full Monty, taking care to have dig at every nationality, from the French, who have two cows and go on strike because they want three to the Japanese who have two cows and redesign them to be smaller and produce more milk. It

is funny, even if you have heard it before.

Which I had. On Celebrity Reflection’s inaugural cruise and delivered by none other than – you guessed it - Michael Bayley.

Any new jokes will be gratefully received.

I really have to congratulate Mike Southon, a huge Beatles fan and entrepreneur mentor for the city (I have no idea what that means either), who has managed to create a 40minute motivational speech out of the lyrics of some of the best-known songs by the Fab Four. It kept us all awake at Columbus Day and was going so well, fun if just a little implausible (‘come together’ all about team work, really?) until he started selling himself to the cruise lines present, reminding them he is available to give his presentation on ships.

Because of course passengers on holiday need motivating. Yeah, yeah yeah.

I was delighted to learn that Edie Bornstein has been appointed president of Crystal Cruises. Our paths crossed several times while she was at Azamara Club Cruises and she is a lovely lady. She is also Rod Stewart’s number one fan, has seen him in more than 200 times in concerts all over the world and even been on stage with him in Las Vegas. How long I wonder until we hear that he is going to be travelling on a Crystal cruise?

We British are a stical lot aren’t we? We’ve had the Costa Concordia tragedy, fires on cruise ships, vessels stranded at sea, and what actually puts us off taking a cruise? Sea sickness. According to a survey by on-line cruise agency Bon Voyage, almost three quarters of the 2,000-plus Brits questioned won’t set foot on a ship for fear of mal de mer.

Just over half said they wouldn’t go because their children or grandchildren would be bored.

You do wonder why Royal Caribbean International and Carnival waste their money on adverts.

And finally…

Congratulations to all the agents, and the teams from Holland America Line and Clia UK & Ireland, who raised more than £3,000 for Cancer Research UK on a sponsored walk around Liverpool. The 3.5km walk took them past the waterfront and the Cavern Club where the Beatles originally played. Holland America has 5km fundraising walks on all departures on all its 15 ships throughout the year. Passengers are invited to take part and the money raised is distributed between six cancer charities worldwide.

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Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson stole the Columbus Day show with his rundown of reasons to visit the city.

Nothing to do with the Beatles, but to hear one of the locals say, when asked directions (and you need a thick Scouse accent here), you go right, right, then left, right. I wonder how many times he has dined out on that one.