CLIA UK & Ireland Monthly Newsletter Edition 22

Edition 22 - February 2015

Membership News

We are delighted to welcome you to this month’s CLIA UK & Ireland Executive Partner and Cruise Line Newsletter. So far 2015 has been fantastic for us with full attendance at our first two UK & Ireland events of the year – our Consumer & Travel Law Seminar and our Winter Cocktails at the Telegraph. These events were well attended by both Cruise Lines and Executive Partners alike and I hope that we will be able to continue this enthusiasm over the rest of this year.

Online, we have added a number of resources for our members to increase knowledge of cruise. Our new Destinations page, where we add a new region each month, contains all the information that our members need about various popular cruise regions across the globe, including promotions and offers from our members. Within the next few months we will be covering ‘Islands of the Mediterranean’, ‘The Adriatic’ and ‘Baltic, Scandinavia and Northern Europe’, so if you have any promotions for these regions make sure they are uploaded at the beginning of each month.

Those of you who have logged in recently will notice that we have also updated our Members Hub with news of the latest updates to www. cruiseexperts.org and a link to our ‘CLIA Updates’ page. ‘CLIA Updates’ contains the latest regulatory & technical updates from across the globe, the latest State of the Industry reports from our research teams, all the info you need on sponsorship of one of our many events, as well as our updated CLIA Calendar and much more.

Should you need any help with logging into our website please feel free to contact Augustus on alonsdale@cruising.org or 0207 436 2449

For the full photo album check out our Flickr page https://www.flickr.com/photos/cliaukireland/

Date Announced For CLIA Cruise Week 2015 Social media will play a central role in this year’s CLIA Cruise Week with travel agents playing a key part in highlighting the many reasons why a cruise holiday ticks all the boxes, particularly for those who are yet to cruise.

CLIA Cruise Week will take place between 19 and 27 September and will focus on those yet to take their first cruise. Social media activities will showcase the many incredible destinations that can be enjoyed and explored on a cruise holiday along with the huge array of activities and entertainment available on board.

Announcing the dates, CLIA UK & Ireland director, Andy Harmer said: “We had a phenomenal response to our social media activity last year reaching more than 7 million Twitter users alone. I believe that 2015 can be bigger and better, particularly as we have new ships launching dedicated to the UK market which will further stimulate interest in cruising. As an industry, we need to maximise every opportunity to highlight the diversity of cruise holidays and CLIA Cruise Week provides a tremendous platform for travel agent members to talk about cruise, particularly to those who are yet to cruise, whilst maximising their sales.”

Carnival’s Most Innovative Ship Yet, Carnival Vista, To Operate Year-Round Six-and Eight-Day Caribbean Cruises From Miami PortMiami will be the year-round homeport for Carnival Cruise Line’s largest ship to date, the 133,500-ton Carnival Vista, when it launches six- to eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning in December 2016.

Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, Carnival Vista will take cruising to new heights, introducing groundbreaking features such as SkyRide, a suspended open-air cycling experience; the world’s first IMAX® Theatre on a ship; Kaleid-OSlide, the line’s first water tube slide; and RedFrog Pub, including the line’s first onboard brewery.

Carnival will further bolster its leadership position in Galveston, repositioning Carnival Breeze and Carnival Liberty to Texas in 2016, joining Carnival Freedom which arrives in Galveston this Saturday. Carnival Breeze and Carnival Liberty will replace Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph, respectively, in Galveston. Details on new homeports for Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph, as well as yearround departures from San Juan, will be provided over the coming weeks.

With Carnival Breeze, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom, Galveston will be home to three of the line’s most innovative ships offering the widest array of cruise durations and itineraries to top destinations in Mexico, Belize, Isla Roatan and The Bahamas. These three ships will carry 600,000 passengers annually from Galveston – more than any other cruise operator.

Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president, said “Miami and Galveston are among our most popular points of embarkation and deploying our newest, most innovative ships to these homeports speaks volumes about our confidence in growing these markets. These ships not only offer our guests incredible onboard experiences but also provide our valued travel agent partners with exciting new choices to market to their clients”.

CMV Increase Their Trade Support

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has increased the number of key sales people and made new positions in order to support the travel trade. Lisa Jacobs, Head of Trade Sales at CMV said, “We are determined to provide a consistent and sustained level of trade back up. CMV has made a number of new staff appointments and put in a strong structure of skill and experience to help agents and the trade develop their sales with us. Since we announced the arrival of Magellan we have been able to offer agents increased capacity with a fourth larger vessel at 46,052 tonnes carrying 1250 passengers. Whilst maintaining CMV’s traditional British cruise experience our new ship brings a contemporary look for us.”

CMV now has a team of nine talented individuals dedicated to supporting the trade.

A new face is Nicola Pearce (PHOTO) who has joined from Virgin Holidays having also previously worked for Setnet Global and Thomas Cook. She will be responsible, in a new role, as a Business Development Manager for South West England and Wales. This area is growing in importance for

CMV with an increase in cruise departures from Bristol – Avonmouth.

Elsewhere, Wayne Beard who looks after Northern England and Scotland has been promoted and now has the title of Senior Business Development Manager for Northern England and Scotland. CMV will cruise from Newcastle, Liverpool, Hull, Dundee, Leith and Rosyth in 2015.

Changes have also been made in area responsibilities for Nicky Graham who is now the Business Development Manager for the Midlands and Humberside. Jodie Stuart takes up the position of Business Development Manager, South East England.

Meanwhile at the CMV Head Office three people provide the reinforcements – Laura Cann – Sales Support Manager, Lyndsey Barron – Sales & Marketing Executive and new recruit Deborah Rixon – Sales & Marketing Executive.

Lisa Jacobs maintains her role as Head of Trade Sales supported by Tricia Regan, Sales Manager for the expanding company.

CMV ‘Trade Partners’ can find further details on the dedicated agents section of the website or by emailing agents@cruiseandmaritime.com

Carnival Cruise Line Returns To Europe With New Carnival Vista There’s big fun and spectacular views on the horizon, as Carnival Cruise Line today announced the details of its most innovative ship ever, Carnival Vista, debuting in spring 2016.

Designed to connect guests to the ocean with sweeping views and plenty to do both outdoors and in, Carnival Vista will take cruising to new heights and introduce an exciting array of groundbreaking new features...

SkyRide, a breakthrough suspended open-air cycling experience; the world’s first IMAX® Theatre on a ship; an expanded water park featuring the colourful Kaleid-O-Slide, the line’s first raft-riding water tube slide; Seafood Shack, a delectable New England-inspired eatery; RedFrog Pub, the line’s first onboard brewery, and other enhanced dining, bar and entertainment options; as well as new scenic and family-friendly accommodation types.

The ship’s inaugural Mediterranean itineraries will mark the line’s return to Europe.

High-Powered Outdoor Fun With SkyRide, the cruise industry’s first pedal-powered open-air aerial attraction, Carnival is creating some of the best and highest outdoor vistas ever offered on a cruise ship.

Adventurous riders can climb aboard hanging recumbent-like bikes to cycle their way around the 800-foot suspended track with panoramic views from 150 feet above the sea. Nearby will be SkyCourse, an exhilarating suspended ropes course.

More Accommodation Options Carnival Vista will offer a wide variety of well-appointed, beautifully designed staterooms and suites including two new accommodation classes. Tropics-inspired Havana Cabanas feature accommodations with private outdoor patios - complete with lounge chairs and hammock - that face the expanded Lanai oceanair outdoor promenade and offer magnificent sea views in addition to easy access to the Havana Bar and Pool.

In the largest WaterWorks water park in the fleet, kids and kids at heart will find a thrilling array of splash-tastic fun including Kaleid-O-Slide, the line’s first-ever water tube attraction. Riders will hop on inflatable one or two-person rafts taking them on a fun-filled 455-foot adventure of exhilarating twists and turns with stunning kaleidoscopic visual effects.

Located within a new dedicated family area on Deck 2, the new Family Harbour accommodations offer an array of deluxe oceanview, balcony and interior staterooms that accommodate up to five family members. Parents and kids will have even more room to relax at the new, exclusive Family Harbour Lounge, a secluded space designed as the ultimate family hang out with large-screen TVs, games and complimentary breakfast and snacks. A special family concierge desk will be available here to assist families in making this their best holiday ever.

Big-Time Entertainment at the Multiplex Carnival Vista’s views are truly spectacular inside, too.

Carnival is partnering with entertainment innovator IMAX® (NYSE: IMAX) to bring the world’s most immersive cinematic experience to sea with the first-ever IMAX® Theatre on a ship.

Guests will take in the latest Hollywood blockbusters, IMAX classics and IMAX documentary content on a screen that’s three decks high. Next door at the Thrill Theater, moviegoers can enjoy a multi-dimensional special effects experience. Both are part of the Carnival Multiplex, a first at sea for film fans, complete with concession stand offering popcorn and movie snacks. The Warehouse, featuring a variety of video and arcade games, is located adjacent to the Carnival Multiplex.

Fresh New Dining & Bar Options Featured on Carnival Vista and a first for the fleet will be the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, a casual indoor/outdoor dining venue near the Lido Marketplace eateries. This seafoodlovers’ paradise will feature a menu full of delicious, fresh favourites available to enjoy, including lobster rolls, steamed lobster, fried shrimp, crab cakes, fried clams and more.

At the RedFrog Pub, Carnival will brew up great beer for good times in its first ever brewery. During each sailing, two giant copper-topped glass kettles will create tasty ales and lagers that can be enjoyed on tap from the bar and through unique tabletop taps that allow guests to pour their own beer.

The full bar will also offer an array of Caribbean-inspired cocktails, beers and rums. Indoor/outdoor seating, live music and brewing tours and tastings will also be offered in this fun venue.

Carnival’s Return to Europe The largest ship in the fleet, Carnival Vista will measure 133,500 tons, 1,055 feet long and have a guest capacity of 3,936 (based on two per cabin). The new vessel will debut 1st May, 2016, with a 13day cruise departing from Trieste, Italy -- the first European voyage for Carnival in three years. A variety of spectacular Mediterranean itineraries will be offered with port calls throughout Italy, France, Spain, Croatia and Turkey, as well as several new destinations for Carnival such as Crete (Heraklion), and Corfu, Greece; Valletta, Malta; Palermo, Sicily; Cagliari, Sardinia; and Gibraltar.

On 21st October, 2016, Carnival Vista will embark on a special 13-day transatlantic crossing and arrive in New York on the 3rd November, 2016, then operate a series of voyages from the Big Apple.

Carnival Vista’s European cruises are currently available for reservations. Additional information on the New York departures will be available next month.

Iain Baillie, Managing Director of UK Sales, said “We are delighted to be able to offer our travel agent partners something new and exciting from Carnival. The Vista will allow them to promote experiences that no other cruise line can offer. We are looking forward to working closely with agents to make sure they are fully up to speed with all of the exciting new features the Carnival Vista has to offer customers and help them attract a strong base of repeaters and new to cruise.”

Cruise fans, those new to cruising and travel partners can get a preview of Carnival Vista at www.carnival.com/carnivalvista or follow @CarnivalVista for regular Twitter updates.

Silversea Launches Inclusive Shore Excursions and Wifi On Mediterranean Cruises

Silversea Cruises is kicking off 2015 with an enticing new programme that includes shore excursions and WiFi. This programme is applicable to new bookings made on or after January 15, 2015 on any of the line’s 52 Mediterranean cruises this year.

“We’re delighted to enhance the value proposition for our guests with the launch of this new ultrainclusive pricing initiative,” said Steve Odell, President EMEA and Asia Pacific. “Our company is known for pioneering the concept of all-inclusive voyaging. By including shore excursions and WiFi in the cruise fare, we’re making the Silversea holiday experience more indulgent and relevant for today’s active luxury traveller.”

Guests may enrich their travel experience with a choice of Silver Shore Select excursions offered in every port of call. Whether it’s exploring the ancient Acropolis of Athens, strolling back through time along the marbled lanes of Ephesus, or discovering the Renaissance treasures of Florence, these small-group excursions present a destination’s art, history, and culture in an intimate, authentic way, utilising comfortable transportation and expert local guides.

These special all-inclusive fares also include two hours of complimentary WiFi per guest, per day, and unlimited complimentary WiFi for those in Medallion suites or higher.

The new perks join an array of features already included: open-seating gourmet dining; butler service for all suites; select wines, champagnes, premium spirits, speciality coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks; in-suite bar stocked with guests’ preferences; in-suite dining and 24-hour dining service (from a formal dinner ordered from The Restaurant menu and served in-suite, to lighter fare served in attended lounges); lecture and enrichment programmes; roundtrip transportation into town (in most ports); and onboard gratuities (exclusive of spa treatments).

In addition to the included Silver Shore Select excursions, guests may purchase tours from a variety of land programmes offering exceptional value, including the more-immersive Silver Shore Collection tours, as well as Silver Shore Privato, which provides a private car and driver for independent exploring.

For further details and a complete list of the Mediterranean cruises, please visit Silversea.com/exclusive-offers/shore-excursions-and-wifi-now-included.

A taste of Savoir Faire and Sancerre!

New French itinerary for Summer 2015

• Tour of the stunning Floral Park at Apremont-sur-Allier • Visit to Charite-sur-Loire, an ancient stopping point for pilgrims • Wonderful walking and cycling along the ever-present towpath Prices for a 6 night cruise lead-in at £3,100pp sharing a twin/double en suite cabin, including all meals, wines, an open bar, excursions and local transfers. Full-barge charters are also available.

British-based, luxury hotel barge operator European Waterways has announced details of a NEW itinerary in Burgundy, France for Summer 2015 - the 12-passenger barge Savoir Faire will cruise in the Sancerre region between 31 May and 22 August.

With 12, six-night departures scheduled, Savoir Faire will be the only 12-passenger hotel barge operating the delightful waterway between historic Rogny-les-Sept-Ecluses and Marseilles-les-Aubigny on the Canal de Briare and Canal Lateral à La Loire.

Highlights of the cruise include: • Seeing the historic staircase of 7 locks at Rogny-les-SeptEcluses • Crossing Gustav Eiffel’s remarkable 662 metre aqueduct, the Pont Canal de Briare • Visit to the world-famous Gien Pottery and the historic Chateaude Saint-Fargeau • A private wine-tasting at the renowned wine producer Henri Bourgeois in Sancerre

Each fully-crewed, 6-night cruise includes all gourmet meals prepared by the on-board chef, fine wines, an open bar, daily escorted excursions, admissions and local transfers.

London Cruise Terminal Busiest Ever December The month of December was one of the busiest ever for the London Cruise Terminal, with both C&MV’s Marco Polo and Fred Olsen Cruises Black Watch alongside the 348 metre ‘floating Landing Stage’ simultaneously embarking guests for parties alongside and Christmas Market mini-cruises to Zeebruges and Amsterdam. In one day a record breaking 3,200 guests passed through the terminal. www.londoncruiseterminal.com

CMV’s takes delivery of Magellan British cruise operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has taken delivery of their new flagship Magellan.

She will reposition to Greece for a docking period before sailing up to the UK for her various launch events and Maiden Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights Cruise departing 15 March.

Whilst a number of changes will be made to enhance some of her facilities, including the new CMV livery, the funnel gull wings will remain attached. Cruise shipping expert Peter Newell said “Thirty years ago the iconic shaped funnel was extensively wind-tunnel tested by her Danish builders Aalborg Værft A/S. The idea of the gull wings was primarily to stop smoke from falling on either the aft or midships decks when sailing with a following wind so removing them would not be a good idea.”

Chris Coates, Commercial Director at CMV said “The addition of Magellan to our fleet brings a new dimension in cruising to CMV. Since launching Magellan’s programme on 3 November 2014, we have sold 60% of her capacity which clearly demonstrates the strong demand for our product and smaller ship cruising. “

Seabourn unveils names of newest ships: Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation

The award-winning ultra-luxury, small ship cruise line Seabourn has unveiled the names of its two new ships, both inspired by its current fleet. Seabourn Encore will launch in late 2016 and Seabourn Ovation in spring 2018.

Expanding on the line’s popular and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation will build on the success of the Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest. This awardwinning class of ships revolutionised ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation will maintain the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalised service by close to one staff member for each guest on board. With the addition of the two new ships, Seabourn will have the youngest and most modern ultra-luxury fleet in the industry.

“Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation will applaud the current fleet in both vessel design and guest experience,” said Seabourn President Richard Meadows. “Both words, Encore and Ovation, pay tribute to the tremendous success and outstanding accomplishments our current ships have achieved. They are perfect names to celebrate Seabourn’s expanding fleet.”

The line has revealed renderings and updates about Seabourn Encore via a new dedicated microsite: http://encore.seabourn. com. Filled with imagery, details and news on the ship’s progress, including a “sunsets until launch” countdown, the microsite offers an inside look at Seabourn’s stunning new ultra-luxury ship. Additional details, news and images will be revealed on the site on an ongoing basis.

Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation will be configured with one additional deck, newly expanded public areas, and modern design elements and innovations consistent with Seabourn’s reputation for understated elegance. The new 40,350-GRT vessels are expected to carry 604 guests each, based on double occupancy, and every suite will feature a private veranda.

Hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany will be designing both Seabourn Encore and Seabourn Ovation in their entirety, drawing inspiration from the line’s rich history and yachting heritage. He will design all indoor and outdoor guest areas, including the multiple dining venues, The Spa at Seabourn, showrooms, casino and lounges, outdoor deck areas, and the popular Seabourn Square, the social hub of the ship with a club-like ambiance.

Seabourn offers key elements that set the cruise line apart: thoughtfully appointed all-suite accommodations; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary open bars throughout the ship; complimentary fine wines poured at lunch and dinner; awardwinning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home on board. The ships travel the globe throughout the year, sailing to many of the world’s most desirable destinations, including marquee cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and lesser-known ports and hideaways.

For additional information contact UK Reservations 0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.com/en

Summer 2015 Shore Excursions From Thomson Cruises Now On Sale Thomson Cruises is pleased to announce the exciting, new summer 2015 shore excursion programme is now on sale. To take advantage of Thomson Celebration’s new summer 2015 home port of Dubrovnik, Thomson Cruises’ guests on any one of its four ‘adults only’ itineraries can enjoy both eye-line and sky-line panoramic views of the beautiful Croatian city on the Dubrovnik City Walk & Cable Car tour. The highlights of which include touring the UNESCO-listed city and taking in Onofrio’s Fountains, a Franciscan Monastery, and the city’s 18th-century Baroque-style cathedral.

Another addition to the excursion programme this summer is the Taste of Split tour, which offers guests the chance to get to know the ancient sights of Croatia’s second-largest city. Visitors can see first-hand the crumbling ruins and historical streets of this mystical city that was once ruled by the Roman Emperor Diocletian.

Thomson Cruises’ summer 2015 itineraries feature a number of new ports including Bozcaada (Turkey), Chios (Greece) and Bari (Italy) offering customers the chance to discover exciting new excursions including the legend of ‘Ancient Troy’ in Bozcaada. On this tour visitors can step back in time and see with their own eyes the ancient walls and ruins that inspired the Hollywood movie. Guests can take a look at a modern version of the ‘Wooden Horse’, used by the Greeks to trick the Trojans during the first ever war between the east and the west whilst gazing across the beautiful waters of the Dardanelles.

New for 2015, Thomson Cruises customers can also explore Chios Town, Greece and visit an ancient monastery and ghost village on the ‘Nea Moni Monastery & Anavatos Village’ excursion. The famous church here has gained a World Heritage label due to the breathtaking gold mosaics that coat its shimmering ceiling.

Customers of Thomson Cruises can browse and book excursions online before leaving home, with selected advanced bookings offering fantastic savings compared to the on-board price. For extra flexibility, customers can also amend excursion bookings up to 24 hours before the tour departs. Helen Caron, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises said, “For summer 2015 we’ve hand-picked unique and exciting excursions which we know our customers will enjoy. Due to the popularity of our excursions, we allow customers to plan ahead and book their excursions before travelling to ensure they don’t miss out.”

Carnival Cruise Line Launches New Shipboard Mobile App Carnival Cruise Line has launched a new free mobile app that provides holidaymakers aboard Carnival Breeze with a variety of useful information to maximize the fun on their next Carnival cruise. The app includes an innovative “chat” feature that allows guests to exchange messages with their traveling companions using their mobile devices throughout the voyage for a low flat fee of $5 for the entire cruise.

The line is also piloting enhanced internet access aboard Carnival Freedom, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine that dramatically increases bandwidth and speed and also includes a first-ever social media package providing unlimited access to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and other popular sites for a fee of just $5 per day or $25 per voyage during the testing period.

Gus Antorcha, Carnival’s senior vice president of guest commerce comments: “Consumers expect a high level of connectivity even while on vacation and these new enhancements provide our guests not only with helpful tools for getting the most out of their cruise but also a convenient and cost-effective way for keeping in touch with their family and friends while on board,” “We recognize the increasingly important role that technology plays in people’s daily lives and the launch of this application and new internet packages provides us with a strong platform for introducing additional innovations and ways to use technology to enhance our guest experience even further.”

New Mobile Smartphone App Pilot on Carnival Breeze Currently being piloted on Carnival Breeze, the new free Carnival Hub app is designed to provide guests with a convenient, at-a-glance view of the ship’s many shipboard facilities and features along with updates on events and happenings taking place on board.

Also available is a “chat” feature where guests can communicate with anyone on board from their mobile devices. The price for the chat feature, which includes a group chat option, is $5 per voyage during the testing period.

The app also includes: • A day-by-day schedule of hundreds of on-board events, from nightly show times at the Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez and Playlist Production shows to movies and sporting events on the big screen at Seaside Theatre and Seuss at Sea events • A “favourites” feature that allows guests to see what events and activities their sailing companions are participating in

• Information on casual dining options such as Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and The Taste Bar, along with details on the RedFrog Pub and other popular watering holes • Searchable deck plans with key areas highlighted, providing a comprehensive layout of the ship’s various on-board offerings • Itinerary details, including current ship time and arrival/ departure times for upcoming port calls • Real-time information on guests’ current Sail & Sign shipboard account balance The app is currently available for the Carnival Breeze for iPhone and Android users via their respective app stores with fleet wide rollout planned within the next 18 to 24 months. During this time, the line will continue to add more fun and functional features to help guests have an even more personalized and memorable cruise holiday, such as the ability to purchase shore excursions, view photos taken by the ship’s professional photographers on board, and more.

Escape To New Flavours and Dazzling Sights Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a multitude of new partnerships with leaders in the fields of dining, beverage and entertainment to feature innovative branded experiences on board Norwegian Escape. During an exclusive event in New York City, the line revealed that its largest ship ever, Norwegian Escape, will include several new culinary experiences, along with two Tony Award-winning musicals, and a unique Supper Club, when she begins sailing from her homeport of Miami in November 2015.

Foodies will enjoy Norwegian Escape’s ultimate culinary experiences, which will be helmed by James Beard Award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces and Miami restaurateurs Jose Mendin, Andreas Schreiner and Sergio Navarro of The Pubbelly Restaurant Group; in addition to new beverage concepts The District Brewhouse, featuring craft beers from Wynwood Brewing Company, and The Cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar. Guests will be dazzled by three new shows, including Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals After Midnight and Million Dollar Quartet, along with a new supper club

concept exclusive to Norwegian Escape, For The Record presents Dear John Hughes, featuring classic soundtracks from favourite motion pictures in a one-of-a kind 360° post-modern cabaret and dinner experience.

“With Norwegian Escape, we are transforming culinary experiences at sea and continuing our legacy of innovation that has revolutionised dining in the cruise industry,” said Drew Madsen, Norwegian Cruise Line’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are building on our solid foundation of branded partnerships, including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and welcoming new ideas and flavours from award-winning chefs. Norwegian also continues to pave the way as a leader in entertainment, as we bring two Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals and a postmodern cabaret direct from Los Angeles to Norwegian Escape.”

Zolv Launch New Features to Full Picture Zolv will be shortly unveiling a number of new tools and features from their award winning Visual Conversation platform; Full Picture.

Many of the new features, such as CRM integration, customer email creation and session outcome capturing have been developed in response to enterprise customers requiring tighter integration between Full Picture and existing call centre workflows.

Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour Road Dog Tours invites beer lovers to experience Seattle’s craft beer industry.

The tour teaches the craft brewing process and offers multiple samples. Seattle Brewery tour departs three times daily from downtown Seattle and includes visits to some of the Seattle’s 20-plus craft and microbreweries including Fremont Brewing Company, Seapine, Outlander, Georgetown, Bad Jimmy’s and many more…

Road Dog Tours also offers 2 additional tours: Seattle Distillery Tour and Seattle Coffee Tour.

More information on: www.seattlebrewerytour.com

A highlight of the latest release is a new mobile app called Snapper, available for iOS, Android and Windows Phones.

Developed initially for venue and attraction owners, Snapper allows the user to shoot photos and video on their phone, and then tag and upload them directly into Full Picture, all on the fly.

Zolv believes that snapping and uploading directly into Full Picture will also tick a number of other boxes for travel operators, providing an easy way for staff on location to collect images directly in resort, whilst out on tours and whilst cruising on board.

Sourcing good photography and video is key to creating a visual conversation which in turn, improves the quality of customer service and increases conversion. But it can be time consuming.

Snapper makes it quicker and easier to create a media library; simply walk around your meeting rooms, hotel, gardens or facilities, taking pictures and uploading them as you go. An entire venue can be captured in a matter of minutes, ready to be shared instantly with customers through the Full Picture platform.

P&O Cruises Sails To Fantastic £600,000 For Macmillan Cancer Support P&O Cruises is celebrating raising over £600,000 for charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support. The business has worked in partnership with Macmillan for the last two years, and the money raised by employees and customers will fund local Macmillan projects to help ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.

The business has reached their fantastic total by fundraising in various ways and thanks to the generosity of their passengers, including taking on the Isle of Wight Challenge, and inviting celebrity chef Eric Lanlard to lead a Head Office bake-off for Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. On-board events such as officer and crew fitness challenges and weekly coffee mornings involving customers also helped boost the total. One of the projects to benefit from the funds raised includes the new Macmillan Healing Garden at Southampton General Hospital, which, when complete, will be a tranquil place where people affected by cancer and their families can enjoy some peace and quiet together during treatment.

Simon Phillips, Director of Fundraising at Macmillan Cancer Support says: “I’d like to say a huge well done to everyone at P&O Cruises for reaching this total and a heartfelt thank you to all the customers who took time on their holidays to get involved with fundraising too. At Macmillan we believe that no one should face cancer alone, and thanks to our partnership with P&O Cruises we can fund more services that help us to support people affected by cancer when they need it most.”

Gerard Tempest, Chief Commercial Officer at P&O Cruises says: “I’m immensely proud of everyone here at P&O Cruises for raising £600,000 for Macmillan in just two years. Many of our colleagues who have taken on challenges for Macmillan have themselves been supported by the charity during a cancer experience, and it’s this personal understanding of the difference they can make that has driven us to such fundraising heights. I’m also delighted to know that the money we’ve raised will contribute to services right here in our local community, which is a truly fantastic legacy for everyone involved in the partnership.”

2015 is set to be another busy year for the partnership, with the official opening of the Macmillan Healing Garden at Southampton General Hospital and the 25th birthday of Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in September.

If you’ve been inspired by P&O Cruises’ fundraising efforts, visit macmillan.org.uk/getinvolved to find out how you can support Macmillan.

12 Months of River Cruising Award-winning cruise line AmaWaterways offers luxury river voyages on some of the world’s most beautiful and exciting rivers. The company has come up with a spectacular river cruise for every month of the year.

February – Cruise the Mekong Take in the gentle delights of South-East Asia on AmaWaterways’ Vietnam, Cambodia and the Riches of the Mekong tour on the luxurious, colonial-style AmaLotus or the brand new AmaDara.

From Siem Reap’s Tonle Sap bridge, cruise in comfort, visiting an ancient monastery in Oudong and taking an ox-cart ride in Kampong Tralach before arriving in the bustling chaos of Phnom Penh, where local children will put on a special Khmer folk performance. Back in Vietnam, check out floating markets and remote villages, see the silk-making process and take a trishaw tour before disembarking at Ho Chi Minh City.

March – Admire the tulips The spring flowers of the Low Countries will be in their prime in March, the ideal time to sail the Dutch waterways on AmaLyra’s Tulip Time itinerary. Starting with a cruise through Amsterdam’s famous canals and a tour through the house where Anne Frank hid, sail through picturesque towns including Edam and Arnhem, both with legendary histories and traditional churches. In Belgium, visit Ghent or take a tour to Brussels and Bruges for the day before returning to the Netherlands to gaze at the Kinderdijk windmills and take in the stunning beauty of Amsterdam’s Keukenhof Gardens, filled with tulips in bloom.

April – Raise a glass to beer For a European cruise with a difference, AmaWaterways’ Beer Cruise on AmaLyra, hosted by beer guru and writer Don Russell, includes brewery visits at almost every port. In Amsterdam, tour the world-famous Heineken brewery and in Nijmegen, visit the Brewery de Hemel and taste the product. The old-fashioned Cantillon Brewery will be included on a day excursion to Brussels and guests can also tour Ghent’s Gruut brewery – tasting included – and the De Halve Maan brewery in Bruges. There’s also plenty of scope for non-drinkers, as this cruise follows the same itinerary as the Tulip Time cruise.

May – Springtime in Europe As May days beckon, the Danube is at its loveliest. AmaSerena’s Melodies of the Danube cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen takes in Bratislava; Vienna, with an overnight in port; the beautiful Wachau Valley with calls at Durnstein and Melk; and Linz, from where guests can join a tour to Salzburg or the lush Austrian Lake District. After a visit to Passau, there’s a taste of the traditional Oktoberfest in Vilshofen.

June – Head south to Provence Provence is the perfect spot for wine, scenery and fine food.

AmaDagio, featuring a whirlpool, marble-appointed bathrooms and a Viennese-style coffee house, departs Lyon and sails through the wine region of Beaujolais, with a chance to savour the local vintages. Vienne’s Roman ruins provide a glimpse of past splendours before tasting the red wine and the finest chocolate produced in Tournon. Visit the famous Bridge of Avignon and Arles, where Van Gogh once lived and art comes to the fore, with an optional Impressionism-focused walking tour.

July – Understand Jewish Heritage AmaWaterways’ themed Jewish Heritage cruises visit important Jewish sites through Germany, Austria and Slovakia, as well as giving guests a chance to experience the romance of the Danube. In Linz, tour the Alter Markt, the New Synagogue and the Jewish Cemetery before moving on to the captivating beauty of the Austrian Lake District with an optional tour to Salzburg. In Vienna, visit the Jewish Museum and Judenplatz, as well as the Jewish Quarter and the house of Sigmund Freud. In Bratislava, tour famous rabbi Chatam Sofer’s former home, while Budapest’s stops include the Old Jewish Cemetery and the Tree of Life. All Jewish Heritage tours are optional and run alongside AmaSonata’s regular excursions.

August – Learn to paint in France Lovers of art will welcome this tailored seven-night Art Illumination cruise along the Seine on AmaLegro; explore some of the settings that inspired the great artists of France and then create your own masterpieces under expert guidance back on board the ship. Wander through Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny and appreciate Monet’s influences from the world of nature. Honfleur, a favourite painting spot for Boudin and Courbet as well as Monet, is next, before a taste of local apple cider as well as history at Normandy. Move on to Auverssur-Oise, home to Cezanne and Pissarro, or visit Chateau Malmaison where Napoleon made his home, before touring Auberge Ravoux where Van Gogh lived his final days.

September – Explore the Douro Enjoy the best of the late summer sunshine in Portugal on AmaWaterways’ Enticing Douro cruise. AmaVida, featuring al fresco dining and a pool on deck, sails from Porto through some of the country’s most ravishing scenery, delivering a healthy dose of vibrant Portuguese culture. In Régua, guests will taste port wine and visit a pilgrimage site, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, with its own Gothic cathedral. An authentic flamenco show will be laid on in the medieval city of Salamanca in Spain.

Back in Portugal, tour the Palacio de Mateus, enjoy a homecooked meal and port wine at a monastery and marvel at Sao Bento railway station before disembarking in Porto.

October – Autumn colour along the Rhine In autumn, dazzling displays of leaves become the star attraction on the Rhine. AmaCerto’s Enchanting Rhine cruise visits some of the river’s grandest cities and most charming towns.

In Amsterdam, tour Anne Frank’s house as well as the wellknown Skinny Bridge and the windmill immortalised in paint

by Rembrandt. Cruising slowly to Cologne, visit 13th century cathedral in all its Gothic glory before moving on to Rudesheim for gondola ride and wine tasting. Explore dramatic Heidelberg Castle or choose a tour around Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany. In Strasbourg, visit the Orangery, the European Parliament and the Place de la Republique, before a stop in delightful Breisach and disembarkation in Basel.

November – Taste wine along the Danube This wine-themed cruise on AmaSonata follows AmaWaterways’ Melodies of the Danube itinerary with extra excursions, lectures and tastings for lovers of European vintages. In Vienna, spend evening at a rustic local wine tavern. In the Wachau Valley, stop for drinks at a winery in Krems and in Vilshofen, enjoy the fun of an Oktoberfest experience.

December – Shop in the Christmas markets Nowhere is more magical at Christmas time than the cities along the Rhine and Danube. AmaSonata’s Christmas Time voyage is the perfect pre-Christmas celebration, with Christmas markets at almost every port. In Nuremberg, Gothic churches set the mood and the famous Christmas markets ply shoppers with hot mulled Glühwein. Take a guided walk through beautiful old Regensburg before choosing between the Old Kornmarkt market or Thurn and Taxis Palace. Salzburg and Linz offer more opportunities for gifts that are truly one-of-a-kind, and Vienna glitters in the snow with all the famous sights included as well as multiple Christmas markets of its own.

January – Discover Myanmar Explore the mysterious Ayeyarwady next January on AmaPura’s Golden Treasures of Myanmar cruise. Sailing between Mandalay and Pyay, take in the colour of the countryside from a horsedrawn buggy, explore the awe-inspiring ruins of the world’s largest brick pagoda at Pathodawgyi and taste locally grown palm sugar treats. Guests will visit local villages and meet traditional artisans and see sacred sites including Mount Popa in Bagan.

For more information about AmaWaterways’ luxury river cruises, contact AmaWaterways on freephone 0808 256 8422 or visit www.amawaterways.co.uk.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Celebrates Keel Laying Milestone For Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built, Seven Seas Explorer The first building block for Seven Seas Explorer was placed this morning during a special keel laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The keel laying signals a significant milestone in the construction for what will be the most luxurious ship ever built, and brings the vessel one step closer to its 20 July 2016 maiden voyage.

In a ceremony befitting of the world’s most luxurious ship, a sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom transported the three symbolic coins to the keel laying event. Upon arrival, a dapper butler emerged with a red velvet pillow carrying the coins to be welded into the keel, including a rare 1921 U.S. silver coin known as the Peace Dollar symbolizing the safe passage of Seven Seas Explorer; a 1959 silver Italian Lire representing the year the Fincantieri shipyard was established; and a commemorative coin specially minted for this occasion.

Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruise, Robin Lindsay, executive vice president of vessel operations and Franco Semeraro, senior vice president of hotel operations welded the coins into the ship’s keel before the building block was lowered into place in the dry dock.

“With construction beginning in earnest today, we took a major step closer to realizing our vision, to provide our guests with a vessel that will be hailed as the most luxurious ship ever built,” said Montague. “Every inch of the Seven Seas Explorer will exude elegance and grandeur, and that extends to all aspects of the ship from the lavish suites to the gourmet restaurants and stylish public

spaces. We even ensured that the keel coins convey a sense of luxury.”

At 56,000 gross-registered tons and carrying only 750 guests, Seven Seas Explorer will boast one of the highest space ratios in the cruise industry and among the highest staff-to-guest ratio, further strengthening Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ widely recognized position as the leader in the luxury cruise segment.

World-renowned architectural interior design firms Tillberg Design AB, RTKL Associates and ICRAVE are designing the vessel. Seven Seas Explorer will join the award-winning Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet in the summer of 2016.

Reservations for Seven Seas Explorer’s inaugural season opened 19 January 2015 exclusively for Seven Seas Society members and will become widely available starting 4 February 2015. For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises or to receive a brochure, guests can call 02380 682280 or contact your specialist cruise agent.

Land Of “Frozen” Coming To Disney Cruise Line This Summer Anna and Elsa’s royal tour of our ships is soon to be filled with even more excitement! Not only is Olaf joining them on all four ships, we’re adding brand-new experiences for the whole family, starting this summer. Highlights include a spectacular deck party, a new production number in “Disney Dreams,” new character meet and greets, storybook adventures ashore and another way to cool down on Castaway Cay. I’ll share some details on these exciting offerings today, and over the next several weeks, tell you more about what you can expect in summer.

A Day of Frozen Fun, Including New Deck Party Debuting this summer, on select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings to Europe and Alaska, Disney Cruise Line guests are transported to the land of “Frozen” when the ship is transformed into a winter wonderland and a day of frozen fun culminates with an extravagant celebration with friends from the Kingdom of Arendelle. The deck party, “Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa and Friends,” is a family-friendly interactive celebration featuring the famous royal sisters and their fun-loving Nordic companions.

New Production Number in “Disney Dreams” Our friends from “Frozen” are making their stage show debut at sea in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the Disney Magic. In our original production, “Disney Dreams ... An Enchanted Classic,” Anna, Elsa and Olaf join the line up of beloved Disney characters who together teach a young girl the power of her dreams. Brand-new scenes featuring “Frozen” characters include renditions of three popular songs: “Let it Go,” “For the First Time in Forever” and “In Summer.”

Magical Meet and Greets In addition to warm hugs, Olaf will be giving autographs and taking photographs with children and families while he is cruising with us. He is joining Anna and Elsa on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic for some fun in the sun!

Adventures Ashore in Norway This summer in Norway, the land that inspired Arendelle from “Frozen,” Disney Magic cruisers will have the opportunity to join exciting new Port Adventures that bring this fairytale setting to life.

One signature adventure ashore in Ålesund, Norway, created exclusively for Disney Cruise Line, will immerse guests in the splendor and charm of Norway, with the help of Anna and Elsa, in an enchanting storybook village.

Olaf’s Summertime Freeze on Castaway Cay We’re cooling down Castaway Cay with the addition of Olaf’s Summertime Freeze bar! Serving non-alcoholic specialty frozen drinks in souvenir cups, the creative menu features refreshing beverages such as “Olaf’s Flurry Freeze,” “Sven’s Carrot Delight” and “Warm Hugs.” Olaf’s Summertime Freeze will be near the Pelican Point tram stop by Castaway Cay Family Beach.

The First CLIA River Cruise Weekend Goes ‘Social’ In March Following the success of the CLIA UK & Ireland Cruise Week, the association is today announcing details of its first ever CLIA UK & Ireland River Cruise Weekend taking place in March and aimed at raising the profile of river cruise holidays within the travel trade and to the consumer.

Via social media, the event will focus on promoting the diversity of destinations available on a river cruise holiday together with the wonderful experiences and service provided by the association’s 17 river members.

More British passengers than ever before are taking a holiday on Europe’s waterways, with the most recent figures (2013) showing a rise of 22 per cent in the number of passengers choosing a river cruise taking the total number to almost 110,000 passengers.

The growth on Europe’s rivers has been underpinned by a significant increase in the number of new cruise ships with more than 25 being launched this year on the world’s waterways.

CLIA UK & Ireland director, Andy Harmer, said: ‘More travel agents than ever are now selling river cruises but we want to grow this interest still further. Together with our 17 river members, we will highlight the very best of river cruising – whether that’s in Europe, America, Africa or Asia, there are just so many fantastic places to visit.”

He continued: ‘We will ask travel agents and guests to Tweet #lovecruise with a wonderful photo of a river cruise destination or experience explaining why they love river cruising. We will be collecting river cruise stories, blogs and videos so that we can maximise exposure across all social media platforms. We are also placing additional river specific training modules on our website to help agents make the most of the River Cruise Weekend which runs from 26 – 30 March. This segment of cruising is growing at a tremendous pace and we want to ensure agents are best placed to take advantage of the opportunities this brings.”

Rocky Mountaineer Announces Delicious Enhancements To Silverleaf Service

Allender Elected as New Canaveral Commission Chair During the first meeting of 2015, Port Canaveral Commissioners voted unanimously for attorney Jerry Allender to serve as the new Chairman of the five-member elected Board.

Allender previously served two second terms as Vice Chairman. The Titusville resident was elected to the Port Authority in August 2010 to represent District 1 and begin his term in January 2011.

John H. Evans will serve as Vice Chairman. He was elected from District 2 in November 2012 and began his term in January 2013. The Titusville resident has been practicing law since 1973.

Thomas “Tom” Weinberg, the immediate past Chairman who served two consecutive terms, accepted the role of Secretary/Treasurer. The licensed realtor and former government administrator is a fourthgeneration Floridian elected from District 5. He began his Commission tenure in January 2011 New to the Board is Wayne Justice, who was elected to the Commission in November 2014 from District 3 for a term beginning January 2015. He served 37 years in the Coast Guard and retired as a two-star admiral.

Robert ‘Bruce’ Deardoff continues his service to the Board. Elected in November 2010 from District 4 for a term that began in January 2011, the Merritt Island, Florida resident owns several auto dealerships.

In honour of Rocky Mountaineer’s 25th Anniversary, the company has enhanced its SilverLeaf Service, offering more fresh, local and gourmet options. The menu, designed by Rocky Mountaineer’s Michelin-Star Executive Chefs, continues to draw inspiration from the bounty of Western Canada, incorporating local ingredients such as Pacific Salmon and Prime Alberta Beef.

The new SilverLeaf culinary programme includes: • Seat side service: Guests will be served delicious dishes by culinary team members in the comfort of their seats. Each SilverLeaf coach will have a dedicated culinary team member in addition to two Onboard Hosts.

• More beverage choices: Complimentary beverages, including wine, beer, spirits and nonalcoholic drinks will be available throughout the journey.

• Gourmet snacks: House-made options such as earl grey scented trail mix will complement the journey’s meal options.

• Customisation: Guests will now have portion choice, with entrée options at breakfast and lunch and customisable servings to suit the ravenous as well as those with a lighter appetite.

SilverLeaf Service is available on three exciting routes: First Passage to the West, Journey Through the Clouds and Coastal Passage. Onboard the single level dome coaches, Rocky Mountaineer Hosts share stories of the regions along the way while guests revel in all of the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies just outside the extra-large picture windows.

Convenient Jaunts or Extended Holidays: Crystal Cruises Offers Expanded Selection of European Escapes Proving that when it comes to luxury holidays quality trumps quantity, Crystal Cruises is offering travellers a varied menu of conveniently scheduled itineraries through Europe this summer and autumn, including Sunday to Sunday and sevennight voyages.

Sailing throughout the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe, the shorter itineraries complement the line’s more common 10-, 11- and 12+-night voyages. Each seven-night cruise offers at least one overnight stay, often upon embarkation and/or disembarkation, allowing travellers ample time to immerse themselves in destinations before, during and following their Crystal cruise.

“The departures and returns allow those with limited travel time the ability to enjoy a dream holiday abroad without overextending their time away from work and other commitments,” said Crystal’s president, Edie Rodriguez. “Our varied range of itineraries takes in new destinations as well as perennial favourites and is carefully designed to appeal to all travellers.”

Among the seven-night, Crystal Serenity voyages in 2015 are: • 30th August, Rome to Venice (overnight) calling into Sorrento (overnight), Kotor and Rijeka.

• 6th September, Venice (overnight) to Istanbul (overnight) calling into Dubrovnik, Mykonos and Izmir.

• 13th September, round-trip Istanbul (begins with overnight) calling into Kusadasi, Rhodes and Santorini.

• 11th October, Athens to Venice (overnight) calling into Monemvasia, Katakolon, Sarande and Split.

• 18th October, Venice (overnight) to Monte Carlo calling into Kotor, Naples, Rome and Florence.

• 6th November, Monte Carlo (overnight) to Lisbon calling into Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Gibraltar and Portimão.

• 22nd November, Monte Carlo (overnight) to Marseille calling into Genoa, Florence, Rome, Naples and Corsica.

The line’s other acclaimed vessel, Crystal Symphony, sails a 16th August seven-night cruise round-trip from Copenhagen, calling in Berlin/Warnemünde and Helsinki, and over-nighting in St Petersburg. This is followed by a seven-night Copenhagen to Amsterdam voyage beginning 23rd August featuring overnights in Edinburgh/Rosyth and Hamburg, and calling in Newcastle and Helgoland (maiden call).

Until 2nd March 2015, all-inclusive “Book Now” fly/cruise fares for 2015 seven-night Mediterranean voyages start at £1,826 per person.

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

For further information and reservations please call Crystal Cruises on 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

Cruise & Maritime Voyages expand cruising from the London port of Tilbury The London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury is a key part of the success of Essex based company Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) according to Mike Hall, Head of Marketing. The company’s new ship Magellan will be making Tilbury her home port with regular departures starting on 15 March with a maiden voyage off to look for the Solar Eclipse and the Northern Lights. Meanwhile, CMV’s popular cruise liner Marco Polo, a familiar sight at Tilbury, will be celebrating, her 50th Anniversary, with sailings throughout the year.

Mike Hall - Head of Marketing at CMV, who’s head office is located in Purfleet, said “We have helped Tilbury re-establish itself by being the first cruise line to start regular year-round departures from the Essex port some five years ago. Our on board questionnaires clearly indicate that the convenience of departing from Tilbury is a major reason for people choosing to cruise with CMV. Now, the people of Essex will have two ships to choose from, the impressive and more contemporary Magellan or the elegant and ever-popular Marco Polo.”

Perry Glading, Chief Operating Officer of Forth Ports (owners of London Cruise Terminal) said: “We are thrilled that Cruise and Maritime Voyages are increasing their departures from the London Cruise Terminal – Tilbury for the 2015 and 2016 cruise season. The cruise business from Tilbury is growing year on year following a significant investment programme that has rejuvenated the cruise terminal. CMV has helped us develop the port so passengers can enjoy an easy check-in, good transport links into the Capital and south east and car parking.”

Since Christmas, rapidly expanding CMV have increased their staff in Purfleet by 20%. Mike Hall said “We have been able offer exciting new career opportunities here in Essex working at our head office in the areas of sales, marketing, customer services and finance.”

The arrival and departure of cruise ships at the London Cruise Terminal at Tilbury brings with it additional work for Essex. Magellan carries up to 1250 and Marco Polo up to 800 passengers. The handling of this number of people doubles of course each day as the ships usually arrive in the morning early and depart the same day in the late afternoon. This creates work for the port and all those involved plus local businesses such as taxis, shops, the local attractions, and all the various suppliers to the vessels.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Explores New Destinations, Welcoming New Ship With 2016 Summer And Autumn Itineraries Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveiled its 2016 summer and autumn collection, featuring more than 60 destinationrich itineraries, three Grand Voyages and 11 new ports not previously visited by the luxury line.

Seven Seas Explorer, the most luxurious ship ever built, will set sail on its maiden voyage and inaugural season as part of the summer 2016 schedule. The line’s four all-suite luxury ships will chart diverse courses, offering unforgettable travel experiences while exploring coveted destinations across the world.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Sales Soar As Bookings Open for Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built, Seven Seas Explorer

The world’s most luxurious ship is already surpassing expectations, as Regent Seven Seas Cruises reported both single-day and first week record bookings for the line’s new flagship Seven Seas Explorer. The ship went on sale exclusively to members of the line’s loyalty programme, the Seven Seas Society, on 19 January, and reservations made that day surpassed the line’s previous single-day revenue record by nearly three times.

The fleet will visit iconic and exotic cities in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe; travel through the majestic landscapes of Alaska, New England and Canada; and discover the mysterious lands of Asia. In total, the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet will visit 220 ports in 71 different countries with its summer and autumn collection, including several overnight stays in the world’s most sought-after destinations.

The new level of grandeur offered on Seven Seas Explorer generated strong demand for the ship’s inaugural season, resulting in a new weekly sales record for Regent Seven Seas Cruises that more than doubled the previous high. Currently, reservations for Seven Seas Explorer are limited to past cruisers with the line and will become widely available from 4 February 2015.

The luxury line also introduced three new Grand Voyages, ranging from a 47-night London to Copenhagen sailing to a 64-night Barcelona to Sydney sailing. The 47-night London to Copenhagen sailing introduces fascinating new ports that explore the magnificent fjords of Greenland with stops in Nuuk and Qaqortoq. The sailing also visits beautiful and less traveled ports such as Denmark’s ancient history of Torshavn (Faroe Islands) and Iceland’s scenic cities of Akureyri and Isafjordur.

“We meticulously designed every detail aboard Seven Seas Explorer in order to make it the most luxurious ship ever built, and we are thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive response from our past guests and travel partners,” shared Graham Sadler, managing director, Regent Seven Seas Cruises UK. “Our booking experience echoed that of our offices in the US and with the maiden voyage nearly sold out and demand for the inaugural season being extremely strong, it underscores the global excitement surrounding the world’s most luxurious ship.”

For select sailings in the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will introduce new options for its FREE Extraordinary Land Programme, which includes a free three-night hotel stay and complimentary guided tours that immerse guests in the destination. One experience explores opulent cities of the Emirates, as guests discover Dubai’s rich history at the Dubai Museum, marvel at the magnificent architecture of the Jumeirah Mosque and take in breathtaking views from the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

Another excursion includes visiting the ultramodern capital city, Abu Dhabi, to experience architectural treasures and luxurious landmarks such as the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Scheduled to set sail in the summer of 2016, Seven Seas Explorer’s maiden voyage will be a 14-night sailing from Monte Carlo to Venice on 20 July 2016. The inaugural season highlights a variety of iconic locations throughout the Mediterranean including Ibiza, Barcelona, St. Tropez and Venice.

Continually recognized for providing guests with the most comprehensive, all-inclusive luxury experience, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering three-night land stays complimentary on select Seven Seas Voyager sailings to guests booked in a Concierge Suite or higher.

At 56,000 gross-registered tons and carrying just 750 guests, the all-suite, all-balcony ship will boast one-of-the-highest space ratios in the cruise industry and an exceptionally high staff-to-guest ratio. The ship is designed to be the most luxurious ship ever built, with the one-of-a-kind, opulent 3,875-square-foot Regent Suite, extravagantly designed lounges and showplaces, and lavish gourmet restaurants. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is setting a new standard for luxury cruise holidays with the launch of Seven Seas Explorer.

For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises or to receive a brochure, guests can call 02380 682280, email cruiseuk@rssc.com or contact a professional travel agent.

CMV offer the cruise of a Laugh-Time Later this year Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) invites you to join the stars from some of televisions most classic and muchloved comedy series. John Challis who played the great character ‘Terrance Aubrey Boyce (Boycie)’ in Only Fools and Horses and Sue Holderness who played his wife ‘Marlene’ are on board Marco Polo cruising 24 October. The TV couple went on to create another successful partnership in Green Green Grass of Home. To add to the celebrities on board Jeffrey Holland, one of the stars from Hi-De-Hi and You rang M’Lord, plus Sue Hodge who played the character Mimi Labonq in Allo, Allo.

CMV will present the artists in a TV interview style format with behind the scene glimpses and plenty of laughs. The atmosphere on board the adult only Marco Polo is intimate with just 750 or so passengers giving you a chance to meet the stars. Departing from London – Tilbury, 24 October for 6 nights this European Rivers & Medieval Cities cruise will visit Amsterdam navigating the Nordsee Canal then cruising along the River Scheldt to Antwerp. The next journey is along the River Seine for an overnight stay on board in Rouen followed by another overnight in Honfleur in Normandy. A great cruise itinerary offering plenty to see and do plus a super array of stars on board. The cruise is currently priced from £479pp, subject to availability of course.

Watch more information about these and other departures at www.cruiseandmaritime.tv

Cunard and Blue Note Records Announce Musical Partnership Cunard and venerable jazz labelBlue Note Records are proud to announce an exciting entertainment partnership, which will debut on Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, on 29 October 2015.

Passengers onboard will embark on a very special Transatlantic Crossing, featuring intimate jazz performances by the Blue Note 75th Anniversary All Star Band, Our Point of View, formed for the label’s milestone anniversary in 2014. The supergroup celebrates the vitality of Blue Note by looking ahead and assembling leading young artists on the Blue Note roster who steadfastly continue to move jazz forward. Featuring keyboardist Robert Glasper, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Kendrick Scott, the band’s repertoire draws from each of these artists’ own remarkable catalogs as well new spins on Blue Note classics.

President of Blue Note Records, Don Was, who himself is a celebrated musician and Grammy® Award winning producer for Bonnie Raitt and the Rolling Stones, will also sail on the voyage and participate in Q&A sessions. Jazz lovers can look forward to two more special cruises in 2016, and Don will personally hand pick those artists from Blue Note Record’s renowned group of musicians.

Don commented: “Cunard and Blue Note have accumulated 200 years of excellence and integrity in their respective fields - we’re going to have a ball!”

This unique partnership celebrates the two historic, yet innovative, industry leaders. Founded in 1939 by Alfred Lion, Blue Note Records is the most revered and longest running jazz label in the world. Embarking on its 175th anniversary in 2015, Cunard was the first to offer regularly scheduled Transatlantic service and has been carrying passengers between continents with luxury, sophistication and sense of occasion ever since.

Angus Struthers, Cunard Director, says: “We are thrilled to work with such an iconic record label and bring the legendary Blue Note sounds of jazz to our passengers. We are dedicated to offering memorable entertainment experiences while maintaining the integrity of Cunard’s rich heritage, and this partnership truly personifies that commitment.”

Cunard is known for offering guests unique access to some of the most beloved musicians and entertainers in the world, including James Taylor, Carly Simon, and the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Passengers on upcoming jazz voyages will rub shoulders with the jazz greats of today, and be treated to a series of unforgettable live performances in elegant Queen Mary 2 spaces including the world class Royal Court Theatre, with special evening performances in the ship’s Illuminations theatre.

Avalon Waterways Launches 2016 With Savings Of Up to £1500 Per Couple And New Suite Ships Avalon Waterways has launched its European river cruise programme with early booking offers of up to £1500 off per couple and guaranteed savings on all cruises, two new ‘Suite Ships’ due for delivery in spring.

New Suite Ships Two new Suite Ships will be added to the fleet in spring 2016; the Avalon Imagery II and Avalon Passion bringing the number of Suite Ships to 12 and fleet total to 16. All Suite Ships have two decks of Panorama Suites sized at 200 square feet, 30% larger than industry standard representing 80% of staterooms on each Ship, compared to other fleets which feature just a few premium staterooms. All are well-appointed with wall-to-wall sliding panoramic windows opening to create an open-air balcony as well as large private bathroom with full shower, spacious storage, L’Occitane bath products, luxurious Comfort Collection beds and Egyptian cotton linens.

New Cruises – Belgium and Holland Two new cruises will be introduced for 2016 featuring Holland and Belgium.

The 8 day ‘Charms of Holland and Belgium’ (from £1,696pp) features Antwerp and Ghent with its fascinating medieval heritage and visits to landmark sights of the windmills of Kinderdijk. April sailings include a visit to the world famous Keukenhof Gardens. The 9 day ‘Pride of Belgium’ (from £1696pp) features poignant visits to the Battlefields of Ypres and Eastern Flanders as well as guided visits to Maastricht, Antwerp and Ghent. Departures are available throughout April.

New History Themed Cruises Two new history themed cruises for 2016 include the newly introduced ‘Pride of Belgium’ cruise featuring a special WWI themed departure on 4 April and the newly named ‘Danube Dreams’* cruise featuring a special themed departure on 13 April on the history of the Hapsburg Empire. Both feature special on-board lectures.

The new themed cruises are in addition to the existing choice which includes other European history and politics, golf, beer tasting, wellness, music (jazz, classical music or opera) culinary, wine appreciation, writing, arts and impressionist art, Jewish heritage, Christmas markets and a Presidents Cruise.

Increased Flexibility The 2016 programme will offer the most flexible choice of travel options with flights from up to 14 UK airports, connecting rail travel from the UK on all European cruises with overnight stops en-route as well as the choice of making your own travel arrangements.

Avalon Waterways’ fully-packaged river cruise holidays with return travel and deluxe accommodation in spacious staterooms also feature a range of benefits in the price; on-board gratuities, a privately chauffeured doorto-door home pick up service, port charges and all airport transfers and complimentary Wi-Fi. Daily excursions accompanied by expert local guides with individual audio systems as well as complimentary hot drinks throughout the day are also included. Based on full board, the a la carte dining on-board includes a range of international and regional dishes with local wines, beers and soft drinks served on a complimentary basis with dinner. Pre and post cruise hotels and city stays can be added.

Avalon’s flexible approach to river cruising provides passengers with more of a personalised experience. Included sightseeing with individual audio sets is available at three different levels all led by expert local guides. Leisurely sightseeing shows the destination’s highlights in a relaxed and unhurried way; traditional sightseeing explores a wide range of sights at a moderate pace and essential sightseeing shows the must-see sights, with plenty of time to explore on your own. Alternative sightseeing options are also on offer for those with different interests or for those who have visited the area before.

David Binns, Avalon’s UK General Manager commented: “Demand continues to grow for our brand of luxury European river cruises so we have put 2016 on sale much earlier so that our customers can secure the specific stateroom category and departure date they want. Offering savings on all cruises until 30 April will be further incentive to book early.”

He added: Our Suite Ships have a high percentage of larger sized Panorama Suites so we can offer the premium stateroom capacity that some of our competitors are not able to.”

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar to commence second cruise season from Harwich Ipswich-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is due to commence its second cruise season on 929-guest ship, Braemar, from Harwich International Port, Essex on 4th April 2015, with a seven-night ‘Easter City Getaway’ cruise (M1508), with overnight stays in Hamburg (Germany) and Amsterdam (Netherlands), as well as a full day to explore Antwerp (Belgium).

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Braemar’s forthcoming cruise season from Harwich builds upon Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ already-close relationship with this convenient, regional port. Braemar enjoyed a successful cruise season from here for the first time last year, which is why we have increased our cruise calls from three to five for 2015.

“As the ‘local, global cruise line’, we are committed to offering cruise guests in the East of England and Midlands the chance to set sail from right on their doorsteps. Our ‘Bringing the world closer to you’ strategy is clearly resonating with our customers, as the top East Anglian postcodes of Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich, Chelmsford, Peterborough, Romford, Northampton and Stevenage account for over 50% of all bookings from Harwich in 2015, with 60% of guests being ‘new to Fred’.”

Guests booking 2015 cruises from Harwich can still take advantage of Fred. Olsen’s ‘Turn of Year’ sales campaign, which incorporates the following initiatives: • ‘The more you book, the more you save’* – which encourages customers to make multiple cruise purchases in the same transaction and take advantage of savings of up to 30%. The scheme also offers an attractive 10% discount to customers who only wish to make a single cruise purchase.

• ‘Fred.’s ‘Enjoyment Promise’**– the biggest initiative of its kind ever to take place in the UK to encourage people to try cruising, whereby people who have never cruised with Fred.

Olsen before will be able to try a Fred. Olsen cruise, and if they do not enjoy it, Fred. Olsen will fly them home and refund their cruise fare.

• Fred. Olsen has also published an ‘All Inclusive Holidays’ brochure, aimed specifically at the ‘yet to cruise’ market, with simpler, all inclusive pricing, based on one cabin type, and using more familiar mainstream holiday vocabulary, such as ‘Ocean View Room’, rather than ‘Outside Cabin’. Featured within the brochure are three of Braemar’s 2015 Harwich cruises – ‘Elvis at 80’ (M1510), ‘Spanish Coastal & River Cruising’ (M1511), and ‘Mountains & Majestic Fjords’ (M1512) – with prices inclusive of selected drinks throughout the voyage, from just £76 per person, per night.

Fred. Olsen was delighted to be named one of the Top 3 UK cruise lines and awarded a prestigious ‘Recommended Provider’ accolade, in Which?’s first-ever dedicated cruise survey in 2014. Experts at influential consumer website Cruise Critic have also voted Fred. Olsen ‘Best Value for Money’ in its ‘Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards 2014’, for the third consecutive year.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com To find out more about Harwich International Port, visit www.harwich.co.uk

Titan Rewards Agent for Australia Booking In the photo is Donna Brown and Jacqueline Turtle, Deputy Managers, accepting flowers and Prosecco on behalf of Tracy Livingston-Marks.

Tracy made a £16,000 Titan booking to Australia with business class upgrades for one of their clients after recommending our product to them.

Leading Designers Grace The Stylish Boutiques Of Crystal Cruises Travellers seeking to fulfil shopping wish lists can indulge their designer dreams onboard Crystal Cruises’ award-winning ships. The leading luxury cruise line recently debuted some of the runway’s hottest resort collections in its onboard Apropos Boutiques, which boast an array of clothing, accessories, fine jewellery and beauty essentials. Designer collections to suit virtually any traveller’s personal style include: For Women Classic designs from legendary designer Diane Von Furstenberg, as well as elegant casual resort pieces from Calypso St. Barth and Amita Nathaini, will offer women relaxed, yet chic options for their Crystal holiday. Evening wear - from red carpet mainstays Tadashi Shoji and Aidan Maddox - offers elegant looks for formal evenings onboard or a night out in port.

For Men Gentlemen can find attire perfect for a round of golf or a day exploring an ancient city from Hugo Boss’ Green Label, while Armani Collezioni offers a more refined look for cocktail parties, performances and evenings spent mingling in the ship’s Connoisseur Club.

Beauty and Accessories Designer eyewear from celebrity favourites Cartier and Sama Eyewear offer styles for men and women. Ladies can further accessorise with sleek Furla handbags or clutches from Mary Frances who fashions her styles to reflect her own travel adventures.

Alexis Bittar fashion jewellery will also be available to finish any look, along with Diptyque fragrances for men and women.

“Luxury travellers choose Crystal because they know they’ll experience the finest service and amenities available at sea,” says Crystal President Edie Rodriguez. “The new designer fashions are the perfect addition to the onboard luxury experience, allowing our guests to treat themselves while on holiday.”

The new designer collections are the next step in onboard retail offerings, as the line has long featured high end clothing and accessories onboard its award-winning ships, from casual active wear to tuxedos and cocktail attire. Facets jewellery store on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity features spectacular collections of fine jewellery, including diamond rings and gemstone baubles to fine Swiss timepieces from Hublot, Jaeger Lecoultre, IWC and Zenith.

For further information and reservations please call Crystal Cruises on 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

Carnival Cruise Line Introduces New Look Brochure For 2015/2016 Carnival Cruise Lines UK has today launched a new brochure for cruise holidays for the 2015/2016 season.

With an updated look and feel, the brochure includes everything needed to book a holiday on one of Carnival Cruise Lines 25 FunShips across the Caribbean and with the new addition of Europe for 2016 too.

Carnival Cruise Lines has also updated its ’Switch on Fun’ logo to create a more modern and versatile button. Working closely with Trade Partners, the new suite of logos are designed to be more usable for Carnival sales partners, available in both mono and colour formats.

Commenting on the new brochure, Erin Johnson, Marketing Director of the UK, said:

The newly updated brochure incorporates feedback from both Travel Agent Partners and Past Guests, and provides an insight into the both the brand new, and existing, places and spaces, along with the varied dining options. From the adultonly Serenity Areas to kids clubs to suit all ages from 2 to 18, or Guy’s Burger Joint to the Red Frog Pub, the updated 2015/2016 brochure highlights the variety of experiences available on board to both couples and families

“We’re really pleased with the new look and feel of the brochure going into 2015. It really showcases all that Carnival has to offer on board our ships; be that for families or couples. We wanted to use this brochure to highlight how much fun families can have on a Carnival Cruise and are very proud with the outcome.”

The new brochure also includes an extensive list of itineraries for each of the Carnival Cruise Lines ships and comes complete with a separate insert for the new Carnival Vista. Debuting in spring 2016, Carnival Vista will take cruising to new heights and will prove to be Carnival’s most innovative ship ever. Offering an inaugural Mediterranean season with new itineraries featuring the Eastern, as well as Western Mediterranean, the Carnival Vista will mark the line’s return to Europe.

“We are very excited and pleased by our brand new brochure with its right up to date refreshed new look and we hope that agents can use this as another tool to sell Carnival Cruise Lines effectively to their customer base.”

Iain Baillie, Managing Director of UK Sales, also commented on the new brochure:

For additional supplies or to order a copy of the brochure, Agents can go to BP Trade Gate at www.trade-gate.co.uk or call 0870 727 0491

Hurtigruten appoints Cecilia Abert as Country Director UK & Ireland Hurtigruten’s Chief Commercial Officer, Magnus Wrahme, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cecilia Abert as Hurtigruten’s Country Director for the UK & Ireland from 16 February. “Cecilia comes with a wealth of experience that will enable us to substantially grow our business in this key strategic market place”, states Wrahme.

In her capacity as Country Director, Ms. Abert will oversee the sales, marketing and brand building of the differentiated and unique Hurtigruten product offering including; the Norwegian Coastal Voyages, the expedition style Explorer product with voyages to Antarctica, Greenland and Svalbard, as well as land-based polar adventures.

Cecilia brings an extensive track record in travel sales and marketing to her new role at Hurtigruten.

Prior to joining the team, she spent over 11 years with Regent Seven Seas Cruises (formerly Radisson).

Most recently, she was Senior Sales & Marketing Director overseeing all commercial initiatives in UK & Europe. In addition, Cecilia has significant product and brand building experience from L’Oreal and Doetsch Grether. Ms. Abert is a true international, fluent in several languages and has travelled throughout much of the world.

“I am so excited to take the Hurtigruten brand to the next level and continue to build increased awareness for this highly differentiated business with its unique 122 year history. I believe there are tremendous opportunities within the growing exploration travel and cruise markets to offer products which consumers are asking for.

Whether nature lovers or adventure seekers, Hurtigruten offers something for everyone”, stated Abert.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in polar waters and destinations, sailing to the most remote of destinations, including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Svalbard as well as operating year round along Norway’s coast and in Europe in the spring and autumn. The company’s fleet of 12 intimate ships, which each carry 100 to 646 guests, allow travellers to enjoy the scenery and culture of the destinations in a relaxed atmosphere. For more information contact Hurtigruten on tel: 0208 846 2647 or visit www.hurtigruten.co.uk/agents

Making Waves In Comedy: Thomson Cruises Launches New Collaboration With The Comedy Store

Thomson Cruises announces themed transatlantic itineraries with top comedy performances and interactive workshops Thomson Cruises has signed a new collaboration with The Comedy Store, which will further boost its reputation for leading on-board entertainment.

The tie up will bring the best in stand up from the company responsible for launching the careers of a host of famous comedians including Paul Merton, Lee Evans and Michael McIntyre to its customers on board the themed Thomson Dream’s Beyond the Sunset itinerary and Thomson Celebration’s Transatlantic Quest.

The new programme will feature two 45 minute performances on two different nights from some of the best talent on the international comedy circuit.

Helen Caron, Managing Director for Thomson Cruises, says: “We’re really excited about the collaboration with The Comedy Store on our transatlantic itineraries. At Thomson Cruises we pride ourselves on offering world-class entertainment and think our customers are going to really enjoy the best that the comedy world has to offer.”

Taking the theme of comedy further, Thomson Cruises has developed three additional sessions for its customers to take advantage of; • Open Mic – inviting customers on stage to try their hand at stand up • History of comedy – a special guest speaker talking about comedy through the ages • Comedy workshops – an interactive introduction to techniques behind comedy creation and presentation This announcement comes hot on the heels of the recent launch of Thomson Cruises’ brand new winter 2015 programme, which includes 10 fantastic new destinations and seven exciting new itineraries across its popular winter destinations.

Celebrate The Year Of The Goat In Style With MSC Cruises MSC Cruises has customised four of its 12 ships to welcome in the Chinese New Year this month.

In 2015 Chinese New Year’s Day falls on February 19, marking the official start of the Year of the Goat. And MSC Cruises is offering the perfect way to celebrate in traditional style through special activities, services and entertainments during five separate sailings.

These are aboard: • MSC Splendida in the Mediterranean (February 15 and February 22 departures – seven-night sailings from Genoa) • MSC Fantasia in the Mediterranean (February 20 departure – 11-night sailing from Genoa) • MSC Divina in the Caribbean (February 21 departure seven-night sailing from Miami), and • MSC Orchestra in the Middle East (February 14 departure – seven-night sailing from Dubai).

Chinese chefs will produce first-class authentic cuisine befitting the event, the casino staff will be ready to provide introductions to baccarat – China’s favourite card game – and guests can try their hand at the ancient tile-based game mahjong.

MSC Cruises has offered Chinese New Year cruises for the past three years, with each new edition drawing more attention from travellers from all around the world.

Unprecedented demand has prompted the biggestever programme this year; in 2014 there were just two departures.

Today, MSC is the top cruise line in China for outbound cruises, and the cruise line of choice for Chinese travellers who want to see in the New Year in an exciting, original yet stylish way.

East Med Cruise Sector Strong in 2015 3rd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum Attracts Global Industry Interest Posidonia Forum to host CLIA Europe Executive Committee Meeting

The East Mediterranean is gearing to increase its share of the cruise sector’s €40 billion annual contribution to Europe’s economy. According to industry representatives who will participate in the upcoming Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, scheduled to be held on May 26-27 in Athens, 2015 brings the first positive news following the industry’s post Arab Spring deployment correction and a capacity increase with the introduction of new and larger vessels.

Senior executives from the world’s biggest and most prestigious cruise lines will be there to table the challenges the sector is facing in the Eastern Mediterranean, tackle long standing issues and try to turn trends to opportunities for the industry’s key players and the region’s port destinations.

Speakers include senior officials from Azamara Club Cruises, Celestyal Cruises (former Louis Cruises), Crystal Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and more, who will gather in the Greek capital for this two-day event to meet industry officials from the region’s private sector, government bodies and regulatory authorities.

As Royal Caribbean Cruises’ representative Andreas Stylianopoulos, President & CEO, Navigator Travel said: “I am confident that the East Mediterranean will continue to recover as a cruising sub-region in spite of the fact that some of its strong destinations are still out of play. One important factor in the renewal of demand for East Mediterranean cruises is that Greece, as a tourist destination, has recently become very much in fashion worldwide. Sustainability in tourism requires a clear vision with farseeing strategies, constant nurturing with great attention to detail and of course, political stability coupled with consistent policy.”

His optimism is shared by Marco Digioia, Government Affairs Director of CLIA Europe. “We plan meetings with senior Greek government officials to discuss the potential for cruise growth in Greece and the East Med, the projected increase of deployment in the East Med for 2016, and to address current barriers to the growth of both cruise calls and home-porting in Greece,” said Digioia. On the occasion of the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, CLIA Europe will be holding its biannual Executive Committee Meeting in Athens, thereby showing the importance the region has for the cruise industry.

According to Theodore Vokos, Executive Director of Posidonia Exhibitions, the event’s organiser, Greece continues to enjoy a significant cruise presence with passenger calls reaching a total of 5 million in 2014. “Several Greek cruise ports are among the top ranking in Europe in absolute passenger visits and this, in combination with the emergence of new cruise ports in the region, will continue to provide cruise lines with a significant choice of exciting and lucrative destination options.”

The development of new potential homeports and ports of call in the region facilitates the additional European capacity coming online in 2015 with the delivery of vessels for TUI, Costa and P&O Cruises as well as the deployment of mega ships such as Anthem of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Norwegian Epic. The positive news continues for 2016 and 2017 with new capacity from AIDA and MSC Cruises scheduled to join the Europe-based fleet.

More vessels trading in the region also means more business for suppliers to the sector, including food and beverage producers.

With that in mind, some of the region’s local exporters of quality F&B products, processing manufacturers, wineries and gastronomic product specialists will participate in the European F&B Cruise Ship Supply Industry Workshop together with delegates and exhibitors, to network with key representatives from the Cruise Procurement and Supply sector.

The Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum’s exhibition is also the ideal platform for port destinations, port and regional authorities, chambers of commerce, airlines, tourist services providers and marinas to showcase their offering to influential international cruise industry decision makers.

The future of yachting in Greece and its potential contribution will also be debated at the Forum, together with issues relating to marina development and utilization. This year’s Forum will tackle the obstacles to further development of the industry in Greece, and its negative image and how this can change. Especially important will be the session on the regulatory environment of Mediterranean yachting, where the potential for a common strategic operational framework will be explored.

“We are delighted by the response we have received so far from the global and regional cruise and yacht sectors in terms of speakers, delegates and exhibitors for our Confex event. Delegates of the third edition of the Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum are in for two days of insightful, forward-looking deliberations that will hopefully lead to mutually beneficial networking opportunities, new business development, synergies and best practice and ideas exchange to help unlock the full potential of sea tourism for the Eastern Mediterranean region,” added Vokos.

The 3rd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum is organised under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the Greek Ministry of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Aegean, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE), the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports (MEDCRUISE), the Hellenic Ports’ Association (ELIME), the Greek Marinas’ Association, the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies, the Union of Greek Ship Owners & Associated Members and the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourism Agencies (HATTA).

Gold Sponsor is the Piraeus Port Authority, Silver Sponsor is Air France – KLM and Bronze Sponsor is Celestyal Cruises.

For more info please visit: http://www.posidoniaseatourism.com/

Famous Faces On Cunard And The National Symphony Orchestra To Return In keeping with its reputation for providing the finest speaker programme in the industry Cunard announces more high-calibre speakers and organisations who will join Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in 2015, the brand’s 175th anniversary year.

•    Emmy and Globe award winning actress Jane Seymour •    Award winning cellist and conductor Julian Lloyd Webber •    Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step foot on the moon back in 1969 •    The National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Anthony Inglis Cunard’s Marketing Director, Angus Struthers, said: “With over 40-years’ experience with our inspiring speaker programme Cunard continues to attract the very best experts in their field in this, our 175th year. We are delighted to be welcoming great talents such as Jane Seymour and Julian Lloyd Webber as well the legendary Buzz Aldrin onboard Cunard and I’m sure our passengers will be in fine voice singing with the National Symphony Orchestra on Queen Mary 2 in August!”

Meeting of the Queens At Long Beach Yesterday Queen Elizabeth spent the day with the legendary Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. This was the first time a Cunard ship had gone alongside in Long Beach since Queen Mary arrived at her retirement home in October 1967. In recent years the current Cunard fleet has saluted Queen Mary during brief visits to the harbour.

Queen Mary will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the her Maiden Voyage in May 2016.

This historic meeting was marked with celebration and fanfare for the public with traditional whistle salutes between the ships before a spectacular firework display illuminated the harbour prior to the departure of Queen Elizabeth.

Angus Struthers, Cunard Director: “Queen Mary is one of our most beloved ships and an integral part of our proud history and tradition and today’s meeting of the Queens will be especially memorable for our passengers and a highlight of the programme of special events we have planned for this, our 175th anniversary year”.

Queen Elizabeth is currently on her 112-night Round World voyage which departed Southampton on 10 January and will return there on 3 May 2015. This port-rich epic will call at 38 destinations in 25 countries.

It has been a day of celebration on board CMV’s cruise ship ASTOR with a village fete and a deck party to celebrate Australia Day off Perth.

MTN Named Communications Provider, and Expands Footprint Onboard, for Premier Cruise Brands Delivering Unique Experiences

MTN Communications (MTN) announces the expansion of its cruise client base with three additional operators leveraging enhanced services for passenger, crew and corporate communications. MTN provides products, solutions and content to address each line’s unique passenger segment with Internet and calling communications, entertainment and content.

Celestyal Cruises, a new brand of Louis Cruises, renewed its contract with MTN, extending a relationship that has spanned more than 12 years. The cruise operator is part of a leading tourism organization hosting travelers from around the world who want to experience the Eastern Mediterranean. Based in Greece, it is the preeminent cruise line for the Greek Isles and Turkey, and operates six ships.

“One size does not fit all in cruising, and each brand needs to deliver a customized and unique communications experience for passengers, as well as reliability and affordability for crew,” said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president and general manager, cruise and ferry services, MTN. “No matter where they sail and no matter what they offer onboard, we concentrate on providing each the most robust and specialized communications solution. These operators are addressing the explosion of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) passengers and crew onboard vessels. Our approach enables them to deliver impressive Internet speeds; the ability to download and upload bandwidth-intensive images, videos and files; access live global TV; and stay in touch with family and friends. These are initiatives to exceed the high expectations of quality service at sea as we welcome these organizations to the MTN family.”

MTN has been enhancing its network to further transform the customer experience, offering passengers and crew more options on how to pay for and consume data. The company evolved its infrastructure into a robust hybrid network, combining satellite and terrestrial broadband connectivity. MTN also supports the industry’s latest modem technology for improved efficiencies and throughput available on vessels. Its regular roll-out of new communications solutions for customers supports Internet, TV, voice services and mobile apps for the maritime industry’s most demanding customers.

MTN, the pioneer in delivering the first broadband VSAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite communications to a U.S. Navy vessel at sea, brings more than 30 years’ experience in innovating remote communications solutions. The MTN Team brings a history of employees previously employed, or currently working, on vessels at sea. With 24x7x365 proactive network operations center (NOC) support and technicians around the world, MTN brings proven experience delivering value-added solutions far beyond just delivering a communications “pipe.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Announces Chief Executive Officer Direct Reports

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: NCLH) (“Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings”, “Norwegian” or “the Company”), today announced executive appointments reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Del Rio. The new appointments are: • Bob Binder, President of International Operations • Howard Sherman, Executive Vice President, Revenue Management • Robin Lindsay, Executive Vice President, Vessel Operations • Victor Gonzalez, Executive Vice President, Supply Chain and Logistics Management • Harry Sommer, Senior Vice President and Chief Integration Officer Drew Madsen and Jason Montague will continue as President and Chief Operating Officers of Norwegian Cruise Line (Madsen) and Oceania Cruises / Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Montague). Wendy Beck will continue in her role as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with additional responsibilities for support services.

“Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is on an incredible growth trajectory. The Board of Directors and I have been working closely to fine-tune our vision for the future and how we can best channel the core competencies of our three great brands and the talents of our 30,000 team members,” said Del Rio. “To that end, we have crafted an organizational structure with both centralized and brandspecific functions and selected seasoned leaders that will carry out that vision.”

Trimline Refurbishes Twenty Suites for Azamara Club Cruises Trimline, Southampton-based marine interior refurbishment specialists, has completed a month-long refurbishment of twenty Owners Suites on the Azamara Quest and Journey on behalf of Azamara Club Cruises.

Working on-the-run, while the ships were in service, Trimline carefully coordinated with the staff on-board and worked around passenger schedules to keep passenger disruption to a minimum. Limiting the noisiest work to periods when guests were off the ships, ensured that there was no impact on the cruise experience.

Disney Cruise Line Introduces Star Wars Day at Sea on Select Spring 2016 Disney Fantasy Sailings

Day-long celebrations will thrill both Jedi-in-training and the Jedi Masters of the family Force-filled Fun for Everyone • Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Stormtroopers and other characters from across the Star Wars galaxy will be onboard for scheduled meet and greets, as well as roaming on deck and elsewhere around the ship. Guests also are encouraged to dress up in their own stellar costumes.

• A shipboard version of the popular Jedi Training Academy experience invites young Jedi hopefuls – known as “Padawans” – to learn lightsaber moves from a Jedi Master. They can then use the Force and face off in a final test against the evil Darth Vader.

• Kids and families enjoy friendly competition during Star Wars trivia games, covering fun facts from the film and television sagas.

• For Younglings, Star Wars-themed arts and crafts, games and activities will be offered throughout the day in Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab youth clubs.

• In the evening, adults entering the night club will feel like they stepped into the Mos Eisley cantina scene. Characters and cantina music set the mood as Star Wars-themed specialty cocktails are served.

Film Screenings and Celebrities • Guests can watch the first six Star Wars films and follow Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke and Leia along their epic journey.

• Also showing will be episodes of the new Disney XD animated series, Star Wars Rebels.

• On each of the special sailings, celebrities and insiders from the Star Wars galaxy will share their experiences, meet fans and sign autographs.

Star Wars Deck Party and Fireworks • There’s intergalactic fun when the Star Wars deck party blasts off to an exciting evening filled with music, dancing and games.

• Star Wars characters converge on the deck stage for a celebration of the Star Wars saga in a show featuring special effects and guest participation.

• The deck party culminates in a spectacular display of themed pyrotechnics, lighting, sound effects, lasers and Star Wars music.

Star Wars Day at Sea will be on Disney Fantasy cruises sailing on 9, 23 Jan; 6, 20 Feb; 5, 19 March; 2,16 April 2016. Departing from Port Canaveral, the seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

Fourteen staff from Trimline, including joiners, carpet fitters, electricians, upholsterers, decorators, labourers and a French polisher, joined the Azamara Quest in Greece and began the strip-out of the ten existing suite interiors.

The refurbishment included installing new sofas, bed frames and arm chairs and the fitting of new carpets.

The suites were re-decorated with luxurious embossed wallpaper in the living and bedroom areas, cornices were painted and some suites had new floating floors installed along with replacement steel sheeting to replace worn existing sheets. New lamps were installed along with new wall lamps by the team of electricians.

All the curtains for the suites were handmade at Trimline’s Southampton headquarters, with extra care and attention-to-detail being paid to the delicate silk material used. Hand sewing techniques were used by the soft furnishings team instead of machine stitching to preserve and maintain the materials and the curtains.

Extra care was also taken with the installation of the wallpaper. The delicate material was installed using less water and paste to retain the integrity of the intricate pattern.

Daniella Camere, Project Manager at Royal Caribbean, commented: “Trimline was given very tight deadlines and late deliveries were handled extremely well within the project deadline. They were particularly helpful in managing the purchasing and long lead times from vendors and we were extremely satisfied with the way the project was managed.”

The work was undertaken consecutively with ten suites on Azamara Quest finished in mid-November and the ten suites refurbishment on Azamara Journey commencing immediately after in Italy.

Mike Oliver, Sales & Marketing Director, at Trimline said: “We are delighted with the work we have carried out to the two Azamara cruise ships. Working on-the-run always has its challenges, but we are adept at handling these and overcoming any potential limitations. We managed twenty installations of suitess within very tight deadlines and we’re really happy with the results.”

STATE OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY: 2015 TO SEE ROBUST GROWTH Today, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its annual State of the Cruise Industry Report and is once again projecting strong growth for the cruise industry in 2015.

A record 23 million passengers are expected to sail this year – a 4 per cent increase over 2014 estimates of 22.1 million.

Sixty one percent of North American CLIA-certified travel agents report an increase in 2015 travel bookings over this time last year. Cruise lines are enticing travellers with nearly 1,000 ports of call in new, exotic locations, especially in the fast-growing Asian market.

CLIA also revealed that member cruise lines are scheduled to debut 22 new ocean, river and specialty ships in 2015 for a total investment of more than $4 billion.

The cruise industry this year will have major economic impact globally. In 2013, the global economic output of the cruise industry was more than $117 billion; the industry supported nearly 900,000 jobs and contributed to $38 billion in wages.

“From new ports around the globe to the investment by CLIA’s member cruise lines in new, innovative ships, it’s an exciting time for the cruise industry and cruise passengers,” said Adam M. Goldstein, CLIA Chairman and President/COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “This year will prove to be another step forward for the entire industry as our members continue to strive to make cruising the best overall vacation experience.”

Using several research studies, CLIA identified seven 2015 cruise industry outlooks:

1.

Travellers Will Continue to Set Sail – Cruise travellers intend to continue to set sail and are highly satisfied with prior cruise experiences. In fact, 62 percent are return cruisers and 69 percent ranked cruising as a better value than a land-based holiday. Overall, CLIA member ocean passenger volume is projected to increase to 23 million in 2015, a 4-percent increase over 2014 estimates of 22.1 million.

2.

Size Doesn’t Matter – Five years ago, the largest cruise ship in the world was introduced with a 6,300-passenger capacity.

With 22 new ocean, river and specialty cruise ships scheduled for debut this year, the focus is less on size and more on unique design and amenities.

3.

Specialty Cruises Continue to Thrive – CLIA’s specialty segments, which include sophisticated ships, luxury yachts, elegant ocean liners and the newest river cruises, continue to experience double digit passenger growth. In fact, specialty cruises grew by 21 percent annually from 2009 to 2014 estimates.

4.

Caribbean Continues to Be Queen – The Caribbean remains queen for the cruise industry with more than a third of the global deployment capacity market share in 2015. At the same time, cruise travellers are expanding horizons. The Mediterranean continues to grow as a destination, as well as other regions including Asia and Australia. In 2015, 52 ships will provide 1,065 Asian cruises with capacity for 2.17 million passengers.

5.

Oh, the New Places We Will Go – The cruise industry is seeing an increase in passengers looking for global experiences.

As a result, cruising has made the world more accessible than ever. CLIA’s member cruise lines offer nearly 1,000 ports around the globe, including many areas that fall within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

6.

Travel Agents Are Key to Cruise Travel – While the Internet and mobile devices have overtaken how consumers make purchases, travel agents continue to be the most popular and best way to book a cruise. In fact, seven out of ten cruise travellers (70 percent) use a travel agent to plan and book cruise holidays.

7.

Passengers Are at the Helm – When it comes to travel, consumers are in control more than ever before. The cruise industry is excited, motivated and responding with key innovations that are meeting the needs of today’s passengers, such as bow-to-stern Wi-Fi and phone connectivity, multigenerational appeal, themed cruises and “foodcations”.

Scenic Tours To Launch Scenic Azure On The Douro In Portugal Scenic Tours has unveiled its latest luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’, Scenic Azure, which will launch on Portugal’s Douro River in April 2016. The introduction of a new ship will be accompanied by an 11-day itinerary from Porto to Vega de Ter-ron with an optional pre-cruise extension to Lisbon.

Scenic Tours is the first river cruise company to own and operate an independently built river cruise ship in this region. At 80 metres long and with only 48 suites, Scenic Azure will offer the 96 guests on-board an intimate river cruise experience.

The Scenic Azure boasts the same all-inclusive luxury experience that has become synonymous with Scenic Tours European river cruises. From a private butler service to unlimited complimentary drinks, guests on-board are treated to an elevated level of inclusions that go beyond what many other opera-tors offer. There’s a vitality pool on the Sun Deck, spacious Scenic ‘Sun Lounges’ in all Balcony Suites, and a mini-bar in every cabin that’s restocked daily. As with all Scenic Tours’ river cruises, guests will also enjoy dining at a range of on-board venues, included tips, gratuities, expert local guides and unforgettable experiences With no overnight sailing, this 11-day round trip from World Heritage-listed Porto down to Vega de Terron over the Spanish border promises a picturesque journey with diverse activities and excursions in each destination.

‘We can’t wait for our guests to experience the sun-drenched Iberian countryside from the comfort of our brand new Scenic Azure.

We’ve worked hard at procuring some extraordinary and diverse experi-ences to accompany our ultra-all-inclusive debut on the Douro, and we’re proud to be setting a new level of luxury on the waters of this beautiful region.’ Chris Townson, Managing Director, Scenic Tours UK Scenic Azure joins the Scenic Tours’ fleet of 13 luxury river cruise ships throughout Europe, Russia and Southeast Asia.

HFW announces new Managing Partner

Shorex Trends Overnights – Port to Port – Overland

Today international law firm Holman Fenwick Willan announced that at the end of his term as Managing Partner, George Eddings will return to full time legal practice and business development and will be succeeded by Marcus Bowman, with effect from 1 April.

Make the most of your time ashore in Iceland and embark on a once in a lifetime overland tour experience - explore Iceland’s vast interior and witness a side of this amazing destination seldom experienced by the mainstream visitor.

George has been Managing Partner for two years and before that he headed the firm’s shipping group. During George’s term the firm has reorganised itself structurally and focused on strengthening its core industry-focused businesses of shipping, energy, trade, aviation and insurance. It has also added construction to this international focus with significant hires in London, Asia and Australia as well strengthening its capability in this sector in Dubai. Last year, the firm relocated its Senior Partner Richard Crump to Singapore to support the development of its Asia-Pacific practice.

George is well known in the maritime sector and in a time when there are challenges facing the shipping industry his move into a client facing role is most welcome.

Marcus has considerable experience in the management of the firm, helping to develop the firm’s international offices; and for the last year has been the President of the UK Chamber of Shipping.

For more information, please contact Tania Phayre, Head of Marketing, on +44 (0)20 7264 8546 or email tania.phayre@hfw.com.

But best be prepared for some serious fellow passenger envy when you get back on board and start sharing those photographs... Glaciers, hot springs, waterfalls, lava desserts, black sands, thundering Glacier Rivers, volcanoes, off the beaten track accommodations - and a chance to explore one of the most talked about, active volcanic countries in the world…”

The hot topic for 2015/16 most definitely has to be the issue of extended times in port and the shore excursion opportunities surrounding. As an island with 13 ports, Iceland is a port intensive destination and provides itinerary planners with a host of opportunities with more and more lines offering circumnavigations. But the fact remains that due to logistical issues, not all ports are able to match passenger demand when it comes to shore excursions. Especially not when it comes to servicing larger vessels. So how best to navigate the problem?

The answer lies in choosing your ports carefully and/or extending the time in port. Not only does this allow us, the tour operator, to put more passengers on tour - but it also offers you, the cruise line, an opportunity to provide passengers with a more in depth shore side experience. Iceland is not easily traversed. The vast glacial hinterlands of its interior require careful steering as there is only one rough gravel road (yes, really) and the surrounding area is totally uninhabited. But why stick to roads? Why not travel by helicopter?

Or make use of Iceland’s network of domestic flights that criss-cross the island on a daily basis? Or why not travel by Super Truck with the family?

The possibilities are endless. With Iceland as the destination and Social Media as the platform - therein lies a perfect marketing combination and one almost guaranteed to get your passenger audience excited and engaged.

Follow us on Twitter @IceTravelCruise @Liz_Gammon

A very Berry boost for Britannia as baking queen joins Britain’s only cookery school at sea Baking queen Mary Berry will head a line up of the UK’s best loved chefs hosting cookery lessons onboard P&O Cruises new ship Britannia this year.

10 celebrity chefs will be on a number of Britannia’s sailings throughout the year during which they will run cookery classes, host exclusive chef’s table dinners, participate in Q&A sessions and book signings. The full line-up is as follows: • Nathan Outlaw - holder of four Michelin stars in total, two at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, Port Isaac, Cornwall, and one each at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, Port isaac and Outlaw’s at The Capital, Knightsbridge. Nathan is travelling on B503, a 14 night Portugal, Spain & Morocco cruise departing March 28.

The two-hour classes will cost £100 per person (or £200 per person when hosted by two chefs) and take place in The Cookery Club, a dedicated cookery school with 12 stations for up to 24 people to create culinary masterpieces. Bookings open four months before departure via Cruise Personaliser.

• Pierre Koffmann – legendary French-born chef who achieved three Michelin stars at La Tante Claire and now runs Koffmann’s at The Berkeley, London. Pierre is travelling on B510, a 14 night Spain, Monaco & Italy cruise departing June 13 with James Martin and Charlie Turnbull.

P&O Cruises is also working with two other culinary great names in The Cookery Club; KitchenAid and Robert Welch.

• Mary Berry CBE – famed television chef, and food writer Mary is travelling on B513, a 12 night British Isles cruise departing July 6 with Theo Randall and James Martin.

• Theo Randall – proprietor of Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel London Park Lane. Theo is travelling on B513, a 12 night British Isles cruise departing July 6 with Mary Berry and James Martin.

• Lawrence Keogh – Head chef at the renowned Wolseley restaurant in London. Lawrence is travelling on B514, a seven night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing July 18.

• James Tanner - an English chef and television personality, coowner of Barbican Kitchen in Plymouth, and The Kentish Hare in Bidborough, Kent. James is travelling on B516, a seven night France, Spain & Guernsey cruise departing August 8.

• Vivek Singh – one of the most successful modern Indian chefs in the country with three London restaurants, The Cinnamon Club, Cinnamon Kitchen and Cinnamon Soho. Vivek is travelling on B517, a 14 night Spain, Monaco & Italy cruise departing August 15.

• Daniel Galmiche - Michelin-starred Executive Chef at The Vineyard in Berkshire, a pioneer of modern French cuisine and TV chef. Daniel is travelling on B519, a seven night France, Spain & Guernsey cruise departing September 5.

• Antonio Carluccio – a much-loved chef and food writer who is regarded as the godfather of Italian gastronomy. Antonio is travelling on B523, a 14 night Spain, Monaco & Italy cruise departing October 9 with James Martin and Charlie Turnbull.

• Paul Rankin – celebrity chef from County Down who became the first chef from Northern Ireland to be awarded a Michelin star. Paul is travelling on B524, a 14 night Portugal & Caribbean cruise departing October 23 with Eric Lanlard.

In order to provide guests with a truly professional experience, KitchenAid will be kitting out the area with the very best appliances including the iconic Artisan Tilt-head Stand Mixer coveted by leading chefs and passionate home cooks.

Commenting on the new partnership, KitchenAid UK sales manager Israel Quintana said: “We are very excited to be working with one of the most prestigious ships in the world. At KitchenAid we are dedicated to meeting all of life’s culinary challenges. Under the expert tutelage of this impressive line-up of guest chefs and with the help of our appliances, guests will be able to achieve perfect results every time.”

The Cookery Club will also feature a range of knives by renowned British design company Robert Welch, which has worked with professional chefs to develop one of the best knife ranges available in today’s market.

Speaking about the company’s involvement in the project managing director Rupert Welch said: “We are proud to be supporting such an exciting venture and to be showcasing our kitchen knives in these innovative surroundings. Our Signature Knife Range has been developed with the help of professional chefs and it will be a great opportunity for cookery school attendees to learn knife skills under the guidance of real experts using the perfect tools.”

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington added: “With a stellar line-up of celebrity chefs and iconic professional kitchen appliances, Britannia is taking cookery classes at sea to the next level. Britannia will be quite unique in offering a dedicated cookery school that not only features a chef’s demonstration kitchen but also work stations for 24 guests all fully kitted out by KitchenAid. I’m sure that the opportunity to join these exclusive cooking experiences will appeal to a whole new group of people who have never before considered cruising as a holiday option.”

To book, visit www.pocruises.com, call 0843 374 0111 or visit your local travel agent.

Andy Harmer Director aharmer@cruising.org CLIA UK & Ireland Penny Guy PR Director pguy@cruising.org First Floor, 41/42 Eastcastle Street, Adele Fitzpatrick-Foster Events and Training Manager afoster@cruising.org London, W1W 8DU Alex Holubowicz Creative and Digital Executive aholubowicz@cruising.org www.cruiseexperts.org ukinfo@cruising.org Augustus Lonsdale Membership Services Executive alonsdale@cruising.org t: +44 (0)20 7436 2449 Kathy Bortolin Office Manager & Support Executive kbortolin@cruising.org