Cruise Adviser — June 2018

I N N O VAT I O N AT S E A | W E L L N E S S C R U I S E S P E C I A L | C M V I N N O R WAY

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

J U N E 2 0 18

THE YACHT CLUB

The rise of small ship cruises and how to sell them

DISCOVER HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE ADRIATIC COAST

8-DAY YACHT CRUISE FROM ONLY

£1,399PP

SELECTED DEPARTURES UP TO OCTOBER 2018

PRICE INCLUDES ● Return flights from a selection of regional airports ● Seven nights on board a choice of four-star yacht cruiser ● Daily breakfast and selected meals, plus the Captain’s Dinner ● Enjoy swim stops in some of the prettiest secluded bays and coves ● Fascinating walking tours of magnificent cities with local guides ● Fully supported by our friendly and knowledgeable cruise manager throughout

Contact our friendly agency sales team: 01283 744307 Visit: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents Email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply.

Prices correct at time of print.

Joseph

Darren

Tamzin

Mia

Paul

ABTA No. V4744

June 2018 | Forward EDITOR’S LETTER

Cruise should expand horizons, not waistlines With multi-course dinners, lavish banquet-style lunches, the temptation of a full English breakfast every day and the wide availability of alcohol, it’s easy to pack on the pounds during even the shortest of cruises. It’s something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by past guests: a quick Google search reveals plenty of articles asking “Is it possible to go on a cruise and not put on weight?” or offering “Eight THE YACHT ways to cruise and lose weight”. We live in an increasingly CLUB health-conscious world, so it’s no surprise that the cruise industry has taken note: more and more companies are now adding “active” itineraries to their offering, with yoga classes, hiking and cycling excursions as well as healthy meal options. We sent Gilly Pickup to try out AmaWaterways’ wellness programme and report on the growing trend (p38).

In this issue, we also report on another travel sector buzzword: innovation.

In an attempt to shake off its reputation as a staid and sedate way to travel, the cruise industry has introduced ever more outlandish features on its ships.

Has it worked? Sam Ballard investigates (p34). Elsewhere, first-time cruiser Andrew Darby joins Cruise & Maritime Voyages on a trip to the Norwegian fjords; we investigate small-ship cruising with our unique How to Sell guide (p42); and visit Dublin for our regular Ports of Call feature (p24).

In the first of a new series, Janet Parton, sales director at Cosmos, reports from the Advantage conference in Miami (p18), plus we share all the latest news from the Clia Conference in the less sunny Southampton (p28).

There’s also a chance to win a prize prize prize prize prize prize prize in assocation with company company on p55. Good luck!

THIS MONTH WHAT WE LEARNT

P19

I N N O VAT I O N AT S E A | W E L L N E S S C R U I S E S P E C I A L | C M V I N N O R WAY

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

JUNE 2018

The rise of small ship cruises and how to sell them

LASER TAG IS RIDICULOUSLY FUN The cruise media couldn’t get enough of the brilliant new feature on Independence of the Seas P24

DUBLIN LOVES A CRUISE There are 151 confirmed cruise calls into Dublin Port, bringing just over 270,000 visitors to the city

P34

is brought to you by Waterfront Publishing

CRUISE ADVISER

Sales executive Bryan Johnson bryan@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9338 Designer Matthew Coles

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Sub-editors Nathaniel Cramp, Tom Hensby CRUISE ADVISER

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3

INFINITE BALCONIES MEAN EXTRA SPACE The innovative design of Celebrity Edge has boosted the amount of room in their cabins by almost a quarter.

CRYSTAL CRUISES – VOTED WORLD’S BEST MORE THAN ANY OTHER CRUISE LINE, HOTEL OR RESORT IN HISTORY.

MEDITERRANEAN IMAGES BARCELONA TO VENICE | VOYAGE OCY180819-12 CRYSTAL SERENITY | 19 AUGUST 2018 | 12 NIGHTS

Michael Dupont Head of Sales Tel: 07921 949469 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

Cruise Only Fares From

Deluxe Stateroom (C3 Grade)

from £3,785 per person

Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah (B3 Grade)

from £5,120 per person

Itinerary Highlights: Barcelona (overnight), Sète, St-Tropez (overnight), Villefranche, Florence/Livorno, Rome/Civitavecchia, Sorrento, Monopoli, Kotor, Venice (overnight).

24 years

Natalie Read Regional Sales Manager South Tel: 07896 971316 natalieread@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

Jon Schofield Regional Sales Manager North & Scotland Tel: 07841 921533 jon@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

Nan Short Representative Northern Ireland & Eire Tel: 02890 642252 nanshort@btopenworld.com

Megan Saunders Trade Sales Support Executive Tel: 020 7399 7602 megan@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

20 years

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING, PLEASE CALL:

020 7399 7601

www.crystalcruises.co.uk

ABTA No.V8548

Fares are per person, cruise only in UK sterling based on double occupancy in an outside stateroom and include port, security and handling charges, which vary by departure. All fares, offers and itineraries are subject to change and availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Fares may fluctuate and should be used as a guide only. Prices may go up or down. You should contact us on 0207 399 7601 before booking, or visit our website www.crystalcruises.co.uk. The fares are available to new bookings only and are only available to UK & Eire residents. Restrictions apply. See crystalcruises.co.uk for complete terms and conditions of all offers. ©2018 Crystal Cruises, LLC. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas.

WIN!

A TRIP ON THE SEINE WITH CROISIEUROPE p55

A cruise to Norway offers breathtaking views, p46

Contents MIDSHIP 34

38

Innovation at Sea Sam Ballard explores the trend for state-of-the-art theatres, video screens and smartphone apps, and asks: genius or gimmick?

Wellness cruise Fitness classes and healthy menus are increasingly found

on board ships as part of their wellness programmes.

Gilly Pickup explores the trend on an AmaWaterways cruise down the Rhine 42

How to Sell: small ship Bigger doesn’t always mean better. Our unique guide explains what smaller vessels

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

5

can offer and who might be interested in them 46

From no way to Norway A trip to the deep blue waters of Norwegian fjords is the perfect introduction to cruise for Andrew Darby Turn over for more

June 2018 | Forward

FORWARD 3

Ed’s letter

8

News Going all-inclusive helps Norwegian to achieve double-digit growth, P&O names its new ship, plus a preview of Virgin Voyages’ designer interiors

19

Ship refit Royal Caribbean adds some extra bounce to Independence of the Seas

22

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

23

New hires The big cruise industry appointments this month

24

Ports of Call: Dublin With its literary past, world-famous breweries and award-winning food, the Irish capital is growing in popularity

32

InFocus: Avalon The heads of the river-cruise specialist tell Anthony Pearce how it offers innovative design and five-star luxury without the stuffiness

Independence of the Seas, p19

AFT 49

Directory All the cruise line contact details in one place

54

Games room Unwind with our crossword, challenge yourself with sudoku, or attempt our quiz.

Plus, win a trip on the Seine with CroisiEurope

56

a Baked Alaska flambée from CroisiEurope 58

Final word How the next generation of travellers have swapped nightclub floorfillers for Instagram filters Email info@cruise-adviser.com to share your thoughts

Recipe The best dishes to be found at sea. This month:

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

6

2018-2020 OCEAN CRUISES Iconic Western Mediterranean 8 days, 5 guided tours Barcelona – Rome

From £1,940pp West Indies Explorer 11 days, 9 guided tours San Juan round trip

From £2,490pp Viking Homelands 15 days, 11 guided tours Stockholm – Bergen

From £3,590pp Into the Midnight Sun

2018-2020 Viking ocean cruises on sale now from £1,940pp Across the world, from the sun-kissed islands of the Caribbean and wonderful wildlife of Alaska to the ancient cities of the Med and spectacular beauty of Scandinavia, there’s a Viking ocean cruise for you. From the comfort of a stunning, small ship that is home to just 930 guests, take in the view from your veranda stateroom. Relax in spacious, contemporary surroundings. Indulge in fabulous food in a choice of restaurants.

Explore the culture and history of the places you visit on expertly led tours.

And discover a unique and exciting new view of the world.

15 days, 10 guided tours Bergen – London

From £4,490pp Alaska & the Inside Passage 11 days, 7 guided tours Vancouver – Seward

From £4,390pp Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes 13 days, 9 guided tours Bergen – Reykjavik

From £4,390pp Empires of the Mediterranean 10 days, 8 guided tours Venice – Athens

From £2,990pp

GREAT VIKING VALUE – SO MUCH INCLUDED P Return flights from the UK

P On board gratuities

P Stateroom with a private veranda

P Free 24-hour room service

P Free Wi-Fi on board

P Free tea, coffee and snacks any time on board

P Free use of spa facilities P An included excursion in almost every port P All meals on board in a choice of dining venues, including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Australia & New Zealand 15 days, 9 guided tours Sydney – Auckland

From £6,690pp Bangkok, Bali & Beyond 13 days, 7 guided tours Bangkok – Bali

P Evening entertainment on board

From £3,945pp

P All port charges, government taxes and overseas transfers

South America & the Chilean Fjords

To find out more call now on 020 8780 7985 or visit vikingcruises.co.uk Prices correct at time of going to print but are subject to availability and change.

From prices are per person and based on two people sharing the lowest grade stateroom available, departing on selected dates in 2018-2020. Prices valid until 30 June 2018. Single supplements apply. Please note that duration of cruises shown is the cruise only. Total duration including flights of certain itineraries may be longer.

For more information please visit vikingcruises.co.uk/terms-conditions or call us.

18 days, 8 guided tours Buenos Aires – Santiago

From £7,190pp

NEWS

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

NORWEGIAN

Upfront prices solve headache for new-to-cruise travellers A Premium All-Inclusive rate has helped Norwegian to spectacular growth Norwegian Cruise Line has grown its total travel agents business by double digits on the back of the line’s introduction of Premium All-Inclusive.

The numbers, which were revealed to cruise adviser by Nick Wilkinson, the company’s vice-president and managing director, relate to the total number of agents that NCL is working with, rather than bookings. The new rate was launched 12 months ago.

“According to Abta’s Holiday Habits Report, 18 per cent of the market took an all-inclusive holiday in 2016 and 23 per cent took an all-inclusive holiday in 2017,” Wilkinson explained.

“There is a consistent trend of consumers looking for an all-inclusive opportunity.”

Premium All-Inclusive, aimed at British travellers, is a higher price which includes more expensive drinks such as wine by the glass, cocktails and speciality coffees, 60 minutes of wi-fi per day and gratuities.

“The Clia statistics for 2017 show that the cruise market didn’t grow and that’s because there was no late capacity available last year. The cruise pool isn’t growing as much as the all-inclusive pool,” Wilkinson said.

“We saw an opportunity in the market place to break down the barriers between those two worlds. It’s part of our strategy. Our competition is no longer the other cruise lines, it’s the land-based resorts. Premium All-Inclusive has broken down those barriers.”

Andrew Todd, sales and marketing director of Jetline Cruise, added: “The introduction of Premium All-Inclusive has allowed us to offer a clear value message to our customers when enquiring or booking an NCL cruise.

Jetline also has a large land holiday database that is predominantly made up of all-inclusive holiday booking customers, so we have been able to offer them a similar package as an

introduction to the cruise holiday market with a like-for-like board basis comparison at the point of sale.”

Catriona Parsons, cruise business development director at Barrhead Travel Group, said: “The industry is ever-changing and the needs and requirements of potential and existing cruisers follow the same route .

“Last year, NCL made the bold move to go Premium All-Inclusive following feedback from customers and agents.

Customers had long voiced their concerns about the extras on board and the unexpected charges. This move has made it easy for Barrhead to sell NCL to new-to-cruise as everything is packaged into the price. It really helps our customers plan and budget for their holiday and they are happy to pay the Premium All-Inclusive price.

“Feedback from customers is that it is great value for money and a great weight off their mind in terms of budgeting.”

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THERE'S MORE THAN ONE REASON TO CHOOSE

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June 2018 | Forward P&O

A name from the islands

Iona, P&O’s new ship, was inspired by the views from the Scottish beauty spot P&O Cruises will name its new ship Iona, in a move which harks back to the company’s Scottish lineage.

The name of the 5,200-passenger ship, which will launch in May 2020, was chosen from 30,000 entries.

Paul Ludlow, senior vice-president of P&O cruises, said: “We are an island nation and as Britain’s favourite cruise line it seems very fitting to highlight one of our most notable islands and celebrate the geographic diversity of the UK, especially as we can trace back our roots to the Scottish islands.”

Arthur Anderson, who co-founded P&O in 1822, came from Shetland.

Iona is small island off Mull, on the west coast of Scotland.

Ludlow said: “Iona is known for its peace and tranquillity, stunning landscape and, most importantly, the view of the ocean from almost every point on the island. This mirrors our intention when building the ship,

which was to make the sea the star.

“Throughout the design process we were mindful that we were building a ship, not a hotel, and the beauty of the sea, the coastlines and ports of call should be visible as much as possible from all areas of the ship.”

The ship is being built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and will run on liquefied natural gas.

CLIA

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

TAUCK

River cruise conference to hit the City of Lights

Experts climb on board for Europe and Asia

Specialist operator moves Coles upstream

The eighth Clia UK & Ireland River Cruise Conference will take place in Paris on November 10 and 11, offering operators and agents the latest insight into a growing sector.

Andy Harmer, senior vicepresident with Clia UK & Ireland, said: “River cruising is undergoing a renaissance, with new ships, younger guests than ever before, and exciting new itinerary options.

Thanks to astonishing growth seen in the sector in the past decade, the days of river being a marginal part of the cruise industry are over.”

Although 90 per cent of river cruise customers from Britain still opt for a European itinerary, river cruises in Asia saw British bookings rise 22 per cent last year.

National Geographic Expeditions has partnered with Scenic to offer river cruises in Europe and Asia.

Guests will be joined by a National Geographic expert on the Irrawaddy, as well one of their photographers on the Rhine, Douro, Danube, Main and Moselle.

National Geographic said its cruises would feature experiential excursions, “ranging from hikes and bike rides to in-depth learning experiences that focus on the natural world, culture and history.”

It added that: “Drawing on our legacy of spirit, adventure and conservation, the river cruises will enable travellers to explore the further reaches of the globe and head inland via small ships.”

Tauck is to promote Kathryn Coles from UK sales manager to UK country manager.

In her new role, Coles will be UK point of contact for Tauck’s strategic partners and wholesalers, overseeing everything from marketing initiatives and business plans to contracts and targets.

She will also continue to work on initiatives she has already led, the company said, including the development and delivery of sales training, identifying and developing new sales opportunities with existing and new partners, and raising Tauck’s brand profile in the UK. Coles will report to Jackie Coulson, managing director, international sales.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Promotion

Jools Holland teams up with Saga for new steakhouse and bar The music legend will be the face and voice of the new food and live music venue on board Saga’s brand new ship Spirit of Discovery and will join guests on sailings in 2019 Guests sailing on Saga’s elegant new ship, Spirit of Discovery, will be treated to the incredible sounds of music legend Jools Holland.

The pianist and presenter will become the face and voice of The Club

by Jools steakhouse and bar on the company’s spectacular new ship, the first brand new, purpose-built vessel

by Saga. The venue – which has been inspired by the great cabaret lounges of the 1950s – will be graced by Holland himself as he joins guests on a number of sailings in 2019.

Rivalling London’s finest cabaret venues, the steakhouse will also serve a menu of delectable classic dishes.

Classic starters include Cornish crab cakes and baked four onion soup,

with grilled half lobster and surf’n’turf among the mains. The Club, of course, will also serve classic steaks including fillet and rib-eye, as well as less wellknown cuts such as Tomahawks.

Holland said: “I’m delighted that Saga is dedicating a space on their new ship for live music, which is something that is very close my heart.

“There is nothing better than listening to live music in a small, intimate setting where you can really connect with the artists and their music. Food and music are two of my greatest passions and it’s great that Saga are combining the two.”

Elegant spaces

Taking design inspiration from some

of the world’s best boutique hotels, the spacious and contemporary Spirit of Discovery is packed with places to get active, relax and indulge. From the fully glazed Britannia Lounge to the inviting Living Room, the dramatic 400-seat Playhouse to the serene Spa, every detail has been designed to surprise and delight guests.

At the heart of every luxury boutique hotel are the bedrooms and, with an average floor plan of 20 square metres as standard, your guests will really be able to stretch out. Every cabin also has a balcony and, with more than 100 single cabins available, the ship is making an unprecedented commitment to independent travellers.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Promotion

To complement The Club steakhouse, guests can also dine in the impressive Grand Dining Room or at the speciality Asian or seafood restaurants. For a more informal experience, the Verandah and Grill will serve world-class cuisine inside or al fresco. All meals in every venue – and a choice of wines for lunch and dinner – are included in the fare

Incredible places

Spirit of Discovery offers your customers a luxurious way to experience classic destinations such as Norway, the Baltic, the Canary

Islands and the Mediterranean, as well as further afield to New York, Canada and the Caribbean.

The innovative Explore Ashore concept enables guests to holiday however they like – whether they’d like to choose from a programme of tailor-made, small-group excursions, plan an independent tour, or just book a taxi and explore independently.

From a helicopter ride over New York’s skyline and an airboat safari in the Everglades National Park, to walking behind a waterfall in Norway’s Geriangerfjord, Saga promises oncein-a-lifetime experiences.

Amazing value

Spirit of Discovery continues Saga’s tradition of award-winning value.

Every cruise includes: All meals; wines with lunch and dinner A chauffeur to the port from up to 400km each way All on-board gratuities A full programme of live music, entertainment and talks 24-hour room service A free shuttle at most ports of calls Free wi-fi and much more For more details call free on 0800 074 8021 or visit saga.co.uk/agents online

Sailing with Jools Jools Holland will be performing on board the following Spirit of Discovery cruises: A Channel Island Hop, July 23, 2019, four nights from £959 per person* Gourmet Spain, August 3, 2019, 14 nights from £4,257 per person* Natural Scandinavia, August 17, 2019, 15 nights from £5,353 per person*

*Including optional travel insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, or a reduction if not required. Cover is subject to medical questions – call for details. All fares per person based on the lowest available balcony cabin, correct at time of going to print and subject to availability and change. This is not a brochure, terms and conditions apply. Saga’s holidays and cruises are exclusively for the over 50s (but a travelling companion can be 40+). NHA-SC0042.

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£99

W E N

Bo

per person deposit

ok

by 2 9 J u n e 2 0

Titan River Cruises Introducing our new Titan cruise ship...

MS Bellejour

2019 brochure OUT NOW!

What’s included on a Titan river cruise aboard MS Serenade 1 and MS Bellejour Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service*

Wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Return scheduled flights from the UK

Bottled water in your cabin, replenished daily

Spacious 15m2 or 16m2 river view cabins with en-suite bathroom

Tea and coffee at all times

Breakfast, lunch and dinner Welcome buffet Gala dinner

Excursions and visits Wi-Fi on board Port charges and airport taxes Onboard entertainment

£10 Lifestyle voucher for every river cruise booking in June!** *Excludes Scottish islands and Sark, where vehicle access is restricted. **To claim please email agentincentives@titantravel.co.uk. For more information visit titanagents.co.uk

18

June 2018 | Forward VIRGIN VOYAGES

A virtual tour with Virgin

The cruise newcomer launches in 2020 but has released design images Virgin Voyages has revealed computer-generated images of its first ship, set to be launched in 2020.

The company, set up in 2014 by Sir Richard Branson and previously called Virgin Cruises, has said it aims to “redefine what to expect from a sea vacation”.

It has partnered with Tom Dixon’s studio and Softroom in London, Roman & Williams and WorkAC in New York and Concrete in Amsterdam to create the ship’s interior and exterior areas. Tom Dixon said that different designers had been allowed

to stamp their identity on each space.

“This is very different from how most cruise liners are conceived,” he said.

Virgin Voyages has three ships on order with shipbuilder Fincantieri, the first of which will arrive at PortMiami in 2020 for its inaugural season, sailing to the Caribbean. It will carry more than 2,700 guests.

Firstmates.com, the firm’s sales

NEW LAUNCH

and marketing portal for agents, will go live on November 1. Stacy Shaw, the vice president of global sales and business development, said it would also include a training facility, adding: “Our cruises will go on sale by the end of the year but we want to get our partners really excited about what’s coming and about selling our product before then.”

SICKNESS CLAIMS

Debussy is latest addition to Crystal River Cruises fleet Operators stem the with star-studded christening ceremony in Amsterdam tide of bogus cases Crystal River Cruises has welcomed its newest ship to the fleet after Crystal Debussy was christened.

The ceremony in Amsterdam was attended by Tom Wolber, Crystal’s president and CEO, Walter Littlejohn, its vice president and managing director, and Rachel York, Broadway star and Crystal Debussy’s godmother.

“Crystal River Cruises has raised the bar of excellence with each new ship, and now again as Crystal Debussy joins the fleet, effectively redefining true luxury in the river industry,” Wolber said.

“At the heart of this achievement are the crew and officers, all of whom are members of the Crystal team that ensure that every detail of

our guests’ experience is seamless, from ship to shore.”

Littlejohn, who joined the company in April 2016, said that the line was “changing the face of river cruising in Europe” with its expansion, which has seen it launch five vessels over the last two years.

In the line’s 2019 river programme, 14-night sailings have been replaced with seven-night and 10-night itineraries as well as 16-night sailings onboard Crystal Mahler. The 106-guest Crystal Debussy embarked on her maiden voyage along the Rhine River on April 9, and sails itineraries between Amsterdam and Basel along the Rhine and Moselle, visiting Belgium and Germany.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Operators are winning the fight against bogus holiday sickness claims, a top lawyer has said, with most claims reviewed on grounds of fundamental dishonesty.

Kennedys, the law firm, has defended travel companies against 80 claims, winning 72, with six couples sent to prison. Speaking at an Abta Travel Law seminar in London, Claire Kennedy, partner with the firm, said: “We’re seeing claims management companies pulling out of the market.”

Sarah Prager, a barrister, said: “We’ve gone from judges believing claimants almost by default, to judges disbelieving claimants almost by default. A lot of that is down to Abta.”

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Islands Antarctic Awakening What are the advantages in traveling to Antarctica in October aboard Sea Spirit?

Enjoy early season features not available for later visitors. massive, glistening blue-veined icebergs and an angled, early season light that diminishes later in the season.

Amazing sunsets and sunrises present themselves in a way lost in midsummer.

Explore the Southern Ocean aboard the comfortable, accommodating and friendly Sea Spirit!

See Antarctica – fresh and untouched!

October is springtime in the Southern Ocean.

You’ll be one of the first visitors of the season, and sense the awe and wonder of the very first explorers to this polar realm. As winter sea ice breaks up, the continent comes alive with the sight of returning penguins and the renewal of life in this magical place.

No doubt – Antarctica expedition cruising is all about the destination. But your clients’ travel experience also depends greatly on the vessel chosen. Poseidon Expeditions offers the perfect balance of comfort and adventure with the 114-passenger Sea Spirit. The ship’s small size provides advantages not found on larger vessels, and is able to navigate small coves and inlets where wildlife and scenic grandeur can be observed in a way both immediate and memorable. You’ll be guided ashore by our experienced, multi-lingual expedition team, and learn about preservation and conservation efforts underway in this one-of-a-kind ecosystem.

Antarctic wildlife awakening Penguins and seabirds return to their breeding colonies; elephant seal bulls engage in epic battles for territory and females. It’s the best time to see Gentoos, Chinstraps and Adélies in their elaborate and cacophonous courtship rituals and methodical nestbuilding strategies. The island of South Georgia inspires even the most cynical with thousands of nesting King penguins, seen in expansive colonies on the coast plains – like no place else on earth!

Photographers – professionals and amateurs alike – are rewarded with incredible snowy landscapes, Awaken your clients’ Antarctic dreams! Reserve space aboard our October 20-November 8, 2018 departure and save US $ 2,500 per person from regular rates! October 20-November 11, 2019 offers early booking savings up to US $ 4,140 per person!

For reservations: sales@poseidonexpeditions.com

Please call + 44 203 936 8218 or visit poseidonexpeditions.com

King penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia

54°3’ W 37°21’ S

Next departure is October 20, 2018

June 2018 | Forward NEWS

OPINION

Conference call: why industry events are so vital Janet Parton, sales director, Avalon Waterways

R

ecently I was lucky enough to attend The Advantage Conference in Miami. A key annual event in the travel industry calendar, the trip provided me with a great opportunity to catch up with lots of lovely travel agents from the UK, meeting with old friends and new, and to share the latest updates from Avalon Waterways.

With a range of insightful workshops on offer, I particularly enjoyed participating in an innovative cruise-focused training session that asked the audience to imagine themselves on board a cruise by getting them to tap into their senses. Of course, when selling cruise holidays, it is so important for travel agents to understand the product and experience that their customers are booking. Therefore, by asking the delegates to think about what a cruise would feel like, what activities they would do on board and what the food would taste like, they were able to come away with a greater sense of what cruising is all about. It was fantastic to see the travel agent delegates engage so well with the activity – of course the champagne, canapés and chocolates in the intervals were a nice bonus!

Industry events, such as the recent Clia Conference focused on ‘#GenerationCruise’ (see p28), offer agents an unrivalled platform for networking, the chance to learn

about new cruise products, gain insight into key industry trends and hear about any upcoming developments and incentives that are coming to market. I find the “speed-dating” format particularly valuable and recommend that all agents make the most of the opportunity to meet with as many industry contacts as possible.

While the “freebies” are always nice, remember to focus on the information you want to glean from that supplier. Be sure to ask what’s new, what the bestselling itinerary is, what the key USPs for that cruise line are and so on. These events also provide a useful forum for agents to network and learn from their industry peers, such as learning how to sell cruise holidays to a broader audience across the generations.

With cruise lines, both ocean and river, continuing to launch ever more impressive ships and more enriching itineraries that allow customers to explore further afield, it is a really exciting time for agents to be reaching out to the new-to-cruise audience. Our own Active Discovery cruises on three European rivers and our all-suite fleet in European fleet for 2019 are just one example of this.

As the travel industry changes quickly, it is more important than ever that agents attend as many industry events as possible to gain insight on what is new and happening within cruise. This information provides expertise that you can pass on to your customers.

Conferences take place all around the world, but there’s no need to travel too far. Utilise what is on your doorstep through the various roadshows, events and training days that take place in the UK.

Abta to help sell solo trips

Abta is to host a new one-day conference for tour operators and travel agents who want to sell more holidays to solo travellers.

The Solo Travel Conference will be hosted on June 21 at the America Square Conference Centre in central London. Solus, the sister magazine of cruise adviser, will be the media sponsor for the event.

There will be talks from Saga Holidays, STA Travel and Intrepid, among others. One of the speakers, Ant Stone, marketing director for G Adventures, said: “Whether it’s land or sea, we are seeing solo travellers making up over 60 per cent of bookings. This is a market that we believe should be celebrated, not restricted, which is why we don't charge solo supplements and design our tours to build a community of travellers.”

Victoria Bacon, the director of brand and business development at Abta, added: “This conference will explore the trends within the solo travel market and will help delegates develop a better understanding of the needs of this group. Expert speakers will share their experience of connecting with the solo traveller and how to tailor your holiday product and services to them. There are huge sales opportunities for travel businesses with this group of customers.”

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June 2018 | Forward

SHIP REFIT

State of Independence: newly refitted favourite returns to Southampton Anthony Pearce joins Independence of the Seas for a short sailing and tries out the new additions intended to keep it in line with Royal Caribbean’s newer vessels Royal Caribbean International innovates at a dizzying pace, bringing ever more outlandish ideas to the high seas. But in an attempt to leave its rivals in its wake, the line also runs the risk of creating a gulf in class between its newest ships and its older ones. The most impressive features of Royal’s Oasis and Quantum-class ships are now so well-known that guests will be expecting them on board – which is why Royal has put aside $900m to refit its Freedom-class and Voyager-class ships, as well as Oasis and Allure of the Seas. Within the former group sits Independence of the Seas, which Royal claims is the UK’s most popular ship. Since its refit and return last month to its summer homeport of Southampton, it’s certainly like no other currently sailing regularly from British shores.

About 2,500 travel agents and a few dozen members of the cruise media joined a short sailing in May

to explore the new additions to Indie, as it is affectionately known. As well as more than 100 extra cabins – including panoramic staterooms – the headline-grabbers include the Sky Pad, an innovative bungee-meetsAT A GLANCE Independence of the Seas Built: 2008 Class: Freedom Decks: 15

Capacity: 3,856 (double); 4,560 (maximum)

Not as shiny as the Quantum and Oasis-class ships – but just as fun. Unlike anything else sailing from Southampton trampoline experience, where players wear virtual-reality goggles and play games. Elsewhere is the fascinating Escape the Room, a windowless space that was once the ship’s chapel.

Guests have the chance to test their

New Indie features (clockwise from above): the Studio B space hosts a nightclub and laser tag; Sky Pad; Escape the Room

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lateral thinking by solving a series of puzzles against the clock. But at $20pp, it may prove a bit steep – and may prove too difficult for children (not to mention, apparently, adults).

Best of all is the Battle for Planet Z laser tag, which is held in Studio B, a venue that doubles up as an ice rink, nightclub (where former TOWIE star Mark Wright was DJing) and more.

Fish and Ships (fish’n’chips, obviously) and Izumi (sushi) are also new, as well as Playmakers Sports Bar, which boasts widescreen TVs, pool tables, basketball simulators and table-top games. In fact, there are few places you can go on this ship where there aren’t things to do: there’s crazy golf, table tennis, an aquapark, a surf simulator and a climbing wall.

There are some calmer spaces – such as Giovanni’s, a cosy Italian – but this is not a ship for quiet reflection.

This is all about fun, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Promotion

Showing you the Caribbean like no one else can Royal Caribbean is the best way to explore paradise. Cruise to the Caribbean on their state-of-the-art ships and enjoy private islands, once-in-a-lifetime activities and mindblowing onboard innovations

Royal Caribbean’s private island Labadee, Haiti

With 21 ships exploring the region, including the largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean offers the ultimate way to explore the pure white sand, turquoise waters, dense rainforests and cascading waterfalls that make up this sunsoaked paradise.

Guests can snorkel past shoals of tropical fish and shipwrecks in Grand Caymen, sample Creole cuisine in St Maarten, plunge into hot springs in St Lucia or simply kick back on deck and relax with a cocktail in the glorious sunshine. The Caribbean

is an area of unrivalled natural beauty and adventure, spanning more than 2.5 million square kilometres and consisting of 26 countries and more than 7,000 islands, cays and reefs.

What’s more, Royal Caribbean guests also have the chance to explore and enjoy not one but two private resorts – the exceptional islands of CocoCay and Labadee. These entertainment-filled destinations are unlike anything else in the Caribbean.

With a fleet of the world’s most innovative ships, packed with state-ofthe-art features such as surf simulators,

virtual-reality games, laser tag and bumper cars, there is as much to see on board as there is off it, meaning fun for all the family and extraordinary and unforgettable holiday experiences every time.

But it’s not just good news for your customers. When booking through Club Royal, Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking agency platform, All Club Rewards members earn real money – which can be spent as you like – for every booking you make. To find out more, head to myclubroyal.co.uk and become a member today.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Promotion

Unique and exciting adventures with Royal Caribbean More than 30 spectacular ports across this fascinating region CocoCay Wave Jet Tour

Mayan ruins, Island tour & beach

With a full-speed guided tour around CocoCay coming 2019 and the Berry Islands, driving a Sea-Doo personal watercraft, guests can enjoy life in the fast lane on Royal Caribbean’s new island paradise. It is also home to a 6m-wide waterfall and Captain Jack’s interactive galleon, which little adventurers will love.

Combining culture and relaxation, a Royal Caribbean tour in Cozumel gives guests the chance to explore the archaeological ruins of native Mayan civilisation with an expert guide, before relaxing on the sun-kissed Mexican beach. The perfect way to holiday.

Inner tubing & Dunn’s River Falls

Arawak Aqua Park

CocoCay, Bahamas

Cozumel, Mexico

Labadee, Haiti

Falmouth, Jamaica

This tour gives guests the chance to take in Jamaica’s north coast on the way to the White River, where they will hop on an inner tube to ride down to the beach at Shaw Park. After a delectable Jamaican buffet lunch, there’s chance to scale the waterfalls at Dunn’s River Falls.

Guests can climb the only icebergs in the Caribbean, along with giant floating trampolines, fantastic water slides, a rolling log and a host of other cool water toys on Labadee, one of Royal Caribbean’s incredible private holiday resorts. With a sprawling kids area, the stop is ideal for family fun.

A Dragon’s Breath Flight Line

Deluxe cabana

CocoCay, Bahamas

Labadee, Haiti

At The Island Oasis Cabana Club, guests can soak up the sun and tranquility of Royal Caribbean’s chic tropical paradise from the comfort of their private ocean-view cabana.

A deluxe lunch is included and there’s also chance to snorkel with the provided equipment.

Another Labadee highlight: here guests can enjoy breathtaking views from 150m above the beaches, zipping down a wire more than 800m long at speeds of up to 80kmh, before kicking back and relaxing in the Caribbean sun.

Where the extraordinary happens

Unbeatable onboard experiences with one-of-a-kind entertainment and exhilarating activities Surf, fly and slide

Guests can test their surfing skills in the middle of the ocean – without leaving the ship – on Royal Caribbean’s unique FlowRider surf machine. Next, they can experience RipCord by iFly, a state-of-the-art simulator, which means free-falling in safety while gazing over the ocean. Royal Caribbean also boasts the tallest slide at sea – the Ultimate Abyss – with an exhilarating 28m drop.

Food and cocktail heaven

There are 14 restaurants on Symphony of Seas – the largest cruise ship in the world – which serve more than 350 dishes, proving that Royal Caribbean is all about unrivalled choice. For something truly spectacular, guests can enjoy cocktails mixed by robots at the Bionic Bar. A tipple literally made with laser precision.

UK CRUISERS’ CHOICE

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Suite life

Royal Caribbean offers accommodation to suit all needs – from solo cabins to the out-of-this-world Ultimate Family Suite. This two-story, two-bed family room features a slide from the kids’ bedroom to the living room, two huge TVs, a Lego wall and a balcony with a hot tub and a climbing wall. What’s more: suites come with their own Royal Genie.

June 2018 | Forward

FAM TRIPS / INCENTIVES

APT to host a series of homeworker coffee mornings

Celebrity offers UK ship-based training Celebrity Cruises is offering more than 1,300 agents interactive shipbased training this year.

There are 26 agent ship visits on offer across Southampton, Liverpool, Dover, Belfast, Cork, Inverness, and Dublin. Treasure hunt and riddle solving training sessions are returning with six onboard interactive workshops, plus luxury agents can explore the brand’s Suite Class offering.

Silversea reveals Sell to Sail for agents

APT is inviting homeworkers to learn more about its products during a series of coffee mornings.

The events will take place in June and July in Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Ipswich and Amersham and will be hosted by the company’s on-the-road sales team.

The details are as follows: Manchester: 10am, June 13, Costa Coffee, Arndale Shopping Centre;

Edinburgh: 10am, June 21, Café Rouge, Frederick Street; Bristol: 10am, June 28, Costa Coffee, Cabot Circus level 1; Birmingham: 10am, June 29, Café Rouge, The Mailbox; Ipswich: 10am, July 4, Cosy Club, Buttermarket Shopping Centre; Amersham: 10am, July 19, APT Offices, 5 Hill Avenue.

For further information email agentclub@aptouring.co.uk.

Silversea has announced a Sell to Sail programme that rewards travel agents with a complimentary suite on an ultra-luxury Silversea voyage.

To qualify, they need to confirm three new suites on select 2018 Silversea voyages. Every agent is able to earn a maximum of one complimentary suite, with no limit to the total awarded to each agency.

A selection of global destinations are available as part of the programme, including itineraries in the Far East, Alaska, Caribbean, Galápagos Islands and Antarctica.

CMV offers ship visits and summer prizes including a hot air balloon flight and a day out at the races

Sell Three, Sail Free with U by Uniworld

Cruise & Maritime Voyages is offering 27 opportunities for trade partners to view and take lunch on board Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo & Astoria later this year.

Lisa Jacobs, CMV head of trade sales, said: “The programme aims to make it easy to visit our ships at ports up and down the country, including Invergordon, Greenock, Belfast, Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Cardiff, Poole and Portsmouth. Bristol and London Tilbury are booking up fast.”

U by Uniworld has announced its first Sell Three, Sail Free promotion which will apply to bookings until September 30, 2018.

Travel agents who make at least three new bookings on any 2018 U by Uniworld voyage, will receive a free balcony cabin cruise for themselves on any 2018 or 2019 U by Uniworld sailing.

All bookings must be paid in full to qualify. For more information, visit uniworld.com/agent or call 0808 168 9110.

Agents should email agents@ cruiseandmaritime.com or call 0844 414 6140 for more details.

CMV is also giving agents the opportunity to be entered into a draw to win one of ten summer prizes until the end of June. Prizes include a hot air balloon flight, a horse racing day for two and a hamper with prosecco.

Agents should send details of bookings to competitions@cruise andmaritime.com with a name, Abta number and booking reference.

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June 2018 | Forward

NEW HIRES

Fresh faces at MSC with new recruitments and promotions

Helen Caron leaves cruise role at Tui Group Helen Caron has been appointed as the new hotel purchasing director for the Tui Group. Caron has been part of the Tui UK & Ireland board since September 2015 and led the modernisation of the cruise business, bringing Discovery, Discovery 2 and Marella Explorer into service. She also oversaw the rebrand from Thomson Cruises to Marella Cruises, and the parent company’s rebrand from Thomson to Tui.

Sloan departs Scenic for World Travel Holdings

MSC Cruises UK & Ireland has announced various appointments and internal promotions.

Following the recent promotion of Laura Montalban, above, to national account manager, the cruise line has appointed David Broad as regional sales manager for central England.

Broad joined the company on May 29 from JTA Travel where he held the position of regional sales manager.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Kelly has been promoted to the role of head of sales for the Republic of Ireland. In addition, MSC has announced the appointment of Alana Byrne to the newly created position of a second regional sales manager, expanding the existing team to three. Her role began on May 5.

The company has said that it regards the Irish market as instrumental to its long-term growth strategy.

Angela Sloan joined World Travel Holdings, Cruise 118’s parent firm, as head of product and commercial on May 21. She was head of sales at Scenic and has also held senior sales positions at Gold Medal and Airtours.

She will be responsible for continuing to develop WTH’s supplier relationships and product strategy.

The existing product and commercial team will report to her.

Alison Earnshaw is now managing director of WTH after the departure of co-founder James Cole.

Viking announces two new trade sales appointments Viking has appointed two new trade sales executives. Gemma Bradwell has responsibility for the north of England and Sabrina Piscioneri will look after the south.

Bradwell and Piscioneri, both from travel agency backgrounds, will support current managers in the regions with agent training programmes, events and promotional activity, the company said.

Neil Barclay, Viking head of sales said: “We are delighted to welcome two new executives to the Viking trade sales team. As Viking and our

fleet continues to grow, so too does our investment in the trade.

“Both Bradwell and Piscioneri’s experience will be key in assisting travel agents to expand their understanding of our cruises and help them feel better equipped to sell Viking Cruises, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the travel trade.”

Piscioneri said: “Having worked in the travel industry for a decade, I’m really excited to be taking on a new challenge with Viking Cruises, and to be part of an industry that I’m really

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passionate about.”

Bradwell said: “I cannot imagine working in another sector so dynamic and rewarding. I look forward to being part of the Viking team and working with its affiliated partners”.

Viking added that its plan to boost support for the trade meant more engagement through trade marketing channels such as Madefortrade.co.uk, its dedicated website for agents, and Hei!, a trade magazine.

For more new hires, fam trips, incentives and cruise news, see cruise-adviser.com

June 2018 | Forward

PORTS OF CALL

Dublin

The Irish capital is becoming more popular as a cruise call. Nicola Brady says it’s not hard to work out why With a port just a short hop from the city centre and an array of worldclass restaurants, bars and museums, Dublin is becoming an increasingly popular cruise destination.

This year there are 151 confirmed cruise calls into Dublin Port, bringing more than 270,000 visitors to the city. Of those, there are nine maiden calls and a mini-season of five full turnaround cruises, new this year, seeing visitors begin and end their cruises in Dublin.

A quick skip along the River Liffey will bring you right into to the middle of the action – from the port you can either stroll along the riverside, through the district some are calling the Water Quarter, or grab a taxi and be in town in about 15 minutes.

One of the greatest things about Dublin is its relatively small size – it’s eminently walkable, with most of the main attractions within a close radius, so it’s easy to make the most of the city in a short space of time.

Kick things off with a nod to the literary heritage of the city, by visiting the Book of Kells in Trinity College.

While its ancient illustrations are inspiring, the haunting Long Room of

the old library is impressive enough in its own right.

If you want to continue the theme, the Chester Beatty Library, part of Dublin Castle, holds an impressive array of manuscripts and rare books, and has a beautiful rooftop garden.

For a quirky insight into the history of the city, the Little Museum of Dublin offers a light-hearted and fascinating look at the past 100 years in Ireland’s capital. The museum, located in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse on St Stephen’s Green, is home to rotating exhibits as well as permanent displays, with tours led by passionate guides.

Afterwards, grab a cup of coffee (or a sweet treat from The Rolling Donut nearby) and take a stroll around St Stephen’s Green itself. A peaceful park in the heart of the city, this is where locals convene to shoot the breeze and feed the famous ducks (though some of the flock tend to be seagulls, chancing their luck). During the 1916 Easter Rising, a ceasefire was held daily in order for the park keeper to feed the ducks, who, he argued, hadn’t agreed to the battle that besieged the city.

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June 2018 | Forward The neighbouring Shelbourne Hotel played a vital role in this period of upheaval. One of the rooms within its walls was where the Irish Constitution was drafted in 1922.

Nowadays, it’s a popular meeting spot for Dubliners to celebrate special occasions and a great option for an elegant afternoon tea.

Just around the corner, you’ll find The Greenhouse, one of the finest restaurants in the city. It received a Michelin star just a few years after opening, and head chef Mikael Viljanen’s use of Irish ingredients to create elegant and beautiful dishes is exemplary. Expect to see courses like Sika deer, perfectly pink and juicy, adorned with fresh blackberries and a mushroom emulsion.

If you want to take in a spot of shopping, Grafton Street is the main area for high street stores, with Brown Thomas, the luxury department store, leading the way. For a more personalised experience, explore the Creative Quarter to the west of the street – you’ll find exceptional boutiques along Drury and South William Streets and a treasure trove of places within the Powerscourt Townhouse, a striking building home to many independent stores.

No trip to Dublin is complete without a taste of the black stuff and you can get a great introduction to the stout at the Guinness Storehouse.

There you will learn all about how Guinness is made, as well as how to pour the perfect pint. There’s also a great exhibition about the classic adverts they’ve produced.

There is, of course, no shortage of pubs in the city where you can enjoy a Guinness. Kehoes is a classic Dublin establishment on South Anne Street, complete with slanting wooden floors and a classic snug, an enclosed space

with its own door and private hatch to the bar.

To finish your Dublin experience in style, head to The Marker hotel, which is handily located in the Docklands, on the way back to Dublin Port. Their rooftop bar is one of the finest in the city – you can enjoy an exceptional cocktail while enjoying views all across the city and out to the Dublin Mountains.

THREE DUBLIN CRUISES Eight days around Ireland

12 days around the British Isles

12 nights in the British Isles

Oceania Cruises – Nautica Dublin round-trip, June 19, 2019 From £2,529pp

Princess Cruises – Royal Princess Southampton round-trip, August 17, 2018 From £1,114pp

Cunard – Queen Victoria Southampton round trip, June 4, 2019 From £1,830

This Gaelic Glory voyage starts and ends in Dublin and includes visits to Waterford, with its crystal workshops, Cobh, which is steeped in history, culture and entertainment, Londonderry and the Isle of Man.

This 12-day British Isles (with Dublin overnight) trip stops in Dublin on days four and five – and includes excursions on offer on both days – before continuing on to Belfast.

This 12-night, British Isles cruise onboard the Queen Victoria leaves Southampton and heads to Greenock, Oban, Isle Of Skye, Kirkwall, Dublin, Liverpool, Cobh, St Peter Port and Southampton.

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June 2018 | Forward

CLIA CONFERENCE

‘The word that most accurately describes cruising is “growth”…’

President and CEO Cindy D’Aoust led a bullish Clia Conference in Southampton, with important keynote speeches from MSC and Saga. Sam Ballard was there The number of British passengers taking a cruise is due to climb above two million for the first time, according to the global boss of Clia.

Speaking at the 2018 cruise conference, Cindy D’Aoust, the association’s president and CEO, said: “The word that most accurately describes cruising is ‘growth’.

“We expect in 2018 to have more than 28 million ocean cruise passengers around the world. A little closer to home, I’m happy to report that the UK will be the second largest market in Europe and the fourth biggest in the world – we expect it to exceed two million travellers in 2018.”

Clia also announced that it would be holding its next river conference

in Paris on November 10 and 11.

The association is also going to be launching a quarterly podcast.

Other speakers at the cruise conference included Gianni Onorato, the CEO of MSC, who revealed that the company’s in-cabin digital assistant – an industry first – would be called Zoe. “As a family-owned company with over 300 years of seafaring heritage, it is a maritime tradition to involve the female members of the family in key events and developments,” he explained. “Zoe is a family name as well as being a name that is internationally recognised and easy to pronounce no matter what language a guest speaks.”

MSC also invited all delegates in the room, including those from other cruise lines, on board for the launch of Belissima in Southampton next March.

Saga’s Iain Powell made the same offer to all 450 agents in the room for Spirit of Discovery in July 2019.

During his keynote speech, Chris Austin, the senior vice-president of global sales and marketing for Seabourn, said that travel agents who wanted to sell to luxury guests had to make a connection with them.

He added that, within the luxury segment, which would be seeing an 18 per cent increase by 2021, 36 per cent of passengers were first-time cruisers. That high proportion of first-time-cruise

Clockwise from above: Andy Harmer, director of Clia UK & Ireland; the evening’s entertainment; MSC’s Gianni Onorato; Cindy D’Aoust, Clia president and CEO; a magician tricks some agents.

All photos © Steve Dunlop

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June 2018 | Forward passengers had led the company to develop a number of luxury brand partnerships, he said.

“We put a lot of focus on differentiating the brand through partnerships. It is a great way to unlock that luxury land-lover.”

The message from a number of the speakers was that they were no longer challenging other cruise lines for future guests, focusing instead on land-based resorts.

Research suggests that the cruise industry accounts for just 2 per cent of the global holiday market.

The Clia Cruise Podcast, which will launch at the end of the month, will feature interviews with key industry executives as well as discussions covering industry trends and analysis. The first episode will feature Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the boss of Celebrity Cruises.

“In the last agent survey, 89 per cent of respondents valued our role in terms of providing an industry-level commentary, analysis and opinion on key industry issues,” Andy Harmer, the director of Clia UK and Ireland, explained. “We hope that these podcasts will be an accessible and entertaining way for us to communicate with our agents.”

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Promotion

Cruise on the Nile and enjoy the ancient wonders of Egypt and Jordan Emerald Waterways has announced its first Egypt and Jordan touring and cruise itineraries, taking in Cairo and Amman as well as the Pyramids, the Great Sphinx and the antiquities of Petra Guests on Emerald Waterways can now experience the Pyramids at Giza – the only surviving Ancient Wonder of the World – and the stunning Al-Khazneh temple in Petra all in one incredible trip.

The company has announced its first Egypt and Jordan touring and cruise itineraries, including a five-day Nile river cruise on board the exclusively chartered MS Hamees by Mövenpick.

The luxurious river ship – fresh from an extensive refurbishment – combines luxury and comfort, sailing a four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan on the majestic Nile river.

On a 10-day tour, guests explore bustling Cairo and a trove of

antiquities, including Tutankhamun’s mask, which is displayed in the Egyptian Museum. From there, they visit the pyramids at Giza and the Great Sphinx, both constructed between about 2580 and 2550BC, before continuing their journey with a four-night cruise on the Nile. This incredible voyage includes a visit to a traditional Nubian village, giving guests the chance to uncover what life is like for locals who live by the river.

On a 15-day tour guests also have the chance to explore Amman, the capital of Jordan. Here, they will enjoy a guided city tour and visit the city’s ancient citadel, before exploring Petra, including the imposing

Al-Khazneh and the world-famous mosaic map of the Holy Lands.

To celebrate the launch of the Egypt, Nile River and Jordan brochure, Emerald Waterways is offering £500pp discount on all 2019 and 2020 departures for a limited time. Prices start from £2,445pp for the 10-day Cairo & Ancient Egypt river cruise and from £3,795pp for the 15-day Cairo to Amman tour & Ancient Egypt river cruise.

For more information about selling Emerald Waterways Egypt and Jordan touring and cruising itineraries contact your local Sales Manager or email agencysales@ emeraldwaterways.com.

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Promotion RIVER CRUISE

New 2019 European brochure unveiled

Introducing itineraries and combination cruises Emerald Waterways has unveiled its new 2019 European River Cruises Brochure, which includes two new Danube itineraries and four new combination river cruises. Prices start at just £1,270 per person.

On an eight-day Classic Danube river cruise (from £1,770pp) guests start their journey in the Bavarian city of Nuremberg, where they can soak up fascinating insights into German military history before setting sail on the final stretch of the Main-Danube canal on the way to the medieval city of Regensburg, Passau and Vienna.

On the eight-day Lower Danube Waltz (from £1,870pp) guests begin their cruise in the Austrian capital, navigate its famous Ringstrasse by coach or as part of a guided bike tour, before departing for fascinating Budapest. From there, they continue

east, calling at the picturesque towns of Pécs, Osijek, Novi Sad and Belgrade, the vibrant capital of Serbia.

In addition to the new itineraries, Emerald Waterways has also introduced a new collection of combination cruises, such as the 23-day Amsterdam to Bucharest, 16-day Treasures of the Danube, 15-day Three Rivers Discovery and 15-day Rhine & Rhône.

On announcing the new main edition brochure Dawn Quinn, head of UK trade sales, commented: “Following the popularity of Emerald Waterways’ Preview Brochure launch in February, we are delighted to announce that our 2019 Main Edition European River Cruises Brochure – which includes two new eight-day Danube River itineraries: Classic

Danube and Lower Danube Waltz – will be available from June 1, 2018.

“With four new combination river cruises and fantastic offers to launch the campaign, including savings of up to £1,250* per couple, plus unlimited free drinks onboard for those booking a balcony suite, we are sure that the full 2019 collection will be even more successful than the preview launch.

“Agents can also earn incredible prizes, from designer products to the latest electrical goods, when they book an Emerald Waterways river cruise with ‘River Rewards & More’.”

Visit riverrewards.cruises for more information on River Rewards & More. * Savings and prices include £125 per person Early Payment Discount, valid when the balance is paid in full by October 31, 2018

Emerald Waterways makes the move into ocean cruise with sailings along Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian coast on brand-new five star yacht MV Adriatic Princess II Emerald Waterways has announced that it will be sailing along Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian coast with a brand-new, five-star yacht.

Launching in 2019, the elegant MV Adriatic Princess II has been designed to navigate the picturesque coastline and its many small ports, sailing between Trogir and Dubrovnik.

Guests will take in the spectacular destinations and learn about the unique topography of this region, comprised of thousands of off-shore islands and coastlines dotted with CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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limestone mountains as well as ancient cities and towns.

Emerald Waterways will be offering 22 departures from April to October 2019 on a diverse itinerary that includes Split, Trogir, Šibenik, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik.

The cruise includes return flights from London or Manchester, 15 onboard meals (seven breakfasts, six lunches and two dinners), two complimentary drinks with every onboard lunch and dinner, seven shore excursions and more.

June 2018 | Midship

INFOCUS

Avalon Waterways Anthony Pearce talks to Pam Hoffee and Giles Hawke from the river cruise line that is always innovating and embracing the most interesting travel trends River is the fastest-growing sector in the cruise industry for a reason: in recent years it has quietly reinvented itself through bold, clever innovation that often goes unremarked upon.

One line that has been at the forefront of this is Avalon Waterways, which continues to embrace some of the sector’s most interesting trends. These include: expansion into Southeast Asia; multi-river iterinaries (plus pre-and-post stays); active excursions and waiving single supplements.

What’s more, from next year, Avalon’s entire European fleet will consis of what it calls suite ships.

“Eighty per cent of rooms have a wallto-wall, floor-to-ceiling window that opens,” says Pam Hoffee, managing

director of Avalon Waterways and chief operating officer of the Globus family of brands, of which Cosmos is also a part. “You can turn your entire stateroom into a balcony when you want it and, when you don’t, close it without losing any of your space. It’s a really innovative design.

“As part of that, we also angled our beds to the wall in the stateroom to make the bathoom bigger. By putting the bed at that angle it faces the view – we were the first river cruise line to do that. Guests can be sat up in bed watching the ever-changing views.”

These Panorama Suites make up four-fifths of what’s on board the fleet. “For the trade,” adds Hoffee, “it’s a really easy product to sell.”

It’s made simpler, too, by the fact that nearly everyhing is included in the price. “The holiday starts right at your door,” says Hoffee, reeling off a list covering home pick-ups, flights, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine at breakfast, gratuities, all excursions, plus coffees and pastries all day – all included.

Giles Hawke, CEO of Avalon and Cosmos, adds: “Our home pick-up is private. There’s no combining people in the same area, it’s your private chauffeur. It’s what our guests want.”

The company, says Hawke, is “five-star luxury, but without the “stuffiness”. “It’s relaxed, casual luxury,” he says. We’ve made a conscious decision not to have butlers,

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June 2018 | Midship not to have white-glove service, not to have the obsequiousness of someone hanging over you the whole time.”

The company also recently introduced Avalon Choice, categorising daily excursions into three classifications: Classic, Active (such as cycling, paddling and hiking) and Discovery. “Deep immersion into a destination,” says Hoffee of the latter. “That could be cooking or painting classes, working on a farm, meeting local producers, wine tastings.”

It has also introduced Active Discovery cruises on the Danube, Rhine and, as of next year, on the Rhône. “If you were to look at our classic cruises, it’s about 80 per cent Classic excursions, then 20 per cent between Active and Discovery. On Active Discovery cruises, we flip that percentage over,” says Hoffee.

Another new addition is the Avalon Go app. Aimed at those who want to go out on their own, rather than take excursions, It is – again – quietly revolutionary. The content, tailored to each itinerary, includes GPS maps and information that can be downloaded and viewed offline (“A little cruise director in your pocket,” says Hoffee).

Another big plus point is that the line reserves up to seven staterooms with no single suppplement. “It’s our most popular promotion by far,” Hoffee adds.

THREE AVALON WATERWAYS CRUISES 9 days on the Danube

13 days in Southeast Asia

Eight days on the Rhine

Avalon Panorama Linz-Budapest From £2,077pp

Avalon Saigon Siem Reap-Ho Chi Minh City From £3,949pp

Avalon Panorama Amsterdam-Zurich From £2,498pp

Taste cheese and beer brewed by Trappist monks near Linz, and hike along trails beside the Danube on this Avalon Active Discovery cruise. Stops include the beautiful Vienna

Guests are immersed in culture and ancient traditions along the Mekong.

River

Journey along the Rhine River, through Germany and taking in Holland, France, and Switzerland

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INNOVATION

Cruise leads the way The cruise sector still has a reputation as being behind the times, but, as Sam Ballard reports, some of latest developments in entertainment, accommodation, apps and wearable technology are leading the way for the entire travel industry and – from the gimmicky to the genius – have to be seen to be believed

The cruise industry holds a unique position within the world of travel.

No other sector manages to be seen as behind the times and ahead of the curve at the same time. Much of that misalignment comes from the myths that still exist around cruise (ie they are for the newly wed, overfed and nearly dead). However, as those who work in the industry will already know, these are lazy assertions.

For starters, recent enhancements to passenger experience have been exceptional. Entertainment is no longer cabaret and washed-up comedians, it’s original productions and shortened versions of West End shows – from Grease to Cirque du Soleil – with amazing sets, incredible performers and high production values. Many cruise lines have gone even further, making the theatres themselves more technologically advanced than land-based venues could even dream of. Royal Caribbean International set the bar pretty high with Two70 – a lounge that has floor-to-ceiling windows that transform into a 30m wide, high definition screen (larger than an Imax)– bolstered by six more screens on robotic arms. The whole ensemble is choreographed to routines by Royal’s equally impressive human performers.

Accommodation is another area where cruise lines have been at the forefront of innovation.

Inside staterooms, the entry-level accommodation on all cruise ships, have been seen by many customers as fairly claustrophobic places to stay.

However, Disney Cruise Line opened the spaces up on Disney Fantasy with their Magic Portholes – round screens showing live footage from outside the ship. The company took the technology to another level by having Disney characters coming into view every 20 minutes – be it Aladdin riding a magic carpet or the starfish from Finding Nemo.

When it comes to innovations within the accommodation on board cruise ships, it would be remiss not to mention the infinite verandas on board Celebrity Edge. Inspired by the French balconies on European river ships, Celebrity has essentially

Image credit I. Sarfatti

June 2018 | Midship

Clockwise from above: the portholes on Disney Fantasy; Cirque du Soleil on MSC Meraviglia; the Royal Caribbean app; Carnival’s Ocean Medallion

moved the balcony area inside the cabin – allowing the top portion of the window to be lowered and the area separated by bifolding doors.

This adds 23 per cent to the cabin’s interior space and means that if, for instance, the weather isn’t great – the space can still be utilised. If it’s sunny then it can become a standard balcony. Not having external balconies also allows for external appendages, like the ship’s much talked about Magic Carpet – an external platform that gives outside space to alternating decks during the day.

When it comes to much of the innovation on cruise ships, it is sometimes hard to filter out the truly genius ideas from the gimmicks.

Submarines, speedboats and go-kart tracks could be put into either camp depending on your disposition.

Ponant’s Blue Eye Lounge – an

underwater venue that will include huge windows to view marine life – is an amazing installation, especially on ships that will be able to handle polar ice – but the vibrating seats that mimic the underwater noises may stray too far in the other direction.

Many of the innovations that are being pioneered by travel companies come down to an ambition to improve one thing in particular: making the experience more personal for guests. This is easier said than done, especially when you’re dealing with thousands of people.

Norwegian Cruise Line challenged the orthodoxy of set dining times and allocated tables when it introduced Freestyle Cruising – now called free and flexible cruising – which meant that passengers were allowed to eat whenever and wherever they wanted.

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to dine, when to dine and with whom to dine,” explains Nick Wilkinson, vice-president and managing director of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We believe that a cruise is a personal experience and we want our guests to have the freedom and flexibility to dine when they’re hungry. To enjoy the entertainment with whoever they want and whenever they want. In that way we create a resort-style feel and challenge that sector.”

It is that search for the personal touch on board which has seen other companies innovate.

Carnival Corporation took the technological approach last year when it announced the introduction of the Ocean Medallion – a small disc that holds details about the holder, enabling a world of experiences to be opened up. Staterooms unlock when you come within a certain distance,

barmen know your favourite drink and security staff can verify your identity as you approach them. It goes beyond that, though – thousands of screens will be installed on each ship that will display a chosen avatar, called a Tagalong, when you approach them. If you’re a family then your avatars will all be together, interacting. Your status within the loyalty scheme will be reflected, too – if you’re an elite guest your avatar may get a crown, for instance.

The entire programme is being led by John Padgett, Carnival’s innovation officer, who previously worked at Disney where he launched the MagicBand, a similar device, at Walt Disney World. The Ocean Medallion is being tested at present on Regal Princess.

These moves haven’t gone unnoticed at Carnival’s main rival,

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Royal Caribbean. Although there is one big difference in the way both companies are approaching the next stage of their passenger experience – namely in Royal’s choice not to use wearable technology.

“The Royal Caribbean app is our foundation,” explains Tim Klauda, vice-president of product, digital experience for Royal Caribbean Cruises. “One day we might move to wearables, but we already know that most of our guests show up with smartphones so it makes more sense to start there.”

The app, which will be activated across half the fleet (including Celebrity and Azamara) by the end of the year, is the company’s answer to Ocean Medallion.

Although in its infancy, the idea behind the app is simple: it will allow check-in, frictionless boarding (with the aim of getting guests from car to bar in 10 minutes) while also enhancing the onboard experience, potentially replacing the SeaPass Card for those who want it. Everything from yoga classes to restaurants will be bookable via the app, while the company is also planning a new on-ship location finder that works with a drinks ordering function and a messaging service – all of which will be especially useful on the 6,000 plus passenger, Oasis-class ships.

It’s no secret that the cruise industry has upped its game in the last ten years or so. The perceptions about a stale sector will die away as more and more lines publicise their innovations. And the message coming from the different lines is the same: the competition is no longer other cruise lines, it’s land-based resorts.

WELLNESS CRUISE

Cruise yourself fitter Gilly Pickup boards an AmaWaterways Rhine river cruise and – alongside the indulgences – enjoys a healthy lifestyle and gets plenty of exercise both on and off board

June 2018 | Midship The coach whisked me from the airport to join elegant river cruise ship AmaSonata, where my spick and span balcony cabin awaited. After the mandatory safety briefing and the chance to say hello to some fellow travellers, it was time to set sail on our Rhine odyssey with a difference.

This was a wellness themed cruise and I was determined to take the chance to experience as much as I could of what this had to offer.

AmaWaterways’ wellness programme was first rolled out on AmaLyra and now has fitness instructors on six ships in the European fleet. The programme includes up to four daily classes, including yoga or stretching, cardio, core strengthening, postural behaviour and a circuit class for those who want a more serious workout.

There is also at least one lecture a week on health, wellness and fitness and you can sign up for half-hourly or hourly personal training sessions at €35 and €50 respectively.

The healthy angle continues on land and AmaWaterways have ramped up their excursion options,

so guests can now choose from a packed programme. Sightseeing, cycling, hiking and walking tours – graded according to ability, with more rigorous options available – are all included in the cruise fare. For sleepy heads who can’t get up in the mornings, a few late-riser tour options are occasionally available.

All ships in Ama’s European fleet are equipped with a massage room, a small fitness room with treadmills and stationary bikes and a whirlpool or swimming pool and walking track – showcasing AmaWaterways’ passion and commitment for maintaining, or indeed kickstarting, a healthy lifestyle when away from home.

Certainly, this cruise left no stone unturned. I got into the habit of starting most days with early morning stretches, or joining a resistance band class in the lounge and, after lunch, taking advantage whenever possible of that day’s offerings, perhaps gentle yoga or a core-strengthening class.

As far as food on board goes, AmaWaterways specifies allergens in each dish, highlights healthy choices and offers gluten-free, low-salt and

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vegetarian options. They have a Hydration Station, too, which features gemstone water and infused detox water. As executive vice president Kirsten Karst points out: “We offer plenty of ways for our guests to burn off those extra calories, but know many guests simply enjoy adding healthier options to balance their meals.

Guests take great satisfaction knowing that the choice is theirs.”

Besides ample opportunities to get your blood pumping with bike rides, jogging and active walks, highlights of this trip were many. One was the chance to explore historic Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town where I joined the group hiking up the Philosopher’s Path to enjoy king-of-the-world views from the top. There was also the chance to swoop up on the funicular to check out its red-walled castle which has an ‘English wing’ built in 1612 by the elector Friedrich V for his Scottish bride. The Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest wine barrel, is in the castle cellar. It can hold over 250,000l of wine and has a dancefloor on top.

June 2018 | Midship One active excursion in the form of a 23km bike tour along the canals was offered in Strasbourg, the capital of France’s Alsace region, while Cologne, further along the Rhine, was where I joined the excursion to visit the magnificent Kölner Dom (cathedral).

Although it feels like a Herculean effort, climbing the 500 plus steps to the top is worth it for the magnificent view of the Rhine valley spread out below – and of course, in the spirit of the cruise, great exercise. What’s more, it also probably worked off a pudding’s worth of calories.

Rudesheim, home of Riesling wine for a thousand years, was also on the agenda, as of course, were wine tastings. This touristy town has plenty of wineries where visitors can sample wines which pleased Ama’s oenophiles, relieved that the wellness theme didn’t extend to a ban on the fruits of the vine. While in town there was the opportunity to try a cup of the famed Rudesheimer coffee, too – it’s made with brandy which is flambéed and stirred until the sugar melts, then topped with a dollop of whipped cream and garnished with chocolate flakes.

Yes, it is calorific. But, it was disco night that evening and there’s nothing like a boogie to assuage guilty feelings...

Amawaterways ‘Enchanting Rhine’ and wellness themed cruises at amawaterways.co.uk or 0800 520 2250

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The rise of the healthy cruise

Cruises are no longer just about eating – you can now lose weight and increase your fitness onboard Gone are the days when cruise was associated with passengers gorging themselves on food 24/7. This was what led to the old joke ‘board as a passenger and leave as freight’. It’s a sigh of relief all round because that old adage doesn’t apply any more.

On a cruise you can lose weight, or at least avoid gaining weight, as well as increase your fitness levels.

It’s a sign of the times that ever more cruise lines are jumping on the wellness at sea bandwagon. If you’re into meditation and yoga, there are plenty of options. Celebrity Cruises offer yoga and meditation sessions on the lawns of its Solsticeclass ships while Star Clippers yoga classes take place on deck.

If it’s tai chi that floats your boat – so to speak – Crystal Cruises and Holland America are two to go for. Crystal also offer a Walking on Water programme, where participants wear weighted vests, so walkers can increase their resistance training while walking round the promenade deck.

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Dance to your heart’s content with Princess Cruises’ Zumba classes, while Pilates and boot camp sessions are the name of the game on Norwegian Cruise Lines’ ships. They also offer indoor cycling classes which integrate technology to track intensity and enhance future workout results – no excuse for slacking during or after your cruise.

MSC Cruises’ Wellness Experience includes a health check with the ship’s doctor and body analysis with a personal trainer. Royal Caribbean is currently the only cruise line to offer ice skating and roller skating on its Quantum Class ships and, for something different, simulated sky diving is a great muscle work out, so be prepared to ache next day.

The wellness theme extends to shore excursions too, with operators including Avalon, AmaWaterways, Saga and Crystal offering guided cycle and/or hiking tours and jogging excursions. No excuse now for not getting into tip-top shape while cruising.

SMALL SHIP CRUISING Small ship cruising, like other sectors of the industry, is continuing to grow at a fast pace. The ships may be small, but there’s a huge choice for travellers. If the resort-style, city-on-a-ship with several thousand other passengers is not what your clients are looking for, you could suggest these smaller vessels, which typically carry up to 250 passengers. This type of cruise is more suited to exploration and can access some of the smaller ports that larger ships cannot reach. New for next year is Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Flora, which has been built specifically for Galápagos itineraries.

Other small ship lines include Poseidon, which offers trips to both the Arctic and Antarctica, and closer to home, The Majestic Line offers voyages to the west coast of Scotland. We’ve provided nine options – three each for Asia Pacific, the Americas and Europe, based around cultural, active and relaxing itineraries.

Where is your customer travelling?

AsiaPacific p43

Americas p44

Europe p45

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Asia-Pacific The Asia-Pacific region is ideal for small ship cruising, taking in the islands and archipelagos of Thailand, Myanmar and Southeast Asia, and also the incredibly diverse coastline of Australia.

The calm seas and warm weather, combined with the impressive array of wildlife and incredible rainforests and beaches, make for a relaxing and enriching experience, with plenty of opportunities for more active pursuits such as snorkelling or diving.

What sort of holiday do you want?

Cultural

Active

Relaxing

Who? Coral Expeditions Where? Darwin to Cairns When? October 2018 How long? 11 nights How much? From £4,708pp

Who? Intrepid Travel Where? Thailand When? December 2018 – February 2019 How long? Seven nights How much? From £1,704pp

Who? Pandaw Where? Myanmar When? November 2018 How long? 10 nights How much? From £3,331pp

Exploring the northern coastline and cultures of indigenous Australia at Cape York and Arnhem, this expedition cruise focuses on Australian art and is curated by Brian Robinson, the Torres Strait artist. On board, guests create their own pieces with art classes that provide insights into the skills, stories and creative legacy of the communities visited.

Cruises on the 50-passenger Panorama II offer guests access to some alternative tourist hotspots in Thailand. Activities include secluded diving, hikes through the Unesco World Heritage Site on the Similan Islands, plus visits to Khao Lak and Baan Talay Nok, both of which were rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami.

The Andaman Explorer journeys throught the Mergui Archipelago in southern Myanmar from Yangon to Kawthaung, or vice versa, on this relaxed coastal cruise with stops at the historic ports of Moulmein, Mergui and Tavoy. Guests can explore paradise islands in the Mergui Archipelago, visit pristine beaches, snorkel, spot the diverse bird and sea life and also visit local communities.

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Americas There are many amazing and diverse places that can be visited on a small ship cruise in the Americas, including destinations such as the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon and Antarctica. Cruise past beautiful beaches, stopping at towns, islands and coastal cities. The added bonus of sailing on a small ship in this region is that you can see local communities and spot wildlife by reaching the more isolated places that bigger vessels simply can’t reach, while still having a comfortable base to return to.

What sort of holiday do you want?

Cultural

Active

Relaxing

Who? Poseidon Expeditions Where? Falklands, South Atlantic & Antarctic Islands When? October 2018 How long? 19 nights How much? From £7,695pp

Who? Celebrity Cruises Where? Galápagos Islands When? June 2019 How long? 10 mights How much? £8,429pp

Who? Scenic Where? Panama, Colombia, Ecuador When? November 2018 How long? 11 nights How much? From £5,465pp

Guests learn about the history of the region and take part in photography activities during this Antarctic Awakening itinerary on the 114-passenger Sea Spirit.

The 19-night cruise takes in the spectacular scenery of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, as well as Antarctica, plus all the stunning marine and bird life.

Celebrity Cruises’ new 100-passenger ship Celebrity Flora, designed specifically for the Galápagos Islands, launches in May 2019. On the Quito & Galápagos Outer Loop itinerary, one night is spent in the Ecuadorian capital before guests fly to Baltra in the Galápagos to start the cruise, which calls at about 12 of the islands and includes hiking, snorkelling and exploring by Zodiac.

On board Scenic Eclipse, the ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, guests will cruise past beautiful coastlines and through the Panama Canal, as well as viewing wildlife, jungles and islands during excursions either on land or on the ship’s private submarine. There’s always adventure on this type of itinerary, but in the relaxing comfort of an ultra-luxury ship.

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Europe Taking a small ship cruise almost from your doorstep is a good suggestion for clients who are new to cruise and don’t want to travel too far, or might be put off by some of the larger resort-style ships. Compact vessels can access small ports in the UK and Europe allowing guests to see destinations from a new perspective. For more seasoned cruisers, it’s an ideal way for them to try something different and have some new experiences.

What sort of holiday do you want?

Cultural

Active

Relaxing

Who? CroisiEurope Where? Cyprus and Israel When? December 2018 How long? Seven nights How much? From £1,429pp

Who? G Adventures Where? Norway When? June and July 2018 How long? Eight nights How much? From £2,799pp

Who? The Majestic Line Where? Scotland When? June 2019 How long? Six nights How much? From £2,190pp

The Cyprus and the Holy Land cruise on the 197-guest Belle de l’Adriatique visits Haifa or Ashdod and Limassol with fullday excursions to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, as well as a guided tour of Nazareth. Further optional excursions include Nicosia and Kyrenia, Galilee, Kourion and Kolossi Castle, and Paphos Archaeological Park.

This Realm of the Polar Bear cruise is a round-trip from Longyearbyen and takes travellers for close-up encounters with icebergs, glaciers and wildlife.

Accompanied by experts, guests can explore on Zodiacs and by foot, looking out for polar bears, lounging seals, grazing reindeer and colonies of birds.

The Isles of the Southern Hebrides and Sea Lochs of Argyll cruise is on the company’s 11-guest ship Glen Tarsan. The itinerary follows an ancient sea route which offers a contrast between the remote islands of the Southern Hebrides and the sea lochs on the south Argyll coastline, passing the infamous whirlpool of Corryvreckan .

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FJORDS

From no way to Norway: how I learned to love cruise Andrew Darby was once seasick on a pedalo, but a trip to the beautiful scenery of Norway with Cruise & Maritime Voyages has changed his mind forever cruise adviser don’t half have a sense of humour. As a 30-year-old Midlander living in central London, I had once been seasick on a pedalo and the thought of getting on a rowing machine has been enough to give me sea legs. I’m perhaps, therefore, not the ideal candidate for an eight-day cruise tackling the North Sea up to Norway. But the fjords, one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes, had been on my bucket list for some time, and a cruise – I was told – was the only way to do it.

It was with this trepidation that I boarded Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ 1,250-capacity ship Magellan at Tilbury’s London Cruise Terminal.

Within half an hour my passport is checked, my bags are delivered to my

room and I’m enjoying a cocktail in the spring sun – not a bad start.

Our first stop is the very next morning in Amsterdam, which is enjoying King’s Day – a celebration of the monarch’s birthday – and the city is awash with orange. Before we wander the canals, we take the opportunity to visit Keukenhof, one of the world’s largest flower gardens which only opens its gates to tourists for two months of every year, after 10 months of cultivation. It is here that the Netherlands garners its reputation for tulips and, having opened to the public 69 years ago, it now has 100 cultivators donating millions of bulbs each year.

We have another day at sea before arriving at the fjords – a perfect

opportunity to explore the ship.

CMV unashamedly targets the older generation and, speaking to some of the veteran cruisers on board, it’s easy to understand why 40 per cent of its passengers are returning customers.

The itinerary and destination are, of course, the primary reasons why someone decides to book a particular cruise, but one passenger tells me it is with the food and entertainment where CMV get it so right. I become accustomed to this way of living: a two course breakfast and five course dinner become routine and my day is broken up with a morning quiz, a table tennis competition and a token attempt at using the gym facilities. This, in addition to the bingo, films, crafts, cabaret and spa treatments on offer.

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June 2018 | Midship It is the next morning, however, when I really understand why people cruise. As I pull my cabin curtains back, I am presented with a postcard vision. I have woken up in Eidfjord and the fuzzy head I acquired from the previous night’s Abba-inspired show quickly subsides. One of the many reasons that Eidfjord welcomes up to 600,000 visitors each summer is the Vøringfossen waterfall, which has a total fall of 182m. It is overlooked by the Wes Andersonesque Fossli Hotel, which has been family-owned for four generations.

The other is the Hardangerfjord – Norway’s second largest fjord – at which we don our fluorescent waterproofs for a high-speed RIB experience from the harbour.

Our day in Flåm is a roller coaster.

We cruise along the beautiful Aurlandsfjord and have lunch with Vikings, before taking the famous Flåmsbana railway which weaves through the mountain landscape up to Myrdal. We toast the day with a trip to the Ægir brewery where, by the fireplace, we are treated to a tasting session and given a background in the Norse mythology that inspired it. It has been a whirlwind day of history, culture

Magellan at Hardangerfjord and (below) the tranquil fjordland waters at Flåm

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June 2018 | Midship and scenery and my head is spinning, not – I assure my group – because of the ales I have sampled.

Olden is one of my personal highlights of the cruise. In the morning we head to Briksdal glacier and with the choice of hiking up or taking the aptly named ‘troll car’ we opt for the latter. By beating the crowds we have the glacier and the icy blue water below it to ourselves and admire a valley 10,000 years in the making. In the afternoon we continue our relaxed mode of travel by taking the Loen Skylift 1011m above sea level to Mount Hoven, drinking in the panoramic views as adventurous Norwegians take flight paragliding from its peak.

Our cruise of the fjords culminates in Bergen – Norway’s second city – one of the inspirations for Disney’s Frozen and a city decorated in colourful architecture. We take in the local food and visit the Edvard Munch exhibition at the KODE art museum and I begin to wonder how many other forms of travel would allow for such a variety of experience.

On our last evening, Mike Hall, head of marketing for CMV, tells me that the fjords cruise is the “benchmark” for cruising. If that is the case, then CMV certainly set a high standard. As for this now hardened seafarer, I’ll see you at the port for my next cruise…

THREE FJORDS CRUISES 11 nights from Liverpool

Nine nights from Liverpool

Seven days from Bergen

Cruise & Maritime Voyages – Magellan Liverpool (round-trip), August 18, 2019 From £839pp

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines – Black Watch Liverpool (round-trip), August 8, 2018 From £1,299pp

Hurtigruten – various ships Bergen-Kirkenes, year-round From £629pp

The Summertime Fjordland itinerary visits Bergen and Stavanger and cruises deep blue fjords, such as Geirangerfjord. There are also stops at Dublin and Shetland on the way.

The nine-night Fjords, Mountains & Glaciers cruise includes visits to all the fjordland highlights: Tystigen and Briksdal Glaciers, Kjosfossen Waterfall, Olden, Flåm and Bergen.

The seven-day Classic Voyage North itinerary heads from Bergen to Kirkenes visiting major coastal cities and tiny remote villages and travels beyond the Arctic Circle.

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June 2018 | Aft

DIRECTORY Got a cruise query? Let us assist you.

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

CRUISE LINES!

Information missing or out of date?

Email info@cruise-adviser.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cruise & Maritime Voyages Lisa Jacobs, head of trade sales 0844 414 6140 lisa.jacobs@cruiseandmaritime.com Crystal Cruises Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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June 2018 | Aft Hebridean Island Cruises Lisa White, reservations manager 01756 704 704 lisa.white@hebridean.co.uk

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Disney Cruise Line Juliet Holden, account executive 080 0171 2317

Heritage Line Emma Wild, head of sales 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Latin Routes Jessica Bain, director 020 8546 6222 info@latinroutes.co.uk Leger Holidays Ashley Dellow, head of retail sales 01709 385 811 retail.sales@leger.co.uk

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

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

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June 2018 | Aft Paul Gaugin Mick Dupont, head of UK sales 020 7399 7602 mick@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

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

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

Manatee Amazon Explorer Emma Wild, head of sales 0808 168 1458 salesuk@ewaterways.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Princess Cruises Mark Lowman, manager – sales operations 023 8065 6531 mark.lowman@princesscruises.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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June 2018 | Aft Travelsphere & Just You Polly Poulton, national account manager 01858 588 406 polly.poulton@Travelsphere.co.uk

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

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

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

Seabourn James Scott, business development representative 0344 338 8610 james.scott@seabourn.co.uk Lucy Harris, business development representative 0344 338 8610 lucy.harris@seabourn.co.uk

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

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

Victoria Cruises Tom Antonucci, sales manager +1 212 818 1680 tom@victoriacruises.co.uk Viking Cruises Andrew Schweitzer, regional sales manager (south) 07825 986 996 andrew.schweitzer@vikingcruises.com Jenny Wade, regional sales manager (north) 07966 995 012 jenny.wade@vikingcruises.com

SeaDream Yacht Club Mark Schmitt, sales director 07904 068 407 mschmitt@seadream.com Shearings Michael Bowers, national sales manager 01942 823 449 sales.support@shearings.com

Volga Dream Hannah Logan, UK sales manager 0800 035 3189 hannah@fredrivercruises.co.uk

Silversea Sales support 020 7340 0700 salesuk@silversea.com

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

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

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

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

Titan Travel Edwina Coppock, agency sales manager 012 9345 0726; 078 3465 2135 edwina.coppock@titantravel.co.uk Travel2 Colin Currie, head of sales 07891 257 160 colin.currie@travel2.com

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June 2018 | Aft THINGS TO DO

GAMESROOM

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

CROSSWORD See the next cruise adviser in July for the answers

MAY SOLUTION

ACROSS 6. City at the mouth of the Daugava (4) 7. New Zealand port (6)

SUDOKU

DOWN 1. Tiny (11) 2. Second-largest Hawaiian island (4)

8. Cost of holidays afloat (6,5)

3. Ragged wounds (11)

9. Powdery residue (3)

5. Fly off the handle (4,7)

See the next cruise adviser in July for the answers

4. Bolivian capital (2,3)

10. Gondola (3)

12. Technical data (5)

11. Explosive sound (3)

14. Stern angle (4)

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13. Most important (3,8)

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15. B3 (6) 16. Nautical speed unit (4)

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June 2018 | Aft

QUIZ

WIN!

A fam trip on the Seine with CroisiEurope

See bottom of page for answers

1. Actors Elisabeth Moss, Tom Cruise and John Travolta have what in common?

2. What is the key ingredient in an Old Fashioned cocktail?

3. Which filmmaker will direct the 25th James Bond film?

4. Iona is found in which island group?

5. Virgin Voyages has given what name to its trade partners?

6. What is the longest river in Europe?

7. After Mont Blanc, what is the highest mountain in France?

8. The Magic Carpet is a feature on what upcoming ship?

Win a place on a CroisiEurope fam trip on the Seine in November 2018, after the Clia River Cruise Convention in Paris. The prize includes your cabin, all food and drink on board and excursions.

World Cup special 1. Which three nations have won the World Cup and never lost a final?

To enter, answer the following question and send your answer to info@cruise-adviser.com with the subject line “June competition”.

2. Who is the only player to have played and scored for two countries at a World Cup?

What is the name of CroisiEurope’s newest ship on the Seine, relaunched in April 2018?

3. What was the name of the dog who found the Jules Rimet trophy after its theft in 1966?

Terms and conditions apply, See cruise-adviser.com/terms-conditions

4. How many players have been sent off in a World Cup final?

5. Who were the only unbeaten nation at the 2010 World Cup? 6. Who has finished runner-up in the World Cup a record four times?

ANSWERS

1. They are all Scientologists. 2. Bourbon or rye whiskey. 3. Danny Boyle. 4. Inner Hebrides. 5. First Mates. 6. Volga. 7. Grandes Jorasses. 8. Celebrity Edge |1. England, Spain and Uruguay. 2. Robert Prosinecki for Yugoslavia and Croatia. 3. Pickles. 4. Five.

5. New Zealand. 6. Germany.

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June 2018 | Aft

RECIPE

COCKTAIL

In the galley

Stampede Caesar

The best recipes at sea. This month: Baked Alaska flambée in Grand Marnier from CroisiEurope

Try a twist on Canada’s national cocktail with this recipe courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer, the rail travel specialist Ingredients 60ml Rye (Lot 40 or similar) 120ml mango nectar 120ml Clamato juice 90-120ml. lime juice Dash of sriracha sauce Black pepper Dash of Worcestershire sauce Chilli sugar Garnish Mango slice, fresh thai chili, pepper jerky, grilled asparagus, lime slice

Ingredients Sponge cake – home-baked or ready-made 1 litre ice cream – any flavour 50ml Grand Marnier 8 egg whites 5 teaspoons mandarin juice 500g caster sugar pinch of salt Method First, scoop the softened ice cream into a suitable mould such as a dome-shaped bowl, lined with a little oil or clingfilm. Put in the freezer until completely hard.

Cut the sponge into enough strips to cover the ice-cream-centre, then soak in Grand Marnier combined with the mandarin juice.

Upend the ice cream onto a baking tray and cover with the sponge as evenly as possible. Press gently and then put in the freezer for two hours.

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

Now for the meringue. Beat the egg whites with an electric whisk until they are fluffy and stand up in peaks. Add a pinch of salt and gently whisk in the caster sugar 1tbsp at a time until the mixture is thick and glossy.

Using a nozzle, cover the sponge with the meringue mix before returning it to the freezer for at least ten minutes and up to two hours.

Once ready to serve, pre-heat the oven to 250C. Set the Grand Marnier on a low heat: it should be warmed through but must not boil.

Put the Alaska in the oven. Watch continuously and remove as soon as the peaks of the meringue have started to brown – this should take three to five minutes.

To flambé, use a long-handled lighter to set fire to the Grand Marnier and pour gently over the dessert. Alternatively, pour first and light afterwards. Serve.

Method Coat the rim of the glass in chilli sugar.

Fill to the top with ice.

Pour ingredients in the order listed.

Stir well to mix the cocktail and garnish.

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June 2018 | Aft

LOOKOUT

Images from the latest industry events 1. Ten agents, along with Hurtigruten and Travel 2 representatives, joined a section of the Exploring Canadian Maritimes route on board MS Fram – one of Hurtigruten’s pole-to-pole itineraries.

The trip combined land stays and three days at sea.

2. MSC Cruises recently hosted three fam trips on MSC Magnifica, MSC Divina and MSC Meravilgia inviting 50 travel agents along.

3. Agents from Hays Travel, Affinion International Travel, HPB Travel Club and Miles Morgan Travel experienced Viking Cruises onboard the Viking Kvasir during its Rhine Getaway itinerary. The group joined the cruise in Cologne (pictured) before disembarking in Amsterdam after two nights on board.

4. Princess Cruises aired the Royal Wedding live on all 17 of its ships.

Pictured is 2,670-guest Sapphire Princess – currently sailing to northern and southern Europe from Southampton – which was in Livorno, Italy, on the day of the wedding.

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5. A group of Cruise & Maritime Voyages trade partners recently returned from an eight-night fjords fam trip cruise on board Magellan.

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June 2018 | Aft

FINAL WORD

Are we getting millennials all wrong?

As Thomas Cook rethinks the future of its iconic Club 18-30 brand, perhaps the travel industry has failed to keep up with what younger people want from travel Last month, Hostelworld released research which said that 24 per cent of millennials book their holidays for cultural experiences over any other reason. That compared to just three per cent who said that they go on holiday to party.

As if to back that up, the research came at the same time that travel giant Thomas Cook said they were rethinking the future of their iconic Club 18-30 youth brand.

It would seem, at least to many onlookers, that young people are breaking the mould set by previous generations. According to recent newspaper reports, 42 per cent of millennials say they are drinking less alcohol and there has been a 40 per cent rise in young teetotallers. Does this mean that holiday companies have actually been marketing to millennials incorrectly?

It’s interesting to see how some of the specialists have been doing

things. In our May edition of cruise adviser, Sara Macefield spent a few days travelling on U by Uniworld – the new river line specifically being aimed at the millennial market. On board, guests take yoga classes and use the free wi-fi surrounded by artwork by the likes of Tracey Emin.

Interestingly, another company from the same stable as U by Uniworld, Contiki, has launched a tour called Snap Canada – which features a photography expert who can help travellers get that perfect shot to share across their social media channels.

Royal Caribbean gets their young staff to set up a Snapchat group for every cruise – creating a communications channel for millennials. They’ve also done away with cameras for on board photographers and replaced them with iPhones to create social media ready snaps. Both ideas were

generated by a group of interns from Chester University during the summer holidays.

As a travel agent, when you sell to millennials, what are the main elements of a cruise that you promote? Maybe it’s time to put aside the drinks packages and nightclubs and start looking at marketing those Instagram-friendly destinations that are going to get this generation of ‘Ego-Tourists’ (not our phrase) – really excited.

Luckily, there are plenty of different types of cruises to choose from, with all manner of incredible experiences on each: whether it’s hiking in the beautiful Norwegian fjords, discovering a local restaurant in the Amalfi Coast or swimming in Santorini – a cruise is perfect for millennials hungry for those experience-rich destinations.

Just make sure you don’t offer them a banana daiquiri.

COMING NEXT TIME Total bliss

Crystal clear

California dreaming

Sam Ballard joins Norwegian Cruise Line in Seattle to experience the company’s latest ship, the outstanding Norwegian Bliss

Jill Sayles is in Amsterdam with Crystal River Cruises as it officially welcomes Crystal Debussy to its ultra-luxury fleet

Joining Silversea on the trip of a lifetime, Sue Bryant explores the spectacular west coast of America in absolute luxury CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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So much to do, so much time.

COUNT DOWN TO NIEUW STATENDAM Arrives December 2018 Caribbean • Northern Europe • Mediterranean

Sister to Koningsdam, this beautifully appointed mid-sized 2,666-guest ship is 2nd in Pinnacle-class and reflects our continuing evolution, offering classic style alongside state-of-the-art enhancements in grand, light-filled spaces and sumptuous interiors.

In the Crow’s Nest, Explorations Central (EXC) will offer a range of sophisticated online and personalised resources to help travellers make the most of their cruise destinations, according to their own interests.

Dining venues range from the elegant two-tier restaurant to Rudi’s Sel de Mer, the Pinnacle Grill or the Pan Asian Tamarind (now with an al-fresco terrace), draught lager and continental snacks at the Grand Dutch Café, and more informal fare at the Lido Marketplace, Canaletto and New York Pizza & Deli.

Incredible shows take place at The Main Stage, including BBC Earth Blue Planet and Planet Earth II concerts, while guests may enjoy classical strings, 50 years of chart hits at Billboard Onboard and BB Kings Blues at Music Walk.

Staterooms feature modern touches such as bedside USB ports, frameless shower doors and customized wood cabinets, including family ocean-view rooms (for up to 5), and dedicated singles.

SALES CONTACTS POLAR Online: via www.hollandamerica.com and click on partnerships Reservations by phone: 0344 338 8600 Contact the Sales Team: 0344 338 8604 or email salessupport@hollandamerica.co.uk For online training visit www.halacademy.co.uk