Agents win big during Southampton Cruise Challenge
Travel agents from across the UK descended on Southampton on Wednesday (21 May) for the latest instalment of The Cruise Challenge
The 60-strong attendees enjoyed food, drinks and networking, before presentations were made by Riviera Travel’s Jess Payne, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Pam Smith, Virgin Voyages’ Jack Atherton, Tauck’s Tom Dumbrell and Fred. Holidays’ Paul Mellon.
With the presentations complete, The Cruise Challenge’s effervescent host Pete Smith took to the stage to quiz each team on the key insights revealed to them earlier, with bottles of champagne, £50 Amazon vouchers and branded goodies up for grabs.
Michael Holmes from InteleTravel said: “I’ve been to about seven or eight of these events now.
“The Cruise Challenge has a lot of energy, it’s very educational and it’s really fun to attend. It’s a great opportunity to network and socialise while also learning something new. It’s a real fresh take on agent training.”
Rich Rochester, from GoCruise and Travel, said: “I’ve heard great things about the event, I’ve followed it on the socials and now it’s in my hometown I thought it would be a great time to come along.
“I love the variety of the different suppliers, and also the informality of it. It’s relaxed, you can have a drink, a chat, eat some nice food while finding out what’s coming next.
“You’ve got to come to these things to just get out there and meet the suppliers and other agents, to pick up some best practice and network. It’s great to be part of this great industry and to learn some new things.”
Sam Beddoe, an InteleTravel agent based in Waterlooville, said: “I’m quite new to the business, so I wanted to find out more about what’s available out there.
“This event is great as you get to see a range of products at once, which widens my knowledge base. It’s definitely worth the time to come to an event like this, you get to talk to the suppliers and network with other agents as well.”
The Cruise Challenge began its 2025 season on 13 March with an evening of fun-filled training at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool, and has since held its first overseas edition in Germany, as part of InteleTravel and Riviera Travel’s inaugural River Cruise Conference.
To find out more and to register your attendance, click here.
Cruise Challenge 2025 dates
LEEDS CRUISE CHALLENGE – 12TH JUNE 2025
Crowne Plaza Leeds
MANCHESTER CRUISE CHALLENGE – 10TH JULY 2025
Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel
NEWCASTLE CRUISE CHALLENGE – 3RD SEPTEMBER 2025
TBC
LONDON CRUISE CHALLENGE – 17TH SEPTEMBER 2025
TBC
BELFAST CRUISE CHALLENGE – 24TH SEPTEMBER 2025
National Football Stadium at Windsor Park
CARDIFF CRUISE CHALLENGE – 19TH NOVEMBER 2025
TBC
ST ALBANS CRUISE CHALLENGE – 26TH NOVEMBER 2025
TBC
