Cruise Summit 2026
About
How world events, new technologies and fresh thinking
are shaping the future of cruise
The cruise industry is navigating a period of unprecedented change. From geopolitical uncertainty and shifting consumer behaviours to advances in AI and digital marketing, disruption is reshaping how cruise brands attract, engage and retain customers.
The event will bring together senior leaders, innovators and industry experts to explore how cruise businesses can thrive in this evolving landscape and highlight emerging growth opportunities in ocean, river, luxury and expedition cruising. Across a day of insightful presentations, expert panels and thought-provoking discussions, attendees will examine the trends, technologies and strategies shaping the future of cruise.
Designed for cruise professionals seeking fresh ideas and practical insights, the summit will provide a forward-looking perspective on how disruption can be transformed into opportunity.
We are delighted to once again offer complimentary tickets to this year’s Cruise Summit for cruise lines and travel agents.
To request your place, please click here, complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch to confirm your attendance.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and be part of the conversations shaping the future of cruise travel.
Agenda
This year’s agenda builds on the insights shared in Cruise Trade News inaugural cruise industry report launched earlier in the year.
REGISTRATION
Teas, coffees and pastries on arrival
Cruise Summit Starts
Welcome from Jack Carter, Group Editor, World of Cruising and Cruise Trade News
The Big Picture
Cruise Trade News kicks off the Cruise Summit by setting the scene with insights into navigating uncertainty and planning for the future, followed by CLIA’s state of the industry update. Together, these opening sessions provide the perfect foundation for a day of insight, discussion and strategic thinking.
Speakers:
Will Payne, Editor, Cruise Trade News
Josie Klein, Deputy Editor, Cruise Trade News
Andy Harmer, Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland
What's driving the next wave of cruise growth?
Sponsored by Accord Marketing
As cruise continues to evolve, growth is being driven by an increasingly diverse range of experiences. From the rise of river and expedition cruising to the continued demand for luxury, family and contemporary holidays, which sectors are seeing the greatest momentum – and why? Join industry leaders as they discuss changing traveller expectations, emerging trends and where the biggest opportunities lie for the future of cruise.
Panellists:
Jasman Ahmad, Chief Strategy Officer, Accord Marketing
Tom Scott, Head of Sales, Travelzoo
Will Sarson, Product Director, Riviera Travel
Nathaniel Sherborne, SVP and MD, EMEA / ANZ and Global Sales Enablement, HX Expeditions
Carly Perkins, Senior Marketing Manager UK & EMEA, Seabourn
How technology disruption creates opportunity
Discover how AI and emerging technologies are transforming the travel customer journey. Hear practical insights from Google, HolidayPirates and Insider One on the future of search, social-first inspiration, and strategies to drive acquisition, retention and revenue growth.
Speakers:
Stathis Filippatos, Industry Head-Travel, Google
Nick Cooper, Head of Market (General Manager), HolidayPirates Group
Nico Beukes, UK&I & Nordics CEO, Insider One
LUNCH
Selection of sandwiches will be provided
Cruise Insights: Keynote Sessions - Part 1
Hear directly from some of the industry’s leading cruise brands as they share expert insights into the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the future of cruising. In these focused keynote sessions, each speaker will explore a key topic, from the evolution of river and expedition cruising to the growing importance of destinations and building customer loyalty in an ever-changing market. Packed with practical insights and fresh perspectives, these sessions are designed to inspire new thinking and help travel professionals stay ahead of the latest developments across the cruise sector.
Speakers:
Nathaniel Sherborne, SVP and MD, EMEA / ANZ and Global Sales Enablement, HX Expeditions
Session: The Power of Face-to-Face Selling: Bringing Expedition to Life for Customers
Geoff Ridgeon, Head of Sales, Fred. OIsen Cruise Lines
Session: Beyond the Mature Cruises: When is their Right Time to Cruise
Going beyond the ship: Creating seamless travel experiences (Panel)
As travellers increasingly expect connected, end-to-end journeys, how can cruise lines, holiday operators, destinations and travel partners work together to create more seamless, personalised experiences? From pre-departure planning to post-cruise stays, new technologies, including AI, are helping the industry better anticipate traveller needs, strengthen partnerships and unlock new revenue opportunities. How can collaboration across the travel ecosystem deliver journeys that feel effortless for customers while creating value for every partner?
Panelists:
Kate Thompson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Abercrombie & Kent
Mark Henderson, Head of Specialist Product, Gold Medal
Yas McKechnie, Director of Sales UK, Ireland & EMEA, Princess Cruises
Florian Valmy-Devillers, Business Development Director, Caribbean Tourism Organisation
Dave Mills, Chief Commercial Officer, Iglu.com
Cruise Insights: Keynote Sessions – Part 2
Speakers:
Amanda Docherty, Head of Trade – UK & Ireland, Riviera Travel
Session: The future of river cruising
Hayley Moore, VP of Sales & Marketing for UK and Emerging Markets, Hurtigruten
Session: Why destinations matter more than ever
COFFEE BREAK
Selection of teas and coffees available.
Attracting New Audiences, Without Alienating the Core
How can the cruise industry appeal to new audiences while staying true to its loyal customer base? Moderated by Debbie Marshall from the Silver Marketing Association, this engaging panel brings together experienced cruisers, new-to-cruise perspectives and industry expertise from Mundy Cruising to explore changing perceptions, evolving expectations and how the industry can broaden its appeal without losing what makes cruising so special.
Moderated by Debbie Marshall, Managing Director, Silver Marketing Association
Panelists:
Anna Newlands (Experience cruiser)
Alice Newlands (Cruise curious)
Cathy Rogers, Blogger from CruiseAddicted
Sharon Trigg, Reservation Manager from Mundy Cruising
Ask the Expert Hotseat
New for this year’s Cruise Summit, this fast-paced session brings together senior industry leaders for an interactive discussion on the biggest issues shaping the future of cruise. From geopolitical developments and deployment strategy to economic uncertainty and emerging source markets, expect expert insights, lively debate and practical perspectives from leaders representing Royal Caribbean, Hurtigruten, Marella Cruises, and MSC Cruises.
Moderated by Will Payne, Editor, Cruise Trade News
Panellists:
Gerard Nolan, Vice President and Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International
Chris Hackney, Chief Executive Officer – Marella Cruises
Antonio Paradiso, Vice President of International Sales, – MSC Cruises
Iain Powell, Chief Commercial Officer – Hurtigruten
Kate Thompson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Abercrombie & Kent
CRUISE SUMMIT ENDS
Speakers
Moderators
Panellists
Ask to the Expert ‘Hotseat’
Sponsors

Riviera Travel
Riviera Travel is an established, traditional and award-winning cruise line, experts in what they do and guaranteed to deliver a fantastic cruise experience. What makes this cruise line so special is its programme of escorted tours and shore excursions, offering experiences such as tours of wineries not open to the public and special concerts in grand European buildings.

Accord Marketing
Established in 1988, Accord Marketing is an award-winning, proudly independent performance marketing agency with offices in London and the South-West. Experienced, flexible and energetic, clients come to us for ideas, service and results. Most consider us true extensions of their team, working closely with us to devise, develop and implement every stage of their marketing plans.
Working with a range of cruise operators, airlines, tourist boards, tour operators and online travel companies, we are proud to represent some of the leading travel brands and destinations in the world.
For more information on Accord, visit: accordmarketing.com

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen originated in Hvitsten, a small town on the shores of Oslofjord, Norway, in 1848 when three Olsen brothers – Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas – bought their first ships and began an international shipping company. 175 years later, and now into the fifth generation of the family, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines operate cruises from the UK and inspirational Grand Voyages aboard three smaller, intimately-sized ocean-going ships and sail to some of the world’s greatest and most authentic destinations to provide guests with simply unforgettable holiday experiences.
Alongside Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the Fred. Olsen group also operate a variety of other companies, including Fred. Olsen Travel, and Fred. Olsen Express ferries in the Canary Islands, and has interests in the luxury hotel, aviation, estate management, electronics and offshore energy industries. Fred. Olsen offices are spread throughout the globe, although the group’s main headquarters remain firmly in the family’s hands in Oslo and Tenerife. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is based in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, England.

Travelzoo
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts, reaching 30 million travellers worldwide. Members receive exclusive offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by travel deal experts. Through relationships with thousands of leading travel companies, Travelzoo secures exceptional deals across holidays, hotels and experiences, providing valuable savings and inspiring travel opportunities tailored to members’ lifestyles.

Crystal Cruises
Crystal has been the watchword for exceptional cruises for three decades. In 2022, world-leading travel company A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and we refurbished and relaunched our flagships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Now we have set a new standard at sea.

HX Expeditions
For 130 years, HX Expeditions has been leading the way in expedition travel, taking curious travellers to more than 250 destinations across the world, from Antarctica and Greenland to Svalbard, the Galápagos Islands, Alaska and many more. Today, HX Expeditions operates a fleet of five modern ships, combining sustainability, science, and education to create transformative travel experiences. A pioneer in sustainable expedition cruising, HX Expeditions was the first expedition company to eliminate heavy fuel oils, remove unnecessary single-use plastics from its operations, and introduce two hybrid-powered expedition ships. The company also supports scientific research by donating more than 1,900 complimentary expedition nights to onboard scientists, while the HX Foundation provides grants to community projects focused on education and marine conservation. To find out more, visit travelhx.com.

Insider One
Insider One is an Agentic Customer Engagement Platform enabling autonomous, AI-driven customer engagement and growth. Combining a native Customer Data Platform, journey orchestration, advanced personalisation and purpose-built AI agents, it helps brands automate end-to-end customer journeys. Trusted by over 2,000 companies worldwide, Insider One delivers real-time learning, execution and optimisation at scale.

HolidayPirates
HolidayPirates is an international publisher of travel deals and destination content. Founded in 2011 as a travel blog, it has grown into a global brand operating in 10 countries. With millions of followers, subscribers and monthly website visits, HolidayPirates helps travellers discover inspiring destinations, exceptional deals and affordable holiday opportunities worldwide.

Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten is one of the world’s great journeys. Since 1893, we have sailed the length of the Norwegian coast – connecting communities, carrying generations of locals, and welcoming travellers who want to experience Norway as it truly is.
Our journeys are shaped by a simple philosophy: Norway, your way. Whether you travel for a few days or a few weeks, there is a voyage to match your pace and curiosity. From the southern fjords to the far north and Svalbard, our routes follow the natural rhythms of the coast. Many guests choose to combine their voyage with scenic rail journeys and land tours, creating a deeper, richer experience of Norway and the Nordics.

Trafalgar River Cruises
Trafalgar brings nearly 80 years of travel expertise to Europe’s rivers, combining effortless cruising with the authentic experiences the brand is known for. Guests can sail the Rhine, Danube and Seine aboard stylish ships, with almost everything taken care of from the moment they step onboard. Locally inspired dining, daily included experiences and local tours are complemented by Trafalgar signatures, including exclusive Be My Guest experiences and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that connect guests with the people, places and stories behind each destination. At the heart of every sailing is Trafalgar’s dedicated team, including an Experience Director and Experience Manager, supported by a friendly onboard crew and a 3:1 guest-to-crew ratio. From uncovering local secrets ashore to relaxing over regional flavours onboard, Trafalgar River Cruises offer a seamless, social and immersive way to discover Europe – bringing everything guests love about Trafalgar from land to river.

AROYA Cruises
AROYA Cruises is the first Arabian cruise line, launched in June 2023 by Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company. The cruise line began operations in December 2024 and was developed in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global tourism destination. AROYA offers immersive, year-round voyages designed to deliver a Remarkably Arabian experience at sea, sailing seasonally across the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf.
Its flagship vessel, AROYA, offers 1,678 cabins, 12 restaurants, 17 lounges and cafés and 20 entertainment venues, alongside Blossom by AROYA wellness and sports facilities and one of the largest kids’ zones in the cruise industry. The ship also features Khuzama, AROYA’s VIP experience designed for guests seeking a more exclusive stay with elevated personalised service.
For more information or updates about AROYA Cruises, please visit aroya.com/en or contact [email protected]
Getting there
30 Euston Road
A Grade II* listed landmark on the corner of Euston Road and Melton Street, 30 Euston Square blends grand Greek Revival architecture with modern event spaces - our venue for Cruise Summit.
Our selected venue sits directly opposite the Wellcome Collection, a short walk from Euston, Euston Square and King’s Cross St Pancras stations.
By Train
Euston or Euston Square | London Underground (The Tube). Euston Station is served by the Northern, Victoria and Overground lines; Euston Square by the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines. On leaving Euston Station, bear right towards Euston Square Underground and University College Hospital - the venue is a one-minute walk on the corner of Euston Road and Melton Street. King’s Cross St Pancras is a further 7-10 minute walk.
By Car
No on-site parking | The nearest car park is George Mews Car Park, North Gower Street, NW1 2EU, a short walk from the venue. The closest 24-hour option is CitiPark, Clipstone Mews, W1W 5DG.
By Bus
Euston Road | Numerous routes stop close to the venue, including 18, 27, 30, 59, 68, 73, 91, 168, 205, 253, 390 and 476.
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