Welcome to the August/September issue of Cruise Trade News.

Every cruise is special, there’s no doubt about that. However, sometimes, everything clicks, falls into place, and results in a truly special time.

That’s what we were lucky enough to experience this summer, on a VIP fam trip with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

Sailing to Iceland on Borealis, one of the line’s new ships, I joined eight travel agents for 10 days, to learn about the Fred Olsen product and the Olsen Way – 10 key principles that define Fred Olsen and what makes the cruise line unique.

The voyage gave agents the chance to immerse themselves in everything on board the ship and take part in some unforgettable shore excursions, with every day and activity designed to showcase an Olsen Way principle.

Inside this issue you will find a full report and tips on how you can learn more.

The positivity continues our latest investigation focusing on how the sector is supporting charities and humanitarian efforts across the globe, including in the upcoming London Marathon as a group of travel professionals prepare to take on the challenge to raise money for the Family Holiday Charity.

Elsewhere, we hear from Arena River Cruises MD Steve Goodenough on the operator’s plan to attract more clients to river cruising, and report back from a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

We also speak to CLIA UK & Ireland MD Andy Harmer, fresh from the awarding of his OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list, who explains why the future for agent and cruise line relationships looks bright.