Christmas is here. How strange it feels to be writing those words – it seems only a few moments ago that i used this page to usher in this year for Cruise Trade News. It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for us, with the launch of an updated website, new digital publications and a stronger focus on tackling the important issues in the industry through the printed magazine.

There’s plenty to be excited about for next year too, as we continue to evolve and improve on what we offer you across all our channels. However, as for the here and now. In what has become a Cruise Trade News tradition, it is time for the cruise advent calendar, in partnership with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

This, of course, means a different front cover than usual, replicating that much-loved Christmas hobby of opening doors, as the days tick by, for a small treat. The difference being that opening the doors of our cover advent calendar could win you a fantastic prize. More on that in this magazine.

Elsewhere, we take a forensic look at what 2023 has in store for the industry and explain why you should join the Cruise Challenge next year for the most innovative training event in cruise.

Our final cruise of the year takes us to Corsica, on board Pennant’s gorgeous Le Bougainville, while we also provide some handy tips on how to sell ship-within-a-ship concepts, which are growing in popularity.

We also showcase some of the highlights from the Wave Awards 2022, which we held in November in central London. It’s been said many times before, but there’s no better feeling than celebrating success in the cruise industry. I think speak for all of those who attended when i say it was an absolute blast.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and good luck winning those prizes in the advent calendar.