So that’s January done. Considered by many to be a dreary, drab month, as temperatures dip and winds increase… well, that was definitely the case in the delightful town of Romford.

Despite being just one month old, this year has already produced a series of heavy-hitting cruise headlines, whether that’s A-list partnerships – Celebrity Cruises is working with actor Gwyneth Paltrow for a special wellness event on Celebrity Apex – or the announcement of the 2020 Wave Awards finalists.

This very special event not only brings together the industry but also rewards innovation in the sector. We hear it all the time: industries must adapt or suffer the consequences, but come along to the Wave Awards and it’s clear to see that cruise is leading the pack when it comes to meeting changing passenger needs. Read more about this on page 10.

Elsewhere in this issue, we speak to AmaWaterways about its online training programme and plans for a new ship on the Nile (page 22), and take a look at the best special-occasion cruises, from milestone birthdays to weddings at sea (page 24).

As for those all-important selling tips, MSC Cruises’ Steve Williams outlines how to pitch a family cruise, while Jeannine Williamson delves into the world of pre and post-tours – again, complete with the key advice for boosting those sales.

This month’s ship review comes from Dave Monk, who was lucky enough to sail on American Song along the Snake and Columbia rivers (page 38). Speaking of rivers, we catch up with Viking, on page 18, to discuss future plans and itineraries.

Finally, please join me in welcoming Melissa Moody to the Cruise Trade News team. As the newest cog in our cruise machine she will play an integral role in the development of the brand.

Happy reading.