Exclusive: Agents boost luxury knowledge during ‘ultimate’ ship visit
Several travel agents have praised a recent ship visit event for boosting their knowledge of the luxury cruise sector
The showcase, held by the ITC Travel Group and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, saw seven agents from across the UK travel to Lisbon and Porto to visit to Seven Seas Grandeur and Seven Seas Navigator.
Agents in attendance included Mia Gamble from Aspire Travel Cambridge; Gary Wright and Angela Briggs from Designer Travel; Heather Tarrant from the Travel Village Group; Kit Robinson from Norseman Travel Newcastle; Connie Willis from Delmar Travel Chester; and Briony Rennison from Ventur Luxury Travel Harrogate.
From 31 May-3 June, the group, hosted by ITC cruise product & travel relationship manager Denise Walker, trade partnership executive Cheryl Elliott-Edwards and Regent business development specialist Harriet Smith, spent a night in Porto at the Vinha Boutique Hotel and two nights in Lisbon’s Corinthia Hotel.
Walker said: “Following the success of the ITC/Regent Seven Seas Ultimate ship visit to Venice in October 2023, it was only right to host another; this time to experience two wonderful cities – Lisbon and Porto.
“The co-hosted trip was fantastic with some luxury hotel stays and two fabulous ship visits. Most of our attendees hadn’t boarded a Regent ship before, so this was invaluable to them, alongside experiencing some of the luxury product within the Inspiring Travel portfolio, whether this be for a pre or post cruise stay or a city break.”
Tarrant added: “This was such a lovely way of experiencing this luxury cruise brand whilst also seeing a little of beautiful Portugal. Whilst quite a high percentage of my business is cruise, only a small amount is luxury.
“I now have more confidence to promote luxury cruising to more of my clients as a result of being onboard these two intimate, and very relaxed, luxury ships.”
