Ocean Cruise News

1 min read

'Use coolcation trend to promote Norway,' advises Hurtigruten chief

• Coolcations are a rising trend which can by utilised be agents to promote Norway, says the line's commercial chief, Iain Powell
• Hot temperatures experienced across Europe over the last two summers combined with a growing appetite for adventure travel have prompted a surge in demand for holidays in cooler climates
• Agents can benefit from this trend by promoting cooler destinations, Powell added

2 mins read

Royal Caribbean acquires 50% stake in Sandals in $3bn joint venture

• Royal Caribbean Group has acquired 50 per cent of Sandals Resorts in a $3 billion joint venture
• The partnership expands Royal Caribbean Group into an adjacent holiday category and will include access to all 20 of Sandals' all-inclusive Caribbean resorts.
• Existing reservations, loyalty programmes, resort operations and cruise operations will continue as usual

1 min read

Holland America Line to add beach club to private island in Caribbean

• Holland America Line is adding a beach club to its private island destination in The Bahamas
• Passengers who purchase a day pass will receive priority tendering from the ship to the island
• Other enhancements include a new food pavilion serving a barbecue menu, upgraded cabanas and daybeds, renovated bars and restaurants and refreshed pickleball courts

1 min read

Hurtigruten records strongest revenue in 133-year history

• Hurtigruten has recorded the strongest revenue since the line was founded in 1893
• Chief commercial officer has Iain Powell hailed the value of UK agents in supporting the growth of the market
• The UK is now the third-largest source market for the cruise line, up from fifth just three years ago

2 mins read

Virgin Voyages promotes SJ Walker to UK market director

• SJ Walker joined the line in 2019 as sales manager and was promoted to sales director UK in 2021
• In her new position, she has a remit to shape the line's commercial growth in the UK
• Her promotion comes on the back of a record-breaking summer for the line, with UK sales up 30 per cent year on year

1 min read

Celebrity Cruises appoints Leigh Aslett as UK and Ireland sales director

• Celebrity Cruises has promoted Leigh Aslett to sales director UK and Ireland
• Aslett has worked for the line for 14 years, and is currently head of sales EMEA
• She will replace Nicola McNeish who is moving to sister brand Silversea as senior director of sales, UK and Ireland

1 min read

Virgin Voyages hosts 1,200 agents during biggest-ever UK trade activation

• Agents embarked Valiant Lady throughout the summer following the vessel's dry-dock earlier this year
• Events took place in Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool, Belfast, Edinburgh and Portsmouth
• Attending agents' confidence in selling Virgin Voyages grew by 34 per cent following the visits

2 mins read

Royal Caribbean releases 2027-28 guide with agent fam incentive

Royal Caribbean has relaunched its Travel Advisor Guide alongside a mini Wave incentive

1 min read

Princess brings in Kirsty Bell-Jack as sales manager, business development

• Kirsty Bell-Jack has also previously held roles with P&O Cruises
• Princess said she will be tasked to help strengthen its relations with UK agents
• She will report into the line's senior sales manager, Sophia Lief