The Scenic Group – which includes Scenic and Emerald Cruises – has stated its intention to increase its engagement with the trade.

The company unveiled a “promise to engage with every agent keen to learn more about its portfolio of ocean, river and superyacht cruising brands”.

Recruitment for its 10-strong trade team was recently completed with the appointment of Ryan Readman in a new sales support role.

He joins a restructured team that has been bolstered this year with the addition of Jonathan Davies (sales manager north), Louise Tansey (sales manager central) Christina Cooper (trade marketing executive) and Jonathan Edwards (trade support).

They join director of trade sales Andrea Stafford, who arrived from MSC Cruises in March.

Scenic aiming for fam trips

Stafford said: “What’s really exciting for me is the fact that we now have one of the biggest sales teams out on the road, and I am committed to making sure that we talk to as many agents as possible to spread our message far and wide.”

Scenic’s second discovery yacht, Eclipse II, has also touched water for the first time ahead of its maiden voyage from Lisbon in April 2023.

Scenic Group said it will aim to give as many agents as possible the opportunity to get on board Scenic and Emerald Cruises’ ships.

This includes a recent fam cruise on board Scenic Eclipse that saw more than 50 agents join the yacht in Fowey, and via a new competition to win a place on Emerald Azzurra in the Red Sea this December.

• Cruise Trade News joined travel agents on Scenic Eclipse. Discover more about the ship and agent reaction in this feature.