The event will take place on May 15, 16 and 17 and features a trade fair, a full day of conference sessions and gala dinner including entertainment.
As well as the QM2, delegates can visit Celebrity Edge and MSC Preziosa. On Wednesday May 15, agents can board Celebrity Edge on only her second visit to the UK after her launch in December this year, while MSC Preziosa, which will be the first MSC ship to be made available on one of the main conference days, will also receive visitors. That afternoon, all delegates will attend the cruise trade fair.
Clia UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer agents the opportunity to visit these fabulous ships at our 2019 conference. Ship visits play a huge role in the event and we are delighted to give agents the chance to explore these amazing examples of modern cruising.”
The following day, delegates will attend a full day of conference sessions, featuring high profile speakers from across the cruise industry, as well as from outside the sector. The evening features a gala dinner and both the conference and evening events will be held at new venues.
The final day, Friday, will be held onboard QM2, and will include a special closing session, which last year featured explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Further details of the venues, theme and speakers will be announced in the build up to the event.
The event will be open to Clia member travel agents, with registration from September 12. Early bookers will get the chance to choose the ship they visit on the Wednesday.
This year’s conference which was themed #GenerationCruise, attracted a record 650 delegates. Previous speakers have included Clia global chair Arnold Donald, Royal Caribbean’s Adam Goldstein, NCL’s Andy Stuart and MSC’s Gianni Onorato.
