Angus Struthers, vice-president, global marketing and EMEA sales, insisted “every distribution channel” available to Cunard had to grow before the line could achieve this goal.
Queen Anne is currently being built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy and is slated to launch in May 2024. “We’re looking to get agents on the ship during that first month after Queen Anne launches so they can experience it," he said.
“It’s our job to make sure that they’re equipped and understand where the ships are sailing. There are more Cunard sailings to choose from because of the extra capacity.”
Struthers said there were “hundreds of agents” who sold Cunard “infrequently”, adding: “We need to see more growth among certain types of agents.”
And although Struthers has seen new-to-brand agents, he said it was difficult to quantify exactly how many.
However, he stressed Cunard was in a “unique position” to attract new-to-cruise passengers because of the line’s rich heritage.
Asked how he felt about being part of the Cunard leadership team with a new ship coming into the fleet, Struthers said: “I’m immensely proud – how many people get to put that they’ve been at the heart of the development of a Cunard ship on their CVs?
“Cunard is a brand that gets you. This is a special milestone in our history and we’re very proud to be celebrating it. This is very much part of the evolution of the line, trying to get Cunard ready for the next generation. [Queen Anne] is inspired by our past, but designed for our future.”
Queen Anne’s maiden cruise – a 14-day Canary Islands sailing from Southampton – is sold out. The 3,000-passenger ship will be based in Southampton during its debut season.
