Fiennes will deliver a closing keynote speech at the three-day event, Clia’s 12th, in Southampton on May 25.

The conference, to be held over May 23-25, will focus on how to make cruise appealing to all generations, including strategies and techniques to reach different age groups and demographics.

Clia unveiled its “inspirational and thought-provoking” 2018 speaker programme on Thursday (March 29).

It features luminaries from across the cruise industry, employment, education and sociology experts, sales and marketing leaders, and product developers.

Andy Harmer, Clia UK and Ireland director, said: “The over-arching theme of the conference is #GenerationCruise. Thanks to the incredible amount of new ships being delivered to Clia cruise lines this year and for the next few years, there is a mind-boggling array of types of cruise and itineraries to choose from; there’s a cruise for every generation.”

Cindy D’Aoust, Clia president and chief executive, will open the conference sessions on May 24 and give an overview of the association’s 2017 figures and its work globally.

With almost 30 years experience working in the employment and education sectors, Dr Paul Redmond will address delegates on the importance of recognising the differences between generations and the best ways to talk to them and engage with them.

MSC chief executive Gianni Onoratu will talk agents through the innovations the line has planned for its multiple ships on order and plans for next year’s launch of Bellissima, the first MSC ship to be christened in the UK for more than a decade.

Seabourn’s senior vice-president global sales and marketing Chris Austin will brief agents on developments in the luxury cruise sector and sales strategies for making the most of such opportunities.

Harry Sommer, executive vice-president international business development at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, will speak on the place of the line’s UK division in a global industry before Rai Caluori, Princess Cruises’ executive vice-president guest experience a product development, explains how the line conceives, designs and executes its new products.

“Rai and his team are all about putting the customer at the heart of everything they do,” said Harmer.

“This is a key part of their business strategy and Rai’s presentation will give much food for thought and be beneficial for all agents attending the conference.”

On the final morning, the conference will decamp to Princess’s Royal Princess for Fiennes closing keynote and a final address by Stuart Leven, vice-president Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Clia chairman and managing director.