Cruise

ROL Cruise contacted by ‘five or six’ agencies about new employee ownership model

The Colchester-based cruise specialist announced in November it had become employee-owned, with Rosie Cairns assuming the role of chief executive and Sarah Wikevand taking up the position of managing director

Ambassador merges with French cruise operator to create new group with larger fleet

The no-fly cruise company will launch its debut fly-cruise programme this winter with sailings from three Caribbean homeports – Barbados, Martinique and Curacao

Lindblad Expeditions aims to strengthen UK market position with dedicated brochure

The expedition line, which launched a collaboration with National Geographic more than 20 years ago, appointed Fred Holidays as it general sales agent in September

The key ships launching in 2025 – and how agents can get on them

TTG approached travel’s ocean and river lines late last year to find out how agents could get onboard the new vessels launching in 2025. Here’s what they had to say

Ambassador ships to host 600 agents in 2025

The no-fly UK cruise line is hosting 12 ship visits at six regional ports across the UK in 2025, which trade partners can apply to join now

Windstar to homeport ship in the UK for the first time in 2026

Star Pride to operate five ex-London cruises to Belgium, France and Norway’s fjords during May 2026

10 things to remember when selling cruise this year

Experts lay out their tips and tricks to maximise cruise sales in 2025 as the industry gathers in Windsor for the Clia Forum to reflect on another successful – and potentially record-breaking – year for the sector

Royal's Gerard Nolan: 'Listening to agents is a key priority for me'

Royal Caribbean’s new EMEA vice-president, Gerard Nolan, tells TTG’s Harry Kemble how he is ready to engage with the trade every day

AE Expeditions unveils ship visits and fam trips for 2025

The expedition cruise line plans to invite 150 UK and Irish agents on its fleet next year and give them the same experiences customers have

'Quality over quantity': How GoCruise & Travel finds new agents with the right 'vibe'

Of the 17 new members Colin Martin-Weekes has brought into the business this year, seven were ’complete novices’ with no travel experience whatsoever – he shares with TTG the secrets of his success

Inspire targeting 'significant' growth with launch of 'one-stop-shop' cruise website

Inspire Europe customers can search different live cruise options according to their preferences on the new website – www.cruisecollection.uk – but must call one of the agency’s 90 homeworkers or ring its call centre to book. The site features 44 lines from across the cruise sector

Panache Cruises invests £500k to support UK and US expansion plans

Money will be spent on additional office space for Panache Cruises at Strawberry Fields Digital Hub in Lancashire, and a larger premises in the US as well as more staff on both sides of the Atlantic

Virgin Voyages hands SJ Walker bigger remit in sales team shake-up

UK sales director SJ Walker’s remit has been broadened so she is responsible for all of the adults-only line’s UK trade distribution while global training manager Luke Day has been promoted to global trade engagement senior manager

'I've sold nearly 2,000 cruises – here are my top tips for other agents'

Tui’s Rachel Liversidge shares the secrets of her success

'Expect news of new ships next year,' new Azamara boss tells agents

However, chief executive Dondra Ritzenthaler tells TTG a new ship announcement is dependent on how the Wave period goes

New Explora Journeys vessel to touch UK soon after debut

Explora III will arrive in Quebec City, Canada, on 27 September 2026 via Southampton following its maiden cruise from Barcelona on 3 August. The vessel will be slightly larger than its sister ship – Explora I and II

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth to undergo 'significant' refit next year

The 2,000-passenger ship, which launched in 2010, will enter dry dock from 25 February to 13 March 2025 at Seatrium’s Admiralty Yard in Singapore

'Agents – make it your business to find the right holiday for everyone'

Champion accessible holidays to tap into a growing market, writes Aaron Langford, Royal Caribbean International’s senior sales director UK and Ireland, for TTG

A&K and Crystal bosses on making their marriage work

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal have been working together since 2019.

Hurtigruten and HX finalise separation following buyouts

The lines have been acquired by investment consortia, both led by asset management firm Arini Capital Management. The buyouts are expected to be completed in January 2025.

MSC World America: Join TTG for a video tour of the new ship

In April 2025, MSC Cruises will welcome MSC World America, its second World-class ship and the sister ship to MSC World Europa, into its fleet

Marella boss reveals how line managed to win over third-party agents

Managing director Chris Hackney tells TTG this year has been the best in the line’s history. More than 350,000 passengers have sailed with the Tui-owned line and almost 200 new agents have booked a Marella sailing

Tui agent reveals 2,000th cruise booking celebration plans

Assistant store manager Rachel Liversidge, who has spent 24 years with the travel giant, has sold an average of 75 cruises a year. Yet, she reckons she has only personally sailed on a cruise ship ’five or six’ times

Gus Antorcha named Princess Cruises president amid Carnival Corp shake-up

The leadership reshuffle sees Holland America Line president Gus Antorcha replace Princess Cruises boss John Padgett who will leave the cruising giant in February. While Beth Bodensteiner, senior vice-president and chief commercial officer at HAL, will become HAL’s president as well as have executive responsibility of Seabourn