Cruise

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

Tui targeting 50% app sales as it puts Ryanair packages on sale

Tui has set itself a target to achieve 50% of its sales via its app, and has pledged to develop technology that already accounts for double-digit figures in the UK

'I've toured the world on cruise ships and this German port is very underrated'

Senior loyalty and cruise sales manager James Brown has clocked up many a port in his time working for P&O Cruises

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

'Our evolution has only just begun', says confident Crystal boss

The luxury cruise line has announced an order of three new-build ships by 2032.

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

Louise Haigh, tax hikes and the 'B' word – seven takeaways from Abta Travel Matters

Labour’s approach to travel, Brexit frustrations and the climate crisis were all top of the agenda at the latest Abta Travel Matters this week

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

Travel bucks wider retail trends again in November, despite tough Budget

New Barclays research shows travel agencies doing very well, partly as consumers cut back on essential spend to save for luxuries

Outbound travel now contributing more to UK economy than pre-pandemic

Outbound travel’s contribution to UK PLC now exceeds that of pre-pandemic, new figures from Abta estimate

Silversea's Mediterranean, expedition and 2026 voyages In The Spotlight

Get the inside scoop on Silversea’s Mediterranean cruises and what makes them unique, hear why your clients will love an expedition voyage with the line and discover the new ocean voyages for 2026, in this short In The Spotlight video

'Business as usual,' says Scenic Group as Nick Hughes departs

Director of sales, partnerships and strategic growth departs, with Scenic pledging to ensure support for agents is ’business as usual’

Florida Showcase to cover Universal Epic Universe, cruise-and-stay holidays and more

The agenda for the TTG Visit Florida Showcase, taking place 4-5 December, has been revealed.

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

Black Friday: UK holiday fraud hotspot named after £12m hit last year

Police have warned consumers to be vigilant about holiday buying scams on Black Friday after fraud totalling more than £12 million was reported in 2023

Virgin Voyages, Carnival Corp, Balkan Holidays: this week's travel trade people moves

People moves this week include a leadership shake-up at Carnival Corp and industry veteran Chris Cundall becoming JTA Travel Group’s new head of UK sales

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