| Face to Face: Tony Archbold Director of Sales Holland America Line and Seabourn

Welcome to Face to Face, where we chat to cruise industry leaders.
How did you get into the cruise industry?
29 years of industry preparation, 10 interviews and some people willing to give an
enthusiastic guy a chance. No other industry has had this level of appeal to me for so many
reasons. It’s dynamic, global and it is dominating the industry’s attention. There are very few
chances to start up an operation for two such loved brands so I just had to take the chance.
So glad I did!
Where do you see yourself and your company in five years?
I see myself and the company continuing to enjoy the growth in cruise that we’ve seen for
the last 10 years. The role isn’t important!
What is the key to your success?
It’s always been surrounding myself with the best staff I can find and resourcing them so
they can do the best they can at the job they are best suited to do.
How many cruises have you been on in the past five years?
Not enough…I can never do enough!
What is your favourite destination, and why?
Alaska. The cruising is spectacular, the wildlife unsurpassed and the wide open spaces humbling and so peaceful.
How do you spend days at sea?
At sea finding a quiet place on deck with a good book and just watching the world go by. On port days seeing as much as I
can of whatever place the cruise has taken me!
What is the next “hot spot” in cruising destinations?
South America. It has so much to offer as far as variety, scenery, history, culture, food and very friendly people.
What is the most important issue in the cruise industry today, and why?
Apart from the infrastructure issue, it’s training more agents so they can confidently sell to the so many future passengers
who don’t yet know what they are missing out on by not cruising!
How can cruising continue to grow in the current financial climate?
Continuing to offer the best value of any holiday option available and by reaching out to the great un-cruised.
Tony’s Cruise Favourites!
Ship: Seabourn Odyssey
Ship Activity: Embarking!
Shore Excursion: Listening to a string quartet in the Ephesus ruins playing just for me and my fellow guests!
Port: Too many to choose just one!
Onboard Food and Drink: The Crème Broulee in the Pinnacle Grill on any Holland America Line ship
Perk of the Job: Cruising!