| Record number of industry events

Cruise industry colleagues can
look forward to more ship
walkarounds, famils and
functions this season.
CONSUMERS are not the only people to
benefit from the unprecedented number of
cruising options in Australia and New Zealand
in 2012-13, as thousands of travel agents and
suppliers will also be invited to experience the
latest offerings.
“With our cruises visiting most of Australia’s
major cities, plus two new ships joining us this
summer, we expect to host a record number of
travel agents onboard through our walkaround
program, special onboard events and
familiarisation cruises,” Adam Armstrong,
commercial director Australia, Royal Caribbean
Cruises, told CW.
“With Voyager of the Seas and Celebrity
Solstice being new to the market, we
particularly want to ensure that our industry
partners know first-hand what sets those ships
apart.”
Armstrong said another main focus would be
showing off the improvements on Rhapsody of
the Seas, which has returned for a sixth
season.
“Already an Australian favourite, she is sailing
here for the first time after her $54-million
revitalisation and I know that many of her
agent fans are very keen to take a look at her
impressive new amenities,” he said.
Carnival Australia is looking forward to
hosting close to 4,000 agents at around 60
different onboard events during its biggest
ever program across a range of brands
including P&O Australia, Princess, Cunard and
many others.
With 19 ships from the company’s various
fleets in Australians waters, director of sales
Don Clark said there would be lots of
opportunities for agents to jump onboard
during January, February and March.
“The summer cruise season gives us a great
chance to show off our fleet and let agents get
a firsthand experience of the product so they
can really understand the points of difference,”
Clark said.
About 2000 agents have already had a taste
of the booming cruise season, having enjoyed
the hospitality of Carnival Cruise Line’s
Carnival Spirit during her maiden one-night
Australian voyage (Cruise Weekly last Thu).
And there’s lots more to come, because the
cruise lines which are based here for the
season like Holland America’s Oosterdam will
also be complemented by many other vessels
making stops in Australia during their world
cruise voyages – providing unique
opportunities for local agents to see exactly
what they are selling to their clients.